Ozone pollution threatens bird populations to collapse: an imminent ecological threat?

While bird populations are declining, the factors associated with this decline are unclear. Based on laboratory experiments, air pollution has long been recognized as a factor causing oxidative stress and adversely affecting bird health. Recently, studies employing an epidemiological approach have reported significant declines in avian populations in Central Europe and the United States due to air pollution, and ozone in particular. We advocate that urgent actions are needed to mitigate these effects, which threaten biodiversity and environmental health, and propose a series of measures which can enlighten the path toward mitigating air pollution effects on avian populations.

Automated summary

While the decline in bird populations is happening, the reasons for this decline remain uncertain. Laboratory experiments have shown that air pollution is a known factor that causes oxidative stress and negatively affects bird health. Recent epidemiological studies have reported significant declines in avian populations in Central Europe and the United States due to air pollution, specifically ozone. Urgent actions are necessary to mitigate these effects, which pose threats to biodiversity and environmental health. Proposed measures can guide efforts in mitigating the impact of air pollution on avian populations.