A landmark study led by Dr. Sara Ryding from Deakin University has found that juvenile shorebirds in northwestern Australia are developing longer wings relative to their body size, an apparent adaptation to rising temperatures.

In contrast, the same species in southeastern Australia are showing the opposite trend.

The research, recently publish in the journal Ecography, analysed nearly 19,000 wing measurements across 11 shorebird species, collected over 43 years by dedicated citizen scientists in the Victorian Wader Study Group and Australian Wader Studies Group.

‘We were surprised to see such a clear regional difference,’ said School of Life and Environmental Sciences Dr. Ryding. ‘Birds in the north are growing longer wings, likely to help them shed more heat during flight. But in the cooler southeast, that pressure just isn’t there.’

The study focused on juvenile birds, allowing researchers to distinguish between developmental changes and long-term evolutionary shifts.

‘These birds are so young, so we were able to link their body shape to the conditions they’re experiencing right now, either in the Arctic where they hatch, or here in Australia where they spend the summer,’ said Dr. Ryding.

The findings highlight how climate change can drive divergent adaptations within the same species, depending on local environmental pressures. While both Broome in Western Australia and Melbourne, Victoria, host the same migratory shorebirds, the vastly different summer climates are shaping their morphology in contrasting ways.

‘It’s a tale of two beaches,’ said Dr. Ryding. ‘The different temperatures are shaping them in very different ways.’

The study also underscores the power of long-term citizen science. Volunteers across Australia have been collecting data on shorebirds for decades, providing an invaluable dataset that made this research possible.

‘This work wouldn’t exist without the incredible efforts of citizen scientists,’ said Dr. Ryding. ‘Their commitment has given us a rare window into how wildlife is responding to climate change in real time.’

These findings have important implications for conservation. As climate change continues to alter ecosystems, understanding how species adapt – or fail to – will be critical for protecting biodiversity.

‘We need to move beyond one-size-fits-all conservation,’ said Dr. Ryding. ‘What works for birds in the north may not be relevant in the south. Local conditions matter.’

The research team hopes their findings will inform future conservation planning and inspire further collaboration between scientists and the public.

INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.

Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au