TROPIBIO organized a roundtable on the declines of tropical rainforest birds

The main objective of the roundtable was to discuss "why rainforest birds are disappearing from pristine rainforests?” and to understand  the broader impact of climate change in this group. Panellist Wolfe talked about Effects of climate on patterns of avian survival in the Central Amazon, Speaker Grames talked about her research focusing on insects population trends and panellist Pollock closed the presentation section talking about mechanics of decline in tropical rainforest insectivores. 

The debate was very rich and looked at questions like: Why understory insectivores?; Is there real evidence that this trend is real and Pantropical or is it just Neotropical?; Is there an issue with insects per se?; Are insectivores "specialized" on certain arthropods?; What role do insectivores really play in the ecosystem; ie why are they important?; what is the mechanism behind the loss of understory insectivores?  There was also a discussion about "why this matter”? and "How to explain this for the general public”. 

The main target audiences were CIBIO-BIOPOLIS/University of Porto researchers and relevant staff, associated partners in Africa, other stakeholders in Europe-Africa collaborations, as well as researchers in general.  A total of 49 participants were registered for this roundtable, from various countries: Rwanda, Portugal, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, USA, Belgium, UK, Ghana, France, Namibia, and Canada.

Participants come from various institutions across the world:  Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Cleaner Production and Climate Innovation Centre, University of British Columbia, CIBIO, University of Cape Town, Rwanda Development Board, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute, FEDERAL University of Technology Owerri Nigeria, University of Cabo Verde, Biodiversity Initiative, State University of São Paulo, State University of Santa Cruz, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Buea, George Mason University, Université Catholique de Louvain,  University of Parakou,  Imperial College London, Federal University of Pelotas, Michigan Technological University. University of East Anglia , International Bird Conservation Partnership, University of Namibia, NGO Projecto Vitó, Ohio State University,  University of Florida, University of Utah, Louisiana State University, and Faculty of Technology of São Paulo. 

Read here the call for the event. Recording for this roundtable will be available soon. 


Zoom screenshot from Wolfe´s slides. 


Zoom screenshot from Grame´s slides. 


Zoom screenshot from Pollock´s slides. 


Youtube screenshot from live streaming. 


Youtube screenshot from live streaming (presentation).


Youtube screenshot from live streaming (debate).


Zoom screenshot from participants.