Cumulative effects on abundance and biodiversity of birds 1 by radioactivity from Fukushima

Species differ in their susceptibility to radiation through 24 differences in their ability to sustain toxic and genetic effects caused by 25 radiation. We censused breeding birds in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, 26 during 2011-2014 to test if the abundance and diversity of birds became 27 increasingly negatively affected by radiation over time. The abundance of 28 birds decreased with increasing level of background radiation, with 29 significant interspecific variation. Even though levels of background 30 radiation decreased over time, the relationship between abundance and 31 radiation became more negative over time. The relationship between 32 abundance and radiation became less negative with increasing trophic 33 level. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the negative 34 effects of radiation on abundance and species richness accumulate over 35 time. 36 37