Network structure of avian mixed-species flocks decays with elevation and latitude across the Andes.

ABSTRACT: Birds in mixed-species flocks benefit from greater foraging efficiency and reduced predation, but also face costs related to competition and activity matching. Because this cost-benefit trade-off is context-dependent (e.g. abiotic conditions and habitat quality), the structure of flocks is expected to vary along elevational, latitudinal and disturbance gradients. Specifically, we predicted that the connectivity and cohesion of flocking networks would (i) decline towards tropical latitudes and lower elevations, where competition and activity matching costs are higher, and (ii) increase with lower forest cover and greater human disturbance. We analysed the structure of 84 flock networks across the Andes and assessed the effect of elevation, latitude, forest cover and human disturbance on net

SUBMITTER: Montano-Centellas FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10107241 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature