Habitat quality as a predictor of spatial variation in blue tit reproductive performance: a multi-plot analysis in a heterogeneous landscape

Abstract

Vertebrate studies have rarely investigated the influence of spatial variation in habitat richness on both short-term (breeding) and long-term (offspring recruitment) reproductive performance using simultaneously multi-patch, multi-habitat type and multi-year approaches at landscape level. Here we present results of such an approach using the influence of two oak tree (Quercus ilex, Q. humilis) species on reproductive performance in Corsican blue tits (Parus caeruleus ogliastrae) as a model system. We found that blue tits breeding in rich broad-leaved deciduous patches consistently laid eggs earlier in the season, and produced larger clutches and more fledglings of higher quality, than those breeding in poor evergreen patches. Also, parents, especially males, were in better physical condition in the broad-leaved deciduous than in the evergreen patches. Surprisingly, estimates of long-term effects of reproduction, such as recruitment rates of locally born offspring, did not differ between the two habitat types. Our results suggest that short-term breeding performance and phenotypic quality of both chicks and parents do not necessarily provide reliable information about contributions to following generations at a scale larger than that of the local study plot. Differences in reproductive performance between the two oak habitat types could not be attributed to density-dependent effects, differences in levels of nest predation, or differences in age structure of the birds. We suggest that habitats that are optimal for breeding are not necessarily optimal for survival after the breeding season.

Assortative mating by colored ornaments in blue tits: space and time matter

“…Of the Corsican populations, two were found in the Regino Valley (the Muro populations) and were separated by less than 5 km. Despite the populations' spatial proximity, they occupied different habitat types: a deciduous oak forest versus an evergreen oak forest (Blondel et al., 2006; Charmantier, Doutrelant, et al., 2016; Lambrechts et al., 2004). The third Corsican population, the Pirio population, was found in the Fango Valley, which is located 25 km from the Regino Valley, in a forest dominated by evergreen oaks.…”

Effects of structural and functional habitat gaps on breeding woodland birds: working harder for less

“…Structural gaps are defined as physical spaces in the tree canopy; functional gaps are defined as arising from differences in the quality of different plant species as foraging habitat (Kennedy and Southwood 1984;Peck 1989;Lambrechts et al 2004;Alexander et al 2006). For altricial nestlings, all food must be carried to the nest and thus breeding success may be affected by the amount of time and energy the adults expend in crossing gaps.…”

Breeding Performance of Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus ultramarinus in Relation to Habitat Richness of Oak Forest Patches in North-Eastern Algeria

“…Zandt et al 1990, Dias & Blondel 1996, Bańbura et al 1999, Grieco 1999, Blondel et al 2006, but see e.g. Lambrechts et al 2004). Lower breeding success and offspring survival is found in Blue Tits raising chicks well before or after the peak date of caterpillar availability (Dias & Blondel 1996, Blondel et al 2006).…”