scholarly journals Landfast ice: a major driver of reproductive success in a polar seabird

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 20210097
Author(s):  
Sara Labrousse ◽  
Alexander D. Fraser ◽  
Michael Sumner ◽  
Frédéric Le Manach ◽  
Christophe Sauser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Nonlinear Effects ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Emperor Penguin ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Breeding Parameters ◽  
Polar Species ◽  
Top Predators ◽  
Landfast Ice

In a fast-changing world, polar ecosystems are threatened by climate variability. Understanding the roles of fine-scale processes, and linear and nonlinear effects of climate factors on the demography of polar species is crucial for anticipating the future state of these fragile ecosystems. While the effects of sea ice on polar marine top predators are increasingly being studied, little is known about the impacts of landfast ice (LFI) on this species community. Based on a unique 39-year time series of satellite imagery and in situ meteorological conditions and on the world's longest dataset of emperor penguin ( Aptenodytes forsteri ) breeding parameters, we studied the effects of fine-scale variability of LFI and weather conditions on this species' reproductive success. We found that longer distances to the LFI edge (i.e. foraging areas) negatively affected the overall breeding success but also the fledging success. Climate window analyses suggested that chick mortality was particularly sensitive to LFI variability between August and November. Snowfall in May also affected hatching success. Given the sensitivity of LFI to storms and changes in wind direction, important future repercussions on the breeding habitat of emperor penguins are to be expected in the context of climate change.

scholarly journals Weather conditions explain reproductive success and advancement of the breeding season in Western Capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus )

Ibis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Coppes ◽  
Jim‐Lino Kämmerle ◽  
Karl‐Eugen Schroth ◽  
Veronika Braunisch ◽  
Rudi Suchant
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Tetrao Urogallus

scholarly journals Fine-scale structures as spots of increased fish concentration in the open ocean

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Baudena ◽  
Enrico Ser-Giacomi ◽  
Donatella D’Onofrio ◽  
Xavier Capet ◽  
Cedric Cotté ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coherent Structures ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Lagrangian Coherent Structures ◽  
Mesopelagic Fish ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Conservation Policies ◽  
Top Predators ◽  
Frontal Zones ◽  
Spatio Temporal

AbstractOceanic frontal zones have been shown to deeply influence the distribution of primary producers and, at the other extreme of the trophic web, top predators. However, the relationship between these structures and intermediate trophic levels is much more obscure. In this paper we address this knowledge gap by comparing acoustic measurements of mesopelagic fish concentrations to satellite-derived fine-scale Lagrangian Coherent Structures in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. First, we demonstrate that higher fish concentrations occur more frequently in correspondence with strong Lagrangian Coherent Structures. Secondly, we illustrate that, while increased fish densities are more likely to be observed over these structures, the presence of a fine-scale feature does not imply a concomitant fish accumulation, as other factors affect fish distribution. Thirdly, we show that, when only chlorophyll-rich waters are considered, front intensity modulates significantly more the local fish concentration. Finally, we discuss a model representing fish movement along Lagrangian features, specifically built for mid-trophic levels. Its results, obtained with realistic parameters, are qualitatively consistent with the observations and the spatio-temporal scales analysed. Overall, these findings may help to integrate intermediate trophic levels in trophic models, which can ultimately support management and conservation policies.

scholarly journals Measuring Fine-Scale White-Tailed Deer Movements and Environmental Influences Using GPS Collars

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Webb ◽  
Kenneth L. Gee ◽  
Bronson K. Strickland ◽  
Stephen Demarais ◽  
Randy W. DeYoung
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Moon Phase ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Tracking Devices

Few studies have documented fine-scale movements of ungulate species, including white-tailed deer(Odocoileus virginianus), despite the advent of global positioning system (GPS) technology incorporated into tracking devices. We collected fine-scale temporal location estimates (i.e., 15 min/relocation attempt) from 17 female and 15 male white-tailed deer over 7 years and 3 seasons in Oklahoma, USA. Our objectives were to document fine-scale movements of females and males and determine effects of reproductive phase, moon phase, and short-term weather patterns on movements. Female and male movements were primarily crepuscular. Male total daily movements were 20% greater during rut () than postrut (). Female daily movements were greatest during postparturition (), followed by parturition (), and preparturition (). We found moon phase had no effect on daily, nocturnal, and diurnal deer movements and fine-scale temporal weather conditions had an inconsistent influence on deer movement patterns within season. Our data suggest that hourly and daily variation in weather events have minimal impact on movements of white-tailed deer in southern latitudes. Instead, routine crepuscular movements, presumed to maximize thermoregulation and minimize predation risk, appear to be the most important factors influencing movements.

scholarly journals Reproductive Success of American Kestrels: The Role of Prey Abundance and Weather

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 814-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell D. Dawson ◽  
Gary R. Bortolotti
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Natural Variation ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Prey Abundance ◽  
Offspring Size ◽  
Minimum Threshold ◽  
Provisioning Behavior ◽  
American Kestrels ◽  
Parental Provisioning

Abstract We investigated how natural variation in abundance and availability of the main prey of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), small mammals, influenced provisioning rates by parents, and offspring size and survival. Provisioning behavior of kestrels was not constrained by the abundance of food in the environment; however, the availability of food, mediated through variation in weather, appeared to significantly influence parental provisioning behavior. Moreover, variation in weather had clear effects on reproductive success because nestlings exposed to inclement weather were smaller and lighter at fledging, and less likely to survive to fledging, compared to nestlings raised during good weather conditions. Prey abundance was not related to offspring size or survival. Our results suggest American Kestrels are limited by the availability, as opposed to abundance, of food on territories. It is likely that during our study, prey abundance was above some minimum threshold necessary to support successful reproduction, and so variation in weather affected reproduction more than variation in prey abundance.

scholarly journals Effects of flyway-wide weather conditions and breeding habitat on the breeding abundance of migratory boreal waterbirds

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 988-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Pavón-Jordán ◽  
Andrea Santangeli ◽  
Aleksi Lehikoinen
Keyword(s):  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Breeding Habitat

Breeding habitat preferences and reproductive success of Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) in exotic Eucalyptus plantations in southwestern Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 409 ◽  
pp. 817-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. García-Salgado ◽  
S. Rebollo ◽  
L. Pérez-Camacho ◽  
S. Martínez-Hesterkamp ◽  
E. De la Montaña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Accipiter Gentilis ◽  
Northern Goshawk ◽  
Eucalyptus Plantations

Influence of weather on two insectivorous bats in a temperate Pacific Northwest rainforest

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Burles ◽  
R. M. Brigham ◽  
R. A. Ring ◽  
T. E. Reimchen
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Myotis Lucifugus ◽  
Insectivorous Bats ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Insect Activity

Adverse weather conditions frequently have a significant negative influence on survival and reproductive success of insectivorous bats. Low ambient temperatures increase the energetic costs of maintaining euthermia and reduces insect activity, while precipitation likely adds “clutter” making prey more difficult to detect using echolocation. We studied two species of insectivorous bats, Myotis lucifugus (LeConte, 1831) and Myotis keenii (Merriam, 1895), in the Pacific Northwest of Canada, a region that experiences frequent cool, wet weather during spring and summer. Our study took place during the El Niño – La Niña cycle of 1998–1999, which resulted in contrasting years. The summer of 1998 was unusually warm and dry, while the summer of 1999 was unusually cool and wet. We predicted that both species would be adversely affected by the cool, wet conditions of 1999, resulting in prolonged gestation, late fledging of young, and lower reproductive success. However, this was not the case. Myotis lucifugus did experience delays in reproductive timing and lower reproductive success in 1999, as predicted, whereas M. keenii experienced much shorter gestations, earlier fledgings, and no difference in reproductive success between years. We hypothesize that the ability of M. keenii to glean prey enables it to better cope with cool, wet conditions.

Timing of breeding, habitat preference and reproductive success of marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus)

Biologia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Němečková ◽  
Vojtěch Mrlík ◽  
Pavel Drozd
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Common Reed ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Phragmites Communis ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Heterogeneous Habitat ◽  
The Common

AbstractDuring 2002–2005 we analyzed Lack’s Hypothesis about the timing of the breeding of marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus) in the Poodří to the breeding period and preference of heterogeneous habitat. An analysis of 43 nests revealed quantitative differences. Birds which started breeding earlier, reached significantly higher reproductive success than later breeding birds regardless of nesting habitat (P = 0.003, n nests = 43). Even when the birds invested into their offspring the same way, their breeding success was not always the same. When the females nested in the common reed (Phragmites communis), they reached higher reproductive output than females nesting in cattail (Typha sp.) (P = 0.01, n cattail = 18, n common reed = 25). The habitat of the common reed is characterized by higher and denser vegetation cover than cattail vegetation (P < 0.001, n measurements = 174 for both variables).

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