Opposing responses to drought shape spatial population dynamics of declining grassland birds

Abstract

AbstractAimThe joint threats of climate and land‐use change require an understanding of how environmental variation influences species abundance and distribution. However, most species distribution models use static data and methods without considering how species respond over multiple temporal and spatial scales. Using a novel analytical approach, we show how multiscalar environmental variation drives spatial population dynamics of mobile species.LocationGreat Plains, North America.MethodsWe developed a spatial hierarchical model of abundance using long‐term citizen science data for two severely declining species (Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys, Chestnut‐collared Longspur, Calcarius ornatus). Specifically, we (a) compared regional variation in range‐wide abundance and population trends, (b) evaluated the influence of short‐term and long‐term drought on range dynamics and (c) tested whether regional population dynamics are spatially autocorrelated by environmental conditions occurring in geographically separated areas.ResultsBoth species exhibited long‐term range‐wide declines >70% with contraction towards the range core. Lark Buntings showed opposing responses to environmental variation; regional abundance increased with wetter conditions during arrival on the breeding grounds but also with longer‐term (4‐year) drought conditions. Chestnut‐collared Longspurs showed no response to drought at either temporal scale. We found strong evidence that Lark Bunting abundance in the southern portion of the range increases with favourable environmental conditions leading to subsequent declines in abundance in northern regions.Main conclusionsOur results highlight how (a) species can show opposing responses to the same environmental variable at different temporal and spatial scales, (b) sympatric species vary in their propensity to track environmental conditions and (c) for latitudinal migrants, environmental conditions along the migration pathway can influence settlement patterns with conditions in southern regions impacting abundance in the north. Our analysis indicates that an understanding of how global change impacts mobile species distributions will require range‐wide assessments incorporating response to environmental conditions across temporal and spatial scales.