Does climate change pose a threat to native hibernators? [03.09.20]
It is generally known that climate change will have profound implications for the survival and behavior of many species. Although a significant proportion of mammals hibernate, there is limited knowledge on how climate change might affect hibernating species. In a new study, researchers at the University of Hohenheim are investigating how fluctuations in ambient temperature can affect the survival and reproduction of hibernating animals. The results of the study show that climate change can have positive and negative consequences for survival and reproduction, depending on the metabolic state of a hibernator. Whether hibernators could survive climate change will depend strongly on the speed of these climatic changes.
Picture Credit: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/igel-igel-überwintern-winterschlaf-2074144/
Publication
Fietz, J., Langer, F., Schlund, W., 2020. They like it cold, but only in winter: Climate-mediated effects on a hibernator. Functional Ecology. doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13630
Abstract
Variations in ambient temperature (Ta) profoundly influence energy consumption in endotherms and therefore their survival and fitness. But depending on whether endotherms are hibernating or active, the same changes in Ta may have opposing consequences for their energy consumption. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate how variations in Ta, occurring during hibernation and during the active period of a hibernator, affect different fitness relevant traits. To understand whether changes in Ta impact phenology, body mass and reproduction in a small mammalian hibernator, we analysed Ta variations and detailed capture–mark–recapture data on edible dormice Glis glis collected between 1993 and 2016 in South-West Germany. Results revealed that during hibernation a Ta increase of 1°C advanced the date of first capture after hibernation by 6 days, but only if food availability during the preceding year was low. In contrast, after years of comparatively high food availability, date of first capture was not affected by Ta, but dormice had a significantly lower body mass after emergence, if Ta during hibernation was elevated (3–6 g per 1°C). We presume that an earlier emergence as well as a lower body mass after emergence potentially reduces the chance to survive. During the active period of edible dormice, mean spring Ta did not affect the date of birth but was positively associated with litter size, potentially improving reproductive success. Results of this study highlight that, depending on the physiological state of a hibernator, an increase in Ta can have positive and negative effects on fitness relevant traits. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
More about the Hohenheimer Author:
 | PD Dr. Joanna FietzInstitute for Zoology RG Ecophysiology |
|---|
