 Jon Hornbuckle
Most of the population of Milky Stork breeds in the Sundaland wetlands
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BirdLife assesses tsunami's impact on biodiversity
06-01-2005
In the wake of the terrible tsunami that struck around Asia and parts of East Africa on 26 December, BirdLife wishes to offer its deepest sympathies to all those people whose lives have been affected by the disaster.
"We have now been in contact with all members of the BirdLife Network in the affected region. I am pleased to say that no staff or volunteers appear to have been lost to the tsunami, although the events have obviously caused enormous trauma, shock and damage to communities, property, habitats and some wildlife." said BirdLife's Director, Dr Mike Rands.
"The immediate priority is to prevent further disease, suffering and mortality amongst the people in the affected areas, and to begin the process of rebuilding livelihoods and basic services." —Dr Mike Rands, Director, BirdLife
Although it is too close to the tragedy to make detailed assessments of how the region's birds might be affected, a preliminary study from BirdLife's scientists highlights a number of species and important areas that could suffer after-effects.
27 Globally Threatened Bird species regularly occur in the regions and habitats of Asia potentially affected by the tsunami. There are also three Endemic Bird Areas – areas which contain a unique concentration of biodiversity including bird species which are found nowhere else on the planet.
However, despite the wealth of biodiversity in the region, it is thought that few threatened species are likely to have been seriously affected by the direct effects of the tsunami, and no extinctions are predicted as a result. Surveys are needed to confirm the situation though, particularly in the Nicobar Islands.
It is likely that many coastal wetlands will have been affected by the large inflow of salt-water and wreckage during the tsunami, with longer-term effects including changes in their hydrology caused by changes to coastlines and damage to sea-defences. Forest habitats, particularly important forest areas on small islands in the Nicobar Islands and off Sumatra are likely to have been initially unaffected, but some areas could suffer future damage as a result of saltwater intrusion.
In the longer term, the reconstruction process might have significant impacts on biodiversity, particularly if communities of people are to be resettled in forested areas inland. It is important that the environmental impacts of new developments are properly assessed.
 K Sivakumar
The endemic Nicobar Megapode is potentially one of the species that could be most affected by the tsunami
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"The BirdLife Network will be working over the coming weeks and months to help ensure the best possible future for communities and their local biodiversity." —Dr Mike Rands
"The reconstruction process is likely to provide opportunities to integrate environmental protection and management with economic development in the region, including the opportunity to conserve and restore coastal habitats such as mangrove as coastal defences," said Dr Rands.
BirdLife's initial actions will be to:
- Provide immediate short term assistance for those IBAs/communities in greatest need and where BirdLife feels it can make a difference (initially in Sri Lanka)
- Rapidly assess the impact of the tsunami on globally important Important Bird Areas/key biodiversity areas and their communities, with possible follow up action as required
- Provide information, advice and support to those responsible for redevelopment/resettlement to avoid longer term damage to natural habitats and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods
- Offer support for students in natural resource management who have lost their universities, teachers and means by which to continue their studies (initially from Aceh Province in Sumatra)