ABS 2023
Search
Cumulative Adversity Index: A Framework to Study the Effect of Multiple Stressors in Natural Populations
Xochitl Ortiz-Ross, Daniel T. Blumstein. UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Early life experiences greatly influence fitness, but most research has focused on single stressors, often in a lab.�Since natural populations�must contend with many co-occurring stressors, understanding the impact of multiple early-life stressors on the health and ecology of natural systems is vital for their conservation.�However, the complexity of such research has limited its advancement. To address this challenge, human studies adopted cumulative risk models that predict adult health risk based on early adversity exposure. We propose a novel framework that adapts such models to study natural populations and describes various types of cumulative early adversity (CEA) indices. Using wild yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventer) as a case study, we demonstrate that such indices predict pup survival and adult longevity. Our results highlight how CEA indices yield unique insights and improved model fit.�With this framework we hope to spur further investigations on the impact of cumulative adversity in natural systems, which are crucial for effective conservation and management in the Anthropocene.