Temporal patterns of migratory shorebird communities at a stop-over site along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway
Qianyan Zhou A , Wenjie Xue B , Kun Tan A , Qiang Ma B , Xin Jin A , Wei Wu B , Chendong Tang B and Zhijun Ma A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Coastal Ecosystems Research Station of Yangtze River Estuary, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China.
B Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve, Dongwang Road, Chongming, Shanghai, 202183, China.
C Corresponding author. Email: zhijunm@fudan.edu.cn
Emu 116(2) 190-198 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU14094
Submitted: 6 November 2014 Accepted: 17 September 2015 Published: 5 November 2015
Abstract
Migratory birds face serious time constraints in their life cycles. Species carry on their activities during optimal time windows to maximise their fitness. To understand the temporal patterns of migrating shorebirds, we analysed the pattern of turnover within shorebird communities during northward and southward migration at Chongming Dongtan, a stop-over site in the southern Yellow Sea along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Results indicated that temporal patterns in shorebird communities differed between seasons. In the boreal spring, the rate of community turnover was initially slow, then increased rapidly midseason, and finally stabilised. In the boreal autumn, in contrast, the rate of community turnover kept constant. This suggests that shorebird species exhibited more temporal overlap in spring than in autumn, perhaps because time constraints are more severe at breeding than non-breeding grounds. The species sequence was strongly linked with breeding latitude: species that breed farther north occurred at the study site later than those that breed farther south on both northward and southward migration. Moreover, large species were more likely to arrive at the stop-over site early on northward (but not on southward) migration than small species. Integrated with the results from intraspecific studies, we propose that the timing of migration is closely related to the breeding latitude both among and within species.
Additional keywords: breeding latitude, community turnover, detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), migration, species sequence.
References
Alerstam, T., and Lindström, Å. (1990). Optimal bird migration: the relative importance of time, energy and safety. In ‘Bird Migration: Physiology and Ecophysiology’ (Ed. E. Gwinner.) pp. 331–351 (Springer-Verlag: Berlin.)Bamford, M., Watkins, D., Bancroft, W., Tischler, G., and Wahl, J. (2008). ‘Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway: Population Estimates and Internationally Important Sites.’ (Wetland International-Oceania: Canberra, ACT.)
Barter, M. (2002). ‘Shorebirds of the Yellow Sea: Importance, Threats and Conservation Status.’ (Wetlands International Global Series 9, International Wader Studies 12: Canberra, ACT.)
Battley, P. F., Warnock, N., Tibbitts, T. L., Gill, R. E., Piersma, T., Hassell, C. J., Douglas, D. C., Mulcahy, D. M., Gartrell, B. D., Schuckard, R., Melville, D. S., and Riegen, A. (2012). Contrasting extreme long-distance migration patterns in Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica. Journal of Avian Biology 43, 21–32.
| Contrasting extreme long-distance migration patterns in Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burnham, K. P., and Anderson, D. R. (2002). ‘Model Selection and Multimodel Inference: A Practical Information-Theoretic Approach.’ (Springer: New York.)
Choi, C. Y., Gan, X. J., Ma, Q., Zhang, K. J., Chen, J. K., and Ma, Z. J. (2009). Body condition and fuel deposition patterns of calidrid sandpipers during migratory stopover. Ardea 97, 61–70.
| Body condition and fuel deposition patterns of calidrid sandpipers during migratory stopover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Choi, C. Y., Hua, N., Persson, C., Chiang, C. Y., and Ma, Z. J. (2010). Age-related plumage differences of Dunlins along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Journal of Field Ornithology 81, 99–111.
| Age-related plumage differences of Dunlins along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Colwell, M. A. (2010). ‘Shorebird Ecology, Conservation and Management.’ (University of California Press: Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA.)
Conklin, J. R., Battley, P. F., Potter, M. A., and Fox, J. W. (2010). Breeding latitude drives individual schedules in a trans-hemispheric migrant bird. Nature Communications 1, 1–6.
| Breeding latitude drives individual schedules in a trans-hemispheric migrant bird.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Deppe, J. L., and Rotenberry, J. T. (2005). Temporal patterns in autumn migration communities in Yucatan, Mexico. The Condor 107, 228–243.
| Temporal patterns in autumn migration communities in Yucatan, Mexico.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Drent, R., Both, C., Green, M., Madsen, J., and Piersma, T. (2003). Pay-offs and penalties of competing migratory schedules. Oikos 103, 274–292.
| Pay-offs and penalties of competing migratory schedules.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ely, C. R., and Takekawa, J. Y. (1996). Geographic variation in migratory behavior of Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons). The Auk 113, 889–901.
| Geographic variation in migratory behavior of Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Francis, C. M., and Cooke, F. (1986). Differential timing of spring migration in wood warblers (Parulinae). The Auk 103, 548–556.
Freckleton, R. P., Harvey, P. H., and Pagel, M. (2002). Phylogenetic analysis and comparative data: a test and review of the evidence. American Naturalist 160, 712–726.
| Phylogenetic analysis and comparative data: a test and review of the evidence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1critl2ltw%3D%3D&md5=1152a7b9e37ce744e20dd91b90a79955CAS | 18707460PubMed |
Gauch, H. G. (1982). ‘Multivariate Analysis in Community Ecology.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Hagan, J. M., Lloyd-Evans, T. L., and Atwood, J. L. (1991). The relationship between latitude and the timing of spring migration of North American landbirds. Ornis Scandinavica 22, 129–136.
| The relationship between latitude and the timing of spring migration of North American landbirds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hill, M. O., and Gauch, H. G. (1980). Detrended correspondence analysis: an improved ordination technique. Vegetatio 42, 47–58.
| Detrended correspondence analysis: an improved ordination technique.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hua, N. (2014). Fuel deposition of shorebirds at stopping sites in the Yellow Sea during spring migration. Ph.D. thesis, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Hua, N., Tan, K., Chen, Y., and Ma, Z. J. (2015). Key research issues concerning the conservation of migratory shorebirds in the Yellow Sea region. Bird Conservation International 25, 38–52.
| Key research issues concerning the conservation of migratory shorebirds in the Yellow Sea region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jamieson, S. E., Ydenberg, R. C., and Lank, D. B. (2014). Does predation danger on southward migration curtail parental investment by female western sandpipers? Animal Migration 2, 34–43.
| Does predation danger on southward migration curtail parental investment by female western sandpipers?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jongman, R. H. G., Ter Braak, C. J. F., and Van Tongeren, O. F. R. (1995). ‘Data Analysis In Community and Landscape Ecology.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Kelly, J. F., Atudorei, V., Sharp, Z. D., and Finch, D. M. (2002). Insights into Wilson’s Warbler migration from analyses of hydrogen stable-isotope ratios. Oecologia 130, 216–221.
| Insights into Wilson’s Warbler migration from analyses of hydrogen stable-isotope ratios.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kelly, J. F. (2006). Stable isotope evidence links breeding geography and migration timing in Wood Warblers. The Auk 123, 431–437.
| Stable isotope evidence links breeding geography and migration timing in Wood Warblers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ketterson, E. D., and Nolan, V., (1976). Geographic variation and its climatic correlates in the sex ratio of eastern-wintering Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis hyemalis). Ecology 57, 679–693.
| Geographic variation and its climatic correlates in the sex ratio of eastern-wintering Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis hyemalis).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Langin, K. M., Marra, P. P., Ne’meth, Z., Moore, F. R., Kyser, T. K., and Ratcliffe, L. M. (2009). Breeding latitude and timing of spring migration in songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Avian Biology 40, 309–316.
| Breeding latitude and timing of spring migration in songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lank, D. B., Butler, R. W., Ireland, J., and Ydenberg, R. C. (2003). Effects of predation danger on migration strategies of sandpipers. Oikos 103, 303–319.
| Effects of predation danger on migration strategies of sandpipers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ma, Z. J., Tang, S. M., Lu, F., and Chen, J. K. (2002). Chongming Island: a less important shorebirds stopover site during southward migration? Stilt 42, 35–37.
Ma, Z. J., Hua, N., Zhang, X., Guo, H. Q., Zhao, B., Ma, Q., Xue, W. J., and Tang, C. D. (2011). Wind conditions affect stopover decisions and fuel stores of shorebirds migrating through the south Yellow Sea. The Ibis 153, 755–767.
| Wind conditions affect stopover decisions and fuel stores of shorebirds migrating through the south Yellow Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ma, Z. J., Hua, N., Peng, H. B., Choi, C. Y., Battley, P., Zhou, Q. Y., Chen, Y., Ma, Q., Jia, N., Xue, W. J., Bai, Q. Q., Wu, W., Feng, X. S., and Tang, C. D. (2013). Differentiating between stopover and staging sites: functions of the southern and northern Yellow Sea for long-distance migratory shorebirds. Journal of Avian Biology 44, 504–512.
Martin, K., and Wiebe, K. L. (2004). Coping mechanisms of alpine and arctic breeding birds: Extreme weather and limitations to reproductive resilience. Integrative and Comparative Biology 44, 177–185.
| Coping mechanisms of alpine and arctic breeding birds: Extreme weather and limitations to reproductive resilience.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21680497PubMed |
McCune, B., and Mefford, M. J. (1999). ‘Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data, Version 4.0.’ (MjM software Design: Gleneden Beach, OR.)
McNamara, J. M., Welham, R. K., and Houston, A. I. (1998). The timing of migration within the context of an annual routine. Journal of Avian Biology 29, 416–423.
| The timing of migration within the context of an annual routine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meltofte, H., Piersma, T., Boyd, H., McCaffery, B., Gantner, B., Golovnyuk, V., Graham, K., Gratto-Trevor, C. L., Morrison, R. I. G., Nol, E., Rösner, H.-U., Schamel, D., Schekkerman, H., Soloviev, M. Y., Tomkovich, P. S., Tracy, D. M., Tulp, I., and Wennerberg, L. (2007). ‘Effects of Climate Variation on the Breeding Ecology of Arctic Shorebirds.’ (Danish Polar Center: Copenhagen.)
Newton, I. (2008). ‘The Migration Ecology of Birds.’ (Academic Press: London.)
O’Reilly, K. M., and Wingfield, J. C. (1995). Spring and autumn migration in Arctic shorebirds: same distance, different strategies. American Zoologist 35, 222–233.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXos1CgtLw%3D&md5=3a022635147683d67cc08ed4485e0023CAS |
Paxton, K. L., Van Riper, C., Theimer, T. C., and Paxton, E. H. (2007). Spatial and temporal migration patterns of Wilson’s Warblers (Wilsonia pussilla) in the southwest revealed by stable isotopes. The Auk 124, 162–175.
| Spatial and temporal migration patterns of Wilson’s Warblers (Wilsonia pussilla) in the southwest revealed by stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pielou, E. C. (1984). ‘The Interpretation of Ecological Data: A Primer on Classification and Ordination.’ (John Wiley & Sons: New York.)
Piersma, T., Klaassen, M., Bruggemann, J. H., Blomert, A. M., Gueye, A., Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., and van Brederode, N. E. (1990). Seasonal timing of the spring departure of waders from the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania. Ardea 78, 123–134.
Prater, A. J., Marchant, J. H., and Vuorinen, J. (1977). Guide to the identification and ageing of Holarctic waders. BTO Guide 17. Available at http://www.researchgate.net/publication/246349155_Guide_to_the_Identification_and_Ageing_of_Holarctic_Waders._BTO_Guide_17 [Verified 5 October 2015].
R Core Team (2013) ‘R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna, Austria.)
Rogers, D. I., Yang, H. Y., Hassell, C. J., Boyle, A. N., Rogers, K. G., Chen, B., Zhang, Z. W., and Piersma, T. (2010). Red Knots (Calidris canutus piersmai and C. c. rogersi) depend on a small threatened staging area in Bohai Bay, China. Emu 110, 307–315.
| Red Knots (Calidris canutus piersmai and C. c. rogersi) depend on a small threatened staging area in Bohai Bay, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rotenberry, J. T., and Chandler, C. R. (1999). Dynamics of warbler assemblages during migration. The Auk 116, 769–780.
| Dynamics of warbler assemblages during migration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sherrod, P. H. (2010). Nonlinear regression analysis program. NLREG version 6.5 (advanced). Available at http://www.nlreg.com [Verified 5 October 2015].
Skagen, S. K. (2006). Migration stopovers and the conservation of arctic-breeding calidridine sandpipers. The Auk 123, 313–322.
| Migration stopovers and the conservation of arctic-breeding calidridine sandpipers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Skagen, S. K., and Knopf, F. L. (1994). Residency patterns of migrating sandpipers at a midcontinental stopover. The Condor 96, 949–958.
| Residency patterns of migrating sandpipers at a midcontinental stopover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stroud, D. A., Baker, A., Blanco, D. E., Davidson, N. C., Delany, S., Ganter, B., Gill, R., González, P., Haanstra, L., Morrison, R. I. G., Piersma, T., Scott, D. A., Thorup, O., West, R., Wilson, J., and Zöckler, C. (2006). The conservation and population status of the world’s waders at the turn of the millennium. In ‘Waterbirds Around the World’. (Eds G. C. Boere, C. A. Galbraith and D. A. Stroud.) pp. 643–648 (The Stationery Office: Edinburgh, UK.)
Thomas, G. H., Wills, M. A., and Székely, T. (2004). A supertree approach to shorebird phylogeny. BMC Evolutionary Biology 4, 28.
| A supertree approach to shorebird phylogeny.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15329156PubMed |
Tomkovich, P. S., and Soloviev, M. Y. (1996). Distribution, migrations and biometrics of Knots (Calidris canutus) on Taimyr, Siberia. Ardea 84, 85–98.
Tomkovich, P. S., and Soloviev, M. Y. (2006). Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea on their breeding grounds: schedule and geographic distribution in the light of their breeding system. International Wader Studies 19, 19–26.
Verhoeven, M., van Eereek, J., Hassell, C., and Piersma, T. (2016). Fuelling and moult in Red Knots before northward departure: a visual evaluation of differences between ages, sexes and subspecies. Emu 116, 158–167.
| Fuelling and moult in Red Knots before northward departure: a visual evaluation of differences between ages, sexes and subspecies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Warnock, N., Takekawa, J. Y., and Bishop, M. A. (2004). Migration and stopover strategies of individual Dunlin along the Pacific Coast of North America. Canadian Journal of Zoology 82, 1687–1697.
| Migration and stopover strategies of individual Dunlin along the Pacific Coast of North America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Warnock, N., Handel, C. M., Gill, R. E.,, and McCaffery, B. J. (2013). Residency times and patterns of movement of postbreeding Dunlin on a subarctic staging area in Alaska. Arctic 66, 407–416.
| Residency times and patterns of movement of postbreeding Dunlin on a subarctic staging area in Alaska.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Williams, T. C., and Williams, J. M. (1988). Radar and visual observations of autumnal (southward) shorebird migration on Guam. The Auk 105, 460–466.
Wilson, M. V., and Mohler, C. L. (1983). Measuring compositional change along gradients. Vegatatio 54, 129–141.
| Measuring compositional change along gradients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |