Research centre South

Publications by the director and staff in the University of Iceland research portal.

Gunnarsson, Tómas Grétar, publications

Aragon. Veronica Mendez, publications

Carneiro, Camilo André Ferreira, publications

Þórisson, Böðvar, publications

2021

Bing‐Run Zhu, Yvonne I Verkuil, Jesse R Conklin, Ailin Yang, Weipan Lei, José A Alves, Chris J Hassell, Dmitry Dorofeev, Zhengwang Zhang, Theunis Piersma. 2021. Discovery of a morphologically and genetically distinct population of Black‐tailed Godwits in the East Asian‐Australasian Flyway. Ibis 163: 448-462.

Camilo André Ferreira Carneiro, Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson, Verónica Méndez, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares, Jose Augusto Belchior Alves. 2021. Linking range wide energetic tradeoffs to breeding performance in a long-distance migrant. Ecography 44: 512-524. 

Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson, Veroncia Mendés, José Alves, Sölvi Rúnar Vignisson, Jennifer A. Gill, & Böðvar Þórisson. 2021. Farhættir íslenskra tjalda. Fuglar, 13, 22-27.
Böðvar Þórisson, Aldís Erna Pálsdóttir, & Tómas G. Gunnarsson. (2021). Vöktun snjótittlings í manngerðum og náttúrulegum búsvæðum á hálendi Íslands. Rannsóknasetur Háskóla Íslands á Suðurlandi. Skýrsla til Landsvirkjunar.

Verónica Méndez, J. A. Gill, Böðvar Þórisson, Sölvi Rúnar Vignisson, Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson & José Alves. 2021. Paternal effects in the initiation of migratory behaviour in birds. Scientific Reports 11: 1-6. 

2020

Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson. 2020. Búsvæði og vernd íslenskra vaðfugla. Náttúrufræðingurinn, í prentun. 

Carneiro, C., Gunnarsson, T.G. & Alves, J. 2020. Linking weather and phenology to stopover dynamics of a long-distance migrant. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 8: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.00145

Verónica Méndez, José A Alves, Böðvar Þórisson, Alina Marca, Tómas G Gunnarsson, Jennifer A Gill 2020. Individual variation in migratory behavior in a subarctic partial migrant shorebird. Behavioral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/araa010

Bing-Run Zhu, Chris J. Hassell, Yvonne I. Verkuil, Tómas G. Gunnarsson, Jos C. E. W. Hooijmeijer, Zhengwang Zhang &Theunis Piersma 2020. Size, shape and sex differences in three subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa. Bird Study. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2020.1733930

Rebecca A. Laidlaw  Tómas G. Gunnarsson  Verónica Méndez  Camilo Carneiro  Böðvar Þórisson  Adam Wentworth  Jennifer A. Gill  José A. Alves 2020. Vegetation structure influences predation rates of early nests in subarctic breeding waders. Ibis. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12827

2019

J.A., Gill, J.A. Alves & T.G. Gunnarsson 2019. Mechanisms driving phenological and range change in migratory species. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 374 (1781), 20180047.    

C.A. Morrison, J.A. Alves, T.G. Gunnarsson, B. Þórisson & J.A. Gill 2019. Why do earlier‐arriving migratory birds have better breeding success? Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5441

J.A. Alves, T.G. Gunnarsson, W.J. Sutherland, P.M. Potts & J.A. Gill 2019. Linking warming effects on phenology, demography, and range expansion in a migratory bird population. Ecology and evolution 9 (5), 2365-2375.

Lilja Jóhannesdóttir, Jennifer A Gill, José A Alves, Sigmundur H Brink, Ólafur Arnalds, Verónica Méndez, Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson. Interacting effects of agriculture and landscape on breeding wader populations. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment 272, 246-253. 

C. Carneiro, T.G. Gunnarsson & J.A. Alves 2019. Why are whimbrels not advancing their arrival dates into Iceland? Exploring seasonal and sex-specific variation in consistency of individual timing during the annual cycle. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7, 248. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00248

C. Carneiro, T.G. Gunnarsson & J.A. Alves 2019. Faster migration in autumn than in spring: seasonal migration patterns and non‐breeding distribution of Icelandic whimbrels Numenius phaeopus islandicus. Journal of avian biology 50 (1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.01938

2018

Thies L., Tomkovich P., dos Remedios N., Lislevand T., Pinchuk P., Wallander J., Dänhardt J., Þórisson B., Blomqvist D. & Küpper C. 2018. Population and subspecies differentiation in a high latitude breeding wader, the Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula. Ardea 106: 163-176.

Méndez, V., Alves, J.A., Gill, J.A. & Gunnarsson, T.G. 2018. Patterns and processes shorebird survival rates: a global review. Ibis. DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12586.

​Þórisson B., Mendez V., Alves J.A., Gill J.A., Skarphéðinsson K.H., Auhage S.N.V., Vignisson S.R., Benediktsson G.O., Brynjólfsson B., Gallo C., Sturlaugsdóttir H., Leifsson P., Gunnarsson T.G. 2018. Population size of Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus wintering in Iceland. Bird Study 65: 274-278.

2017

​Johannesdottir, L., Alves, J. A., Gill, J. A. & Gunnarsson, T. G. 2017. Use of agricultural land by breeding waders in low -intensity farming landscapes. Animal Conservation 21: 291-301.

​Camilo Carneiro, Tómas G. Gunnarsson, José A. Alves 2017. Bloody Cockles: a novel and important food item for Whimbrels in the Banc d’Arguin. Wader Study 124:161 – 162. DOI: 10.18194/ws.00072.

​Gunnarsson, T.G., Jóhannesdóttir, L., Alves, Thorisson, B., J.A & Gill, J.A. 2017. Effects of spring temperature and volcanic eruptions on wader productivity. Ibis, doi: 10.1111/ibi.12449. 

​Johannesdottir L., Alves J.A., Gill J.A., Gunnarsson T.G. 2017. Reconciling biodiversity conservation and agricultural expansion in the subarctic environment of Iceland. Ecology And Society 22.  https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08956-220116​

2016

Gunnarsson, T.G. & G.A. Guðmundsson. 2016. Migration and non-breeding distribution of Icelandic Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus islandicus as revealed by ringing recoveries. Wader Study 123(1): 44–48.

Alves, J.A., Gunnarsson, T.G. & Gill, J.A. 2016. Estudiando la ecologia de las agujas colinegras de Islandia: expansión poblacional, migración y guerra de sexos. El Indiferente 22, 155-167.

Davidsdottir, B., Gunnarsson, T.G., Halldorsson, G. and Sigurdsson, B.D. 2016. Avian abundance and communities in areas revegetated with exotic versus native plant species. Icelandic Agricultural Sciences 29, 21-37, doi: 10.16886/IAS.2016.03

Alves, J.A., Dias, M.P., Mendez, V., Katrínardóttir, B., & Gunnarsson, T.G. 2016. Very rapid long-distance sea crossing by a migratory bird. Scientific Reports, 6: 38154

Bulla, M., Valcu, M,…,Alves, J.A.,… + 73 authors. 2016. Defying the 24‐h day: Unexpected diversity in socially synchronized rhythms of shorebirds. Nature, 540: 109-113. 

Lourenco, P.M., Alves, J.A., Reneerkens, J., Loonstra, J., Potts, P.M., Granadeiro, J.P. & Catry, T. 2016. Influence of age and sex on winter site fidelity of sanderlings Calidris alba. PeerJ, 4:e2517.

Shamoun-Baranes J., Farnsworth A., Aelterman, B., Alves, J.A., Azijn, K., Bernstein, G., Branco, S., Desmet, P., Dokter, A., Van Gasteren, H., Horton, Kelly, J.F., Leijnse, H., Sheldon, D., Winner, K, Van den Broeck, W., Van Doren, B., Kelling, S. & Van Den Meersche, J.K. 2016. Innovative visualizations shed light on nocturnal migration. PLOS One, 11(8): e0160106.

Carneiro, C., Correia, E., Gonçalves, D., Brito, R., Luis, A. & Alves, J.A. 2016. Weather mediated impacts on the breeding output of an Afro-Palearctic migratory waterbird. Avian Biology Research, 9 (3): 167-173.

Catry, T., Lourenço, P.M., Lopes, R.J., Carneiro, C., Alves, J.A., Costa, J., Rguibi-Idrissi, H., Bearhop, S., Piersma, T. & Granadeiro, J.P. 2016 Structure and functioning of tidal food webs across an avian migratory flyway: a comparative approach using stable isotopes. Functional Ecology, 30: 468-478.

Catry, T., Lourenço, P.M., Lopes, R.J., Bocher, P., Carneiro,C., Alves, J.A., Delaporte, P., Bearhop, S., Piersma, T. & Granadeiro, J.P. 2016. Use of biogeochemical fingerprints to assign wintering origin and trace shorebird movements across the East Atlantic Flyway. Basic and Applied Ecology, 17: 177-187.

2015

​Gunnarsson, T.G., Arnalds, O., Appleton, G., Mendés, V. & Gill, J.A. 2015. Ecosystem recharge by volcanic dust drives broad-scale variation in bird abundance. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1523

Gudjonsson, H., Jonsson, J.E., Stefansson, H.W., Snaethorsson, A.O. & Gunnarsson, T.G. 2015. Annual and large-scale variation in breeding output of Greylag geese (Anser anser) in Iceland. Bird Study. DOI:10.1080/00063657.2015.1034655

2014

Johannesdottir, L., Arnalds, O., Brink, S. & Gunnarsson, T.G. 2014. Identifying important bird habitats in a sub-arctic area undergoing rapid land-use change. Bird Study 61: 544-552. 

Gill, J.A., Alves, J.A., Sutherland, W.J., Appleton, G.F., Potts, P.M. & Gunnarsson, T.G. 2014. Why is timing of bird migration advancing when individuals are not? Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. 281 (1774), 20132161

Catry, T., Alves, J.A., Gill, J.A., Gunnarsson, T.G., Granadeiro, J.P. 2014. Individual specialization in a shorebird population with narrow foraging niche. Acta Oecologica 56: 56-65.

Shamoun-Baranes, J., Alves, J.A., Bauer, S., Dokter, A.M., Huppop, O., Koistinen, J., Leijnse, H., Liechti, F., van Gasteren, H. & Chapman, J.W. 2014. Continental-scale radar monitoring of the aerial movements of animals. Movement Ecology 2014, 2:9.

2013

Vigfusdottir, F., Gunnarsson, T.G. & Gill, J.A. 2013. Annual and between-colony variation in productivity of Arctic Terns in West Iceland. Bird Study 60: 289-297.

Alves, J.A., Gunnarsson, T.G., Potts, P.M., Sutherland, W.J. & Gill, J.A. 2013. Sex‐biases in distribution and resource use at different spatial scales in a migratory shorebird. Ecology and evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.503.

Jonsson, J.E., Gardarsson, A., Gill, J.A., Petursdottir, U.K., Petersen, A. & Gunnarsson T.G. 2013. Relationships between long-term demography and weather in a sub-arctic population of common eider. PLOS One 8 (6), e67093.

Alves, J. A., Gunnarsson, T.G., Daniel B. Hayhow, Graham F. Appleton, Peter M. Potts, William Sutherland, and Jennifer A. Gill 2013. Costs, benefits and fitness consequences of different migratory strategies. Ecology 94: 11-17.

Lopes, R.J., Alves, J.A., Gill, J.A., Gunnarsson, T.G., Hooijmeijer J.C.E.W., Lourenço, P.M., Masero, J.M., Piersma, T., Potts, P.M., Rabaçal, B.,Reis, S., Sánchez-Guzman, J.M., Santiago-Quesada, F. & A. Villegas 2013. Do different subspecies of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa overlap in Iberian wintering and staging areas? Validation with genetic markers. Journal of Ornithology -DOI: 10.1007/s10336-012-0865-8.

Katrinardottir, B.,  Pálsson, S., Gunnarsson, T.G. & Sigurjonsdottir, H. 2013. Sexing Icelandic Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus islandicus with DNA and biometrics. Ringing & Migration 28: 43-46.

2012

Thorisson, B., Eyjolfsson, V., Gardarsson, A., Albertsdottir, H.B. & Gunnarsson, T.G. 2012. The non-breeding distribution of Icelandic Common Ringed Plovers. Wader Study Group Bulletin, International Journal of Shorebird Science 119: 97–101.

Gillings, S., Avontins, A., Crowe, O., Dalakchieva, S., Devos, K., Elts, J., Green, M., Gunnarsson, T.G., Kleefstra, R., Kubelka, V., Lehtiniemi, T., Meissner, W., Pakstyte, E., Rasmussen, L., Szimuly, G. & Wahl, J. 2012. Results of a coordinated count of Eurasian Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria in Europe during October 2008. Wader Study Group Bulletin, International Journal of Shorebird Science 119: 125–128.

Gunnarsson, T.G., Sutherland, W.J., Alves, J.A., Potts, P.M. & Gill, J.A. 2012. Rapid changes in phenotype distribution during range expansion in a migratory bird. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. 279: 411-416.

Sutherland, W.J., Alves, J.A., Amano, T., Chang, C.H., Davidson, N.C., Finlayson, C.M., Gill, J.A., Gill, R.E., González, P.M., Gunnarsson, T.G., Kleijn, D., Spray, C.J., Székely, T., Thompson, D.B.A. 2012. A horizon scanning assessment of the current and potential future natural and anthropogenic issues facing migratory shorebirds. Ibis 154: 663-679.

Catry, T., Alves, J.A., Gill, J.A., Gunnarsson, T.G., Granadeiro, J.P. 2012. Sex Promotes Spatial and Dietary Segregation in a Migratory Shorebird during the Non-Breeding Season. PLoS ONE 7(3): e33811. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033811

Alves, J.A., Gunnarsson, T.G., Potts, P.M., Gélinaud, G., Sutherland, W.J. & Gill, J.A. 2012. Overtaking on migration: does longer distance migration always incur a penalty? Oikos 121: 464-470.

2011

Gunnarsson, T.G. & Tomasson, G. 2011. Flexible spring arrival of migratory birds at northern latitudes under rapid temperature changes. Bird Study 58:1-12.

2010

Gunnarsson, T.G. 2010. Contrasting the flexibility of schedules in related species with different migration strategies: Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrels breeding in Iceland. Wader Study Group Bulletin – The international journal of shorebird science 117: 46-50.

Jónsson, J.A. & Gunnarsson, T.G. 2010. Predator chases by breeding waders: interspecific comparison of tree species nesting in Iceland. Wader Study Group bulletin - The International Journal of shorebird science 117: 145-149.

Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson 2010. Votlendi og vaðfuglar í ljósi landnotkunar. Náttúrufræðingurinn 79: 75-86.

2009

Jonsson, J.E., Gill, J.A., Gardarsson, A., Petersen, A. & Gunnarsson T.G. 2009. Weather effects on breeding parameters in a sub-arctic, capital breeding resident: long-term data from Iceland. Climate change 38: 237-248.

Gunnarsson, T.G. 2009. Numbers of Eurasian Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria in Iceland in late October 2008. Wader Study Group Bulletin. The international journal of shorebird Science. 116: 157-159.

Gunnarsson T.G. & Indridadottir G.H. 2009. Effects of sandplain revegetation on avian abundance and diversity at Skogasandur and Myrdalssandur, South-Iceland. Conservation Evidence 6: 94-104.

Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson 2009. Fuglar og loftslagsbreytingar. Bliki 30: 61-65.

Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson 2009. Fuglaþúfur. Bliki 30: 58-59.

Jón Einar Jónsson, Ævar Petersen, Arnþór Garðarsson og Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson. Æðarendur (Somatereae): ástand og stjórnun stofna og framtíðarhorfur. Náttúrufræðingurinn 78: 46–56.

Increased human encroachment on natural resources and global population growth are causing one of the greatest extinction events in Earth's history. The current era of Earth's history is attributed to man (the Anthropocene) and is characterized by the loss of biodiversity due to direct (e.g. habitat destruction and overfishing) and indirect (e.g. climate change) environmental impacts. Although many species play important and well-known roles in ecosystems and are highly valued by humans, there are no signs of slowing biodiversity loss. Improving the understanding of the nature and effects of environmental changes on organisms and ecosystems is one of humanity's most urgent tasks and one of the main challenges of ecology.

In recent years, a number of studies have been carried out at the center aimed at improving the understanding of the relationship between land use and biodiversity. The research is often related to natural variability in the environment, because human land use and natural variability play together. Icelandic terrestrial ecosystems reflect the changes that occur on land from the time it emerges from a glacier and until it has (often) grown into a forest. Human land use can intervene in this process in various ways, and our research in recent years has, among other things, focused on clarifying how land use and vegetation development affect animal populations. Here are examples of some projects related to this.

Agriculture and Biodiversity

The research center received an outstanding grant from Rannís in 2013 to study the relationship between agriculture and wading bird populations. Agriculture in Iceland is still practiced with less enthusiasm than in many places, which is reflected in the fact that agricultural areas in Iceland support large populations of waders. But there are flashes in the air and most Icelandic farmers intend to increase the area of agricultural land in the coming years. The project was about exploring farmers' attitudes towards nature and bird conservation and assessing the importance of Icelandic agricultural land for bird populations.

Desertification and reforestation

Soil erosion in Iceland is one of the biggest occurrences and various processes such as land use, weather and volcanic activity are involved. Recent research carried out in collaboration with Landgræðslan focused on investigating the relationship between reforestation methods and vegetation progress with biodiversity, especially birdlife and small fauna.

Forestry and structures

Open habitats are an extremely limited resource globally, but are still common in Iceland, which is reflected in the country's uniqueness in terms of nature. It's moving fast in open areas, but Icelanders are now converting open land faster than most European nations. The main types of land use that occur in open areas are forestry and construction such as summer houses, new farms and road construction. Research is currently underway to assess the impact of these changes on nature.

Increased growth of shrubs and grazing

Growth in the Nordic regions is increasing significantly due to climate change and changes in the grazing pressure of both wild animals and farm animals. These changes have a knock-on effect on ecosystems. Greenery has also increased in Iceland, but the effect of this on biodiversity and biological communities is unknown. One symptom of increased vegetation is the growth of shrubs, but studies in the Nordic regions show that animal communities are changing because of this. The growth of shrub vegetation is increasing greatly in the lowlands of Iceland with warming and changing grazing patterns. Research is currently underway to better understand the relationship between these vegetation changes and bird life.

A simple model of the relationship between physical factors, land use and the aspects of biodiversity that research at the settlement mainly focuses on (Náttúrufræðingurinn 79:2010). 

Long-term studies in ecology have long since proven their value. They increase statistical power, put shorter studies in a wider context, show the effects of rare events and contribute relatively more to ecological knowledge and policy making than shorter studies. In order to strengthen the basis of shorter studies carried out at the center and to improve knowledge of processes that operate in larger areas, we annually collect several indices of Icelandic land ecosystems. The value of these indicators will increase over time and gain independent value.

Population changes of land birds

Birds are counted annually at fixed points in the South, from 2011 in Rangárvalla County and from 2016 in Árnes County. The counts take place during the last ten days of June on road profiles (see picture at the bottom of the page). Since most of our research on individual species takes place in defined study areas, more extensive counts help to understand local drivers from those operating over larger areas. These counts also make it possible to assess the influence of broad factors such as weather and volcanic activity on the number and distribution of common Icelandic land birds.

Juvenile production of large wading birds

To assess variation in nesting success over large areas, the number of fledgling flocks of larger waders is counted when point counts are carried out in June. Waders show the presence of secretive young by their behavior, so a standardized estimate of the number of parents with defensive behavior provides an index of nesting success. This works best for the edge rack, tent and sprue. For some of the species, it is also possible to estimate the number of young and adults. Due to the different breeding season of the species, this count is repeated at the end of July. With this simple counting method, it has been shown how the nesting success of the marginal duck is closely related to the menstrual cycle and what the short-term effects of volcanic eruptions on nesting success are.

Spawn timing

Various events in nature have shifted in time along with climate change. These changes often seem to be related to changes in population sizes, but the reasons are poorly known. The breeding season of birds in many parts of the world has been changing with the warming climate, but the breeding season is an important part of the annual cycle of birds and has a great impact on populations. By finding the nests of common Icelandic terns and measuring the eggs, you can see when they were laid and get good information about changes in the nesting season. These measurements help us link breeding timing with demographics and are important for monitoring the effects of climate change on bird populations.

Variation in small animal populations

Common bugs play a key role in terrestrial food webs and are important food for birds. There is a large variation in the number of small animals depending on the region and season, and small animals are sensitive to weather conditions and climate changes. To assess variations in small animal populations, we use so-called window traps (see picture at the bottom), which are emptied weekly during the summer. This information is useful for comparison with various information about birds, such as breeding time and nesting success, but also for evaluating changes in the populations of common small animals and the response of the ecosystem to climate change.

Long-term studies of tagged individuals are the only way to solve various problems in ecology and evolution. Among other things, such studies allow researchers to connect different life cycle stages, examine social systems, measure how mating success changes over the course of a lifetime and, in the case of migratory birds, to connect how events that operate in distant places at different times of the year interact with population limitation. In Iceland, a large part of the bird flag is migratory birds. The conditions here are very good for studying migratory bird populations, but the country's isolation, northern position and variation in habitats facilitate various measurements of timing and nesting success.

The marginal drive

An important part of the research at the center are several projects on individual species that show variations in lifestyles and length of migration. The duration of the projects is different, but research on the marginal ridge began in 1999, while research on spurs, sand dune and tent later. Timinn works with long-term studies of this kind, but they give a unique insight into the relationship between environment and populations over time. Here is a brief overview of these projects.

Research on the marginal ridge has been at the forefront of the center's research for many years, and various other projects have built on that foundation. Border scanning research is done in close collaboration with Jenny Gill at the University of East Anglia and various others. The research has been leading in linking events that affect migratory birds on breeding and wintering grounds and has spawned many articles in the most prestigious professional journals, e.g. in Nature, Proceedings of the Royal Society, Journal of Animal Ecology, Ecology and others. What makes the border crossings an unusual system for studying migratory bird populations is that very many marked birds are seen outside of Iceland, but a number of volunteers from around Europe send us observations of marked birds. In this way, individuals can be monitored all year round and knowledge can be built up about how breeding and wintering sites interact to manage the population. A good overview of volunteer contributions to the research can be found on Graham Appleton's Wadertales blog. Research on the marginal ridge has shown how events that affect individuals at different times of the year are closely related and how this interaction can affect populations.

Whimbrel

The sparrow is one of the most common land birds in Iceland (still) and a large part of the world sparrow population breeds here. Unlike the border hawk, which only goes to Europe in the winter, the hawk travels all the way to Africa, or about 6000 km. They go this route in one go without stopping in the fall, and the journey usually takes a little over four days. Sparrows provide an interesting comparison to the border cranes because these birds have different itineraries but otherwise share various preferences during the summer. Research on sparrows began in the summer of 2009 with Borgnýar Katrínardóttir's research on the demography of sparrows in different habitats and studies of the effects of volcanic activity on nesting success. In recent years, sparrows have been marked with geolocators, which make it possible to follow the journeys of individuals throughout the year and connect their journeys with the nest in Iceland, and the research is part of Camilo Carneiro's doctoral project.

Sandpipers

All subjects of research have advantages and disadvantages. For example, it is easy to follow the journeys of the terns throughout the year, but on the other hand, they are very secretive when nesting, so it is difficult to obtain good information about their nesting success. The sandpipers, on the other hand, show a great willingness to cooperate in nesting, and it is easy to catch and mark nesting birds and to observe their nesting success. These advantages mean that it is rather easy to conduct research on the factors that control the populations of sandpipers. The sandpipers show an interesting variation in their migration patterns, with some traveling to Europe in the winter and others to Africa. Research on sand dunes began in 2004 with Böðvar Þórisson's master's project and has mostly continued since then. Markings are now underway with global charts to better link the movements of individuals to nesting events.

Tent

Changes in populations and migration patterns of migratory birds are taking place in many parts of the world in parallel with changes in climate, but the driving forces of these changes are largely unknown. Better understanding of the complex ecology-behaviour interactions that govern population responses to climate change is essential to develop conservation strategies for migratory birds. Populations that show variation in movement patterns are particularly useful in this regard, because then it is possible to examine how individual differences in movement patterns affect life expectancy and recruitment. Research on voles began in 2012, but voles are both migratory and resident in Iceland, which provides a unique opportunity to compare individuals with different movement patterns throughout the year. Veronica Méndez, a postdoctoral researcher, is currently conducting research on the migration behavior and population ecology of martens in collaboration with Jenny Gill at the University of East Anglia, and research on more population factors is in progress. A good overview of the tent research can be found on the Wadertales blog.

The environment of organisms is varied in time and space, and this diversity has a great impact on populations. In densely populated countries, human land use often hides the underlying variability in natural processes, but land use and natural processes interact at different scales and it is often difficult to distinguish between them. The density of people in Iceland is still very low, but the variability in nature, especially in terms of geology and weather, is great. Iceland's northern location, where cold and warm ocean currents meet, and the volcanism associated with the Atlantic Ridge create unique opportunities to study the effects of various natural processes on animal population ecology. Various studies on the relationship between natural processes and animal population changes have been carried out in the last few years, taking advantage of these unusual conditions in Iceland.

Habitat

The diversity of habitats in Iceland is great, which is caused by unusual geology and changing weather conditions. Work at the research center has often focused on analyzing how the density and distribution of bird populations is related to variation in habitats and what effect different habitats have on life expectancy and nesting success. This understanding is the basis for being able to predict the effects of land use on populations. The diversity of bird and small animal life is closely related to vegetation and water conditions, and the variation in Icelandic habitats is also reflected in bird life far beyond the country's borders.

Geology

Geology is the basis for all biodiversity both within regions and globally. However, knowledge of the relationship between geology and populations is fragmentary, probably mainly because human land use often hides the influence of geology. By linking individual population studies, ecosystem monitoring, and geospatial data on biota distribution and variation in geomorphology, significant steps have been taken toward a better understanding of how geomorphology influences animal numbers and demography. Among other things, we have demonstrated (in collaboration with Ólaf Arnalds at the Icelandic University of Agriculture) how overgrazing affects the fertility of terrestrial ecosystems. Also how volcanic eruptions have a negative but temporary effect on bird populations.

Weather and climate

Several studies that have been carried out at the center show how variations in weather, both over short and long periods and between parts of the country, affect bird populations. The research has revealed, for example, how spring menstruation is related to the nesting success of terns and the timing of migration. Also how variations in temperature across the country affect the nesting success of greylag geese and how storms and cold spells over the last century have affected the development of the eider population (in collaboration with Jón Einar Jónsson at Snæfellsness University Centre). Research on man-made weather patterns and climate is a good example of how natural variability and human influence can play together.

2018

Sigurður Björn Alfreðsson 2018. The effects of shrub encroachment on avian communities in lowland Iceland. MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/31883

Elísa Skúladóttir 2018. Búsvæðaval heiðlóu (Pluvialis apricaria) á fartíma (Habitat selection of Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria during migration). MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/31869

2017

Lilja Jóhannesdóttir 2017. Links between agricultural management and wader populations in sub-arctic landscapes. PhD thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. 129 pp. 

Harry Ewing 2017. Impacts of forestry on breeding waders in southern Iceland. MSc thesis. University of East Anglia. 

2015

Adam Wentworth 2015. Effect of different habitats on Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) breeding abundance and nest survival in lowland Iceland. MSc thesis. Nottingham Trent University. 

2014

Helgi Guðjónsson 2014. Annual and large-scale variation of breeding output of Greylag geese (Anser anser) in Iceland. MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/18555

Ester Rut Unnsteinsdóttir 2014. The wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus in Iceland: Population dynamics and limiting factors at the northern edge of the species’ range. Doktorsritgerð við Háskóla Íslands. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/18345

2013

Böðvar Þórisson 2013. Farhættir og lýðfræði Sandlóu Charadrius hiaticula (Migration and demography of Ringed plovers). MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/13916

Heiða Gehringer 2013. Animal diversity around Mt. Hekla. MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/15502

Brynja Davíðsdóttir 2013. The effect of vegetation reclamation on birds and invertebrates in Iceland. MSc thesis. Agricultural University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/14943

Lilja Jóhannesdóttir 2013. Comparing biodiversity of birds in different habitats in South Iceland. MSc thesis. Agricultural University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/14964

Freydís Vigfúsdóttir 2013. Drivers of productivity in a subarctic seabird: Arctic Terns in Iceland. Doktorsritgerð við University of East Anglia í Bretlandi. https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/47918/

2012

Borgný Katrínardóttir 2012. The importance of Icelandic riverplains as breeding habitats for Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus. MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/11944

Aðalsteinn Örn Snæþórsson 2012. Reproductive success and survival of hen rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) during summer. MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/11829

Elke Wald 2012. Land-use Development in South Iceland 1900-2010. MSc thesis. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/10804

Kristín Alísa Eiríksdóttir 2012. Varpvistfræði grágæsa (Anser anser) á Suðurlandi (Breeding ecology of Greylag geese in South Iceland). BS verkefni við Háskóla Íslands. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/10787

2010

Brynja Davíðsdóttir 2010. Þróun aðferða við vöktun algengra mófugla (Development of methods for monitoring of common land birds). BSc thesis. Agricultural University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/7091

Lilja Jóhannesdóttir 2010. Arnarbæli í Ölfusi; fuglalíf, gróður og nokkrir þættir úr landbúnaðarsögu (Natural history of Arnarbæli area, South Iceland). BSc thesis. Agricultural University of Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/7060