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🐦 House sparrow decline: Indian review names electromagnetic radiation among contributing stressors

June 24, 2026 (EMFS)
Jul 1, 2026 (original)
Source: Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics
Source category: Research
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A new review in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics integrates ecological, physiological and genomic perspectives on the decline of Passer domesticus (house sparrow) and lists electromagnetic radiation from mobile communication infrastructure and power systems among the multiple stressors that have been linked to altered avian behaviour, reproductive success and embryonic development in birds. The authors — led by Prashanth Suravajhala at Manipal University Jaipur, with co-authors from Bioclues.org, Banaras Hindu University, Jaipur National University, Florida A&M University and Wake Forest University — note that high-frequency radiofrequency fields have been linked to reduced breeding success and increased embryonic mortality, that field-strength calculations would predict no sparrows in areas above 4 V/m, and that house sparrows are disappearing from areas around mobile towers in India. The review frames the species as both a sensitive bioindicator of urban environmental change and a model for studying human-driven ecological and genomic impacts.

"In recent years, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from mobile communication infrastructure and power systems has also been hypothesized as a contributing stressor, with reported associations between high EMR exposure and altered avian behaviour, reproductive success, and embryonic development in birds."

— Sharma et al. (2026)

"This review integrates ecological, physiological, and genomic perspectives to evaluate potential mechanisms underlying Passer domesticus population decline."

— Sharma et al. (2026)

"Overall, Passer domesticus emerges as both a sensitive bioindicator of urban environmental change and a valuable model for studying human-driven ecological and genomic impacts."

— Sharma et al. (2026)

Source

Passer domesticus: An evolutionary genomics perspective on adaptation, Allee effects nopr.niscpr.res.in

📄 Underlying Research

[Sharma G Pandey D Suseelan V Desai S Mishra R Jangir N Medicherla KM Katam R Chaubey G Suravajhala P] Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics Journal Level 1ⓘ

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