The role of thermal physiology in recent declines of birds in a biodiversity hotspot.

ABSTRACT: We investigated whether observed avian range contractions and population declines in the Fynbos biome of South Africa were mechanistically linked to recent climate warming. We aimed to determine whether there were correlations between preferred temperature envelope, or changes in temperature within species' ranges, and recent changes in range and population size, for 12 Fynbos-resident bird species, including six that are endemic to the biome. We then measured the physiological responses of each species at air temperatures ranging from 24 to 42°C to determine whether physiological thermal thresholds could provide a mechanistic explanation for observed population trends. Our data show that Fynbos-endemic species occupying the coolest regions experienced the greatest recent reductions in ran

SUBMITTER: Milne R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4778484 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature