Physiological Consequences of Habitat Selection

Abstract

By determining the microclimates that an animal experiences, habitats influence an animal's physiological capacities and ultimately its demographic and ecological performance. As a result, the ecology of organisms-especially of ectotherms-can be profoundly affected by the physiological consequences of habitat selection. Early ecologists such as Shelford and Chapman appreciated these issues, but most later ones tended to ignore physiology and instead focused on biotic interactions (e.g., competition). Recent technical and conceptual developments are now fostering a reintroduction of physiology into ecology. For issues relevant to thermal physiology, three steps are involved. First, the microclimates available in a habitat must be mapped. For ectotherms, this involves determining the operative environmental temperatures (Te)-that is, the potential body temperatures available in a habitat. Biophysical techniques can now generate Te maps with considerable accuracy. Second, the physiological effects of body temperature must be quantified. This requires laboratory studies of the effect of temperature on key performance traits. Third, the physiological suitability of habitats can be predicted by integrating the above environmental and physiological data. Analyses of the physiological consequences of habitat selection are exemplified in several case studies, and the importance of considering food and other factors in the analyses is stressed. An extension to endotherms is briefly discussed.