What is the significance of birds in nature and human life? Endangered species

Coming into the forest or going to the river, we enjoy the sounds of nature, which for the most part are created by birds. They can sing, shout, whistle, hiss, without their diverse voices, these places would not seem so attractive to us. But what else is the significance of birds in nature and human life? How do they affect the neighborhood with people?

Distribution of birds on the planet

Birds live on all continents, and also populate most of the islands. They settle everywhere where vegetation grows, and there are also living beings that will fit them into food. Their habitats are meadows, forests, deserts, mountains, swamps, tundra and steppes. Also there are birds that spend most of their time in the open sea. According to some estimates, there are more than 9000 bird species on the Earth. The greatest variety of birds can be found in tropical forests. The smallest number of species is found in Antarctica and the Arctic, where conditions are too severe. But here there are many individuals of this or that species.

Benefits from birds

But what is the significance of birds in nature and human life, for which such diversity is necessary? It is interesting that each species has its own area of activity. All birds successfully fulfill their mission due to the fact that their numbers are high. According to scientists, there are about 100 billion birds on the planet. Due to the fact that they eat insects and vegetation, they directly render service to the living nature, not allowing small creatures to flood the Earth. For example, without them, the entire planet would be impassable because of the huge clouds of insects. Also, the importance of birds in nature and human life is expressed in the fact that they eat small rodents, controlling their numbers. Without this, all the crop fields would be constantly attacked by pests.

Also, many birds serve as food for other animals, thereby supporting a complex chain of ecosystems.

Seed propagation

Many birds in winter and autumn eat fruits of mountain ash, bird cherry, elderberry, etc. As they travel from place to place, along with the droppings are carried seeds that are sprinkled with rain and germinate. In addition, the birds carry acorns, which without their help would remain forever under the tree because of their severity. For example, jays grab the fruits of oak and carry them far, far away, but often they lose them in flight - so the trees sprout.

But the significance of birds in nature and human life is not exhausted. There are birds that feed on the nectar of flowers. For example, they are nectaries and hummingbirds, they fly up to the plant and pollinate it like many insects.

Bird flu and litter

It is worth noting some additional features of birds that bring human benefits. So, the litter of many species is a real valuable fertilizer, and their fluff serves as a good insulant for things. For example, the sea duck eider fluff is famous for its low thermal conductivity, softness and excellent elasticity, which is suitable for making pillows and warm clothes.

Litter of birds contains a lot of phosphorus and a salt of nitrogen, which is considered an excellent combination for fertilizing the soil. In those areas where the birds are nesting, you can sometimes find a thick layer of guano (litter), which is used as a fertilizer.

Attracting birds to parks

We have clarified the features of birds and their importance in the chain of the ecosystem - they destroy the mass pests of cultivated plants. Also important are birds of prey, they catch large numbers of small rodents that carry infectious diseases such as jaundice and plague. Therefore, if someone has birds in the garden, they can not be chased or frightened. Also, it is not worth pursuing them for the sake of sports interest. On the contrary, it is important for these tireless workers to attract other places to the parks. The main thing is not to disturb the inhabitants of the birds during the nesting and not to take the chicks. You can make new plantings, so that the birds have places where they can hide. And in winter you can help them by hanging the feeders with seeds and bread.

Disappearance of birds

Today, many species become rare due to the fact that a person cramps them with their progress and cruelty. Because of this, the Red Book birds are replenished with new names. Today, reserves have been created in which rare species can feel relative safety without fear of human activities.

Birds of the Red Book of Russia

In the Red Book were those birds that are permanently resident or temporarily inhabiting the territory of Russia. They need special protection and non-interference in their lives. And they have the right to this, otherwise it will happen that many populations will soon be considered disappeared. All these species are divided into six categories.

1. "0" - presumably disappeared.
2. "1" - under the threat of extinction. This includes: the red-footed ibis, the yellow-billed heron, the pink pelican, the large stamping, the Yankovsky oatmeal, the mountain goose, the marble teal, the savage, the crested pecan, the dry skin, the jack, the Dahurian and the Japanese crane, the Siberian Crane, the Far Eastern stork, the white-winged pole-race.
3. "2" - the number is decreasing. These include: shaggy nuthatch, spoonbill, small cormorant, curly pelican, Mongolian lark, black-throated diver, European, whitetail, kloktun, white-eyed duck, Lesser White-fronted goose, European average woodpecker, subspecies of East Siberian bustards.
4. "3" are rare birds. This includes: the Egyptian heron, the karavayka, the black stork, the average white heron, the crested cormorant, the paradise flycatcher, the reed sutora, the gray shrike common, the white-bellied loon, the American swan, the American goose, the black Atlantic goose, the red-breasted goose, the Baer duck, the scaly crustacean, Sturgeon, Black Crane, Red-footed Pogonich, Sultanka.
5. "4" - the status is not defined. These include: Japanese and warbler warbler, European white azure, Aleutian Canadian goose, red-breasted woodpecker, horned reed.
6. «5» - actively restored. This includes a small swan and belladonna.