i need help forming graphs to prove my hypothesis in my methods and results section and then explain my results in the discussion section about the Yellow-bellied sapsucker migration timing due to increase in temperature.
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The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) Migration Pattern Changes Due to
Temperature Increase from Montreal to Weslaco Migration.
Introduction:
The term “global warming” refers to the warming of the earth because of human activity. It
refers to the human-caused rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which contributes to the
growing Greenhouse Effect (Global Climate Change, 2020). Birds’ migration times have varied
dramatically over the years. Global warming affects birds in both direct and indirect ways, with
migratory species being particularly vulnerable. Changing climatic circumstances, for example,
it might alter migratory phenologies and result in altering wintering and their breeding sites,
which could affect the migratory distances. Warmer temperatures are causing birds to start their
migration pattern earlier than usual. Some birds arrive too early at their destinations, resulting in
dwindling resources for the species as well as adverse weather conditions. The Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) migrate short to long distances and the changes in temperature
increase affects the migratory patterns. This woodpecker is one of the most migratory of the
woodpeckers. If temperatures begin to rise earlier, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers may begin to
migrate far sooner than expected. They may not be able to survive if they move too early due to
rising temperatures or climate change. Due to their ongoing need to eat and drink, the Yellowbellied Sapsucker may not be able to react rapidly enough to the changing migration patterns as
the temperature rises. Multiple studies looked at the impact of climate change on avian responses
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by looking at overall range alterations. Climate variables (temperature, precipitation, and
extremes (seasonal and annual minimums and maximums) were among the explanatory variables
in explicit climate effect models that were affected because of the increase of temperature
(Walsh et. al. 2019). In a recent study, they looked examined migration time in connection to
these changes. They discovered that spring migration shifted five days sooner over time, while
fall migration shifted five days later. “The early migrants are now leaving their breeding grounds
sooner, while the late migrants are flying even later than they did 40 years ago,” she added of the
fall migration. “As a result, the fall migration period has been extended by around 17 days”
(Koblinsky 2021). The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) migrate throughout the
year, moving southward to warmer climates in the winter and northward to cooler climates in the
summer. The patterns of migration vary from year to year, depending on factors such as the
amount of food available to them and the weather conditions at the time. Their migratory
patterns are likely to shift as global warming gets more severe, reflecting the changes in
temperature.
In this study, we investigated the cause of the migration pattern changes in the Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker in Montreal, Canada and Weslaco, Texas. Migration for any bird is significant and
changes in their patterns are not a good sign, we hypothesized that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius) migration pattern changes is due to the temperature increase. To test this
hypothesis, we collected data on the 2007 temperature and migration data to 2017 temperature
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and migration data from Montreal to Weslaco migration. We predicted that the arrival time of the
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker arrival time would be different since the temperature is increasing and
causing the migration to be earlier or later.
Methods:
To measure the changes in temperature and migration patterns and how it impacts the
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, we collected data from the average monthly temperatures for May
and September in Weslaco and Montreal from 2007 to 2017 and the date by which the first 10
individual sightings of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in eBird were recorded in Weslaco in the
September and Montreal in May for 2007 to 2017. Also, we collected data of the arrival times
for both spring and winter migration for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
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Migrant who travels long or short distances. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers leave their breeding
habitats in September and early October for wintering grounds in the southern United States,
Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America. They return to the north in May. We used the
ebird.org bar charts to see the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers’ migration timings and looked at the
dates of when it has changed. The pre-breeding migration will also tell us how it is affected over
the years on ebird.org. Also, we looked at the temperature changes from Montreal to Weslaco, in
the Environment and Climate Change Canada website (Montreal) and the McAllen, TX Weather
History website (Weslaco). The dependent variable is when the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker arrive,
and the independent variable is the average temperature changes.
Results:
We hypothesized that The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) Migration pattern
changes due to temperature increase from Montreal to Weslaco migration.
Discussion:
Our study will contribute to looking into the temperature increase in May which is when the
Yellow-belled Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) arrives and in September in order to understand
the effects of global warming on the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). The
increase in temperature does not only affect their migratory patterns but also their overall life.
Migratory birds contribute to the ecology by controlling pests, pollinating plants, and providing
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food for other animals. Birds migrate to relocate from locations where resources are scarce or
diminishing to areas where resources are abundant or rising. Food and nesting sites are the two
most important resources sought. Furthermore, it is important for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
and other species to have a normal migration pattern and it shouldn’t change all the time due to
increase in temperature that is caused by global warming.
Literature Citations:
Walsh ES, Vierling KT, Strand E, Bartowitz K, Hudiburg TW. Climate change, woodpeckers, and
forests: Current trends and future modeling needs. Ecology and evolution. 2019 ;9(4):2305
2319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4876. doi:10.1002/ece3.4876
Ncei. MI. National temperature and precipitation maps. Noaa.gov. [accessed 2022 Mar 21].
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precip/us-maps/12/202201
Mapa de rango: Migración pre-reproducción. Ebird.org. [accessed 2022 Mar 21].
https://ebird.org/science/status-and-trends/yebsap/range-map-pre-breeding-migration
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker range map. Allaboutbirds.org. [accessed 2022 Mar 21].
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/maps-range
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https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming-vs-climate-change/
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/maps-range#
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