Reinders, Nadieh, N (2021) Great Tit Activity Timing: Effects of Artificial Light at Night and the Spatial Habitat. Research Project 1 (minor thesis), Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences.
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Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) has rapidly increased all over the globe, and is associated with shifted activity rhythms of many organisms. A shortcoming of previous studies on bird activity is shortage of data outside the breeding season, and it remains unknown how the timing of activity relates to the spatial habitat. Therefore, the current study focused on the diel timing of Great tit activity during winter, and related this besides ALAN also to the distance to the nearest building. Nest boxes, in which birds roost, were distributed over a gradient of ALAN and urban characteristics. Newly developed activity loggers measured bird activity and were compared to radio telemetry. We found indications of a 3.57 min earlier onset, a 4.38 min later offset and a 4.42 min longer duration of activity per unit increase in light intensity. There were tendencies of a 7.27 min advanced onset, a 2.24 min delayed offset, and a 16.32 min longer duration per unit increase in distance from the nearest building. So, this pilot study showed that both ALAN and the spatial habitat may shift the timing of Great tit activity during winter. The reason for the effects of the spatial habitat on the timing of activity remains unknown, but it opens interesting avenues for further research. Since shifted rhythms can affect health and fitness, studies like ours are needed to better understand the effects of anthropogenic environments on nature, in order to develop biodiversity friendlier urban areas.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Project 1 (minor thesis)) |
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| Supervisor name: | Helm, B. and Strauss, A.F.T. |
| Degree programme: | Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences |
| Thesis type: | Research Project 1 (minor thesis) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Aug 2021 11:20 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Aug 2021 11:20 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/25746 |
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