Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/27121
Appears in Collections:Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: Tritrophic phenological match-mismatch in space and time
Author(s): Burgess, Malcolm
Smith, Ken W
Evans, Karl L
Leech, Dave
Pearce-Higgins, James W
Branston, Claire J
Briggs, Kevin
Clark, John R
du Feu, Chris R
Lewthwaite, Kate
Nager, Ruedi G
Sheldon, Ben C
Smith, Jeremy A
Whytock, Robin
Willis, Stephen G
Phillimore, Albert B
Contact Email: r.c.whytock@stir.ac.uk
Issue Date: Jun-2018
Date Deposited: 25-Apr-2018
Citation: Burgess M, Smith KW, Evans KL, Leech D, Pearce-Higgins JW, Branston CJ, Briggs K, Clark JR, du Feu CR, Lewthwaite K, Nager RG, Sheldon BC, Smith JA, Whytock R, Willis SG & Phillimore AB (2018) Tritrophic phenological match-mismatch in space and time. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 2 (6), pp. 970-975. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0543-1
Abstract: Increasing temperatures associated with climate change may generate phenological mismatches that disrupt previously synchronous trophic interactions. Most work on mismatch has focused on temporal trends, whereas spatial variation in the degree of trophic synchrony has largely been neglected, even though the degree to which mismatch varies in space has implications for meso-scale population dynamics and evolution. Here we quantify latitudinal trends in phenological mismatch, using phenological data on an oak–caterpillar–bird system from across the UK. Increasing latitude delays phenology of all species, but more so for oak, resulting in a shorter interval between leaf emergence and peak caterpillar biomass at northern locations. Asynchrony found between peak caterpillar biomass and peak nestling demand of blue tits, great tits and pied flycatchers increases in earlier (warm) springs. There is no evidence of spatial variation in the timing of peak nestling demand relative to peak caterpillar biomass for any species. Phenological mismatch alone is thus unlikely to explain spatial variation in population trends. Given projections of continued spring warming, we predict that temperate forest birds will become increasingly mismatched with peak caterpillar timing. Latitudinal invariance in the direction of mismatch may act as a double-edged sword that presents no opportunities for spatial buffering from the effects of mismatch on population size, but generates spatially consistent directional selection on timing, which could facilitate rapid evolutionary change.
DOI Link: 10.1038/s41559-018-0543-1
Rights: This item has been embargoed for a period. During the embargo please use the Request a Copy feature at the foot of the Repository record to request a copy directly from the author. You can only request a copy if you wish to use this work for your own research or private study. Published in Nature Ecology and Evolution by Springer Nature and available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0543-1

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