Meeting Abstract
Models are a useful tool to understand the mechanisms driving organisms’ interactions with climate. Biophysical models can predict how an organism will interact with environmental variability. The deterministic nature of such models can make them unrealistic, especially in the context of behavior which can alter physiological interactions. Agent based modeling offers a unique structure to incorporate biophysical models and test potential compensatory behaviors for how organisms deal with microclimate. We used salamanders in Southern Appalachia as a model system because the region is characterized by steep microclimatic gradients and abundant salamanders. Well established biophysical models for plethodontid salamanders provide a unique opportunity to mechanistically model the interactions of compensatory behaviors with microclimatic differences. We used plant climbing as a compensatory behavior for salamanders to interact with microclimate differences. We also established plots along a precipitation gradient in Western North Carolina to field validate the model’s predictions. The simulation models predict increased climbing behavior in the fall to increase activity time and compensate for temperature differences. The field data supports this result with higher proportions of climbing animals in the fall and suggests a strong relationship between climbing and soil temperature. This support of the mechanistic model emphasizes the importance of including behavior in predictive models.
