Climate‐ and resource‐driven long‐term changes in dormice populations negatively affect hole‐nesting songbirds

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2008.00415.x
• Publication Date: 2008-02-26T09:36:20Z
• Authors: P. Adamík; M. Král
• Keywords: Ficedula; Hibernation; Nesting season

Abstract Global climate change has been shown to cause variable shifts in phenology a variety of animals and unexpected outcomes across food chains are be found. Here we examined how rising annual spring temperatures affected the interactions between seed masting, cavity nesting birds dormice using long‐term data from Eastern Czech Republic. We have that was associated with unequal two cavity‐breeding groups: birds. Rising progressively advanced termination hibernation for edible dormouse Glis glis , common bird predator, leading an increasing overlap use boxes In contrast, only collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis four cavity‐nesting species, its breeding dates response temperatures. At same time, favourable weather conditions, coupled good masting years, substantial rise numbers. Concurrent abundance, number nests destroyed significantly increased three out species. showed while there significant date emerged during course study, it did not contribute predation levels when controlling their abundance timing found main factor causing high brood losses birds, had effect This study illustrates changes might affect organisms at various trophic often outcomes. Limited evidence other suggests species most risk those different do shift rate or direction as resources, predators competitors.