Snow modulates winter energy use and cold exposure across an elevation gradient in a montane ectotherm

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin T. Roberts ◽  
Nathan E. Rank ◽  
Elizabeth P. Dahlhoff ◽  
Jonathon H. Stillman ◽  
Caroline M. Williams
2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sae Namekata ◽  
Fritz Geiser

Eastern pygmy-possums (Cercartetus nanus) are known to be conservative with energy use probably because they rely on food that varies in availability. We quantified how nest use, huddling, and torpor contribute to a reduction of energy expenditure in C. nanus during mild cold exposure. In comparison to normothermic resting C. nanus at the same ambient temperature, nest use reduced energy expenditure on average by ~17%, huddling as a pair in a nest by ~50%, whereas torpor, which was employed by all seven individuals, lowered energy expenditure by >95%. Our study shows that while all energy-conserving strategies employed by these possums can contribute significantly to reducing energy expenditure, torpor is by far the most effective because it not only reduces thermoregulatory energy costs, but also energy expenditure required for maintenance processes.


1982 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 768-770
Author(s):  
Stuart Oskamp
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Gado ◽  
M Noll ◽  
A Heinrich ◽  
M Rauner ◽  
LC Hofbauer ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Morelli ◽  
Yanina

ContextThe negative association between elevation and species richness is a well-recognized pattern in macro-ecology. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate changes in functional evenness of breeding bird communities along an elevation gradient in Europe. MethodsUsing the bird data from the EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds we estimated an index of functional evenness which can be assumed as a measure of the potential resilience of communities.ResultsOur findings confirm the existence of a negative association between elevation and bird species richness in all European eco regions. However, we also explored a novel aspect of this relationship, important for conservation: Our findings provide evidence at large spatial scale of a negative association between the functional evenness (potential community resilience) and elevation, independent of the eco region. We also found that the Natura2000 protected areas covers the territory most in need of protection, those characterized by bird communities with low potential resilience, in hilly and mountainous areas.ConclusionsThese results draw attention to European areas occupied by bird communities characterized by a potential lower capacity to respond to strong ecological changes, and, therefore, potentially more exposed to risks for conservation.


“We regard the recent science –based consensual reports that climate change is, to a large extend, caused by human activities that emit green houses as tenable, Such activities range from air traffic, with a global reach over industrial belts and urban conglomerations to local small, scale energy use for heating homes and mowing lawns. This means that effective climate strategies inevitably also require action all the way from global to local levels. Since the majority of those activities originate at the local level and involve individual action, however, climate strategies must literally begin at home to hit home.”


Author(s):  
R.G. Nelson, ◽  
C.H. Hellwinckel, ◽  
C.C. Brandt, ◽  
T.O. West, ◽  
D.G. De La Torre Ugarte, ◽  
...  

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