Document Detail


Timing of autumn bird migration under climate change: advances in long-distance migrants, delays in short-distance migrants.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12965011     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
As a response to increasing spring temperature in temperate regions in recent years, populations of many plant and animal species, including migratory birds, have advanced the seasonal start of their reproduction or growth. However, the effects of climate changes on subsequent events of the annual cycle remain poorly understood. We investigated long-term changes in the timing of autumn migration in birds, a key event in the annual cycle limiting the reproductive period. Using data spanning a 42-year period, we analysed long-term changes in the passage of 65 species of migratory birds through Western Europe. The autumn passage of migrants wintering south of the Sahara has advanced in recent years, presumably as a result of selection pressure to cross the Sahel before its seasonal dry period. In contrast, migrants wintering north of the Sahara have delayed autumn passage. In addition, species with a variable rather than a fixed number of broods per year have delayed passage, possibly because they are free to attempt more broods. Recent climate changes seem to have a simple unidirectional effect on the seasonal onset of reproduction, but complex and opposing effects on the timing of subsequent events in the annual cycle, depending on the ecology and life history of a species. This complicates predictions of overall effects of global warming on avian communities.
Authors:
Lukas Jenni; Marc Kéry
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society     Volume:  270     ISSN:  0962-8452     ISO Abbreviation:  Proc. Biol. Sci.     Publication Date:  2003 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-09-10     Completed Date:  2003-10-23     Revised Date:  2009-11-18    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101245157     Medline TA:  Proc Biol Sci     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1467-71     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204 Sempach, Switzerland. lukas.jenni@vogelwarte.ch
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Birds / physiology*
Chronobiology Phenomena
Climate*
Emigration and Immigration*
Europe
Greenhouse Effect*
Seasons
Sexual Behavior, Animal
Comments/Corrections

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