The onset in spring and the end in autumn of the thermal and vegetative growing season affect calving time and reproductive success in reindeer

• DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoz032
• Publication Date: 2019-06-20T07:20:06Z
• Authors: Amélie Paoli; Robert B Weladji; Øystein Holand; Jouko Kumpula
• Keywords: Growing season

Abstract A developing trophic mismatch between the peak of energy demands by reproducing animals and forage availability has caused many species’ reproductive success to decrease. The match–mismatch hypothesis (MMH) is an appealing concept that can be used assess such fitness consequences. However, concerns have been raised on applying MMH capital breeders as reindeer because reliance maternal capita rather than dietary income may mitigate negative effects changing phenologies. Using a long-term dataset calving dates recorded since 1970 in semidomesticated population Finnish Lapland proxies plant phenology; we tested main time lag date phenology autumn when females store nutrient reserves finance reproduction would lead consequences success, with spring conditions would. As predicted, Kutuharju was affected both onset green-up vegetative senescence calves were born heavier higher first-summer survival vegetation growth earlier end thermal growing season previous year well. Our results demonstrated longer seasons might detrimental reindeer’s if later accompanied reduced abundance mushrooms.