Spring snow conditions, laying date, and clutch size in an alpine population of American Pipits

Hendricks, Paul

doi:10.1648/0273-8570-74.4.423

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…This is because, all else being equal, an advanced laying date would be followed by increases in average clutch size in many species (e.g. Hendricks, 2003), including the pied flycatcher (Murphy and Haukioja, 1986;Lundberg and Alatalo, 1992;Both and Visser, 2005). This, at least theoretically, could play a role against increases in egg size due to the possibility of subtle trade-offs between egg and clutch sizes (Nager et al, 2000;Christians, 2002;Figuerola and Green, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature during egg formation and the effect of climate warming on egg size in a small songbird

Potti

2008

Acta Oecologica

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Keywords:Breeding phenology revealed that despite females consistently laying larger eggs when they experienced warmer temperatures during the prelaying and laying periods, there was an overall negative response -i.e. decreasing egg volume and breadth with increasing spring (May) average temperatures -across individuals. This trend is hypothesised to be caused by the mismatched breeding phenology, in relation to climate warming, of this population. Except in the unlikely cases of populations capable of perfectly synchronising their phenology to changes in their environment, maladjustments are likely for traits such as egg size, which depend strongly on female condition. Slight changes or absence thereof in breeding dates may be followed by mismatched dates, in terms of food abundance, for optimal egg formation, which would be reflected in smaller average egg size, contrary to early predictions on the effects of climate warming on bird egg size..

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature during egg formation and the effect of climate warming on egg size in a small songbird

Potti

2008

Acta Oecologica

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“…It differs from flame robin in that it is a ground nester as well as being a ground feeder (on insects), and therefore it is probably more responsive to the reduction in snow cover, as is the American pipit (Anthus rubescens) in alpine Wyoming (Hendricks 2003). Flame robin appeared to be the only species responding to increased warming per se.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Alpine taxa exhibit differing responses to climate warming in the Snowy Mountains of Australia

Green

2010

J. Mt. Sci.

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The phenologies of plants and animals in snow-covered landscapes are expected to accelerate with global warming. However, there are few studies that have examined a range of unrelated taxa in alpine environments to determine whether there is commonality in the proximate causes, synchrony in timing, or the direction of any changes. Records for five alpine animal species and two alpine plant species, chosen primarily for their visibility, were examined to determine their temporal response to regional climate warming. Over the 30-year period studied, they showed an array of different phenological responses. Plant flowering appeared linked to date of snow melt, whereas animal responses varied. Although having accelerated phenologies, two migratory bird species exhibited contrary changes; one to low-altitude warming regardless of snow conditions in the alpine zone (flame robin) and the other to state of the snowpack regardless of low-altitude temperatures (Richard's pipit). By contrast, the migratory bogong moth arrived significantly later over the years with no apparent explanatory climatic cause. Although bogong moths are not responding to earlier snow melt, insectivorous predators on the ground are. This could lead to a serious mismatch in timing at different trophic levels, putting pressure on endangered vertebrates. Emergence of locally wintering insect species, March flies and Macleay's swallowtails, were not significantly related to measured climatic parameters over the study period. A consequence of the disparate responses to climate warming recorded here is the questionable value of 'indicator species' to examine the impact of climate warming on alpine ecosystems.

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“…However, we are uncertain why nesting is delayed when ice is more extensive, given that many researchers have found that individual Wtness tends to decrease with smaller clutches (McAuley and Longcore 1989;Finch 1991;Guyn and Clark 2000;Johnson et al 2002;Hendricks 2003;Brommer et al 2003). We suggest that a trade-oV must be occurring in order for eiders to follow a strategy of delayed nesting in response to ice cover.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, it has been demonstrated that decreased ice may negatively aVect caribou (Rangifer tarandus), Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and ringed seals (Phoca hispida), (Stirling et al 1999;Stirling 2004;Stirling and Thomas 2004;Emmerson and Southwell 2008;Tyler 2010). Relationships have also been suggested between various aspects of avian reproduction, ice and/or temperature (Morris and Chardine 1985;Laurila 1989;Kilpi 1990;Murphy et al 1991;Grand and Flint 1997;O'Briain et al 1998;Hendricks 2003). Furthermore, the timing of nest initiation is thought to inXuence clutch size in many species (Milne 1974;McAuley and Longcore 1989;Finch 1991;Guyn and Clark 2000;Johnson et al 2002;Brommer et al 2003;Hendricks 2003) and over time clutch size, mediated by nesting success and Xedgling mortality, can impact population growth (Murphy et al 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Relationships have also been suggested between various aspects of avian reproduction, ice and/or temperature (Morris and Chardine 1985;Laurila 1989;Kilpi 1990;Murphy et al 1991;Grand and Flint 1997;O'Briain et al 1998;Hendricks 2003). Furthermore, the timing of nest initiation is thought to inXuence clutch size in many species (Milne 1974;McAuley and Longcore 1989;Finch 1991;Guyn and Clark 2000;Johnson et al 2002;Brommer et al 2003;Hendricks 2003) and over time clutch size, mediated by nesting success and Xedgling mortality, can impact population growth (Murphy et al 1991). For example, Finch (1991) determined that Xedgling success in house wrens was higher in early nesters because clutch sizes tended to be larger.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does spring ice cover influence nest initiation date and clutch size in common eiders?

Chaulk

Mahoney²

2011

Polar Biol

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Understanding how environmental factors aVect ecological parameters is important to understanding and predicting impacts of environmental change. Given evidence and anticipated impacts of climate variability, this is especially true with respect to sea ice and its role in animal life history in northern regions. We examined relationships between the extent of consolidated spring ice cover (pack and landfast), nest initiation and clutch size in common eiders (Somateria mollissima) in northern Labrador, a sub-Arctic region on the east coast of Canada. Our initial prediction was that eiders would delay nesting and have smaller clutches in years with more extensive spring ice cover. Between 1998 and 2003, we surveyed coastal islands for breeding eiders and collected information on nest age and clutch size. For those years, we estimated ice cover based on Radarsat-1 images supplied by the Canadian Ice Service during the spring period (approximately June 7-12). We found that spring ice cover was a signiWcant positive predictor of nest initiation date, and the regression equation indicated that if the average extent of ice cover around nesting islands increased by 18 ha, average nesting date was delayed by approximately 1 day. Nest initiation date was a signiWcant negative predictor of clutch size, and the regression equation indicated that a 20 day delay in nesting reduced average clutch size by approximately 1 egg. However, ice cover itself was not a signiWcant predictor of clutch size. Our Wndings suggest that eiders breed when ice is present, but ice extent may negatively inXuence aspects of their breeding ecology.

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Spring snow conditions, laying date, and clutch size in an alpine population of American Pipits

Cited by 26 publications

References 27 publications

Temperature during egg formation and the effect of climate warming on egg size in a small songbird

Temperature during egg formation and the effect of climate warming on egg size in a small songbird

Alpine taxa exhibit differing responses to climate warming in the Snowy Mountains of Australia

Does spring ice cover influence nest initiation date and clutch size in common eiders?

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