Long term exposure to high radiation levels near the abandoned Chernobyl nuclear plant is causing birds' brains to shrink, according to a new study of more than 40 species in the area. According to BBC Earth News, the study shows up to 5 percent smaller brain size in the birds, with the smallest brains belonging to younger birds. This is believed to show a link between the birds' early development and brain size, and many birds are believed to not survive early development with the radioactive contamination.The recent study, the largest wildlife census performed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone since the reactor's explosion in 1986, also shows declining diversity among the area's mammals and insects. The exact link between the high levels of background radiation and the birds' brains is unclear, though environmental stress has been shown to have physiological impacts on birds in other situations.
Many artificial factors are little known threats to birds, even "safe" environmental changes such as artificial turf, wind farms and improper bird houses. While Chernobyl's effect on birds is extreme and unique, it serves as a warning that every artificial action can have unknown and unintended consequences on wildlife.
Chernobyl
Photo © Fi Dot
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