institutions , estimated that there are nearly 3 billion fewer birds in North America today compared to 1970 . That means that more than a quarter of the bird population has disappeared in just 50 years !
The reason behind this precipitous decline in bird populations involves the complex interaction of multiple environmental factors , including pesticide use , insect declines and climate change , as well as direct threats like outdoor cats and glass skyscrapers . But there is one thing all of these factors have in common — they ’ re driven by human actions .
Why should we care about the decline in bird populations ? In addition to their important role as pollinators and speed dispersers , birds and their habitats are also important to human health and our economy . Birds aren ’ t just essential to pollinating crops , they also protect them by eating the insects that destroy them — especially coffee beans and wine grapes . Even if you aren ’ t a coffee or wine lover , everyone drinks water , and protecting bird habitats is one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure that we have access to clean drinking water , over 60 % of which comes from the rivers and streams in bird habitats .
The more we study the relationship between humans and nature , the more we find what a positive impact it can have on our physical and mental wellbeing . In fact , listening to bird calls has been found to improve our moods and attention . One of the ways to enjoy those benefits from nature and birds is by birdwatching , which more than 45 million people do as a hobby . This hobby has a surprisingly large economic impact , generating nearly $ 96 billion in total industry output , 782,000 jobs , and $ 16 billion in local , state , and federal tax revenue in a single year . But you don ’ t have take up birdwatching or trek into the wilderness to enjoy their benefits ; the presence of birds and greenspaces have been found to increase property values .
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