Rapid environmental change during the Anthropocene threatens biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Here I focus on a behavioural ecology model system, a well-studied migratory bird, undergoing natural range expansion to test developing theory of the factors limiting species' ranges. To improve ecological predictions of species' responses to changes in their environment, I will integrate existing data, field experiments and two modelling approaches. Three key objectives of this proposal are: 1) Parameterize species relationships focusing on reed bed habitat and competition among avian species nesting in reed beds at cool and warm range limits. 2) Test theories of range limiting factors by comparing the relative importance of direct and indirect effects of climate, habitat and competition for reed warbler occurrence and 3) Test whether including these interactions to a range-wide distribution model improves the model's predictive accuracy during range expansion.

2022

2025