Challenges for wildlife seeking sleep in a disturbed world

Abstract

Sleep serves many functions that enable effective performance of the awake animal. Failure to obtain adequate sleep leads to lapses in motivation, attention and reaction times, coordination, and learning and memory. How do animals living in modified landscapes obtain their daily amount of sleep in the presence of pollution and anthropogenic disturbance? We review a subset of the studies examining if, and how, animals sleep in this disturbed world with a focus on artificial light at night, urban noise, psychoactive pollutants in waterways, agricultural practices, introduced species and a warming world. We highlight gaps in understanding and prescribe areas for future work. Notably, there is limited knowledge on truly wild animals, as well as the functional consequences of disrupted sleep for the efficacy of waking performance, fitness and survival. We close with ideas for mitigation, including tips that are achievable locally, by individuals. Such efforts will make it easier for wildlife to sleep soundly.