Disentangling the latitudinal and altitudinal shifts in community composition induced by climate change: the case of riparian birds

Aim. This study investigates whether, and how the composition of riparian bird communities has been affected by climate warming and habitat change. Although these two forces act separately, their respective contributions are rarely examined. Moreover, while the response of a given community may be a function of latitude and altitude, most studies have focused on these gradients separately. Riparian ecosystems are an opportunity to investigate community change along latitudinal and elevational gradients.

Location. France, three major rivers (the Doubs, the Allier, the Loire)

Taxon. Birds.

Methods. Drawing upon bird community monitoring data over a period of 31 years (1982–2013, n = 1286 point counts), we assessed community adjustment to temperature increase with the Community Temperature Index (CTI), and the homogenisation pattern following habitat conversion with the Community Specialisation Index (CSI). We evaluated the spatial climatic debt accumulated by communities, and the...