"Traffic Noise and Land Clearing: A Dual Threat to Songbird Survival"

A study by Flinders University reveals that traffic noise and land clearing threaten the survival of the Southern Emu-wren, a rare songbird in Australia, exacerbating existing pressures on wildlife.

• The Southern Emu-wren, a threatened songbird native to southern Australia, faces increased risks from noise pollution and habitat loss due to urban development and agriculture.
• Research published in Ibis highlights how noise pollution affects the fitness (biology) of the Southern Emu-wren, disrupting communication essential for breeding and survival.
• In addition to noise pollution, habitat destruction from agriculture and predation by feral animals further threaten the wildlife population, including critical invertebrate food sources for the songbird.