Kylin, Henrik
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU)
Abstract
The Blue Swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea, is one of Southern Africas most threatened bird species. The species is unique among terrestrial birds as it has a plumage almost as water repellent as water birds, an adaptation to foraging on the wing in dense fog. We show that strong detergents are formed by reactions between air pollutants at the Blue Swallow Natural Heritage Site, and argue that these are a threat to the survival of the species. We cannot do experiments with the species itself and have to rely on the vegetation in the area as proxy to elucidate threats to the species
Keywords
air pollution; blue swallow; Hirundo atrocaerulea; atmospheric reactions
Published in
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
2009, volume: 5, number: 3, pages: 484-486
Publisher: Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1897/1551-3793-5.3.484
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/25843