Effect of climatic factors on the nesting of the Sandhill Crane Antigone canadensis in West Chukotka
D. A. BARYKINA, D. V. SOLOVYEVA
Institute for Biological Problems of the North, FEB RAS, Magadan, Russia
Keywords: Lesser Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis canadensis, nesting density, early spring
Abstract
The climate change is well pronounced in high latitudes. The quick westward expansion of the Sandhill Crane breeding range in Eurasia requires an analysis of the species impact on the Arctic ecosystems. We employ the data about 223 Sandhill Crane nests in the Chaun-Delta, West Chukotka. Weinvestigated date of clutch onset, clutch sizes, egg sizes, nesting density and nesting success. We tested above parameters vs climatic characteristics of the site in order the learn their effect on the reproductive potential of the species. The most important climatic characteristics that determine the increase in nesting density, clutch and egg sizes, earlier clutch onset and higher nesting success included the First frost free day, the integrated characteristic of May (cold or warm according to the sum of positive temperatures) and the sum of average daily temperatures in the second half of May. The maximum reproductive potential Sandhill crane is realized in conditions of warm and early spring.
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