Climate change and lithium mining influence flamingo abundance in the Lithium Triangle

Title	Climate change and lithium mining influence flamingo abundance in the Lithium Triangle
Authors	Jorge S. Gutiérrez, Johnnie N. Moore, J. Patrick Donnelly, Cristina Dorador, Juan G. Navedo, Nathan R. Senner
Magazine	Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Date	03/09/2022
DOI	10.1098/rspb.2021.2388
Introduction	Addressing climate change necessitates the advancement of new technologies. However, these ‘green’ innovations can inadvertently affect biodiversity. This study investigated how climate change and lithium extraction, critical for green technologies, impact surface water levels, primary productivity, and the populations of three endangered flamingo species within the Chilean Andes' ‘Lithium Triangle’. We integrated climate and productivity data with satellite-derived water levels and a three-decade record of flamingo populations, employing structural equation modelling. Regionally, flamingo numbers varied significantly annually due to fluctuations in surface water and primary productivity, yet no long-term temporal patterns were observed. Conversely, at the Salar de Atacama, a key lithium mining site, mining activities showed a negative correlation with the populations of two out of the three flamingo species. These findings indicate that ongoing growth in lithium mining and reductions in surface water could soon severely impact flamingo populations throughout their habitat. Urgent actions are therefore required to mitigate mining expansion and climate change effects, safeguarding both local biodiversity and the dependent human economy.
Quote	Jorge S. Gutiérrez, Johnnie N. Moore and J. Patrick Donnelly et al. Climate change and lithium mining influence flamingo abundance in the Lithium Triangle. Proc. Biol. Sci. 2022. Vol. 289(1970). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2388
Element	Lithium (Li)
Industry	Energy Storage & Batteries , Research & Laboratory