Great tits feed their nestlings with more but smaller prey items and fewer caterpillars in cities than in forests DOI Creative Commons

Csenge Sinkovics,

Gábor Seress, Ivett Pipoly

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Dec. 17, 2021

Abstract Rapidly increasing urbanisation is one of the most significant anthropogenic environmental changes which can affect demographic traits animal populations, for example resulting in reduced reproductive success. The food limitation hypothesis suggests that shortage high-quality nestling cities a major factor responsible performance insectivorous birds. To study this explanation, we collected data on parental provisioning behaviour urban and forest great tits ( Parus ) three years varied both caterpillar availability (the main tit nestlings) success In all years, parents provisioned caterpillars smaller proportion to their nestlings, but total amount per (estimated by volumes prey items) did not differ between habitats. two with much lower than habitats, had higher rates, provided more non-arthropod brought items parents. year habitat difference success, were able compensate scarcity other arthropods rather food, delivering larger preys years. Specifically, latter year, pairs cc. twice as large similar size broods. These results show although provide same quantity reducing brood capita feeding rates they cannot fully (caterpillars) poor some however, favourable conditions development greatly reduce cities, allowing birds achieve We suggest green areas designed managed way facilitate phytophagous could improve quality

Language: Английский

The effect of insect food availability on songbird reproductive success and chick body condition: Evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis DOI Creative Commons
Eliza M. Grames, Graham A. Montgomery, Casey Youngflesh

et al.

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(4), P. 658 - 673

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Reports of declines in abundance and biomass insects other invertebrates from around the world have raised concerns about food limitation that could profound impacts for insectivorous species. Food availability can clearly affect species; however, there is considerable variation among studies whether this effect evident, thus a lack clarity over generality relationship. To understand how decreased due to invertebrate will bird populations, we conducted systematic review used meta-analytic structural equation modelling, which allowed us treat our core variables interest as latent estimated by diverse ways researchers measure fecundity chick body condition. We found moderate positive on condition strong reproductive success. also negative relationship between Our results demonstrate generally limiting factor breeding songbirds. analysis provides evidence consistent trade-off success, demonstrating complexity trophic dynamics important these vital rates.

Language: Английский

Citations

47
Impact of Urbanization on Birds DOI Creative Commons
Caroline Isaksson

Fascinating life sciences, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 235 - 257

Published: Jan. 1, 2018

Language: Английский

Citations

148
Impact of urbanization on abundance and phenology of caterpillars and consequences for breeding in an insectivorous bird DOI
Gábor Seress,

Tamás Hammer,

Veronika Bókony

et al.

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 28(5), P. 1143 - 1156

Published: April 21, 2018

Urbanization can have marked effects on plant and animal populations' phenology, population size, predator-prey, interactions reproductive success. These aspects are rarely studied simultaneously in a single system, some investigated, e.g., how insect phenology responds to urban development. Here, we study tri-trophic system of trees, phytophagous insects (caterpillars), insectivorous birds (Great Tits) assess urbanization influences (1) the each component this (2) abundance, (3) avian We use data from two forest sites Hungary, central Europe, collected over four consecutive years. Despite trend earlier leaf emergence sites, there is no evidence for an peak caterpillar abundance. Thus, contrary frequently stated prediction literature, breeding bird populations not associated with availability. seasonal dynamics biomass exhibited striking differences between habitat types clear forests, several much smaller peaks sites. Caterpillar was higher forests than areas across entire sampling period, 8.5 24 times during first brood's chick-rearing period. This taller trees or tree species identity, occurred despite most our focal being native area. Urban Great Tits laid clutches, experienced more frequent nestling mortality starvation, reared fewer offspring fledging age, their fledglings had lower body mass. Our strongly indicates that food limitation responsible success cities, which driven by reduced availability preferred diet, i.e., caterpillars, rather phenological shifts timing

Language: Английский

Citations

135
Food availability limits avian reproduction in the city: An experimental study on great tits Parus major DOI
Gábor Seress, Krisztina Sándor, Karl L. Evans

et al.

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 89(7), P. 1570 - 1580

Published: May 17, 2020

Abstract The altered ecological and environmental conditions in towns cities strongly affect demographic traits of urban animal populations, for example avian reproductive success is often reduced. Previous work suggests that this partly driven by low insect availability during the breeding season, but robust experimental evidence supports food limitation hypothesis not yet available. We tested core predictions using a controlled experiment provided supplementary (nutritionally enhanced mealworms supplied daily to meet 40%–50% each supplemented brood's requirements) great tit nestlings forest habitats. measured parental provisioning rates estimated amount consumed control nestlings, assessed their body size survival rates. Provisioning were similar across habitats broods, (and control) broods large quantities food. As predicted we found (a) had smaller nestling than those broods; (b) rates; (c) larger crucially (d) broods. Our results provide rare support strong negative effects rearing period on birds' success. Furthermore, fact almost completely eliminated habitat differences rate suggest stressors other shortage contributed relatively little reduced Finally, given impacts taking clutch into account, our populations study system would need be increased factor at least 2.5 tits have

Language: Английский

Citations

113
Phenotypic variation in urban environments: mechanisms and implications DOI Creative Commons
M. J. Thompson, Pablo Capilla‐Lasheras, Davide M. Dominoni

et al.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 37(2), P. 171 - 182

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

Language: Английский

Citations

72
A global meta‐analysis reveals higher variation in breeding phenology in urban birds than in their non‐urban neighbours DOI Creative Commons
Pablo Capilla‐Lasheras, M. J. Thompson, Alfredo Sánchez‐Tójar

et al.

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(11), P. 2552 - 2570

Published: Sept. 22, 2022

Cities pose a major ecological challenge for wildlife worldwide. Phenotypic variation, which can result from underlying genetic variation or plasticity, is an important metric to understand eco-evolutionary responses environmental change. Recent work suggests that urban populations might have higher levels of phenotypic than non-urban counterparts. This prediction, however, has never been tested across species nor over broad geographical range. Here, we conducted meta-analysis the avian literature compare versus means and in phenology (i.e. lay date) reproductive effort clutch size, number fledglings). First, show reproduce earlier smaller broods conspecifics. Second, laying date populations. arises differences between within breeding seasons, conceivably due landscape heterogeneity habitats. These findings reveal novel effect urbanisation on animal life histories with potential implications adaptation environments (which will require further investigation). The birds subjected disturbance could plastic heterogeneous environment, phenology, possibly linked evolutionary potential.

Language: Английский

Citations

39
Radio‐tracking urban breeding birds: The importance of native vegetation DOI Creative Commons
Gábor Seress, Krisztina Sándor, Veronika Bókony

et al.

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract As urban areas continue to expand globally, a deeper understanding of the functioning green spaces is crucial for maintaining habitats that effectively support wildlife within our cities. Cities typically harbor wide variety nonnative vegetation, providing limited insect populations. The resulting scarcity arthropods has been increasingly linked adverse effects at higher trophic levels, such as reduced reproductive success insectivorous birds in environments. However, responses by which breeding cope with challenges food limitation remain largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, Central European city, we employed radiotelemetry tracking and real‐time observations on urban‐breeding female great tits' habitat use, combined detailed plant surveys video recordings nestlings' diet. This integrated approach enabled us establish direct links between foraging behavior, vegetation preferences, nestling We found besides tree canopies, tits also frequently foraged ground availability bird feeders notably affected birds' use. Foraging generally avoided plants, particularly broadleaved species. When searching food, were most time‐efficient conifers, albeit these trees provided low amounts caterpillars (a preferred prey type). Great more likely forage deliver from large native less collected fewer items abundant Our results underscore importance several factors may help improve quality birds, preserving increasing diverse being key elements endeavor.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
A New Framework for Urban Ecology: An Integration of Proximate and Ultimate Responses to Anthropogenic Change DOI Open Access
Jenny Q. Ouyang, Caroline Isaksson, Chloé Schmidt

et al.

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 13, 2018

As urban areas continue to grow, understanding how species respond and adapt habitats is becoming increasingly important. Knowledge of the mechanisms behind observed phenotypic changes urban-dwelling animals will enable us better evaluate impact urbanization on current future generations wildlife predict novel environments. Recently, ecology has emerged not only as a means organismal adaptation but also framework for exploring mediating evolutionary phenomena. Here, we have identified four important research topics that advance field shed light proximate ultimate causes differences commonly seen among populations vary in their responses urbanization. First, address ecological socio-economic factors characterize cities, they might interact with each other, affect species. Second, ask which are underlying emergence over time traits organisms, focusing developmental effects. Third, emphasize importance causations link shifts function. This question highlights need quantify strength direction selection individuals exposed to, whether associated life city adaptive. Lastly, stress translate individual-level scale up population dynamics. Understanding mechanistic underpinnings variation unravel resilience environmental perturbation, facilitate predictive models sustainability development green cities maintain or even increase biodiversity health wellbeing.

Language: Английский

Citations

66
Growing in the city: Urban evolutionary ecology of avian growth rates DOI Creative Commons
Michela Corsini, Eva Maria Schöll, Irene Di Lecce

et al.

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 14(1), P. 69 - 84

Published: Aug. 2, 2020

Rapid environmental change driven by urbanization offers a unique insight into the adaptive potential of urban-dwelling organisms. Urban-driven phenotypic differentiation is increasingly often demonstrated, but impact (here modelled as percentage impervious surface (ISA) around each nestbox) on offspring developmental rates and subsequent survival remains poorly understood. Furthermore, role selection urban-driven divergence was rarely investigated to date.

Language: Английский

Citations

60
Urbanization and blood parasite infections affect the body condition of wild birds DOI
Jéssica Jiménez‐Peñuela, Martina Ferraguti, Josué Martínez‐de la Puente

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 651, P. 3015 - 3022

Published: Oct. 15, 2018

Language: Английский

Citations

58