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Global climate change and phenotypic variation among red deer cohorts
E Post1, N C Stenseth, R Langvatn
1Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Norway.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 23, 1997
Summary
Climate change impacts red deer (Cervus elaphus) fitness. Warmer winters lead to smaller body size and reduced fecundity in red deer populations, affecting long-term survival and reproductive success.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Wildlife Biology
- Climate Change Impacts
Background:
- Phenotypic variation in fitness-related traits is crucial for understanding wildlife population dynamics.
- Environmental factors, such as climate, can significantly influence ungulate development and survival.
- The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a major driver of climatic variation in northern Europe.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the variability of body weight and mandibular skeletal ratio in Norwegian red deer across cohorts and age classes.
- To investigate the correlation between climatic variation and phenotypic traits in red deer.
- To assess the potential consequences of climate change on red deer fitness and population viability.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of phenotypic variation in body weight and a mandibular skeletal ratio in red deer.
- Comparison of variation among different cohorts (birth year groups) and age classes.
- Correlation analysis between cohort-specific traits and global climatic variation (NAO) during prenatal development.
Main Results:
- Significant phenotypic variation was observed among cohorts of calves, yearlings, and adult red deer.
- Adult body weight and skeletal ratios correlated with winter climatic conditions experienced in utero, influenced by the NAO.
- Red deer born after warm winters were smaller than those born after cold winters, with this size difference persisting into adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Inter-cohort phenotypic variability driven by climate change can have substantial fitness consequences for red deer.
- Reduced body size and condition in red deer may negatively impact reproductive success and survival rates.
- The trend of warming winters in northern Europe may lead to decreased body size and fecundity in red deer and potentially other ungulates.
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