Clutch variation in Great Reed Warbler

What is it about?

Clutch initiation date decreased with longitude, clutch size increased with latitude and decreased with maximum temperature, whereas the number of fledglings increased both with latitude and longitude, and decreased with maximum temperature in 19 European studies of the Great Reed Warbler. Our study confirmed previous findings about the increasing trend in clutch size with latitude, but also found earlier clutch initiation dates and higher number of fledglings longitudinally from west to east, with precipitation closely associated with clutch initiation date and maximum temperature closely associated with the number of fledglings.

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Why is it important?

Although clutch size variation has been studied along the latitude it is important to understand that breeding parameters also vary longitudinally and these may be related to weather circumstances or other environmental factors.

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