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Migratory diversity predicts population declines in birds
James J Gilroy1, Jennifer A Gill2, Stuart H M Butchart3,4
1School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
Ecology Letters
|January 26, 2016
Summary
Migratory diversity, or varied movements, enhances bird resilience. Species with wider non-breeding ranges and partial migration strategies show fewer population declines and better adapt to climate change.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Ornithology
Background:
- Global declines in migratory species are a significant conservation concern.
- The underlying mechanisms driving these population declines remain incompletely understood.
- Variability in migratory behavior within species may influence resilience to environmental changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between migratory diversity and population trends in European birds.
- To test the hypothesis that greater within-population variability in migratory movements enhances species' resilience to environmental change.
- To assess if migratory diversity aids species' adaptation to climate change.
Main Methods:
- Utilized map-based metrics to quantify migratory diversity for 340 European breeding bird species.
- Related migratory diversity metrics, including migratory dispersion and migration strategy, to recent population trends.
- Analyzed spring arrival date shifts as an indicator of climate change response.
Main Results:
- Species exhibiting greater migratory dispersion (larger non-breeding ranges relative to breeding ranges) were less likely to be declining.
- Partial migrants (overlapping breeding and non-breeding ranges) showed lower decline rates compared to full migrants or residents, irrespective of migration distance.
- Partial migrants demonstrated more advanced spring arrival dates than full migrants, indicating a faster response to climate change.
Conclusions:
- Migratory diversity, particularly migratory dispersion and partial migration, is associated with greater population stability in European birds.
- Partial migration strategies may confer resilience to environmental changes and facilitate adaptation to climate change.
- Understanding migratory diversity is crucial for effective conservation strategies for migratory species facing global environmental shifts.
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