2019-07-01_neScholar

more especially its consequences

have been studied extensively only

in recent time. In the past century,

the extent and intensity of artificial

night lighting has increased to such

an extent that it has substantial

effects on the biology and ecology

of species in the wild (Longcore,

T., & Rich, C. 1, 2004). Ecological

light pollution alters natural light

regimes in terrestrial and aquatic

ecosystems. Some of the catastrophic

consequences of light for certain

taxonomic groups are well known,

such as the deaths of migratory

birds around tall lighted structures,

and those of hatchling sea turtles

disoriented by lights on their natal

beaches. A few of the important

implications of the ecological light

pollution for theoretical discussion

are given here.

Migratory Behavior of Animals and

the Ecological Light Pollution

One of the most copious way to alter

the natural conditions is to light the

darkness of the night. The migratory

behavior of animals is the most

enigmatic phenomena in animals.

Today, due to human induced

changes in the light pattern of our

ecosystems and more especially the

habitats of animals, changes of far

reaching negative impacts are seen

among the migratory animals. The

migration of animals towards their

feeding and breeding grounds are

closely associated with the natural

light conditions of the habitats or

the ecosystems where they are in,

and when this natural conditions are

getting disturbed it opens a number

of problems for them.

Billions of migratory birds during

the springs and falls slip through the

night sky as they shuttle between

their winter and summer ranges.

Migrating at night has its own

advantages that such birds do not

shy away from taking. It helps them

avoid predators and overheating,

while also freeing them up to eat

during the day. They use stars for

orientation, but some also tweet

while flying, emitting subtle flight

calls that help with navigation and

other group decisions.

A serious danger that the migratory

birds continuously face is when they

fly through urban areas at night. The

migrating birds are often confused

by electric lights, which can disorient

them and lure them to crash. A

glowing high-rise can kill hundreds

of migrating songbirds in a single

night letting them meet so sadly their

burial grounds. In U.S. cities like

Figure: Nearly 400 Migratory Birds Were Killed by One Texas Building

in a Single Night (Courtesy: National Audubon Society)

Figure: A bird injured and feeling completely puzzled. A report from Cornell University’s

Lab of Ornithology ranked Chicago as the most dangerous city for migratory birds.

(Courtesy: Chicago Tribune)

44 neScholar^0 vol 4^0 issue 4