It's time to go-Drivers and plasticity of migration phenology in a short-distance migratory ungulate.

ABSTRACT: Recurring events like migrations are an important part of the biological cycles of species. Understanding the factors influencing the timing of such events is crucial for determining how species face the pervasive consequences of climate change in highly seasonal environments. Relying on data from 406 GPS-collared Alpine ibex Capra ibex monitored across 17 populations, we investigated the environmental and individual drivers of short-distance migrations in this mountain ungulate. We found that vegetation phenology, including spring growth and autumn senescence, along with snow dynamics-snowmelt in spring, onset of snow cover in autumn-were the main drivers of the timing of migration. In spring, ibex migration timing was synchronized with the peak of vegetation green-up, but more in males t

SUBMITTER: Chauveau V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12134444 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature