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A Cornell-led study analyzing nearly 95,000 tree swallow nests over five decades found that northern populations in the U.S. and Canada face greater climate change risks than their southern counterparts, despite showing similar temperature responses. Northern tree swallows are experiencing a critical timing squeeze that threatens their survival, while southern populations appear less vulnerable to these climate-driven changes.
Why it matters
This research demonstrates that climate change impacts can vary significantly across a species' geographic range, even when behavioral responses are similar. The findings highlight the need for region-specific conservation strategies and suggest that northern bird populations may require targeted intervention to survive warming conditions.
Understand the Science
Tree swallows in the northern U.S. and Canada face the greatest risk from climate change despite responding to temperature the same way as tree swallows in the southern U.S., according to a new study led by Cornell researchers that analyzed nearly 95,000 nests across five decades. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveal a critical timing squeeze for tree swallows in the northern half of the United States and Canada, putting them at risk.
Source: Climate change leaves northern tree swallows more vulnerable those in the southern US