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Effect of climate change on breeding phenology, clutch size and chick survival of an upland bird
Author(s) -
Fletcher Kathy,
Howarth David,
Kirby Alan,
Dunn Rob,
Smith Adam
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/ibi.12055
Subject(s) - lagopus , phenology , grouse , avian clutch size , biology , ecology , productivity , seasonal breeder , predation , range (aeronautics) , climate change , galliformes , zoology , reproduction , habitat , materials science , arctic , macroeconomics , economics , composite material
Upland birds are predicted to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, yet few studies have examined these effects on their breeding phenology and productivity. L aying dates of R ed G rouse L agopus lagopus scotica in the S cottish H ighlands advanced by 0.5 days/year between 1992 and 2011 and were inversely correlated with pre‐laying temperature, with a near‐significant increase in temperature over this period. Earlier clutches were larger and chick survival was greater in earlier nesting attempts. However, chick survival was also higher in years with lower M ay temperatures and lower A ugust temperatures in the previous year, the latter probably related to prey abundance in the subsequent breeding season. Although laying dates are advancing, climate change does not currently appear to be having an overall effect on chick survival of R ed G rouse within the climate range recorded in this study.