Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have conducted a comprehensive study on the impact of forest logging and climate change on bird communities in tropical mountains, particularly in the Eastern Himalayas.

Study Overview: The team gathered data from the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, a biodiversity hotspot, over a decade. Focusing on primary and logged forests, they examined changes in the mid-elevation Eastern Himalayan understorey bird community.

Findings: Forest loss and climate change emerge as significant threats to tropical montane ecosystems. Rising temperatures prompt bird species to shift to higher elevations, with logged forests exacerbating the transition. The study underscores the adverse effects of logging, leading to the loss of large-bodied species and a decline in overall biodiversity.

Importance of Primary Forests: The research emphasizes the crucial role of safeguarding primary forests to mitigate climate change effects on bird communities. Protection of undisturbed forests across elevational gradients is essential for species survival amid shifting climates.