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That number was much higher a few hundred years ago I bet. We've wiped out a lot of the biosphere by converting wilderness into cities and farms.
by rblion 5y ago
That number was much higher a few hundred years ago I bet. We've wiped out a lot of the biosphere by converting wilderness into cities and farms.
- havelhovel 5y agoNorth America’s wild bird population has declined by 30% since the 70s alone, long after once populous species like the passenger pigeon were hunted to extinction.
- eevilspock 5y agoOn the other hand, I've read that birds (and rodents) have thrived because of humans. We've killed off or limited the range of their predators. Many birds do well in cities, and unlike ground animals, they aren't stymied by all our roads and highways. So while the number of species of birds is likely much smaller, in terms of absolute population there might even be in increase. This is nothing to be proud of though. We might be to the planet what the coronavirus is to humans.
- havelhovel 5y agoSadly this isn’t true either. Some species that coexist with humans may be doing better, but they can be counted on one hand. North America’s bird population is 30% less than it was in the 70s.