The greenscape shapes surfing of resource waves in a large migratory herbivore.
Ecol Lett
; 20(6): 741-750, 2017 06.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28444870
ABSTRACT
The Green Wave Hypothesis posits that herbivore migration manifests in response to waves of spring green-up (i.e. green-wave surfing). Nonetheless, empirical support for the Green Wave Hypothesis is mixed, and a framework for understanding variation in surfing is lacking. In a population of migratory mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), 31% surfed plant phenology in spring as well as a theoretically perfect surfer, and 98% surfed better than random. Green-wave surfing varied among individuals and was unrelated to age or energetic state. Instead, the greenscape, which we define as the order, rate and duration of green-up along migratory routes, was the primary factor influencing surfing. Our results indicate that migratory routes are more than a link between seasonal ranges, and they provide an important, but often overlooked, foraging habitat. In addition, the spatiotemporal configuration of forage resources that propagate along migratory routes shape animal movement and presumably, energy gains during migration.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ciervos
/
Migración Animal
/
Herbivoria
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ecol Lett
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos