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Data from: Global temperature homogenization can obliterate temporal isolation in migratory animals with potential loss of population structure Version 13

Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research https://doi.org/10.25850/nioz/7b.b.dg

Climate change is expected to increase the spatial autocorrelation of temperature, resulting in greater synchronization of climate variables worldwide. Possibly such ‘homogenization of the world’ leads to elevated risks of extinction and loss of biodiversity. In this study, we develop an empirical example on how increasing synchrony of global temperatures can affect population structure in migratory animals. We studied two subspecies of Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica breeding in tundra regions in Siberia: yamalensis in the west and taymyrensis further east and north. These subspecies share pre- and post-breeding stopover areas, thus being partially sympatric, but exhibiting temporal segregation. The latter is believed to facilitate reproductive isolation. Using satellite tracking data, we show that migration timing of both subspecies is correlated with the date of snowmelt in their respective breeding sites (later at the taymyrensis breeding range). Snow-cover satellite images demonstrate that the breeding ranges are on different climate trajectories and become more synchronized over time: between 1997 and 2020, the date of snowmelt advanced on average by 0.5 days/year in the taymyrensis breeding range, while it remained stable in the yamalensis breeding range. Previous findings showed how taymyrensis responded to earlier snowmelt by advancing arrival and clutch initiation. In the predicted absence of such advancements in yamalensis, we expect that the two populations will be synchronized by 2036 – 2040. Since Bar-tailed Godwits are social migrants, this raises the possibility of population exchange and prompts the question whether the two subspecies can maintain their geographic and morphological differences and population-specific migratory routines. The proposed scenario may apply to a wide range of (social) migrants as temporal segregation is crucial for promoting and maintaining reproductive isolation in many (partially sympatric) migratory populations. Homogenization of previously isolated populations could be an important consequence of increasing synchronized environments and hence climate change.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Subject Earth and Environmental Sciences
DAS Code 7b.b.dg
Source https://dataportal.nioz.nl/doi/10.25850/nioz/7b.b.dg
Version 13
Creator(s)
Bom, Roeland (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)
ORCID
Contact the corresponding author
Depositor Roeland Bom
Publication Date 2023-11-03
Deposit Date 2023-11-03
Dataset Persistent Identifier DOI:10.25850/nioz/7b.b.dg
Alternate identifier
Related identifier
Contributor NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Distributor Research Data Management(NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)
Distribution Date 2023-11-03
Production Date 2023-11-03
Dates
Funding References
MAVA
Waders of the Bijagós

NWO
Spinoza Premium 2014

NWO (85411004)
TOP-project Shorebirds in Space

TRC (ORG/EBR/12/002 )
Geographic Coverage
Global
North Bound: 80
South Bound: 80
West Bound: -20
East Bound: 10