Seasonal differences in climate change explain a lack of multi-decadal shifts in population characteristics of a pond breeding salamander.

ABSTRACT: There is considerable variation among studies that evaluate how amphibian populations respond to global climate change. We used 23 years of annual survey data to test whether changes in climate have caused predictable shifts in the phenology and population characteristics of adult spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) during spring breeding migrations. Although we observed year-to-year correlation between seasonal climate variables and salamander population characteristics, there have not been long-term, directional shifts in phenological or population characteristics. Warm winters consistently resulted in early migration dates, but across the 23-year study, there was no overall shift towards warmer winters and thus no advanced migration timing. Warm summers and low variability in summ

SUBMITTER: Kirk MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6730874 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature