Migratory vertebrates shift migration timing and distributions in a warming Arctic

• Published in: Animal Migration
• Main Authors: Lameris Thomas K., Hoekendijk Jeroen, Aarts Geert, Aarts Aline, Allen Andrew M., Bienfait Louise, Bijleveld Allert I., Bongers Morten F., Brasseur Sophie, Chan Ying-Chi, de Ferrante Frits, de Gelder Jesse, Derksen Hilmar, Dijkgraaf Lisa, Dijkhuis Laurens R., Dijkstra Sanne, Elbertsen Gert, Ernsten Roosmarijn, Foxen Tessa, Gaarenstroom Jari, Gelhausen Anna, van Gils Jan A., Grosscurt Sebastiaan, Grundlehner Anne, Hertlein Marit L., van Heumen Anouk J.P., Heurman Moniek, Huffeldt Nicholas Per, Hutter Willemijn H., Kamstra Ynze J. J., Keij Femke, van Kempen Susanne, Keurntjes Gabi, Knap Harmen, Loonstra A.H. Jelle, Nolet Bart A., Nuijten Rascha J.M., Mattijssen Djan, Oosterhoff Hanna, Paarlberg Nienke, Parekh Malou, Pattyn Jef, Polak Celeste, Quist Yordi, Ras Susan, Reneerkens Jeroen, Ruth Saskia, van der Schaar Evelien, Schroen Geert, Spikman Fanny
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2021
• Subjects: birds; mammals; marine mammals; phenological mismatch; range shift; migration phenology; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic; Climate change
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/ami-2020-0112; https://doaj.org/article/92f0a0575def49888a69ad2097748fe3

Climate warming in the Arctic has led to warmer and earlier springs, and as a result, many food resources for migratory animals become available earlier in the season, as well as become distributed further northwards. To optimally profit from these resources, migratory animals are expected to arrive earlier in the Arctic, as well as shift their own spatial distributions northwards. Here, we review literature to assess whether Arctic migratory birds and mammals already show shifts in migration timing or distribution in response to the warming climate. Distribution shifts were most prominent in marine mammals, as expected from observed northward shifts of their resources. At least for many bird species, the ability to shift distributions is likely constrained by available habitat further north. Shifts in timing have been shown in many species of terrestrial birds and ungulates, as well as for polar bears. Within species, we found strong variation in shifts in timing and distributions between populations. Ou r review thus shows that many migratory animals display shifts in migration timing and spatial distribution in reaction to a warming Arctic. Importantly, we identify large knowledge gaps especially concerning distribution shifts and timing of autumn migration, especially for marine mammals. Our understanding of how migratory animals respond to climate change appears to be mostly limited by the lack of long-term monitoring studies.