Microclimate of Ground Nests: The Relative Importance of Radiative Cover and Wind Breaks for Three Grassland Species

Webb, Diane

doi:10.2307/1369363

Cited by 118 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Both measurements were taken between shrubs, 20cm above ground. For nests, U could not be measured directly; but in ground nests, comparable to those of Water Pipits, U max ranges from 0.1-0.25m/s (With & Webb 1993). Hence, we assumed an intermediate value of 0.15m/s for our calculations.…”

Section: Microclimate Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Usually, however, selection seems to have produced behavioural responses for reducing the negative effects of adverse climates; microhabitat selection is a typical example (Calder 1973;Walsberg & King 1978;Walsberg 1981Walsberg , 1993Webb & King 1983;With & Webb 1993;Zerba and Morton 1983). Some species even create more favourable thermal conditions themselves, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thermal and energetic consequences of nest location and breeding times in Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta)

Rauter

Reyer

2000

J Ornithol

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Thermal and energetic consequences of nest location and breeding times in Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta)Rauter, C; Reyer, H U Rauter, C; Reyer, H U. Thermal and energetic consequences of nest location and breeding times in Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta). J. Ornithol. 2000, 141:391-407. Postprint available at: http://www.zora.unizh.chPosted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich. http://www.zora.unizh.chOriginally published at: J. Ornithol. 2000, 141:391-407 Thermal and energetic consequences of nest location and breeding times in Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta) AbstractThe thermal environment has pronounced effects on the energy costs of thermoregulation and affects an animal's allocation of energy to self-maintenance and parental care. Consequently, the selection of reproductive periods, breeding habitats and nest-sites with a favourable microclimate can be advantageous, especially for birds breeding in harsh environments. In this study on Alpine Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta), we evaluate the importance of spatial and temporal factors on thermoregulatory costs by combining laboratory measurements of metabolic rates under various temperatures with standard operative temperatures (Te~) recorded in the field in different microhabitats. Using these measurements we estimate the thermal and energetic consequences of nest locality and timing of reproduction. Our results show: (1) In the morning, Te~ values were much higher on the east-north-east (ENE) slope of a valley than on the west-south-west (WSW) slope; in the afternoon this pattern was reversed. As a consequence, energy costs (Ehour) for thermoregulation on the ENE slope were up to 0.6 RMR (resting metabolic rate at night) lower than on the WSW slope during morning hours and about 0.8 RMR higher during afternoon hours. (2) During the incubation and nestling phases of first and second broods, total energy expenditure for thermoregulation in the daytime (Edaytime) was 0.2-0.3 RMR higher on the ENE slope than on the WSW slope. (3) Within slopes, Edaytime was lower during second broods than during first broods, with differences of 0.06-0.07 RMR during incubation and of 0.32 RMR during nestling care. These differences correspond to the flying costs of females incubating eggs (0.09 RMR) and rearing nestlings (0.25 RMR). We conclude that nest placement in relation to microclimate can improve the female's energy budget, both in terms of the total daily expenditure and its diurnal pattern. From thermal considerations alone, delaying breeding into mid-summer would be advantageous, but this advantage is probably outweighed by the reduced chances for second and replacement clutches and by the necessity to complete moult before migration.

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Section: Microclimate Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal and energetic consequences of nest location and breeding times in Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta)

Rauter

Reyer

2000

J Ornithol

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“…Lark Buntings use grasslands of low to moderate height (<60 cm) with high (45%) vegetative cover and 10-15% bare ground (Smith and Smith 1966, Shane 1972, Creighton 1974, often with a superstory component such as shrubs (Baldwin et al 1969, With and Webb 1993, Shane 2000. Shrubs are especially important in savanna and sagebrush (Artemisia) habitats (Woolfolk 1945).…”

Section: Suitable Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Saskatchewan, nests were placed under western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) (Smith and Smith 1966). Vegetative cover may provide protection from inclement weather and from depredation (Woolfolk 1945, Baumgarten 1968, Baldwin et al 1969, Strong 1971, Creighton 1974, Pleszczynka 1977, With and Webb 1993, Shane 2000, as well as provide open views in one or more directions (Baldwin et al 1969, Shane 1972, Wilson 1976. The presence of protective cover may be a major factor in reproductive success (Strong 1971, Pleszczynska 1977.…”

Section: Suitable Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Lark Bunting

Dechant¹,

Sondreal²,

Johnson³

et al. 1999

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The design and function of birds' nests

Mainwaring

Hartley

Lambrechts

et al. 2014

Ecology and Evolution

322

346

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All birds construct nests in which to lay eggs and/or raise offspring. Traditionally, it was thought that natural selection and the requirement to minimize the risk of predation determined the design of completed nests. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that sexual selection also influences nest design. This is an important development as while species such as bowerbirds build structures that are extended phenotypic signals whose sole purpose is to attract a mate, nests contain eggs and/or offspring, thereby suggesting a direct trade-off between the conflicting requirements of natural and sexual selection. Nest design also varies adaptively in order to both minimize the detrimental effects of parasites and to create a suitable microclimate for parents and developing offspring in relation to predictable variation in environmental conditions. Our understanding of the design and function of birds' nests has increased considerably in recent years, and the evidence suggests that nests have four nonmutually exclusive functions. Consequently, we conclude that the design of birds' nests is far more sophisticated than previously realized and that nests are multifunctional structures that have important fitness consequences for the builder/s.

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Microclimate of Ground Nests: The Relative Importance of Radiative Cover and Wind Breaks for Three Grassland Species

Cited by 118 publications

References 29 publications

Thermal and energetic consequences of nest location and breeding times in Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta)

Thermal and energetic consequences of nest location and breeding times in Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta)

Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Lark Bunting

The design and function of birds' nests

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