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Project

Developmental and later life effects of light and noise pollution: physiological stress, telomere dynamics and fitness.

Organisms have evolved adaptations to environmental challenges, but anthropogenic environments introduce novel stressors. Light and noise pollution are increasingly pervasive, and lacking historical predecessors, may overwhelm coping mechanisms and induce physiological stress. Exposure to light and noise pollution may be particularly influential early in life, when developmental trajectories are sensitive to stressful conditions. Yet, little is known regarding effects of light or noise exposure during development, especially in natural populations. Studies to date examining how light and noise pollution affect adult animals have also been limited in scope, and have largely employed short-term metrics of physiological state. Using great tits (Parus major) as a model organism, I will: (1) experimentally examine how light at night affects physiological stress in developing birds, (2) use an observational study to assess effects of noise pollution on developmental stress, and (3) explore how light and noise pollution interact to effect health status and fitness in personality-typed adults. I will use two powerful approaches that have not been previously applied in this context: measuring corticosterone in feathers (long-term metric of stress status), and assessing telomere degradation rates (marker of aging rate). Living in light and noisy environments has consequences that are relevant across many taxa. This study will motivate action to mitigate these effects.
Date:1 Jan 2018 →  31 Mar 2020
Keywords:NOISE POLLUTION
Disciplines:Animal biology