The Mighty Jungle
(eBook)

Birds have a far-reaching influence in the environment; from providing food for other animals and humans to playing a vital role in maintaining the balance of natural ecosystems. With approximately 13% of current extant bird species being considered globally threatened with extinction, it is clear that their importance to the environment is increasingly under pressure. Birds are known to perform a variety of ecological roles, such as devouring pests, pollinating flowers, dispersing seeds, scavenging carrion, cycling nutrients, and modifying the environment in ways that benefit other species. Not only are they useful to humans, but they are also observed, fed and used as artistic and spiritual inspiration by millions of people around the globe. Furthermore, birds are conspicuous in many habitats, occur worldwide and are better known than other vertebrate groups. Moreover, due to climate change and human movements, the spread of avian diseases has become a threat to global commerce, which can cause considerable loss of life. Overall, birds are an important part of the environment and provide a variety of ecosystem services that are essential to their survival and the well-being of humans.