Dr. Barbara Helm

Personal Information

Being keenly interested in the natural world as well as in conceptual ideas, I studied biology and philosophy in Tübingen and Boston. I completed both degree programs in 1997 with a MA-thesis in biology: Analysis of the temporal organization of postjuvenile moult in African and European Stonechats and in philosophy: Reception of Nietzsche by the feminist movement of turn-of-the-century Germany. From then on, my interests have focused on ornithology and chronobiology. In 2003 I completed my dissertation on Seasonal timing in different environments: comparative studies in Stonechats, for which I received the Otto-Hahn-Medal for young scientists.

I'm currently extending my research to gain a broad perspective on the calendars and clocks that are involved in the timing of avian behaviour.

research interest

Research Interests: bird calendars and clocks

My general research interest is in the physiology, ecology, and evolution of temporal behavior: Timing is essential, but how do organisms manage to do the right thing at the right time? How, for example, do migratory birds know just when to leave tropical winter grounds and return to their breeding sites? How do animals cope with human-imposed changes in climate? Birds, as highly mobile organisms, use a mix of genetically determined programs and environmental cues to prepare "in time" for seasonal and diurnal changes in the environment.

 

Seasonal change in immune defense

Far-reaching implications of timing programs include hotly debated aspects of avian flu ("Ornithologists on the front line", Nature 437:1212). In a recent research project, developed in collaboration with the immune biologist Kirk Klasing (UC Davis, USA), I showed that birds down-regulate expensive immune responses during spring migration season. This work, presented at the 2006 International Ornithological Congress, has important implications for the possible role of birds in the spread of disease. What are the consequences of down-regulated immune responses during migration? Do migratory birds "fly in the face" of infectious disease? Or do they use other means to defend themselves, possibly efficient arms that are less well developed in commercially bred birds? These and other aspects of timing programs are of pressing interest given the recent avian flu scare and concerns for human health.

Programmed and flexible responses in times of global change
The scale of reported global change in climate and phenology (i.e., the seasonal recurrence of natural phenomena) contrasts strikingly with our limited understanding of processes involved in seasonal timing. We are only beginning to foresee some of the consequences of global change on the natural world. Progress in this urgently needed field of research will depend crucially on close investigation of timing programs in selected, natural organisms. Temporal programs have evolved to help birds cope with seasonality but may in turn limit their flexibility. With progressively faster changes in environmental conditions, timing programs that had once been crucial for a species' success may thus become maladaptive, possibly with detrimental consequences. My research aims to identify the ways birds are most vulnerable to environmental challenges, but I also perceive some potential for fast change. Temporal strategies, for instance migration, may buffer animals from the change of seasons but often require refined physiological reorganization. So how can animals adopt such strategies rapidly when their habitats are changed or when they move to new ranges? Results from my studies on captive birds, recently published in PLoS Biology, point to new answers. Non-migratory birds showed seasonal behavioral change similar to migratory restlessness observed in migrants. These findings suggest that basic features of a migratory life-style may be widespread and enable birds to adjust relatively quickly to novel situations.

Sociable schedules
Temporal behavior differs greatly among species and even within populations, individuals are not fully synchronous. In order to understand this diversity, I'm greatly interested in the role of ecology in shaping avian schedules. One possible way by which temporal behavior can be based on hard-wired programs and simultaneously tailored to particular local conditions involves social interactions. Social information exchange is an emerging central theme in the study of animal behavior, and its implications for responses to environmental change are not yet understood. Birds, with their conspicuous flock formations, are primary candidates for such studies. In some species, for example geese and cranes, flocks can have their own traditions of migration destinations and itineraries. To explore the extent of social influences on schedules, I joined forces with Theunis Piersma and Henk van der Jeugd, who study free-living waders and geese. Together we have recently reviewed the existing evidence for "sociable schedules" as a basis for future work in this exciting field (Animal Behaviour, 2006).

Publikationen

Kalthoff, D., Breithaupt, A., Helm, B., Teifke, J.P. and Beer, M.: Migratory status is not related to the susceptibility to HPAIV H5N1 infection of Stonechats (Saxicola torquata). PLoS ONE, in press (2009)

Tieleman, B.I., Versteegh, M.A., Helm, B. and Dingemanse, N.J.: Quantitative genetics parameters show independent evolutionary potential for body mass and metabolism in stonechats from different populations. Journal of Zoology, 279, 129-136 (2009)

Helm, B., Schwabl, I. and Gwinner, E.: Circannual basis of geographically distinct bird schedules. Journal of Experimental Biology, 212, 1259-1269 (2009)

Mukhin, A., Grinkevich, V., Helm, B.: Under cover of darkness: nocturnal life of diurnal birds. Journal of Biological Rhythms 24, 3: 225-231 (2009)

Silverin, B., Gwinner,E., Van’t Hof, T.J., Schwabl, I., Fusani, L., Hau, M. and Helm, B.: Persistent diel melatonin rhythmicity during the Arctic summer in free-living willow warblers. Hormones and Behavior 56, 1: 163-168 (2009)

Tieleman, I., Versteegh, M., Fries, A., Helm, B., Dingemanse, N., Gibbs, H.L. and Williams, J.B.: Genetic modulation of energy metabolism in birds through mitochondrial function. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, 276 (1662): 1685-1693 (2009)

Helm, B.: Geographically distinct reproductive schedules in a changing world: costly implications in captive Stonechats. Integrative and Comparative Biology, in press (2009)

Flinks, H., Helm, B. and Rothery, P.: Plasticity of molt and breeding schedules in migratory Stonechats. Ibis, 150, 687-697 (2008)

Illera, J.C., Richardson, D.S., Helm, B., Atienza, J.C. and Emerson, B.C.: Phylogenetic relationships, biogeography and speciation in the avian genus Saxicola. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 48, 1145-1154 (2008)

Woog, F., Wink, M., Rastegar-Pouyani, E., Gonzalez, J. and Helm, B.: Distinct taxonomic position of the Madagascar Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus sibilla) revealed by nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Ornithology 149, 423-430 (2008)

Versteegh, M.A., Helm, B., Dingemanse, N.J. and Tieleman, B.I.: Repeatability of basal metabolic rate and total evaporative water loss in birds: a case study in European Stonechats. Comparative Biology and Physiology, 150, 452-457 (2008)

Wikelski, M., Martin, L.B., Scheuerlein, A., Robinson, M.T., Robinson, N.D., Helm, B., Hau, M. and Gwinner, E.: Avian circannual clocks: Adaptive significance and possible involvement of energy turnover in their proximate control. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B, 363, 411-423 (2008)

Kumar, V., Rani, S., Malik, S., Trivedi, A., Schwabl, I., Helm, B. and Gwinner, E.: Daytime light intensity affects seasonal timing via changes in the nocturnal melatonin levels. Naturwissenschaften, 94, 693-696 (2007)

Hedenström, A., Barta, Z., Helm, B., Houston, A., McNamara, J. and Jonzén, N.: Migration speed and scheduling of annual events by migrating birds in relation to climate change. Climate Research 35, 79-91 (2007)

Helm, B., Fiedler, W. and Callion, J.: Movements of European Stonechats according to ringing recoveries. Ardea, 94, 33-44

Helm, B. and Gwinner, E.: Migratory restlessness in an equatorial non-migratory bird. PLoS Biology 4, 611-614

Helm, B., Piersma, T. and Van der Jeugd, H.: Sociable schedules: interplay between avian social and seasonal behavior. Animal Behavior 72, 245-262; 1215 (2006)

Van Noordwijk, A., Pulido, F., Helm, B., Coppack, T., Delingat, J., Dingle, H., Hedenström, A., van der Jeugd, H., Marchetti, C., Nilsson, A. and Pérez-Tris, J.: A framework for the study of genetic variation in migratory behavior. Journal of Ornithology, 147, 221-234 (2006)

Helm, B.: Point of view: Zugunruhe of migratory and non-migratory birds in a circannual context. Journal of Avian Biology, 37, 533-540 (2006)

Helm B., Gwinner, E. and Trost, L.: Flexible seasonal timing and migratory behavior: results from Stonechat breeding programs. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1046, 216-227 (2005)

Helm, B. and Gwinner, E.: Carry-over effects of day length during spring migration. Journal of Ornithology, 146, 348-354. Special issue for Ebo Gwinner (2005)

Rappole, J., Helm, B. and Ramos, M.: An integrative framework for understanding the origin and evolution of avian migration. Journal of Avian Biology 34, 125-129 (2003)

König, S., Gwinner, E. and Helm, B.: Programmed patterns of territorial aggression in first-year European and African Stonechats (Saxicola torquata rubicola and S. t. axillaris) . Ecology of Birds 24, 579-594 (2002)

Helm, B. and Gwinner, E.: Nestling growth and post-juvenile molt under tight seasonal schedule: Stonechats from Kazakhstan, Saxicola torquata maura. Avian Science 1, 31-42 (2001)

Helm, B. and Albrecht, H.: Human handedness causes directional asymmetry in avian wing length measurements. Animal Behavior 60, 899-902 (2000)

Helm, B. and Gwinner, E.: Timing of postjuvenal molt in African (Saxicola torquata axillaris) and European (Saxicola torquata rubicola) Stonechats: Effects of genetic and environmental factors. Auk 116, 589-603 (1999)

Other scientific publications

Buchmann, M., Helm, B., Rothery, P. and Flinks, H.: Consequences of late breeding on moult and recovery rate of a long-distance migrant, the Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) [in German]. Vogelwarte, in press (2009)

Illera, J.C., Richardson, D.S., Helm, B., Atienza, J.C. and Emerson, B.C.: En busca de los origenes de las tarabillas del mundo. La Garcilla, 136, 14-17 (2008)

Helm, B.: Migration of birds: Interaction of genetical programs and environmental influences [in German]. Nova Acta Leopoldina (Proceedings of the German National Academy of Sciences) NF 358, 61-86 (2008)

Helm, B. and Gwinner, E.: Timing of molt as a buffer in the avian annual cycle. In Schodde, R. (ed.) Proceedings of the 23. International Ornithological Congress Beijing, 703-706 (2006)

Helm, B. and Visser, M.: Integrating the avian annual cycle. In Schodde, R. (ed.) Proceedings of the 23. International Ornithological Congress Beijing 2002, 59-60 (2006)

Helm, B.: Jahreszeitliches Verhalten in verschiedenen Lebensräumen: vergleichende Studien an Schwarzkehlchen. Vogelwarte 44, 26-27 (2006)

Helm, B. and Goymann, W.: Eberhard Gwinner 26.12.1938 - 7.9.2004. In: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (ed.) Jahrbuch der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft 2005, München, pp. 108-109 (2005)

Helm, B., Goymann, W. and Kempenaers, B.: Eberhard Gwinner (1938-2004). Association for the Study of Animal Behavior Newsletter 52, 10 (2004)

Gwinner, E. and Helm, B.: Circannual and circadian contributions to the timing of avian migration. In: P. Berthold, E. Gwinner and E. Sonnenschein (eds.) Avian Migration. Springer Verlag Heidelberg, pp. 81-95 (2003)

Helm, B.: Coping with extreme conditions: Are desert birds different? Tieleman, B.I. 2002. Avian adaptation along an aridity gradient. Physiology, behavior, and life history. Proefschrift Rijksuniversitetit Groningen, 367 pp. Ardea 91, 135-139 (2003)

Publications outside biology

Helm, B.: Combatting misogyny? Responses to Nietzsche by Turn-of-the-Century German Women. Journal of Nietzsche Studies 27, 64-84 (2004)

Helm, B.: Sandra Harding (ed.): The "racial" economy of science. Bloomington 1993 (Indiana University Press). 544 pp. Philosophin 9, 101-104 (1994)

Helm, B.: Elizabeth Grosz (ed.): Hypatia. Special issue: Feminism and the body. Bloomington 1991 (Indiana University Press). 240 pp. Philosophin 10, 105-107 (1994)

Helm, B.: Gertrud Bäumer. In: Meyer. U, and Bennent-Vahle, H. (eds.) Philosophinnen Lexikon (Encyclopedia of women philosophers). Einfach Verlag Aachen, pp. 41-43 (1994)

Helm, B.: Bertha von Suttner. In: Meyer. U, and Bennent-Vahle, H. (eds.) Philosophinnen Lexikon (Encyclopedia of women philosophers). Einfach Verlag Aachen, pp. 312-315 (1994)

Helm, B.: Helene Stöcker. In: Meyer. U, and Bennent-Vahle, H. (eds.) Philosophinnen Lexikon (Encyclopedia of women philosophers). Einfach Verlag Aachen, pp. 306-309 (1994)

Helm, B.: Clara Zetkin. In: Meyer. U, and Bennent-Vahle, H. (eds.) Philosophinnen Lexikon (Encyclopedia of women philosophers). Einfach Verlag Aachen, pp. 365-368 (1994)

Helm, B.: Women philosophers in Europe 1992 - Future without discrimination? VI. Symposium of the International Association of Women in Philosophy (IAPh) in Amsterdam, 22.-25.4.92. Philosophin 6, 97-104 (1992)