Electronics 'affect bird navigation' 電子設(shè)備影響鳥(niǎo)兒的方向感

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據(jù)一項(xiàng)研究調(diào)查顯示電子產(chǎn)品可能對(duì)某些鳥(niǎo)類的遷徙產(chǎn)生影響。一組德國(guó)科研人員發(fā)現(xiàn)由電子設(shè)備和廣播信號(hào)制造的電磁場(chǎng)會(huì)影響鳥(niǎo)類的方向感。這項(xiàng)研究發(fā)表在《自然》雜志上。請(qǐng)聽(tīng) BBC Rebecca Morelle 發(fā)回的報(bào)道。

Some birds perform remarkable feats of navigation, migrating halfway around the world. And it’s thought that a built-in compass, which senses the Earth's magnetic field, helps them to find their way.

But this latest study suggests that low frequency waves produced by devices plugged into the mains electricity, could be interfering with this 'inner satnav'. Scientists found that migratory birds exposed to this electromagnetic noise lost all sense of direction. But when the field was blocked out, they found their bearings again.

Researchers believe electrical interference could be a particular problem when birds fly over urban areas. They think the birds are forced to switch to back-up navigational systems, staying on course using the sun and stars instead.