Bird Populations Near Fukushima Are More Diminished Than Expected

[Fledermaus]

Newswise — Low-level radiation in Fukushima Prefecture appears to have had immediate effects on bird populations, and to a greater degree than was expected from a related analysis of Chernobyl, an international team of scientists reported today in Environmental Pollution.

In July 2011, the researchers identified and counted birds at 300 locations in Fukushima Prefecture, ranging from 15 to 30 miles from the damaged nuclear complex. Largely still open to human occupation, these areas had external radiation levels from 0.5 to 35 microsieverts per hour.

Overall, the bird community as a whole was significantly diminished in the more contaminated areas.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/bird-populations-near-fukushima-are-more-diminished-than-expected

[bluecoat_fan]

1. But they said fallout is just as safe as a few CAT Scans.(nt)

[Dead_Parrot]

2. Ooh, Pape Møller

How exciting.

[Yo_Mama]

3. My first thought

was that a species-by-species count might give a lot of info.

For example, obviously the fields are not being worked, and some bird populations are strongly associated with cultivation. A lot more about the environment in the exclusion zone has changed than just radiation.

You would think some birds dependent on the aquatic food chain would be particularly affected by radiation also. I hope they do a more intensive study as suggested in the article, and I hope it is multi-year.

I suppose the researchers have to restrict their studies/exposure in this zone too, so I'm sure that makes it more difficult.