Stochastic simulations reveal few green wave surfing populations among spring migrating herbivorous waterfowl
2019
Tracking seasonally changing resources is regarded as a widespread proximate mechanism underpinning
animal migration. Migrating
herbivores, for example, are hypothesized to track seasonal foliage dynamics over large spatial scales. Previous investigations of this green wave hypothesis involved few species and limited geographical extent, and used conventional correlation that cannot disentangle alternative correlated effects. Here, we introduce
stochastic simulationsto test this hypothesis using 222 individual spring migration episodes of 14 populations of ten species of geese, swans and dabbling ducks throughout Europe, East Asia, and North America. We find that the green wave cannot be considered a ubiquitous driver of
herbivorous
waterfowlspring migration, as it explains observed migration patterns of only a few grazing populations in specific regions. We suggest that ecological barriers and particularly human disturbance likely constrain the capacity of
herbivorous
waterfowlto track the green wave in some regions, highlighting key challenges in conserving migratory birds.
Keywords:
-
Correction
-
Source
-
Cite
-
Save
73
References
1536
Citations
NaN
KQI