The Galapagos islandsfamous for their biodiversity and for the contribution to Charles Darwin’s evolution theory, they are facing a new threat: noise pollution. A recent study published on Animal Behaviour revealed that The noise of traffic affects the behavior of the Galapagos yellow parulaa small endemic singing bird of the archipelago.
According to the researchers, the specimens that live near the roads tend to manifest one greater aggression Compared to those who live in areas further away from traffic. In recent decades, the human population of the archipelago has in fact grown rapidly.
If in the 1960s the Galapagos counted just 2,000 residents, today they host about 32,000 peoplewith an annual growth rate of 6%. To this is added the flow of over 200,000 tourists every year, which led to an increase in the number of vehicles on the islands.
Although the archipelago is considered a sanctuary for wildlife, until now it has not been analyzed in detail the effect of the noise of traffic on local animals. The new study instead highlighted that the constant noise produced by the cars can have significant consequences on the behavior of birds.
The yellow words also tend to increase the frequency of their songs
The research team, composed of anglia Ruskin University and the University of Vienna, has conducted observations on 38 Male of Gialla Parula in the islands of Santa Cruz and Floreana. The specimens were divided into two groups: one located less than 50 meters from the busy roads and the other more than 100 meters away.
To test their reactions, the researchers reproduced Two types of sounds via speakers. The first included only the singing of another male of the same species, simulating an intruder. The second combined the song of the atruse with the noise of traffic. The results showed that the birds closest to the roads responded with greater aggression, launching on the speakers and making repeated flights Around them, attitudes that usually precede a fight.
In addition, the study revealed that, to be heard above urban noise, the yellow words tend to increase the frequency of their songsa strategy that could affect their communication and reproduction dynamics.
Experts point out that these behavioral changes could have repercussions on the entire ecosystem. If noise pollution induces birds to be more aggressive, this could influence competition for the territory and resources, leading to a reduction of the population.
The results of this research demonstrate how fundamental it is to develop strategies for Reduce the impact of noise on natural habitatseven in remote areas such as Galapagos. Human activity continues to model the behavior of wildlife and understanding these effects is essential to preserve the ecological balance of the archipelago and the whole planet.
