Realized thermal niche approach eliminates temperature bias in bioenergetic model estimates.

ABSTRACT: Bioenergetics models estimate ectotherm growth, production, and prey consumption - all key for effective ecosystem management during changing global temperatures. Based on species-specific allometric and thermodynamic relationships, these models typically use the species' lab-derived optimum temperatures (physiological optimum) as opposed to empirical field data (realized thermal niche) that reflect actual thermal experience. Yet, dynamic behavioral thermoregulation mediated by biotic and abiotic interactions may provide substantial divergence between physiological optimum and realized thermal niche temperatures to significantly bias model outcomes. Here, using the Wisconsin bioenergetics model and in-situ year-round temperature data, we tested the two approaches and compared the maximum a

SUBMITTER: Ivanova SV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10867506 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature