Species richness and abundance of forest birds in relation to radiation at Chernobyl

@article{Mller2007SpeciesRA,
  title={Species richness and abundance of forest birds in relation to radiation at Chernobyl},
  author={Anders Pape M{\o}ller and Timothy A Mousseau},
  journal={Biology Letters},
  year={2007},
  volume={3},
  pages={483 - 486}
}
The effects of low-level radiation on the abundance of animals are poorly known, as are the effects on ecosystems and their functioning. Recent conclusions from the UN Chernobyl forum and reports in the popular media concerning the effects of radiation from Chernobyl on animals have left the impression that the Chernobyl exclusion zone is a thriving ecosystem, filled with an increasing number of rare species. Surprisingly, there are no standardized censuses of common animals in relation to… 
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Heterogeneous relationships between abundance of soil surface invertebrates and radiation from Chernobyl
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Samples from 58 traps were obtained for 19 taxa of which five showed positive associations (Acari, Araneae, Formica sp., Homoptera), while four showed negative associations (Coleoptera, Collembola, Vespa, Insecta), independent of other environmental factors such as habitat, humidity and ecotype.
Ecological differences in response of bird species to radioactivity from Chernobyl and Fukushima
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The impact of radiation on abundance of birds was stronger at Fukushima than at Chernobyl, and differences between Chernobyl and Fukuskima may reflect differences in duration of exposure, differences in radioactive isotopes and differences in accumulation of mutations.
Assessing effects of radiation on abundance of mammals and predator–prey interactions in Chernobyl using tracks in the snow
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It is suggested that predatory mammals aggregate in areas with abundant prey, especially when prey are exposed to high levels of radiation.
Reduced abundance of raptors in radioactively contaminated areas near Chernobyl
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The abundance of birds of prey is reduced in contaminated areas, and that there is evidence of a recent increase in abundance of raptors in less contaminated Areas, but not in the most contaminated ones.
Reduced abundance of insects and spiders linked to radiation at Chernobyl 20 years after the accident
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Abundance of invertebrates decreased with increasing radiation, even after controlling for factors such as soil type, habitat and height of vegetation, implying that the ecological effects of radiation from Chernobyl on animals are greater than previously assumed.
eterogeneous relationships between abundance of soil surface nvertebrates and radiation from Chernobyl ladimir
Although pollution due to nuclear accidents constitutes some of the largest environmental disasters, there is surprisingly little information available on the relationship between abundance of…
Genetic and ecological studies of animals in Chernobyl and Fukushima.
TLDR
Interestingly, for birds, population declines in Chernobyl can be predicted by historical mitochondrial DNA base-pair substitution rates that may reflect intrinsic DNA repair ability, and this reflects in part life history, physiology, behavior, and evolutionary history.
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TLDR
Findings imply that the abundance of soil animals colonizing wood slices was dependent on background radiation, radioactive contamination of wood and the interaction between contamination of Wood and ambient radiation.
Cumulative effects of radioactivity from Fukushima on the abundance and biodiversity of birds
TLDR
The abundance of birds decreased with increasing levels of background radiation, with significant interspecific variation, consistent with the hypothesis that the negative effects of radiation on abundance and species richness accumulate over time.
Ionizing radiation and taxonomic, functional and evolutionary diversity of bird communities.
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Analysis of bird communities in forested areas around Chernobyl implies that level of ionizing radiation interacted with forest cover to affect species richness and its component parts, i.e. taxonomic, functional, and evolutionary diversity.
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