Data from: No phenotypic plasticity in nest-site selection in response to extreme flooding events

Phenotypic plasticity is a crucial mechanism for responding to changes in climatic means, yet we know little about its role in responding to extreme climatic events (ECEs). ECEs may lack the reliable cues necessary for phenotypic plasticity to evolve; however, this has not been empirically tested. We investigated whether behavioural plasticity in nest-site selection allows a long-lived shorebird (Haematopus ostralegus) to respond to flooding. We collected longitudinal nest elevation data on individuals over two decades, during which time flooding events have become increasingly frequent. We found no evidence that individuals learn from flooding experiences, showing nest elevation change consistent with random nest-site selection. There was also no evidence of phenotypic plasticity in response to potential environmental cues (lunar nodal cycle and water height). A small number of individuals, those nesting near an artificial sea wall, did show an increase in nest elevation over time; however, there is no conclusive evidence this occurred in response to ECEs. Our study population showed no behavioural plasticity in response to changing ECE patterns. More research is needed to determine whether this pattern is consistent across species and types of ECEs. If so, ECEs may pose a major challenge to the resilience of wild populations.表型可塑性（phenotypic plasticity）是响应气候平均态变化的关键机制，但我们对其在应对极端气候事件（extreme climatic events, ECEs）中的作用却知之甚少。极端气候事件可能缺乏表型可塑性演化所需的可靠触发信号，但这一点尚未经过实证检验。我们开展研究以探明：巢址选择中的行为可塑性能否帮助一种长寿命滨鸟——蛎鹬（Haematopus ostralegus）——应对洪水侵扰。我们在二十年的时间跨度内收集了个体的巢高纵向监测数据，在此期间洪水事件的发生频率持续攀升。研究结果显示，并无证据表明个体能够从洪水经历中习得经验，其巢高变化与随机选择巢址的模式一致。同时，未发现个体针对潜在环境信号（月交点周期与水位高度）表现出表型可塑性的证据。少数在人工海堤附近筑巢的个体，其巢高确实随时间有所提升，但尚无确凿证据表明这一变化是针对极端气候事件的响应。本研究的种群并未表现出针对极端气候事件模式变化的行为可塑性。未来仍需开展更多研究，以明确这一模式是否在不同物种与各类极端气候事件中均成立。若果真如此，极端气候事件或会对野生种群的恢复力构成重大威胁。