Migratory birds at the Wolong Lake wetland in Shenyang, in China’s northeast Liaoning province, on March 12. Data suggests a population drop of more than 42 per cent in migratory bird species using the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, thanks in large part to habitat destruction and degradation. Photo: Xinhua
Opinion
Mohammad Yunus
Mohammad Yunus
How Asia’s development push is driving migratory birds to extinction
The flocks of migratory birds making their annual journey across East Asia are dwindling because of unchecked destruction of their wetland habitats
Taking urgent action to preserve these wetlands from being overrun in the name of development will benefit not just bird populations but humans as well
The skies over East Asia were once filled with the remarkable sights and sounds of millions of migratory birds making their annual journey between breeding and wintering grounds. Enormous flocks including shorebirds, cranes, geese and songbirds traverse the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, one of the world’s crucial bird migration routes, twice each year.
However, this spectacular natural phenomenon faces a significant decline. Evidence suggests a population drop of more than 42 per cent in waterbird species using the flyway. This alarming trend threatens the ecological balance and biodiversity of the region.
Many studies have closely examined migratory bird populations across this flyway. They have reported nothing short of a crisis – a catastrophic decline of migratory birds. Species such as the spoon-billed sandpiper saw a drop of 26 per cent between 2002 and 2009.
The most recent estimate is an 8 per cent annual reduction between 2014 and 2019. Over the past three generations, the reduction is suspected to have been 70-80 per cent. If we don’t take urgent action to protect these species and their habitats, the region’s skies could soon fall permanently silent.
These declines aren’t limited to shorebirds. The endangered yellow-breasted bunting, once one of the most abundant migratory songbirds in Asia with a population numbering in the hundreds of millions, has declined by 50-80 per cent in the last two decades.
Even birds such as the black-faced spoonbill, a conservation success story after being saved from the brink of extinction in the 1990s, are not entirely out of the woods. While their numbers have rebounded, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed them as endangered as a precaution because of the rapid population decline expected over the next three generations.
Black-faced spoonbills rest at the Mai Po wetlands in 2022. Photo: May Tse
What is driving these losses? The answer lies in the relentless destruction and degradation of the wetland and coastal habitats that migratory birds depend on as staging areas during their journeys. East and Southeast Asia have emerged as the epicentre of this ecological crisis, grappling with rapid coastal development and wetland conversion amid breakneck economic growth and urbanisation.
Across China’s Yellow Sea coastline, a once-pristine landscape has undergone a rapid metamorphosis. Prime migratory bird stopover sites, once vital resting points for species traversing vast distances, have succumbed to the relentless push for economic development. These critical habitats have been paved over and transformed into cities and industrial zones, erasing centuries-old ecosystems in the blink of an eye.
The evidence paints a grim picture of the extent of habitat loss in the Yellow Sea region. Over the past five decades, more than 65 per cent of its coastal wetlands have vanished. The story is not unique to this region; similar patterns of destruction and degradation reverberate across Asia, signalling a broader ecological crisis with far-reaching implications.
The consequences of habitat loss extend beyond the immediate impact on migratory bird populations. Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. They serve as nurseries for diverse aquatic life, act as natural buffers against flooding and purify water, benefiting both wildlife and human communities.
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Migratory birds threatened by illegal hunters in southwest China
Migratory birds threatened by illegal hunters in southwest China
As East and Southeast Asia grapple with the dual pressures of economic development and environmental conservation, the urgency of preserving these vital habitats has never been clearer. Efforts to address this crisis must prioritise sustainable development practices that safeguard the rich biodiversity of these regions. Failure to act risks the continued decline of migratory bird populations and the unravelling of entire ecosystems, with far-reaching implications for the planet’s health and resilience.
There is a glimmer of hope amid all this concerning news in the form of the Regional Flyway Initiative, which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched in 2021 to safeguard vital wetlands across the Asia-Pacific. To achieve this, the ADB will partner with the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat, BirdLife International and other stakeholders to raise a substantial US$3 billion in the next decade to protect priority wetland clusters.
Furthermore, the rising tide of environmental consciousness among the younger generation has emerged as cause for optimism. A survey by EY in 2023 showed a profound shift in attitudes among young people worldwide as they expressed a deep desire for positive change.
This surge of youth activism is a potent force driving momentum towards sustainable practices and conservation efforts. It represents a seismic shift in societal values, where the preservation of natural ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity are increasingly seen as paramount concerns.
This growing environmental consciousness offers a ray of hope. It aligns with ongoing efforts to implement innovative sustainable development practices and bolster established conservation initiatives along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
The convergence of these factors – the adoption of sustainable practices, the dedication of conservationists and the impassioned advocacy of younger people – presents a formidable arsenal in the fight to safeguard the future of the flyway and its avian users.
Now more than ever, there is a pressing need to act decisively to ensure Asia’s migratory birds can continue their journeys along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for generations to come. Beyond the imperative of preserving individual species, this endeavour is about safeguarding one of the planet’s most awe-inspiring natural phenomena.
In this quest to protect the flyway, the voices of countless species echo a fervent plea for action. The skies, once filled with the vibrant hues of migratory flocks, must not fall silent. The fate of Asia’s migratory birds is intertwined with our own, and in their preservation we will find the preservation of our collective natural heritage.
Mohammad Yunus is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biological sciences at Khon Kaen University, Thailand
