In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural Development
Populations at the warm edge of distribution are more genetically diverse, and at the same time are more susceptible to climate change. Between 1987–1996, we studied Tawny Owls in Israel, the species’ global southern edge of distribution and a country undergoing a rapid land cover transformation for...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/5/641 |
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| author | Orr Comay Efrayim Ezov Yoram Yom-Tov Tamar Dayan |
| author_facet | Orr Comay Efrayim Ezov Yoram Yom-Tov Tamar Dayan |
| author_sort | Orr Comay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Populations at the warm edge of distribution are more genetically diverse, and at the same time are more susceptible to climate change. Between 1987–1996, we studied Tawny Owls in Israel, the species’ global southern edge of distribution and a country undergoing a rapid land cover transformation for over a century. To assess the potential impacts of land cover transformation, we modelled the species’ most suitable habitat and climate and analyzed how climate and habitat affected the nesting success and prey selection. Moreover, we monitored Tawny Owl juveniles’ survival and ontogeny from eggs to dietary independent young, to find out whether the Israeli population is a sink. While the species distribution model correctly predicted the Tawny Owl’s densest areas of occurrence, it failed to predict its occurrence in adjacent regions. The model also predicted that areas included in the species’ historical range remained suitable habitats. The number of fledglings increased with precipitation and in rural settings but was adversely affected by extreme temperatures. While voles dominated the diet in all habitats, the Tawny Owl’s diet is considerably more variable than other Israeli owls. Our results suggest that the Tawny Owl can adapt to rural-agricultural environments, but is susceptible to climate change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:49:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-28390fb3362d46f384c8065d5b74567c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:49:20Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-28390fb3362d46f384c8065d5b74567c2023-11-23T22:37:38ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-03-0112564110.3390/ani12050641In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural DevelopmentOrr Comay0Efrayim Ezov1Yoram Yom-Tov2Tamar Dayan3School of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, IsraelMount Meron Field School, The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Upper Galilee Regional Council, 1387000, IsraelSchool of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, IsraelSchool of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, IsraelPopulations at the warm edge of distribution are more genetically diverse, and at the same time are more susceptible to climate change. Between 1987–1996, we studied Tawny Owls in Israel, the species’ global southern edge of distribution and a country undergoing a rapid land cover transformation for over a century. To assess the potential impacts of land cover transformation, we modelled the species’ most suitable habitat and climate and analyzed how climate and habitat affected the nesting success and prey selection. Moreover, we monitored Tawny Owl juveniles’ survival and ontogeny from eggs to dietary independent young, to find out whether the Israeli population is a sink. While the species distribution model correctly predicted the Tawny Owl’s densest areas of occurrence, it failed to predict its occurrence in adjacent regions. The model also predicted that areas included in the species’ historical range remained suitable habitats. The number of fledglings increased with precipitation and in rural settings but was adversely affected by extreme temperatures. While voles dominated the diet in all habitats, the Tawny Owl’s diet is considerably more variable than other Israeli owls. Our results suggest that the Tawny Owl can adapt to rural-agricultural environments, but is susceptible to climate change.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/5/641climate impactsdietedge of distributionIsraelnestingontogeny |
| spellingShingle | Orr Comay Efrayim Ezov Yoram Yom-Tov Tamar Dayan In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural Development Animals climate impacts diet edge of distribution Israel nesting ontogeny |
| title | In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural Development |
| title_full | In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural Development |
| title_fullStr | In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural Development |
| title_full_unstemmed | In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural Development |
| title_short | In Its Southern Edge of Distribution, the Tawny Owl (<i>Strix aluco</i>) Is More Sensitive to Extreme Temperatures Than to Rural Development |
| title_sort | in its southern edge of distribution the tawny owl i strix aluco i is more sensitive to extreme temperatures than to rural development |
| topic | climate impacts diet edge of distribution Israel nesting ontogeny |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/5/641 |
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