A sudden cold front can limit population growth of newborn offspring through several mechanisms:
- Increased neonatal mortality: Exposure to low ambient temperatures around birth increases the risk of neonatal death, as newborns are particularly sensitive and vulnerable to cold stress
. For example, cold ambient temperature during gestation is linked to higher risks of stillbirth and preterm delivery, which reduce offspring survival rates
- Reduced fetal growth and birth weight: Cold temperatures during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, can cause small decreases in birth weight and impair fetal development due to maternal physiological stress responses such as vascular constriction and reduced placental blood flow
. This can lead to weaker newborns less likely to survive and reproduce.
- Disruption of breeding and survival conditions: Sudden cold fronts create harsh environmental conditions that reduce food and water availability, limit outdoor activity, and increase disease risk, all of which negatively affect offspring survival and growth
- Long-term developmental effects: Early life exposure to cold weather shocks is associated with growth stunting and wasting in young children, which can reduce their survival and future reproductive success
In summary, a sudden cold front can limit newborn population growth by increasing mortality, impairing fetal and infant growth, and creating harsh environmental conditions that disrupt survival and reproduction
