A cold weather specialist in a warming world

The White-winged Snowfinch is ecologically and physiologically adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of high elevations. Global warming changes its environment such as snow conditions, food availability or the occurrence of parasites. We investigate how such environmental changes affect the population dynamics of the Snowfinch.

We investigated reproduction and social behaviour at 10 sites within the Alps. In addition, we analyse longterm data collected by volunteers.  Microbial and molecular methods help detecting the causing agents of the newly observed diseases. Using lightweight data loggers, we measure movement and behaviour along the year. Behavioural observations elucidate how this social species survives in winter and which individuals will reproduce or survive best when the world becomes warmer.

The present study will shed light on how an alpine specialist reacts to changing environmental conditions. This will enable us to estimate future population trends and identify possible measures to support the population. Over the past decades, various monitoring projects in Switzerland and abroad showed a decline of the Snowfinch population in the Alps. About 15 % of the European subspecies of the Snowfinch breed in Switzerland. This implies that our country has a high responsibility for the species’ conservation.

Snowfinches select weather protected cavities with warm microclimate and in close proximity to snow patches. Along melting snow patches, Snowfinches find insect larvae to feed their nestlings. For the nestlings, it is better to grow upduring snowmelt compared to after snowmelt because they grow heavier and survive their first year better. Therefore, it is not surprising that most broods hatch during snowmelt. However, over the past 20 years at elevations below 2300m, snowmelt advanced by up to two weeks whereas Snowfinch hatching date did not. Consequently, today more broods are raised under suboptimal conditions. Further, in years with warm summers, females disappear but not the males. First observations reveal sexual differences in social behaviour and winter ecology.

• PD Dr. Sabine Hille, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Österreich
• www.snowfinch.eu
• PD Dr. Eva Knop. University of Zurich
• PD Dr. Maria del mar Delgado, Universität de Oviedo, Mieres, Spanien
• SLF
• www.alpine-biodiversity.at

• Stiftung Yvonne Jacob
• Swarovski Optik Schweiz
• An anonymous foundation
• Swiss National Science Foundation