A call for full annual cycle research in animal ecology

Peter P Marra; Emily B Cohen; Scott R Loss; Jordan E Rutter; Christopher M Tonra

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0552

A call for full annual cycle research in animal ecology

Biol Lett. 2015 Aug;11(8):20150552. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0552.

Authors

Peter P Marra¹, Emily B Cohen², Scott R Loss², Jordan E Rutter², Christopher M Tonra²

Affiliations

¹ Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, PO Box 37012 MRC 5503, Washington, DC 20013, USA marrap@si.edu.
² Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, PO Box 37012 MRC 5503, Washington, DC 20013, USA.

Abstract

For vertebrates, annual cycles are organized into a series of breeding and non-breeding periods that vary in duration and location but are inextricably linked biologically. Here, we show that our understanding of the fundamental ecology of four vertebrate classes has been limited by a severe breeding season research bias and that studies of individual and population-level responses to natural and anthropogenic change would benefit from a full annual cycle perspective. Recent emergence of new analytical and technological tools for studying individual and population-level animal movement could help reverse this bias. To improve understanding of species biology and reverse the population declines of many vertebrate species, a concerted effort to move beyond single season research is vital.

Keywords: annual cycle; research bias; seasonal interaction.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Amphibians / physiology*
Animal Migration
Animals
Bias
Birds / physiology*
Mammals / physiology*
Reproduction*
Reptiles / physiology*
Research Design*
Seasons