A recent study published in Science investigates how arctic ground squirrels are responding to climate change over a 25-year period. Notably, these mammals can survive extreme cold by resisting freezing, but warming trends are affecting their hibernation patterns. Researchers, led by Cory Williams from Colorado State University, found that female squirrels are emerging from hibernation earlier due to rising temperatures, whereas males do not exhibit the same shift. This could lead to mismatched mating times, potentially impacting population dynamics. The study also highlights changes in soil conditions, revealing that the active layer above permafrost is thawing earlier in spring and freezing later in fall, resulting in about a 10-day reduction in soil freeze duration.
The team analyzed long-term temperature data alongside measurements of 199 free-living ground squirrels’ abdominal and skin temperatures. While earlier emergence may allow females to forage sooner, it could expose them to greater predation risks. The study underscores the importance of long-term data in understanding ecological impacts of climate change, demonstrating a complex interplay between biological responses and environmental changes, with uncertain outcomes for the species and their ecosystems.
