Climate Change And Migratory Species – Part 1
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
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Abstract: This synthesis examines how climate change affects migratory species across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. Drawing on over 150 peer-reviewed studies and CMS partner contributions, it assesses species-level vulnerabilities including breeding disruptions, phenological mismatch, habitat degradation, and mortality due to extreme events. Taxa such as seabirds, Afro-Palearctic passerines, migratory bats, and sharks are highlighted for their sensitivity to temperature shifts, rainfall variability, and loss of critical stopover sites. Case studies trace long-term population declines linked to rising sea levels and seasonal unpredictability. The report also identifies major data gaps—particularly in the tropics and Southern Hemisphere—and calls for standardization in monitoring protocols. While adaptation efforts remain uneven, the paper recommends integrated conservation frameworks, spatial risk mapping, and cross-border collaboration for migratory corridor protection under the CMS and SDG 15 mandates.