Meeting Abstract

S6.3  Tuesday, Jan. 5  Testing migration theory: the utility of integrative approaches using field experiments and wind tunnels HEDENSTRöM, Anders; Lund University, Sweden anders.Hedenstrom@teorekol.lu.se

The process of migration typically involves periods of energy accumulation followed by migratory flight. For an animal that strives to migrate as fast as possible (a time minimizer), we can expect physiological and behavioral adaptations to achieve this goal. But what do recover to separate a time minimizer from an energy minimizer? To answer this question we derive the expected behavior(s) and then we design an experiment to test the prediction(s). In migrants we can test the theory for either the energy accumulation phase, or the for the energy consumption phase (flight). I review different laboratory and field based approaches that have, and can, be used to test components of current (optimal) migration theory. Due to logistical problems not all questions can practically be addressed in the field, which is the reason we use rather sophisticated wind tunnels to measure aerodynamic properties and energy consumption during flight. In combination, field and laboratory studies provide useful information about migration strategies.