Effects of light pollution on photoperiod-driven seasonality
Jennifer A Liu1, O Hecmarie Meléndez-Fernández1, Jacob R Bumgarner1
1Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, West Virginia, USA.
Abstract:
Changes to photoperiod (day length) occur in anticipation of seasonal environmental changes, altering physiology and behavior to maximize fitness. In order for photoperiod to be useful as a predictive factor of temperature or food availability, day and night must be distinct. The increasing prevalence of exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) in both field and laboratory settings disrupts photoperiodic time measurement and may block development of appropriate seasonal adaptations. Here, we review the effects of ALAN as a disruptor of photoperiodic time measurement and season-specific adaptations, including reproduction, metabolism, immune function, and thermoregulation.
Related Concept Videos
Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence
Photoluminescence: Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
A pair of electrons in a...


