Bird nests attract flying insects and parasites due to higher levels of carbon dioxide
In a recent study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, researchers examined bird nests in order to understand how insects and parasites detect gases such as carbon dioxide and methane as a way to locate their hosts.
The researchers focused on blue tit bird nest boxes located in a deciduous forest in central Spain. They found that the nests contained more biting midges when concentrations of carbon dioxide were higher inside the nest compared to the forest air.
With the looming threat of climate change, rising carbon levels will affect every aspect of our ecosystem—from the largest to the smallest organism. "Predictions expect an increase of diseases in northern latitudes due to climate change," he says, "But factors like gas concentrations and temperature may affect the incidence of diseases," as well.
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