Abundance of birds in Fukushima as judged from Chernobyl.
The effects of radiation on abundance of common birds in Fukushima can be assessed from the effects of radiation in Chernobyl. Abundance of birds was negatively related to radiation, with a significant difference between Fukushima and Chernobyl. Analysis of 14 species common to the two areas revealed a negative effect of radiation on abundance, differing between areas and species. The relationship between abundance and radiation was more strongly negative in Fukushima than in Chernobyl for the same 14 species, demonstrating a negative consequence of radiation for birds immediately after the accident on 11 March 2011 during the main breeding season in March-July, when individuals work close to their maximum sustainable level.
Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 362, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France. anders.moller@u-psud.fr
Anders Pape
AP
Møller
Atsushi
A
Hagiwara
Shin
S
Matsui
Satoe
S
Kasahara
Kencho
K
Kawatsu
Isao
I
Nishiumi
Hiroyuki
H
Suzuki
Keisuke
K
Ueda
Timothy A
TA
Mousseau
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001717:Birds / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development*; D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D007564:Japan; D011158:Population Growth; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D012426:Russia
D011848:Radioactive Pollutants