Testing the trophic match-mismatch hypothesis in Svalbard snow bunting (RiS ID 11426)

In this project, I will look into how the advanced timing of spring snow melt in Svalbard affects arthropod abundance and activity, and how this in turn can be linked to snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) breeding dates and success. Because the snow bunting chicks are fed with arthropods (insects, spiders, mites), it can be assumed essential for individual reproductive success and fitness that the timing of breeding coincides with the peak in arthropod abundance during summer. I will supplement existing arthropod abundance data (2005 and 2014-18) with additional samples collected in the field (Adventdalen; 2020). This will be used in combination with existing long-term snow bunting breeding data (1998-2017), and weather data from Svalbard, to examine trophic match-mismatch processes linked with climate change.