Delineating large-scale migratory connectivity of reed warblers using integrated multistate models

TY - JOUR

T1 - Delineating large-scale migratory connectivity of reed warblers using integrated multistate models

AU - Procházka, Petr

AU - Hahn, Steffen

AU - Rolland, Simon

AU - van der Jeugd, Henk

AU - Csörgő, Tibor

AU - Jiguet, Frédéric

AU - Mokwa, Tomasz

AU - Liechti, Felix

AU - Vangeluwe, Didier

AU - Korner-Nievergelt, Fränzi

N1 - 6227, VT, AnE; Data archiving: data archived in EURING

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Aim Assessing the extent of large-scale migratory connectivity is crucial for understanding the evolution of migratory systems and effective species conservation. It has been, however, difficult to elucidate the annual whereabouts of migratory populations of small animals across the annual cycle. Here, we use the reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) as one of the most frequently ringed passerines in Europe to demonstrate how ring re-encounter and geolocator data can be used to effectively quantify range-wide distribution of different populations. Location Birds were ringed across Europe and re-encountered in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Methods We employed multistate models which quantify range-wide distribution of different breeding populations while accounting for the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the re-encounter probabilities and differential age-specific survival during migratory and non-migratory periods. In addition, we integrated geolocator and breeding abundance data as well as human population density to provide a realistic picture of the year-round distribution of the reed warbler, a trans-Saharan migrant. Results Our modelling approach revealed frequent use of the western Mediterranean flyway for the majority of western European populations, but a higher absolute number of reed warblers used the eastern flyway. Further, many populations used different stopover areas during post- and pre-breeding migration, resulting in an anticlockwise loop migration pattern. Main conclusions The integrative modelling framework helped us to depict the range-wide migration pattern more realistically than raw ring re-encounter data would allow.

AB - Aim Assessing the extent of large-scale migratory connectivity is crucial for understanding the evolution of migratory systems and effective species conservation. It has been, however, difficult to elucidate the annual whereabouts of migratory populations of small animals across the annual cycle. Here, we use the reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) as one of the most frequently ringed passerines in Europe to demonstrate how ring re-encounter and geolocator data can be used to effectively quantify range-wide distribution of different populations. Location Birds were ringed across Europe and re-encountered in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Methods We employed multistate models which quantify range-wide distribution of different breeding populations while accounting for the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the re-encounter probabilities and differential age-specific survival during migratory and non-migratory periods. In addition, we integrated geolocator and breeding abundance data as well as human population density to provide a realistic picture of the year-round distribution of the reed warbler, a trans-Saharan migrant. Results Our modelling approach revealed frequent use of the western Mediterranean flyway for the majority of western European populations, but a higher absolute number of reed warblers used the eastern flyway. Further, many populations used different stopover areas during post- and pre-breeding migration, resulting in an anticlockwise loop migration pattern. Main conclusions The integrative modelling framework helped us to depict the range-wide migration pattern more realistically than raw ring re-encounter data would allow.

KW - Acrocephalus scirpaceus, band encounter data, bird migration, loop migration, migratory connectivity, ring recovery data, ring recovery model, species distribution, survival

KW - international

U2 - 10.1111/ddi.12502

DO - 10.1111/ddi.12502

M3 - Article

SN - 1472-4642

VL - 23

SP - 27

EP - 40

JO - Diversity and Distributions

JF - Diversity and Distributions

IS - 1

ER -