scholarly journals Birds facing climate change: a qualitative model for the adaptive potential of migratory behaviour

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelangelo Morganti
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Qualitative Model ◽  
Migratory Behaviour ◽  
Adaptive Potential ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Genetic Determination ◽  
Recent Climate

Recent climate change is altering the migratory behaviour of many bird species. An advancement in the timing of spring events and a shift in the geographical distribution have been detected for birds around the world. In particular, intra-Palearctic migratory birds have advanced arrivals in spring and shortened migratory distances by shifting northward their wintering grounds. These changes in migratory patterns are considered adaptive responses facilitating the adjustment of the life cycle to the phenological changes found in their breeding areas. However, in some cases, populations exposed to the same selective pressures do not show any appreciable adaptive change in their behaviour. Basing on the comparison of realized and non-realized adaptive changes, I propose here the formulation of a qualitative model that predicts the potential of migratory birds populations to change adaptively their migratory behaviour. The model assumes that the adaptive potential of migratory behaviour is fuelled by both genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity. Populations of long-distance migrants are exposed to strong environmental canalization that largely eroded their phenotypic plasticity and reduced genetic variability, so that they show a very low amount of adaptive potential regarding migratory behaviour. On the contrary, partial-migrant populations have a highly varied genetic profile and are more plastic at the phenotypic level, and consequently show the highest amount of adaptive potential. Species with mainly social and mainly genetic determination of the migratory behaviour are separately treated in the model. Specific empirical models to foresee the adaptive strategies of wild bird populations that face to climate change can be derived from the general theoretical model. As example, a specific model about the shortening of migratory distances in Western European migratory bird is presented. Finally, a number of future research lines on the topic of adaptive potential of migratory behaviour are discussed, including some examples of concrete study cases. In conclusion, partial-migration emerge as the less known system and future research efforts on this topic are expected to be especially fruitful.

Neurobiology of phenotypic plasticity in the light of climate change

Neuroforum ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda C. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Chemical Information ◽  
Adaptive Potential ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Changing Environments ◽  
Neuronal Signalling ◽  
Physiological Adaptations ◽  
Signalling Cascade

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity describes the ability of an organism with a given genotype to respond to changing environmental conditions through the adaptation of the phenotype. Phenotypic plasticity is a widespread means of adaptation, allowing organisms to optimize fitness levels in changing environments. A core prerequisite for adaptive predictive plasticity is the existence of reliable cues, i.e. accurate environmental information about future selection on the expressed plastic phenotype. Furthermore, organisms need the capacity to detect and interpret such cues, relying on specific sensory signalling and neuronal cascades. Subsequent neurohormonal changes lead to the transformation of phenotype A into phenotype B. Each of these activities is critical for survival. Consequently, anything that could impair an animal’s ability to perceive important chemical information could have significant ecological ramifications. Climate change and other human stressors can act on individual or all of the components of this signalling cascade. In consequence, organisms could lose their adaptive potential, or in the worst case, even become maladapted. Therefore, it is key to understand the sensory systems, the neurobiology and the physiological adaptations that mediate organisms’ interactions with their environment. It is, thus, pivotal to predict the ecosystem-wide effects of global human forcing. This review summarizes current insights on how climate change affects phenotypic plasticity, focussing on how associated stressors change the signalling agents, the sensory systems, receptor responses and neuronal signalling cascades, thereby, impairing phenotypic adaptations.

Impact of climate change and industrialization on remote Lake Bolshoe Toko, Siberia 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris K. Biskaborn ◽  
Biljana Narancic ◽  
Kathleen R. Stoof-Leichsenring ◽  
Lyudmila A. Pestryakova ◽  
Peter G. Appleby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Boreal Lakes ◽  
Sediment Geochemistry ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Lake Ecosystems ◽  
Planktonic Diatoms ◽  
Recent Climate Change ◽  
Recent Climate ◽  
Remote Lake

<p>To test if recent climate change and pollution affected remote lake ecosystems without direct human influence, we used paleolimnological methods on lake sediments from a large, prestine, and deep lake in Yakutia, Russia. We compared diatoms and sediment-geochemistry from before and after the onset of industrialization in the mid-nineteenth century, at water depths between 12.1 and 68.3 m in Lake Bolshoe Toko. We analyzed diatom species changes and geochemical changes including mercury concentrations. Chronologies were established using <sup>210</sup>Pb and <sup>137</sup>Cs revealing sedimentation rates between 0.018 and 0.033 cm y<sup>-1</sup> at shallow- and deep-water sites, respectively. Increase in light planktonic diatoms (<em>Cyclotella</em>) and decrease in heavily silicified euplanktonic <em>Aulacoseira</em> through time at deep-water sites can be related to warming air temperatures and shorter periods of lake-ice cover, causing pronounced thermal stratification. Diatom beta diversity changed only significantly in shallow-water communities which can be related to the development of new habitats with macrophyte growth. Mercury concentrations increased by a factor of 1.6 as a result of atmospheric fallout. Increases in the chrysophyte <em>Mallomonas</em> indicates a trend towards acidification. We conclude that also remote boreal lakes are susceptible to human-induced long-distance pollution and recent climate change.</p>

scholarly journals Climate change and variability: a review of what is known and ought to be known for Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 752-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Wasswa Nsubuga ◽  
Hannes Rautenbach
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Inter Tropical Convergence Zone ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Recent Climate

Purpose In view of the consensus that climate change is happening, scientists have documented several findings about Uganda’s recent climate, as well as its variability and change. The purpose of this study is to review what has been documented, thus it gives an overview of what is known and seeks to explain the implications of a changing climate, hence what ought to be known to create a climate resilient environment. Design/methodology/approach Terms such as “climate”, “climate change” and “climate variability” were identified in recent peer-reviewed published literature to find recent climate-related literature on Uganda. Findings from independent researchers and consultants are incorporated. Data obtained from rainfall and temperature observations and from COSMO-CLM Regional Climate Model-Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CCLM CORDEX) data, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) have been used to generate spatial maps, seasonal outputs and projections using GrADS 2.02 and Geographic Information System (GIS) software for visualization. Findings The climate of Uganda is tropical in nature and influenced by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), varied relief, geo-location and inland lakes, among other factors. The impacts of severe weather and climate trends and variability have been documented substantially in the past 20-30 years. Most studies indicated a rainfall decline. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures are on the rise, while projections indicate a decrease in rainfall and increase in temperature both in the near and far future. The implication of these changes on society and the economy are discussed herein. Cost of inaction is expected to become huge, given factors like, the growing rate of the population and the slow expanding economy experienced in Uganda. Varied forms of adaptation to the impacts of climate change are being implemented, especially in the agricultural sector and at house hold level, though not systematically. Originality/value This review of scientific research findings aims to create a better understanding of the recent climate change and variability in Uganda and provides a baseline of summarized information for use in future research and actions.

scholarly journals Climate change relaxes the time constraints for late-born offspring in a long-distance migrant

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1839) ◽  
pp. 20161366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara M. Tomotani ◽  
Phillip Gienapp ◽  
Domien G. M. Beersma ◽  
Marcel E. Visser
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Hatch Date ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
And Migration

Animals in seasonal environments need to fit their annual-cycle stages, such as moult and migration, in a tight schedule. Climate change affects the phenology of organisms and causes advancements in timing of these annual-cycle stages but not necessarily at the same rates. For migratory birds, this can lead to more severe or more relaxed time constraints in the time from fledging to migration, depending on the relative shifts of the different stages. We tested how a shift in hatch date, which has advanced due to climate change, impacts the organization of the birds' whole annual cycle. We experimentally advanced and delayed the hatch date of pied flycatcher chicks in the field and then measured the timing of their annual-cycle stages in a controlled laboratory environment. Hatch date affected the timing of moult and pre-migratory fattening, but not migration. Early-born birds hence had a longer time to fatten up than late-born ones; the latter reduced their interval between onset of fattening and migration to be able to migrate at the same time as the early-born birds. This difference in time constraints for early- and late-born individuals may explain why early-born offspring have a higher probability to recruit as a breeding bird. Climate change-associated advancements of avian egg-lay dates, which in turn advances hatch dates, can thus reduce the negative fitness consequences of reproducing late, thereby reducing the selection for early egg-laying migratory birds.

The Ecology of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Migratory Birds: An Assessment of the Role of Climate Change and Priorities for Future Research

EcoHealth ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevon Fuller ◽  
Staffan Bensch ◽  
Inge Müller ◽  
John Novembre ◽  
Javier Pérez-Tris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Future Research

scholarly journals Phenological tracking of a seasonal climate window in a recovering tropical island bird species

2021 ◽  
Vol 164 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Taylor ◽  
Malcolm A. C. Nicoll ◽  
Emily Black ◽  
Caroline M. Wainwright ◽  
Carl G. Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Breeding Phenology ◽  
Seasonal Climate ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Recent Climate

AbstractConstraints on evolutionary adaptation and range shifts mean that phenotypic plasticity, which includes physiological, developmental or behavioural responses to environmental conditions, could be an important mode of adaptation to a changing climate for many species with small insular populations. While there is evidence to suggest adaptive plasticity to climate in some island populations, little is known about this capacity in species that have experienced a severe population bottleneck. In a changing climate, plasticity in the timing of life-history events, such as in breeding phenology, is adaptive if timing is optimised in seasonal environments, although these processes are poorly understood for tropical species. Here, we quantify the effects of climate on the breeding phenology and success of the Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus), a tropical raptor whose extinction has been averted by conservation management. We show that the timing of egg-laying is advancing in response to warming, at rates similar to temperate bird populations. Individual females show plasticity to temperature, although there is limited variation among individual responses. We show that advances in breeding phenology are likely to be adaptive, as they track changes in a seasonal climate window of favourable conditions, defined by late winter-early spring temperatures and the onset of the summer rainy season. Our results provide a rare example of a small and bottlenecked insular population that has adjusted to recent climate change through phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, seasonal climate windows and their dynamics may be widespread mechanisms through which tropical species are impacted by and respond to climate change.

scholarly journals Climate change alters the optimal wind-dependent flight routes of an avian migrant

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1854) ◽  
pp. 20170149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Nourani ◽  
Noriyuki M. Yamaguchi ◽  
Hiroyoshi Higuchi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Ecological Barriers ◽  
Migratory Routes ◽  
Wind Support ◽  
Study Species ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Migratory birds can be adversely affected by climate change as they encounter its geographically uneven impacts in various stages of their life cycle. While a wealth of research is devoted to the impacts of climate change on distribution range and phenology of migratory birds, the indirect effects of climate change on optimal migratory routes and flyways, through changes in air movements, are poorly understood. Here, we predict the influence of climate change on the migratory route of a long-distant migrant using an ensemble of correlative modelling approaches, and present and future atmospheric data obtained from a regional climate model. We show that changes in wind conditions by mid-century will result in a slight shift and reduction in the suitable areas for migration of the study species, the Oriental honey-buzzard, over a critical section of its autumn journey, followed by a complete loss of this section of the traditional route by late century. Our results highlight the need for investigating the consequences of climate change-induced disturbance in wind support for long-distance migratory birds, particularly species that depend on the wind to cross ecological barriers, and those that will be exposed to longer journeys due to future range shifts.

scholarly journals Weather at the winter and stopover areas determines spring migration onset, progress, and advancements in Afro-Palearctic migrant birds

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (29) ◽  
pp. 17056-17062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgen Haest ◽  
Ommo Hüppop ◽  
Franz Bairlein
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Spring Migration ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Spring Phenology ◽  
Migration Timing ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Migration Phenology ◽  
Exogenous Factors

Climate change causes changes in the timing of life cycle events across all trophic groups. Spring phenology has mostly advanced, but large, unexplained, variations are present between and within species. Each spring, migratory birds travel tens to tens of thousands of kilometers from their wintering to their breeding grounds. For most populations, large uncertainties remain on their exact locations outside the breeding area, and the time spent there or during migration. Assessing climate (change) effects on avian migration phenology has consequently been difficult due to spatial and temporal uncertainties in the weather potentially affecting migration timing. Here, we show for six trans-Saharan long-distance migrants that weather at the wintering and stopover grounds almost entirely (∼80%) explains interannual variation in spring migration phenology. Importantly, our spatiotemporal approach also allows for the systematic exclusion of influences at other locations and times. While increased spring temperatures did contribute strongly to the observed spring migration advancements over the 55-y study period, improvements in wind conditions, especially in the Maghreb and Mediterranean, have allowed even stronger advancements. Flexibility in spring migration timing of long-distance migrants to exogenous factors has been consistently underestimated due to mismatches in space, scale, time, and weather variable type.

scholarly journals Climate change and the optimal arrival of migratory birds

2006 ◽  
Vol 274 (1607) ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niclas Jonzén ◽  
Anders Hedenström ◽  
Per Lundberg
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Arrival Time ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Life History Evolution ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Arrival Date ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Recent Climate ◽  
Mean And Variance ◽  
The Mean

Recent climate change has sparked an interest in the timing of biological events, which is a general problem in life-history evolution. Reproduction in many organisms breeding in seasonal environments, e.g. migratory birds, is dependent on the exploitation of a short but rich food supply. If the seasonal timing of the food peak advances owing to climate change, then one would expect the bird to track those changes, hence, initiate migration and breeding earlier. However, when there is competition for territories and a risk of pre-breeding mortality, the optimal response to a shifting food distribution is no longer obvious. We develop a theoretical model to study how the optimal arrival time depends on the mean and variance of the food distribution, the degree of competition for territories and the risk of mortality. In general, the optimal shift in arrival date should never be as extreme as the shift in food peak date. Our results also show that we should expect the high variation of trends in arrival date observed among migratory birds, even if migration and information about climate change were unconstrained.

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