X,Y, and Z: A bird's eye view on light pollution

Abstract

The global increase in light pollution is being viewed with growing concern, as it has been reported to have negative effects ranging from the individual to the ecosystem level. Unlike movement on the ground, flying and swimming allows vertical motion. Here, we demonstrate that flight altitude change is crucial to the perception and susceptibility of artificial light at night of air-borne organisms. Because air-borne species can propagate through the airspace and easily across ecotones, effects might not be small-scale. Therefore, we propose including airspace as a vital habitat in the concept of ecological light pollution. The interplay between flight altitude and the effects of light pollution may not only be crucial for understanding flying species but may also provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of responses to artificial light at night in general.