Temperature synchronizes temporal variation in laying dates across European hole-nesting passerines

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  • S.J.G. Vriend
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • V. Grøtan
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • M Gamelon
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • F. Adriaensen
    University of Antwerp
  • L.D. Bailey
    Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
  • E. Barba
    University of Valencia
  • J-C. Bouvier
    Institut national de la recherche agronomique
  • M.D. Burgess
    RSPB Centre for Conservation Science
  • A. Charmantier
    Université de Montpellier
  • C. Cusimano
    Stazione Ornitologica Aegithalos, Monreale, Italy
  • B. Doligez
    Université Claude Bernard Lyon
  • S.M. Drobniak
    Jagiellonian University
  • A. Dubiec
    Polish Academy of Sciences
  • M. Eens
    University of Antwerp
  • T. Eeva
    University of Turku
  • K.E. Erikstad
    Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)
  • P. Ferns
    Cardiff University
  • A.E. Goodenough
    University of Gloucestershire
  • I.R. Hartley
    Lancaster University
  • S. Hinsley
    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford
  • R. Juškaitis
    Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
  • B. Kempenaers
    Max Planck Institute for Ornithology
  • A.B. Kerimov
    Moscow State University
  • J.A. Kålås
    Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)
  • C. Lavigne
    Institut national de la recherche agronomique
  • A. Leivits
    Department of Nature Conservation, Environmental Board, Saarde, Estonia
  • M.C. Mainwaring
  • J. Martínez-Padilla
    Pyrenean Institute of Ecology
  • E. Matthysen
    University of Antwerp
  • M. Orell
    University of Oulu
  • R. Pinxten
    University of Antwerp
  • J. Potti
  • S Rytkönen
    University of Oulu
  • J.C. Senar
    Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
  • B.C. Sheldon
    University of Oxford
  • A. Sorace
    Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Rome
  • J. Török
    Eötvös Loránd University
  • E. Vatka
    University of Oulu
  • M.E. Visser
    Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
  • B.E. Sæther
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Identifying the environmental drivers of variation in fitness-related traits is a central objective in ecology and evolutionary biology. Temporal fluctuations of these environmental drivers are often synchronized at large spatial scales. Yet, whether synchronous environmental conditions can generate spatial synchrony in fitness-related trait values (i.e., correlated temporal trait fluctuations across populations) is poorly understood. Using data from long-term monitored populations of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus, n = 31), great tits (Parus major, n = 35), and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca, n = 20) across Europe, we assessed the influence of two local climatic variables (mean temperature and mean precipitation in February–May) on spatial synchrony in three fitness-related traits: laying date, clutch size, and fledgling number. We found a high degree of spatial synchrony in laying date but a lower degree in clutch size and fledgling number for each species. Temperature strongly influenced spatial synchrony in laying date for resident blue tits and great tits but not for migratory pied flycatchers. This is a relevant finding in the context of environmental impacts on populations because spatial synchrony in fitness-related trait values among populations may influence fluctuations in vital rates or population abundances. If environmentally induced spatial synchrony in fitness-related traits increases the spatial synchrony in vital rates or population abundances, this will ultimately increase the risk of extinction for populations and species. Assessing how environmental conditions influence spatiotemporal variation in trait values improves our mechanistic understanding of environmental impacts on populations.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere3908
JournalEcology
Volume104
Issue number2
Early online date31 Oct 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2023
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