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Published on: October 25, 2024
Resource declines shape phenological and morphological responses to climate change.
Charlotte M Probst1, Scott Yanco1,2, Isaiah Clark1
1School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Insect biomass decline impacts bird populations, altering their survival and breeding. This trophic decay phenomenon shows that resource loss can shift evolutionary pressures, favoring mismatched timing for survival.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Zoology
Background:
- Global biodiversity is declining, leading to defaunation with cascading effects across ecosystems.
- Population declines can influence biotic responses to global change and affect fitness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a significant decrease in insect biomass on an aerial insectivore, the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).
- To understand how reduced insect abundance affects the morphology, survival, and breeding phenology of tree swallows.
- To explore the phenomenon of 'trophic decay' and its implications for trophic synchronization.
Main Methods:
- Long-term monitoring of insect biomass over 50 years.
- Analysis of tree swallow morphology, survival rates, and breeding phenology in relation to insect abundance.
- Evaluation of fitness landscapes and phenological synchronization.
Main Results:
- A 62% decrease in insect biomass was observed over 50 years.
- Low-insect years led to decreased tree swallow body mass, favoring smaller individuals.
- Temporal variability in insect abundance peaks caused phenological mismatch, which became advantageous in low-insect years.
Conclusions:
- Widespread insect declines, termed trophic decay, significantly impact aerial insectivore populations.
- Phenological synchronization benefits are eroded by variable insect abundance, leading to advantageous mismatch.
- Climate change responses must consider resource declines alongside other global change factors.
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