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Seasonality in reproduction and abundance of birds in African savannas
Kučminová, Veronika ; Hořák, David (advisor) ; Remeš, Vladimír (referee)
Seasonality of climate is a crucial factor that determines the existence of African savannas. Especially, the rainfall seasonality is a key factor in the abundance and reproduction of bird species of the savannas. Precipitation determines the timing of reproduction directly, but mainly indirectly through the influence of the environment, phenology, and productivity of plants. The vegetation determines the availability of resources and shelters. However, the widespread distribution of the savannas across the continent means that the seasonality and consequently the environment varies considerably from one area to another due to the different timing, size, and duration of wet and dry seasons. Breeding, as well as the abundance of savanna birds, is clearly influenced by the availability of food, which is determined by seasonal rainfall. For most species, the rainy season is an ideal time for reproduction, but there are also other groups of birds, that prefer a dry season for breeding and nesting. The birds must cope with unfavourable conditions outside the breeding season or leave their breeding areas. The abundance of birds in savannas is also significantly affected by the presence of palearctic migrants. Migration is therefore an important factor of the seasonal abundance of the savanna avifauna....
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