Microclimate Buffering within Alpine Landscapes: Linking Ecophysiology, Behavioral Plasticity & Microhabitat Selection of Alpine Avifauna in a Changing Climate
Mountain ecosystems are among the regions most susceptible to temperature warming, and species adapted to alpine ecosystems are predicted to face local extinctions via physiological and/or behavioral intolerance to rapid increases in temperature. However, information is lacking regarding the ability of alpine birds to adapt both behaviorally and physiologically to rapidly warming temperatures.
Our research project leverages state-of-the-art advances in thermal imaging, GPS tracking, and animal biologging technologies to examine how alpine birds exhibit behavioral plasticity to temperature warming via selection of microhabitats that provide cool microclimates and buffering from high temperatures. We are focusing on two species predicted to respond differently to warming temperatures: the Alpine Rock Ptarmigan (cold adapted) and Rock Partridge (warm adapted). The ultimate goal of the project is to provide concrete recommendations for managing microhabitat structures within alpine landscapes that are predicted to provide microclimatic buffering and refugia from thermal warming.
Funding from the UniBern Forschungsstiftung allowed us to purchase a professional thermal imaging drone (DJI Mavic 3T) that maps ground surface temperatures at extremely fine resolutions relevant to the biology of our focal species (<10 cm). Funding also covered associated accessories that allowed efficient fieldwork in challenging alpine landscapes, including a professional base station that provided real-time kinetic (RTK) connectivity to the drone and centimeter-level spatial accuracy while mapping. During the summer of 2024, we successfully deployed the drone during the summer breeding season (June – August) within territories of our two target species. This work resulted in the creation of over 250 high resolution thermal maps of ground surface temperature that will be aligned with fine-scale movement data generated by GPS tags mounted on captured birds to understand how the two species are selecting for different thermal regimes. The drone work directly supported the MSc thesis of Luca Robbi, who conducted the fieldwork and mastered skills in drone piloting procedures, land cover mapping, and data management that will be of fundamental value for him when securing an internship and eventual full-time employment in the environmental sector. The drone will be integral to completing the project, which is planned to continue for two more years in 2025 – 2026.
Dr. Ian J. Ausprey
Institute of Ecology & Evolution
Division of Conservation Biology


