Date of Award
Spring 2019
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Call Number
QL698.9 .S943 2018
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Jeff Walker
Second Advisor
Chris Maher
Third Advisor
Terry Theodose
Abstract
Climate change and weather affect the phenology of bird migration; however, specific climatological factors associated with these observed effects have only recently been described. The relationship between local, regional, and global climate patterns and avian migration are increasingly important to understand due to the widespread, and potentially negative, implications (such as reduced fecundity) of rapid human induced climate change on bird populations. Migratory birds are under selective pressure to arrive at breeding areas at the optimal time to set up nesting territories and exploit seasonally abundant food resources, and because climate change has the potential to occur more rapidly than species can adapt to their migratory behavior, negative impacts to populations may occur as a result of climate change. Human-induced climate change is a driving factor in changing migration phenology, but the effects may be cofounded by endogenous controls and changing conditions among migratory routes. However, despite strong endogenous controls, long-distance migratory birds can alter the timing and rate of migration in response to a changing climate. In this thesis I explore the relationship between spring migration penology and climate.
The literature review addresses the relationships between a changing climate and corresponding changes in avian migration phenology. I summarize the current state of understanding of how anthropogenic climate change is affecting spring migration. The literature documents a clear change in the spring migrant arrival dates over time. To more thoroughly explore these relationships I present the results of a quantitative data modeling exercise that models the variation of migration phenology of birds in Maine. A model selection approach was used to develop a predictive model of spring migrant arrival dates. I demonstrate that, as documented in literature, many passerine species in Maine are arriving increasingly earlier in the spring, as documented in the literature in other regions. Migration strategy, foraging behavior, and pressure from exogenous and endogenous controls affect migration phenology, but I demonstrate that anthropogenic climate change has caused an advancement of median spring arrival times in Maine.
Recommended Citation
Svedlow, Aaron, "Changes in Spring Arrival Times: Climate change and the phenology of spring bird migration" (2019). Student Scholarship. 1.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/bio-students/1
Included in
Biology Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Poultry or Avian Science Commons
