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Understanding altitudinal shifts in avian communities under climate change: implications for conservation (Vuoristolajit muuttuvassa ilmastossa: korkeussiirtymien mekanismit luonnonsuojelun tukena)

Hakemuksen tiivistelmä

My PhD project aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying altitudinal shifts of species in Europe and the conservation implications of such shifts. Climate change has caused shifts in species’ ranges towards higher latitudes and altitudes. In Europe, common mountain bird species are declining. My first thesis chapter unveiled an overall range shift to higher altitudes, and this shift was particularly fast for short-lived species (Oecologia, resubmitted). However, how these broad patterns across life history translate into population demography is still to be studied. Mountain species are at a particularly high risk under climate change due to mountain topography that decreases the amount of potential land area when species move uphill. If we can evaluate where and which species are most vulnerable to climate change, management and conservation can be targeted most efficiently. Thus, conducting my planned PhD project will provide important evidence on the mechanisms of species’ altitudinal range shifts, and deliver evidence-based solutions, e.g. with regards to which species and areas should be prioritised for conservation, via the establishment or improved management of protected areas, or species-specific conservation measures. My thesis will be divided into four chapters covering large-scale community level analyses of altitudinal shifts, the role of macro- and micro-climate and human land use on shifts and conservation prioritisation of mountain species across Europe.

Mountain ecosystems host unique biodiversity but are rapidly changing due to climate warming and land‑use transformations. As temperatures rise, many mountain species are expected to move uphill to remain within suitable conditions. Yet, observed movements are often slower or more complex than predicted. My PhD research examined why, focusing on European mountain birds over the past two decades. Using long-term bird monitoring data from the Alps, Pyrenees, Scandinavian mountains, and UK uplands, I assessed where along the elevational gradient bird species are most abundant and how these peaks have shifted over time. I studied the role of microclimate (specifically solar radiation), habitat, and species traits in shaping these changes.
Across Europe, bird communities generally moved uphill, though rates differed among regions. The variation in the amount of solar radiation that an area received influenced where species occurred but did not strongly alter large-scale shift rates. Habitat also mattered: forest species occurred at higher elevations, and shifts were faster in open habitats and in areas experiencing increasing habitat availability or precipitation. In Scandinavia, species with short life spans shifted uphill more quickly, suggesting that traits linked to faster population turnover may enhance climate-tracking ability. Overall, this work shows that elevational shifts in mountain birds arise from an interplay of climate, habitat, and species characteristics. These findings improve our understanding of biodiversity responses in mountain ecosystems and support more targeted conservation planning under ongoing global change.

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