Variations in Niche Breadth and Position of Alpine Birds along Elevation Gradients in the European Alps

Mountains support high biodiversity, often including endemic and vulnerable species, but they are also particularly sensitive to climate change. Whilst studies on mountain biodiversity at the species level common, that consider whole assemblages scarce. We assessed how an alpine bird assemblage varied in terms of ecological habitat niche by surveying birds point count sites placed along elevational gradients (1,700-3,000m) Western Italian Alps. Niche breadth, as measured use, increased gradient, suggesting being more generalist is advantage survival elevation. position with elevation, which means occurring higher elevations use habitats atypical respect average assemblage. Both breadth were negatively associated diversity, these relationships mainly driven above 2,500m, specialists show a different pattern from other Our results therefore generally supported idea wider useful harsh environments, such mountains, enabling exploitation range resources. The broader many elevation may indicate some degree resilience environmental change, long key types maintained.—Mermillon, C., Jähnig, S., Sander, M.M., Alba, R., Rosselli, D. & Chamberlain, (2022). Variations European