Dataset Information

Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds.

ABSTRACT: Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe. Using tracking data, we show that our estimates accord with recorded journey times and stopovers for most species. We then combine projections of altered migratory distances under climate change with models of avian flight to predict future migratory journeys. We find that 37% of migratory journeys undertaken by long-distance migrants will necessitate an additional stopover in future. These greater distances and the increased number of stops will substantially increase overall journey durations of many long-distance migratory species, a factor not currently considered in climate impact studies.

SUBMITTER: Howard C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5832701 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds.

Howard Christine C Stephens Philip A PA Tobias Joseph A JA Sheard Catherine C Butchart Stuart H M SHM Willis Stephen G SG

Proceedings. Biological sciences 20180201 1873

Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe. Using tracking data, we show that our estimates accord with recorded journ ...[more]

PMID: 29467262

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Dataset Information

Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds.

Publications

Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds.

Similar Datasets

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