Tritrophic phenological match–mismatch in space and time

Burgess, M. D. et al. (2018) Tritrophic phenological match–mismatch in space and time. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 2(6), pp. 970-975. (doi: 10.1038/s41559-018-0543-1) (PMID:29686235)

[img]
Preview
Text
163108.pdf - Accepted Version

843kB

Abstract

Increasing temperatures associated with climate change may generate phenological mismatches that disrupt previously synchronous trophic interactions. Most work on mismatch has focused on temporal trends, whereas spatial variation in the degree of trophic synchrony has largely been neglected, even though the degree to which mismatch varies in space has implications for meso-scale population dynamics and evolution. Here we quantify latitudinal trends in phenological mismatch, using phenological data on an oak–caterpillar–bird system from across the UK. Increasing latitude delays phenology of all species, but more so for oak, resulting in a shorter interval between leaf emergence and peak caterpillar biomass at northern locations. Asynchrony found between peak caterpillar biomass and peak nestling demand of blue tits, great tits and pied flycatchers increases in earlier (warm) springs. There is no evidence of spatial variation in the timing of peak nestling demand relative to peak caterpillar biomass for any species. Phenological mismatch alone is thus unlikely to explain spatial variation in population trends. Given projections of continued spring warming, we predict that temperate forest birds will become increasingly mismatched with peak caterpillar timing. Latitudinal invariance in the direction of mismatch may act as a double-edged sword that presents no opportunities for spatial buffering from the effects of mismatch on population size, but generates spatially consistent directional selection on timing, which could facilitate rapid evolutionary change.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The Nest Record Scheme is a partnership jointly funded by the BTO, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the fieldworkers themselves. A.B.P. was funded by a Natural Environment Research Council Advanced Fellowship (Ne/I020598/1).
Keywords:Forest ecology, phenology.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nager, Dr Ruedi
Authors: Burgess, M. D., Smith, K. W., Leech, D., Pearce-Higgins, J. W., Branston, C. J., Briggs, K., Clark, J. R., Evan, K. L., du Feu, C. R., Nager, R. G., Sheldon, B. C., Smith, J., Whytock, R. C., Willis, S. G., and Phillimore, A. B.
Subjects:Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QL Zoology
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Nature Ecology and Evolution
Journal Abbr.:Nat Ecol Evol
Publisher:Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:2397-334X
ISSN (Online):2397-334X
Published Online:23 April 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature
First Published:First published in Nature Ecology and Evolution 2(6): 970-975
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record