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    Cold, forbidding and inaccessible, the Arctic tundra used to be the most untouched area on earth—at least by humans. But the icy region, which encompasses the earth's most northern cap, is home to many birds during their nesting season.Though it takes a hardy breed to weather the temperatures, limited food sources and vast distances - the Arctic Tundra ecosystem is actually quite fragile. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), warming global temperatures will melt the permafrost and erode vegetation. This will have a severe impact on animal life with the loss of more species to the region. On top of that, recent mining activity and nuclear power plants in areas bordering the Arctic Circle have aggravated the threat to both the environment and the animals that retreat to the area to nest and regenerate. A diverse conglomeration of birds migrates to the Arctic in their breeding season. Birds of prey such the Merlin, Peregrine Falcon and the Rough-Legged Buzzard, roost in rocky cliffs side by side with a less fierce species - the Lesser White-fronted Goose. Distinguished from the average goose by the dramatic white blaze on its face surrounding the bill, this living arrangement offers the goose protection from land-bound predators such as the Arctic Fox. The goose is highly migratory, travelling from its nesting grounds in the tundra of Scandinavia and Siberia to warmer climates as far south as Greece. Fledglings born late summer in the Arctic, grow and become strong enough to migrate to Europe by the autumn. But the climate changes in Arctic circle have made the Lesser White-fronted Goose one of the most endangered birds in Europe. Rising temperatures confuse the birds as to when to begin migration so fewer and fewer birds are making the trip. They stay in Europe where they are prey to hunters and the loss of their wetlands habitat. Or they stay too long in the Tundra, throwing off the natural balance amongst species that live there. The number of Lesser White-fronted geese has decreased nearly 90 per cent since the early part of the 20th century, leaving the world population at approximately 50,000. Because tagging and tracking the birds has only become commonplace in the last two decades, information on the geese is scarce, leaving scientists baffled by the drastic loss. Established by the as an information and assessment centre, the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), has developed programmes to conserve the Arctic environment. WCMC studies predict that global warming and the ensuing habitation loss will affect millions of birds over the next 100 years. The Lesser White-fronted Goose is also protected under the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA). The largest of its kind under theConvention of Migratory Species, this agreement covers 172 species of birds that are dependent on wetlands for at least part of their migratory cycle. The AEWA covers the area from the northern tips of Canada and the Russian Federation to the very southern tip of Africa.
LEARN MORE how the UN works with its partners around the world to save endangered species. Go to the links at the side of the page. Photo credit: UN |
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