The Greater Spotted Eagles, a species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), altered their migratory routes and reduced their stopover times due to Ukraine conflict, according to a recent study. .
The study published in the journal Current Biology highlights the profound impact of the 2022 Ukraine conflict on this migratory behavior of Greater Spotted Eagles.
EAGLES’ BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
“Armed conflicts can have wide-ranging impacts on the environment, including changes in animal behavior,” says Charlie Russell of the University of East Anglia, UK. “Our study provides the first quantitative evidence of this, showing how migrating eagles made deviations to avoid conflict events and spent less time refuelling at stopover sites.”
Tracking the Eagles
In 2017, researchers from The Estonian University of Life Sciences, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and their in-country partners began tagging Greater Spotted Eagles breeding in Belarusian Polesia. Polesia remains one of the last strongholds for this species in Europe. The goal was to track the eagles to identify critical areas for conservation efforts.
The situation changed dramatically on February 24, 2022, when the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. By March 3, the first of 21 tagged Greater Spotted Eagles crossed into Ukraine during their usual migration. The conflict had spread across major cities, creating an unforeseen challenge for the researchers tracking these birds.
DEVIATIONS AND REDUCED STOPOVER TIMES
Using GPS tracking and conflict data, the researchers quantified changes in the eagles’ migratory behavior. Compared to previous years, Greater Spotted Eagles used stopover sites less frequently during the conflict. These sites are vital for migrating birds to rest, feed, and hydrate. Additionally, the eagles deviated significantly from their usual routes, resulting in delayed arrivals to their breeding grounds and increased energetic costs.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION
The findings underscore the broader environmental impacts of armed conflicts, extending beyond the immediate humanitarian crises. The researchers stress that post-conflict recovery efforts should consider the environmental consequences on species and ecosystems. The study raises concerns about the conflict in Ukraine’s effects on numerous species, including hundreds of threatened species and millions of migratory birds.
FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES
“Similar responses have been recorded for birds residing in military training zones, but these new findings that show an impact for migratory species means that disturbance events can have more far-reaching impacts across many more individuals, over greater distances,” says Adham Ashton-Butt of BTO. The substantial effect on migratory behavior was detected even with a relatively small sample size, highlighting the significant influence of conflict on wildlife.
A CALL FOR COMPREHENSIVE RECOVERY EFFORTS
The study offers a critical reminder that the repercussions of armed conflicts are extensive and impact the natural world profoundly. Recovery efforts must address these environmental effects to ensure the survival and health of affected species and ecosystems. Understanding and mitigating these impacts are essential for protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance in the face of ongoing and future conflicts.
This study not only sheds light on the resilience of Greater Spotted Eagles amid conflict but also calls for integrated conservation strategies that account for the environmental impacts of human disturbances. By addressing these challenges, we can better protect vulnerable species and preserve the intricate web of life that sustains our planet.
