Recent study suggests that migrating animals acquire knowledge through firsthand experience. Conducted by the University of Wyoming.
The University of Wyoming and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior collaborated on research revealing that migrating animals refine their behaviors with age, indicating that experiential learning is crucial for successful migration. Led by Ellen Aikens, the study highlights how individual experiences contribute to shaping migratory movements alongside genetics and social behavior. Aikens, a professor at UW's Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, focuses on animal behavior and data science, leveraging advanced computing and data science tools for her research.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study tracked over 250 white storks across breeding areas in southern Germany and Austria from 2013 to 2020. The researchers used sophisticated tracking techniques to map the storks' migration pathways, monitor their timing, pace, and energy expenditure during flight. The study found that young storks explored new places during migration, while older birds traveled faster, taking more direct routes as they aged.
As storks gained experience, they enhanced their migration efficiency, straightening their routes to reach breeding and nesting grounds more directly. This incremental improvement in migration behavior suggests a reliance on spatial memory acquired through learning. The researchers noted that learning and gaining information to refine migration behavior can save energy and time for migrating animals navigating complex and dynamic landscapes. The study's implications extend to various other migrating species beyond white storks.
While genetics and culturally inherited information are acknowledged as significant factors in animal migrations, the study underscores the importance of individual experience in shaping migratory behaviors. The findings suggest that learning within a lifetime acts as a complementary mechanism alongside genetics, emphasizing the role of experience in optimizing migratory strategies. By recognizing the impact of individual learning on migration, researchers can better understand and potentially enhance the efficiency of animal movements during migration.
The study's insights shed light on the intricate mechanisms that drive animal migrations, highlighting the complex interplay between genetics, social behavior, and experiential learning. By emphasizing the role of experience in refining migratory behaviors, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of how animals adapt and improve their migration strategies over time. This interdisciplinary study bridges the gap between animal behavior and data science, showcasing the power of advanced technologies in unraveling the mysteries of migration patterns and behaviors.
In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of experiential learning in shaping successful animal migrations, offering valuable insights into how animals refine their behaviors over time. By tracking white storks and analyzing their migration patterns, the study reveals the gradual improvement in migration efficiency with age, highlighting the role of individual experience in optimizing migratory routes. This study opens new avenues for further research on animal migrations and underscores the significance of experiential learning in understanding and conserving migratory species.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036027
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study tracked over 250 white storks across breeding areas in southern Germany and Austria from 2013 to 2020. The researchers used sophisticated tracking techniques to map the storks' migration pathways, monitor their timing, pace, and energy expenditure during flight. The study found that young storks explored new places during migration, while older birds traveled faster, taking more direct routes as they aged.
As storks gained experience, they enhanced their migration efficiency, straightening their routes to reach breeding and nesting grounds more directly. This incremental improvement in migration behavior suggests a reliance on spatial memory acquired through learning. The researchers noted that learning and gaining information to refine migration behavior can save energy and time for migrating animals navigating complex and dynamic landscapes. The study's implications extend to various other migrating species beyond white storks.
While genetics and culturally inherited information are acknowledged as significant factors in animal migrations, the study underscores the importance of individual experience in shaping migratory behaviors. The findings suggest that learning within a lifetime acts as a complementary mechanism alongside genetics, emphasizing the role of experience in optimizing migratory strategies. By recognizing the impact of individual learning on migration, researchers can better understand and potentially enhance the efficiency of animal movements during migration.
The study's insights shed light on the intricate mechanisms that drive animal migrations, highlighting the complex interplay between genetics, social behavior, and experiential learning. By emphasizing the role of experience in refining migratory behaviors, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of how animals adapt and improve their migration strategies over time. This interdisciplinary study bridges the gap between animal behavior and data science, showcasing the power of advanced technologies in unraveling the mysteries of migration patterns and behaviors.
In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of experiential learning in shaping successful animal migrations, offering valuable insights into how animals refine their behaviors over time. By tracking white storks and analyzing their migration patterns, the study reveals the gradual improvement in migration efficiency with age, highlighting the role of individual experience in optimizing migratory routes. This study opens new avenues for further research on animal migrations and underscores the significance of experiential learning in understanding and conserving migratory species.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036027
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