The so-called "rescue hypothesis" suggests many species might successfully adapt to changing conditions, especially those that are flexible in their behaviour.
The so-called "rescue hypothesis" suggests many species might successfully adapt to changing conditions, especially those that are flexible in their behaviour.
But a new study, by the University of Exeter, found that chestnut-crowned babbler birds responded to rising temperatures by changing their behaviour in ways that could actually reduce successful breeding.
This occurred because they reacted to warm peak temperatures in early spring by breeding earlier – but average temperatures at this time are still colder than later in spring, which is bad for incubating eggs.
Instead of spending more time incubating, females responded to the cold by incubating less – which might improve their own survival chances but exposes their developing eggs to harmful, low temperatures.
Read more at: University of Exeter
Photo Credit: vinsky2002 via Pixabay
