Climate change, uncertainty and allostatic load.

CONTEXT: Humans constantly respond to environmental stressors challenging their somatic stability. Allostasis, an evolved neuroendocrine/physiological stressor response system, is our main pathway for doing so. Effective allostasis returns somatic systems to their current optima; over a lifetime of stressor responses, related systems fail, effectiveness declines, and physiological dysregulation (i.e. allostatic load) increases. Global Climate Change (GCC) multiplies environmental stressors on human populations and is likely to increase allostatic load. OBJECTIVES: As a population-level stressor, GCC increases risks for multiple stressors, including sociocultural instability and food and water insecurity, while also motivating migration. We predict GCC increases risk for elevated allostatic load. Here, we review pathways by which GCC increases climatic and social stressors contributing to greater stress and allostatic load. METHODS: Based upon published sources and primary ethnographic case studies, this review examines how GCC, by multiplying climate-related stressors, likely increases social instability, food and water insecurity, and migration. Thereby, it is proposed that GCC contributes to allostatic load. RESULTS: GCC multiplies stressors on local populations. Those experiencing social insecurity related to GCC during growth and development are expected to show the largest influences on their lifetime allostatic load. Similarly, as GCC increases food and water insecurity, it likely will increase allostatic load in those affected and is likely to propel migrants to seek improved living circumstances. These stressors may be continued among their descendants via historical trauma or epigenetic responses. CONCLUSION: GCC accentuates effects of environmental and sociocultural stressors on human populations. Those exposed to GCC are likely to show lifelong elevated allostatic load.

[Analysis of pattern preferences in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica; Galli, Aves) with reference to inborn and acquired components]. / Analyse von Musterpräferenzen bei Japanischen Wachteln (Coturnix coturnix japonica; Galli, Aves) hinsichtlich angeborener und erworbener Komponenten)

Japanese quails were examined as to whether inborn or environmental factors were decisive for visual white-black pattern preference. By different breeding conditions (patterning of the environment, sight contact with other quails, knowledge of the food form) it was found out that bright surfaces were preferred to dark ones; young quails preferred patterns resembling the plumage of their own species, whereas older ones favoured those corresponding to their favourite food. Furthermore, activities were compared between different age groups; there are parallels between the activity in the test apparatus and on the activity platform.