Date: July 19, 2018
Source: Cell Press
Summary:
As Arctic temperatures continue
to rise, migratory barnacle geese have responded by speeding up their
3,000-kilometer migration in order to reach their destination more quickly with
fewer stops along the way, according to new evidence. Unfortunately, the birds'
earlier arrival isn't making as much of a difference as one might expect.
As Arctic temperatures continue
to rise, migratory barnacle geese have responded by speeding up their
3,000-kilometer migration in order to reach their destination more quickly with
fewer stops along the way, according to new evidence reported in Current
Biology on July 19. Unfortunately, the birds' earlier arrival isn't making
as much of a difference as one might expect. That's because, when the geese
reach their Arctic breeding grounds after an accelerated marathon flight, they
must take extra time to refuel their own bodies before laying eggs.
As a result of this recovery
period, barnacle goose chicks continue to hatch too late to take advantage of
early spring foraging opportunities. The new study shows that fewer of them are
surviving long enough to leave their mothers' sides and make the trek on their
own. The findings suggest that the birds are in trouble unless they start
heading north for the Arctic earlier in the year, as opposed to speeding up
their travel along the way, the researchers say.
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