Climate‐induced changes in river flow regimes will alter future bird distributions

Abstract

Anthropogenic forcing of the climate is causing an intensification of the global water cycle, leading to an increase in the frequency and magnitude of floods and droughts. River flow shapes the ecology of riverine ecosystems and climate‐driven changes in river flows are predicted to have severe consequences for riverine species, across all levels of trophic organization. However, understanding species' responses to variation in flow is limited through a lack of quantitative modelling of hydroecological interactions. Here, we construct a Bioclimatic Envelope Model (BEM) ensemble based on a suite of plausible future flow scenarios to show how predicted alterations in flow regimes may alter the distribution of a predatory riverine species, the White‐throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus). Models predicted a gradual diminution of dipper probability of occurrence between present day and 2098. This decline was most rapid in western areas of Great Britain and was principally driven by a projected decrease in flow magnitude and variability around low flows. Climate‐induced changes in river flow may, therefore, represent a previously unidentified mechanism by which climate change may mediate range shifts in birds and other riverine biota.

Keywords

• avian ecology
• biogeography
• climate change
• hydrology
• riparian ecology
• river birds