Climate change is altering the physiology and phenology of an arctic hibernator
Climate warming is rapid in the Arctic, yet impacts to biological systems are unclear because few long-term studies linking biophysiological processes with environmental conditions exist for this data-poor region. In our study spanning 25 years in the Alaskan Arctic, we demonstrate that climate chan...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Dataset |
| Language: | unknown |
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2023
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| Online Access: | https://zenodo.org/record/7983267 https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pzgmsbcqq |
| Summary: | Climate warming is rapid in the Arctic, yet impacts to biological systems are unclear because few long-term studies linking biophysiological processes with environmental conditions exist for this data-poor region. In our study spanning 25 years in the Alaskan Arctic, we demonstrate that climate change is affecting the timing of freeze-thaw cycles in the active layer of permafrost soils and altering the physiology of arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii). Soil freeze has been delayed and, in response, arctic ground squirrels have delayed when they up-regulate heat production during torpor to prevent freezing. Further, the termination of hibernation in spring has advanced 4 days per decade in females but not males. Continued warming and phenological shifts will alter hibernation energetics, change the seasonal availability of this important prey species, and potentially disrupt intraspecific interactions. Funding provided by: National Science FoundationCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000001Award Number: IOS-1558056Funding provided by: National Science FoundationCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000001Award Number: IOS- 1558160Funding provided by: University of Alaska FairbanksCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100012574Award Number: Centennial Postdoctoral FellowshipFunding provided by: National Institute of General Medical SciencesCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000057Award Number: NIH: P20GM103395Funding provided by: University of Alaska FairbanksCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100012574Award Number: URSA undergraduate research award From 1996 to 2021, we deployed implantable abdominal temperature loggers and/or collar-mounted light and temperature loggers on free-living male and female arctic ground squirrels at two field sites (Atigun River Bridge 2 and Toolik Field Station) on the North Slope of Alaska, 254 km above the Arctic Circle. Detailed descriptions of field sites, ... |
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