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Integrating meteorology into research on migration
Judy Shamoun-Baranes1, Willem Bouten, E Emiel van Loon
1Computational Geo-Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94248, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. shamoun@uva.nl
Integrative and Comparative Biology
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Atmospheric dynamics significantly impact flying animal migration, influencing routes and timing. Integrating meteorological data into dynamic, individual-based models helps explain migratory behavior variability.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Meteorology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Atmospheric dynamics critically influence avian migration, affecting key parameters like migration onset, duration, cost, routes, and flight speeds.
- Animals navigate complex environments and must adapt to atmospheric conditions across various spatial and temporal scales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of modeling approaches for integrating meteorology into migration research.
- To demonstrate the application of dynamic, individual-based models for understanding animal migration responses to atmospheric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of different modeling approaches used in migration research.
- Development and application of two dynamic, individual-based models (for waders and soaring migrants).
- Analysis of individual responses to atmospheric conditions and emergent migration patterns.
Main Results:
- Dynamic, individual-based models effectively integrate meteorological data to study migration.
- These models can explain variability in migratory behavior and emergent patterns.
- The models allow for the investigation of atmospheric variability impacts across different scales (trajectory, seasonal, inter-annual).
Conclusions:
- Integrating meteorology into migration research is crucial for understanding behavioral variability.
- Dynamic, individual-based models are valuable tools for this integration.
- Guidelines are provided for researchers selecting modeling approaches and meteorological data.
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