Overview
- The Nature paper analyzes trait and occurrence data for nearly 3,700 bird species from about 1,200 sites worldwide.
- Using trait metrics and computer-based extinction simulations, the study shows that land-use change erodes the functional redundancy that buffers ecosystems from shocks.
- Urbanization and agricultural expansion reduce the number of species delivering key roles such as pollination, seed dispersal and predation.
- Disturbed habitats become dominated by a few disturbance-tolerant species with similar niches, leaving important ecological functions unfilled even where species counts remain moderate.
- Patterns were consistent from tropical forests to polar environments, and the authors provide a tool to gauge fragility for conservation planning.