Multidimensional plasticity of phenology: Assessing the effects of
population density on plastic responses of breeding time to temperature
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is the key adaptive mechanism behind annual
adjustment of breeding time in response to temperature. In nature,
organisms are not only subjected to variation in temperature but
encounter multiple fluctuating environmental factors that affect
phenotypic expression, including conspecific density, which affects
individual performances through resource competition. We examined the
interactive effects of temperature and conspecific density at different
spatial scales (territory and patch level) on breeding time and success
utilizing data obtained from a long-term monitoring of a wild great tit
(Parus major) population in a fragmented woodland. As expected, we
detected earlier breeding in response to warmer spring temperatures but
surprisingly, we report earlier laying at low local density, but no
evidence of density effects at patch level. Birds experiencing low local
density throughout their life bred on average earlier, but this response
was also seen at the within-individual level showing earlier laying in
years when individuals experienced a lower density than average. In
terms of breeding success, earlier laying decreased the risk of brood
failure and increased the number of fledglings. The number of fledglings
was higher at low density at the territory level, while higher
patch-level density increased the probability of brood failure.
Altogether, these results support our hypothesis that density-related
responses were likely mediated by food competition rather than increased
numbers of low-quality birds or increased occupation of poorer
territories at higher densities. This study highlights the importance of
examining parameters at different spatial scales, along with the study
of individual responses to multivariate cues for a comprehensive
understanding of the variations in phenological plasticity.