Agency blames climate change for end to watch on 23 species

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The Japan Meteorological Agency cited climate change for its decision to stop monitoring some species of birds and insects at the end of this year after nearly 70 years of keeping records.

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Officials explained that it is becoming increasingly difficult to spot them around its observatories across the nation due to warmer temperatures.

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The agency said Nov. 10 that its observation of 23 species, including dragonflies and Japanese bush warblers, will halt at the end of December. The work has been carried out at its observatories and local weather stations at 58 sites.

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Agency workers have kept records of sightings as well as birdsong and insect chirping on an annual basis since 1953 to monitor the progress of the seasons and signs of change in the climate.

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Officials reported the first date of each year that they spotted red dragonflies, fireflies, swallows and black-spotted pond frogs and heard the sounds of Japanese bush warblers, various species of cicadas and crickets.

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But the number of species that can no longer be observed around its facilities rose due to urban sprawl and global warming, the agency said.

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The agency also observed 34 varieties of plants, but will stop doing so for 28 varieties.

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It cited difficulties in finding a particular tree suitable for the observation work.

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Still, the agency will continue monitoring six varieties of plants: when cherry blossoms start to bloom and are in full bloom, when ginkgo tree leaves turn yellow and drop off and when plum trees, hydrangeas and pampas grass bloom.

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