Living with climate change: Can behavior help pikas and other sensitive species cope?

Contemporary climate change affects temperatures across the globe, including in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Rising temperatures can reduce the amount of time that conditions are suitable for animals to engage in essential activities, such as collecting food and protecting offspring. Relatively little is known, however, about the degree to which animals can cope with these new dynamics. We will explore whether animals can alter key behaviors in order to deal with potentially stressful conditions, with a focus on iconic GYE species including the American pika (Ochotona princeps), and sagebrush-obligate songbirds.