Ecological and management implications of climate change induced shifts in phenology of coastal fish and wildlife species in the NE CASC region
Overview
Climate change is causing species to shift their phenology, or the timing of recurring life events such as migration and spawning, in variable and complex ways. This can potentially result in mismatches or asynchronies in food and habitat resources that negatively impact individual fitness, population dynamics, and ecosystem function. Numerous studies have evaluated phenological shifts in terrestrial species, particularly birds and plants, yet far fewer evaluations have been conducted for marine animals. This project sought to improve our understanding of shifts in the timing of seasonal migration, spawning or breeding, and biological development (i.e. life stages present, dominant) of coastal fishes and migratory waterbirds along the U.S Atlantic coast. Through stakeholder engagement and outreach across the Northeast region we formed an interdisciplinary working group that developed a regional synthesis of how the timing of biological and human activities were shifting in the Gulf of Maine. We also identified two high priority case studies to focus evaluations and deeper analyses of factors contributing to observed shifts: 1) anadromous river herring in Massachusetts coastal streams, and 2) nesting seabirds across the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. We used a combined approach of synthesis and modeling to determine the direction, magnitude and extent of spatial shifts, as well as identify data gaps and future research needs. The results pointed to complex and location-specific phenological responses to climate-linked variables, but capacity for adaptive strategies to minimize risks to species. Project results are anticipated to increase the efficacy of management and planning tools which can be compromised when target species experience shifts in the timing of life history events.
Publications
Presentations
News
New Publication: Its About Time April 23rd 2019
New Study Compiles Gulf of Maine Seasonal Wildlife Timing Shifts, Urges Broader Use of Marine Data in Understanding Climate Change UMass Amherst April 23 2019
NE CASC Fellow Awarded by Pacific Seabird Group Mar. 11 2019
How the Timing of Physical and Biological Processes are Changing in the Gulf of Maine August 10, 2016
Notes From the Field: Don’t Count All Your Eggs Until They Hatch July 14, 2016
Puffin Cams are Live on Seal Island, Maine! June 14, 2016
Climate Change Impacts on Marine Species of Conservation Concern March 10, 2016
Secretary Jewell Announces new Wildlife and Climate Studies at the NE CASC. December 18, 2014.
Other
Master's Thesis: An examination of tern diets in a changing Gulf of Maine. K. Yakola, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2019.
Doctoral Dissertation: Climate Change, Phenological Shifts, and Species Interactions: Case Studies in Subalpine Plant and Migratory Fish Populations. R. Dalton, Duke University, 2018.
Report: Dalton, R. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Internship Program -Project Summary. R. Dalton, 2018.
Blog: “What do fish and flowers have in common?” 18 December 2017
Award: UMass Undergraduate Intern, Sam Stettiner, recieved accolades for "Ecological and management implications of climate change induced shifts in phenology of alewife" in the UMass Amherst Libraries Undergraduate Sustainability Research Awards, March 12, 2016.
