Anger in Heaven: Traffic noise changes the behavior of birds in Gallabajos

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If traffic irritates or puts it aggressively, it is not the only one. New research revealed that birds from Galabagos You suffer from “The Wrath of the Road” The cause of human being, with a highlight of the hidden effect of noise pollution after increasingly tight contact, for humans with wildlife and plants.

According to a study published in ‘Animal behaviorand Curruca Yellow from Galapagos, Kanora, which lives in the archipelago, is about 800 km from Ecuador, Those who live near the very crowded roadsand It interacts with increased aggression For traffic noise.

In what rhythm is Galabagos grow?

since Charles Darwin He developed his theory of human development after a trip to the islands in 1835, Galabagos They considered a A haven for wildlife. But the enormous increase in human societies since then has left its mark on local species.

The permanent population moved from only 2000 people in the 1960s to about 32,000 today. And continuing to grow 6 % every year. In addition, more than 200,000 tourists They visit annually Archipelago. This human existence has made growing More vehicles on the roads. But so far it has not been clear how traffic noise affected island animals.

How does traffic noise affect birds?

ARU’s research team and Conrad Lorenz Research Center at the University of Vienna conducted her studies Observe 38 male Rabelga Corca In the Santa Cruise and Floriana Islands. Almost half of less than 50 meters was from the nearest road. The other half was more than 100 meters.

Researchers Use loudspeakers To reproduce two soundtracks recorded in different days. Just reproduce the song of another man from Curruca Rabilarga, a sound that would simulate an infiltrator, while the other also contains Traffic sounds. Then they recorded how birds interacted with noise.

The birds that lived near the roads acted more aggressively, rising at the headphone and taking frequent trips through them, a maneuver that might mean that the birds were preparing for FightThe research team confirms.

Our results show that the change in the aggressive responses of yellow corkas It happened mainly near the roads“Caglar Akcay, the joint author of the study and a professor of environment in behavior in the African Union, said in a press statement accompanying the study.

“We also find some evidence that birds are trying to deal with noise by controlling their song, with yellow currucas in all habitats that increase the frequency of their songs Help them hear them over noise From traffic.

What does this mean for memorization efforts?

The Galapagos is famous for Biological diversityBut human activity increases the unique species in which they live. Understanding these changes in behavior is very important to memorization strategies all over the world, because population growth drives humans and Animals To an increased conflict.

If noise pollution forces birds to face more physically, this may affect their residents and Ecosystem In general, where people also participate. Our study clarifies the importance of development Strategies to alleviate the effects of noise pollution on animalsAkcay confirms that he adds: “It also highlights the important effect of human activities on animal behavior, even in relatively remote places such as the Galapagos Islands. “