Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Rising sea levels are a major threat to Florida esp the Keys.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Welcome to UHH.
I share your concerns about the future. Before humans, or at least before the invasion of the Americas by Europeans, Florida must have been a wondrous place. I don’t know how much longer we will continue to have what we now have. A major portion of the Everglades have been lost to construction and agriculture. Red tide and blue/green algae poison the water and kill off water life and birds. Theme parks have ripped out huge sections of the interior. Sea level rise threatens costal cities. I think nature will prevail and long after we humans kill ourselves off, reclaim the land.

Canisdirus

Bird populations are down 3 BILLION in the US and Canada over the last 50 years.

If that was happening to the human population with no end in sight.
You'd be in a bunker by now...in a full-blown panic.
For good reason btw...

Bill_de Loc: US

Don't you have a home in Florida? If so would you give it up for the bird's sake?

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PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome to UHH.
I share your concerns about the future. Get involved in your area to support birds. Stan

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

That means that about 7 billion survive.

But we are talking about Florida. Florida's habitat is unique for North America. Although the population is down it's not as bad as it is in other places.

And if that was happening to the human population it would provide a great benefit to the birds and all other animals.

Canisdirus

Says who?
The study is nation wide...Florida not part of the US?
It only looks like it's okay because of the winter and summer fly-throughs.
It only looks okay...if you aren't paying attention.

I remember Florida back in the 60's...there is a MONUMENTAL difference across the board.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

MY figures say more like 50% in the last 2 years ! - and that may be conservative

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Says Audubon. And no, Florida is not typical of the US or the rest of North America.

Take a look at the Audubon article at the link I provided earlier. Under the topic Habitat Breakdown they list the types of environments most affected. The first eight are not typical of Florida but the last two are:

"9. Coasts: Human activity—like driving on the beach, letting dogs and kids run loose on the beach, bringing gull-attracting food to the beach—can disturb birds attempting to incubate eggs and raise chicks. Climate-related factors pose a threat as well, as sea-level rise encroaches on nesting grounds and an uptick in tropical storms washes out beaches. The study estimates about 6 million birds have been lost in this habitat since 1970."

Six million birds is a drop in the bucket.

Then the next one:

"10. Wetlands: Some wetland species, waterfowl in particular, have seen population gains over the last few decades due in large part to political action and careful land management and restoration. ... The study estimates that this habitat has gained 20 million birds since 1970, an increase by more than 10 percent.

That more than made up for the loss in coastal populations.

If you are not seeing birds you are looking in the wrong place.

Bill_de Loc: US

It took over 200,000,000 years for the earth's human population to reach 1 billion. It took just 200 more years to reach 8 billion and growing.

So, are we really going to save wildlife, stop building new homes, or actually control global warming?

We are the problem who created all these other issues. Even todays pandemic isn't enough to substantially slow things down.

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sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Good question. Where were all the geese before there were golf courses?

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

This thread has become political and thus I suggest it should be moved. It had little to do with photography at the start and now it has nothing to do with photography.

Assertions about cause and effect, global warming, sea levels, how much has changed, where it has changed, whom to believe and such are hotly debated elsewhere but since arguing about them here is out of place I am not doing that.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

It will be interesting to see.

Canisdirus

Sorry if I care more than you do...but I do.
I have lived in Florida all of my life and my career was as an environmentalist.
Across the board...Florida has been diminished at an alarming rate...
With no end in sight.
Looking in the wrong places?
I have been where few have gone...and have gone where noobs go as well.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

I’m sorry if you feel that the sky is falling on you but you are not the only long time Florida resident here.

We have lived mostly in the Miami area since the early 1950s and in northern Florida since retiring. We are aware of the dramatic growth but we are not alarmists. We know our way around. When we want to find wildlife we know where to look.