Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds

Author:

Howard Christine1ORCID,Stephens Philip A.1ORCID,Tobias Joseph A.2ORCID,Sheard Catherine3,Butchart Stuart H. M.45,Willis Stephen G.1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Conservation Ecology Group, Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

2. Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, SL5 7PY, UK

3. School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK

4. BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke St., Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK

5. Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK

Abstract

Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe. Using tracking data, we show that our estimates accord with recorded journey times and stopovers for most species. We then combine projections of altered migratory distances under climate change with models of avian flight to predict future migratory journeys. We find that 37% of migratory journeys undertaken by long-distance migrants will necessitate an additional stopover in future. These greater distances and the increased number of stops will substantially increase overall journey durations of many long-distance migratory species, a factor not currently considered in climate impact studies.

Funder

Durham University Seedcorn grant

Natural Environment Research Council

US-UK Fulbright Commission

Oxford Clarendon Fund

Publisher

The Royal Society

Subject

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Environmental Science,General Immunology and Microbiology,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine

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