scholarly journals Shared morphological consequences of global warming in North American migratory birds

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C. Weeks ◽  
David E. Willard ◽  
Aspen A. Ellis ◽  
Max L. Witynski ◽  
Mary Hennen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Body Size ◽  
North American ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
General Response

ABSTRACTIncreasing temperatures associated with climate change are predicted to cause reductions in body size, a key determinant of animal physiology and ecology. Using a four-decade specimen series of 70,716 individuals of 52 North American migratory bird species, we demonstrate that increasing annual summer temperature over the 40-year period drove consistent reductions in body size across these diverse taxa. Concurrently, wing length – which impacts nearly all aspects of avian ecology and behavior – has consistently increased across taxa. Our findings suggest that warming-induced body size reduction is a general response to climate change, and reveal a similarly consistent shift in an ecologically-important dimension of body shape. We hypothesize that increasing wing length represents a compensatory adaptation to maintain migration as reductions in body size have increased the metabolic cost of flight. An improved understanding of warming-induced morphological changes, and their limits, are important for predicting biotic responses to global change.

scholarly journals High-Arctic butterflies become smaller with rising temperatures

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 20150574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Bowden ◽  
Anne Eskildsen ◽  
Rikke R. Hansen ◽  
Kent Olsen ◽  
Carolyn M. Kurle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Growing Seasons

The response of body size to increasing temperature constitutes a universal response to climate change that could strongly affect terrestrial ectotherms, but the magnitude and direction of such responses remain unknown in most species. The metabolic cost of increased temperature could reduce body size but long growing seasons could also increase body size as was recently shown in an Arctic spider species. Here, we present the longest known time series on body size variation in two High-Arctic butterfly species: Boloria chariclea and Colias hecla . We measured wing length of nearly 4500 individuals collected annually between 1996 and 2013 from Zackenberg, Greenland and found that wing length significantly decreased at a similar rate in both species in response to warmer summers. Body size is strongly related to dispersal capacity and fecundity and our results suggest that these Arctic species could face severe challenges in response to ongoing rapid climate change.

scholarly journals Using Bioacoustics to Examine Vocal Phenology of Neotropical Migratory Birds on a Wild and Scenic River in Arizona

Birds ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-274
Author(s):  
Heather L. Bateman ◽  
Sidney B. Riddle ◽  
Erin S. Cubley
Keyword(s):  
Sonoran Desert ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Yellow Warbler ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Vocal Activity

Passive acoustic recorders have been used successfully as automated survey tools to detect terrestrial wildlife. However, few studies have monitored Neotropical migratory bird use of riparian forest habitat using this technology. Within dryland ecosystems, the forests along rivers support high bird diversity. Many bird species of conservation concern require these floodplain forest habitats for foraging, migration stop-overs, and breeding. Few studies have explored the use of acoustic records in riverine systems designated for conservation for their natural resource value via the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in the USA. Using acoustic recorders, we document vocal activity of four riparian-obligate species (Bell’s Vireo, Vireo bellii; Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra; Yellow Warbler, Setophaga petechial; and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus) to determine species occurrence along a Wild and Scenic River. We established three study reaches along the perennial Lower Verde River, in the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona, USA. Nine acoustic recorders were used over the period of 80–120 days during the summer of 2018. We measured vegetation composition and structure in 100 m2 plots paired with acoustic recorders. Visualizing vocal activity showed that three species were calling and singing at each reach; whereas, one species, the cuckoo, had fewer recordings and occurred later in the summer. We demonstrate the utility of acoustic monitoring even when applied to rare birds in complex riparian habitats. This information is important for land management and conservation efforts concerning these species of interest and identifying important habitat features in Southwestern US riparian woodlands.

scholarly journals Hunting of migratory birds in North Sinai, Egypt

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
PERRI EASON ◽  
BASEM RABIA ◽  
OMAR ATTUM
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Mp3 Players ◽  
Southern Mediterranean ◽  
Sand Bar ◽  
North Sinai ◽  
Desert Scrub

SummaryDuring autumn migration, people set trammel nets along most of the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, with migrating Common Quail Coturnix coturnix as their primary target. These nets capture large numbers of quail, but also illegally capture other birds, which are then killed. We present the results of surveys from 2008 to 2012 along these lines of nets on the coast of North Sinai, Egypt. In desert scrub, which covers most of the Sinai coast, the mean number of quail killed reached a high of 357.1 per km per day in 2012, with a grand mean over the study period of 191.9 per km per day. Trammel nets also captured 54 other bird species in 28 families. Species captured at the highest rates in desert scrub included Corncrake Crex crex, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina and Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla. Based on mean rates of capture from 2008 to 2012 in desert scrub and sand bar habitats, we estimate 2.0 million quail and 0.5 million birds of other species are killed annually in North Sinai during the 45 days of peak migration. In 2012, however, after the use of MP3 players to attract quail became widespread, we estimate that 3.3 million quail and 0.5 million other birds were captured. Hunters near the coast have recently begun covering shrubs and trees with mist nets to catch passerines. From 2010 to 2012, mist nets along our survey routes caught birds of 17 species in three families, with seven of these species caught only in this type of net. Hunting is likely to be a contributing factor to population declines for some species that migrate across Egypt and further studies of migratory bird hunting along the southern Mediterranean shore are badly needed.

Spatial and temporal variation in morphology in Australian whistlers and shrike-thrushes: is climate change causing larger appendages?

2020 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113
Author(s):  
Isabelle R Onley ◽  
Janet L Gardner ◽  
Matthew R E Symonds
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Climatic Warming ◽  
Morphological Response ◽  
Allen’S Rule ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract Allen’s rule is an ecogeographical pattern whereby the size of appendages of animals increases relative to body size in warmer climates in order to facilitate heat exchange and thermoregulation. Allen’s rule predicts that one consequence of a warming climate would be an increase in the relative size of appendages, and evidence from other bird species suggests that this might be occurring. Using measurements from museum specimens, we determined whether spatio-temporal variation in bills and legs of Australian Pachycephalidae species exhibits within-species trends consistent with Allen’s rule and increases in temperature attributable to climatic warming. We conducted regression model analyses relating appendage size to spatio-temporal variables, while controlling for body size. The relative bill size in four of the eight species was negatively associated with latitude. Tarsus length showed no significant trends consistent with Allen’s rule. No significant increases in appendage size were found over time. Although bill size in some species was positively correlated with warmer temperatures, the evidence was not substantial enough to suggest a morphological response to climatic warming. This study suggests that climate change is not currently driving adaptive change towards larger appendages in these species. We suggest that other adaptive mechanisms might be taking place.

Changes in potential habitat of 147 North American breeding bird species in response to redistribution of trees and climate following predicted climate change

Ecography ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 933-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen N. Matthews ◽  
Louis R. Iverson ◽  
Anantha M. Prasad ◽  
Matthew P. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North American ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Potential Habitat

scholarly journals Obstacles and Obligations: Wind Energy and Migratory Bird Protection in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Symone Krimowa
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
International Obligations ◽  
Biodiversity Convention

<p>Wind farms create unique risks to birds because of the danger of the turbine blades, which can be up to 150 meters tall. Placement of wind farms in the wrong areas can have a detrimental impact on bird species. New Zealand’s commitment to renewable energy is shared with its obligations to protect biodiversity, which are reflected in the ratification of international conventions such as the Convention on Migratory Species and the Biodiversity Convention. Domestic legislation, such as the Resource Management Act 1991, seeks to enhance the development of alternative sources of energy with the intention of reducing the effects of climate change on the environment and conserving indigenous biodiversity. Migratory bird protection in the wind farm context in New Zealand relies upon environmental impact assessment under Schedule 4 of the Resource Management Act 1991. International obligations include protecting or endeavouring to protect 37 migratory bird species along their complete flight paths. The Resource Management Act 1991 does not meet international obligations to protect migratory birds in the wind farm consent process because (1) the assessment of environmental effects process fails to adequately identify effects on migratory birds; and (2) even if the assessment of environmental effects process adequately identifies effects on migratory birds, the RMA fails to give priority weight to effects on birds when it balances those effects with other factors in deciding to approve the wind farm application. Other countries provide guidance on the next steps for New Zealand to take to comply with its international obligations to migratory birds.</p>

scholarly journals Adjustment of the annual cycle to climatic change in a long-lived migratory bird species

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Møller ◽  
E. Flensted-Jensen ◽  
W. Mardal
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arrival Date ◽  
Breeding Date

Abstract Climate change has advanced the phenology of many organisms. Migratory animals face particular problems because climate change in the breeding and the wintering range may be asynchronous, preventing rapid response to changing conditions. Advancement in timing of spring migration may have carry-over effects to other parts of the annual cycle, simply because advancement of one event in the annual cycle also advances subsequent events, gradually causing a general shift in the timing of the entire annual cycle. Such a phenotypic shift could generate accumulating effects over the years for individuals, but also across generations. Here we test this novel hypothesis of phenotypic response to climate change by using long-term data on the Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea. Mean breeding date advanced by almost three weeks during the last 70 years. Annual arrival date at the breeding grounds during a period of 47 years was predicted by environmental conditions in the winter quarters in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic and by mean breeding date the previous year. Annual mean breeding date was only margiually determined by timing of arrival the current year, but to a larger extent by arrival date and breeding date the previous year. Learning affected arrival date as shown by a positive correlation between arrival date in year (i + 1) relative to breeding date in year (i) and the selective advantage of early breeding in year (i). This provides a mechanism for changes in arrival date being adjusted to changing environmental conditions. This study suggests that adaptation to changing climatic conditions can be achieved through learning from year to year.

scholarly journals The role of clade competition in the diversification of North American canids

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (28) ◽  
pp. 8684-8689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Silvestro ◽  
Alexandre Antonelli ◽  
Nicolas Salamin ◽  
Tiago B. Quental
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Body Size ◽  
North American ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Competitive Effects ◽  
Extinction Rates ◽  
Size Evolution ◽  
Body Size Evolution ◽  
The Rich

The history of biodiversity is characterized by a continual replacement of branches in the tree of life. The rise and demise of these branches (clades) are ultimately determined by changes in speciation and extinction rates, often interpreted as a response to varying abiotic and biotic factors. However, understanding the relative importance of these factors remains a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Here we analyze the rich North American fossil record of the dog family Canidae and of other carnivores to tease apart the roles of competition, body size evolution, and climate change on the sequential replacement of three canid subfamilies (two of which have gone extinct). We develop a novel Bayesian analytic framework to show that competition from multiple carnivore clades successively drove the demise and replacement of the two extinct canid subfamilies by increasing their extinction rates and suppressing their speciation. Competitive effects have likely come from ecologically similar species from both canid and felid clades. These results imply that competition among entire clades, generally considered a rare process, can play a more substantial role than climate change and body size evolution in determining the sequential rise and decline of clades.

scholarly journals Populations of migratory bird species that did not show a phenological response to climate change are declining

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (42) ◽  
pp. 16195-16200 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Moller ◽  
D. Rubolini ◽  
E. Lehikoinen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Migratory Bird

First arrival dates of the Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) to Central Croatia in the early 20th century and at the turn of the 21st century

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Kralj ◽  
Zdravko Dolenec
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Luscinia Megarhynchos ◽  
First Arrival ◽  
The Difference

AbstractGlobal climate change has important impacts on animal life-cycles. One of the responses to global warming is an earlier arrival time of many migratory bird species. The first arrival date of the Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) in Central Croatia was studied for the periods of 1901–1917 and 1991–2005. Data were derived from the first spring observations and first capture data. A statistically significant advance of 11 ± 1.4 days was recorded. The difference in the mean April temperature between two study periods was significant, while changes in NAO winter index were not significant. Adequate data from the beginning of the 20th century exist; however, recent studies were done on a relatively short-term basis. Therefore, the analysis of two discrete datasets may help to fill the gaps in the knowledge about the climate change response.

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