'Monster Heatwaves' Soaring to 48 Degrees Issue Chilling Warning: "Birds Are Defenseless, Their Fate Unknown" [Experimental Note]

Heatwaves and Droughts Becoming More Frequent

Still a Lack of Research on Bird Impacts

"Heatwaves May Affect Bird Survival and Reproduction"

Editor's NoteEat one now, or wait and get two. Do you remember the marshmallow experiment that observed children's choices? Sometimes, simple research can change the way we see life. Let's reinterpret our daily lives through experimental data.

Even though it's only May, daytime temperatures have already started to exceed 30 degrees Celsius. With the midday high in Seoul reaching 31 degrees, people are already seen wearing short sleeves on the streets, and more are opening parasols or pausing in the shade. We've just entered early summer, but the unseasonal heat is already making people anxious about the upcoming summer.

When it gets hot, people can step into an air-conditioned cafe to catch their breath or cool down with a bottle of cold water. But wild animals and plants are different. They must endure the scorching asphalt and heated air with their entire bodies. Especially for most birds, which are active during the day, there are hardly any places to cool off from the blazing sun.

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'Deadly Heatwaves' Become More Frequent...Yet Bird Research Remains Lacking

Scientists have issued warnings about the survival of birds during heatwaves. Extreme heatwaves have already become a major threat to birds, but the scientific community still lacks sufficient knowledge and methods to properly measure the damage.

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden recently pointed out this knowledge gap in a study analyzing the impact of severe heat on birds. According to their findings, simultaneous extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense worldwide.

The problem is that birds are not well equipped to adapt to these changes. The researchers noted that heatwaves in various regions have led to mass deaths among birds or have caused long-term deterioration in their physical condition. This means that it’s not just about withstanding hot weather—survival, reproduction, and population stability can all be affected.

Andreas Nord, a biology researcher at Lund University who led the study, said, "Unlike mammals, birds cannot dig burrows or hide underground." Most birds are active during the day, and there are limited spaces where they can escape the heat.

However, the researchers identified an even more critical issue. While it is known that birds are vulnerable to extreme heat, little is understood about the specific ways in which heatwaves affect them. There is a lack of research on which physiological and behavioral mechanisms are most important for reducing heat stress, and how these functions differ among species.

The regional limitations of existing studies were also highlighted. So far, most research on birds and heatwaves has been conducted in the Southern Hemisphere and desert regions. In contrast, little is known about how birds in cooler areas, such as northern Europe, can withstand extreme heatwaves and global warming.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

Nevertheless, European summers are growing ever hotter. Last year, a 'deadly heatwave' swept across Europe, with temperatures in Murcia, southern Spain, soaring to 48 degrees Celsius and resulting in a series of human fatalities. According to research conducted by scientists at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, approximately 2,300 people died from heat-related causes in 12 cities—including Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, London in the UK, and Milan in Italy—over the 10-day period from June 23 to July 2 last year.

This study also drew attention to humidity. The researchers revealed that humidity has a significant impact on birds' heat tolerance—their ability to withstand high temperatures—but has been largely overlooked in previous studies. Even at the same temperature, dry heat and humid heat put different levels of strain on the body. For birds as well, this difference can be a decisive factor for survival.

Age, lifespan, and health status were also identified as important factors. Young and old individuals, healthy birds and those already weakened, cannot all endure the same heatwave in the same way. The researchers believe that reflecting these differences is necessary for more accurately predicting heatwave damage in natural environments.

Humans Prepare...Wildlife Remains Exposed

In this study, the researchers presented a theoretical model to help calculate and predict which birds, in what environments, and at what times, may suffer from overheating or even die. They also proposed a 'sensitivity index' that can be used to analyze the impact of heatwaves.

This summer is also expected to be extremely hot. The government has put in place health protection measures for workers against heatwaves, and if the perceived temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius and a severe heatwave warning is issued, suspension of outdoor work, except for emergency operations, is strongly recommended. As heatwaves intensify, response systems for humans are being developed in detail.

However, measures for animals and plants are still at a very early stage. We still do not fully understand how heat affects wildlife. Perhaps recognizing and understanding the warning signs sent by animals and plants is the starting point for responding to the climate crisis.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.