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d’Entremont KJN, Pratte I, Gjerdrum C, Wong SNP, Montevecchi WA. Quantifying inter-annual variability on the space-use of parental Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) in pursuit of different prey types. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288650. [PMID: 37450481 PMCID: PMC10348513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial planning for marine areas of multi-species conservation concern requires in-depth assessment of the distribution of predators and their prey. Northern Gannets Morus bassanus are generalist predators that predate several different forage fishes depending on their availability. In the western North Atlantic, gannets employ different dive tactics while in pursuit of different prey types, performing deep, prolonged U-shaped dives when foraging on capelin (Mallotus villosus), and rapid, shallow, V-shaped dives when foraging on larger pelagic fishes. Therefore, much can be inferred about the distribution and abundance of key forage fishes by assessing the foraging behaviour and space-use of gannets. In this study, we aimed to quantify space-use and to determine areas of suitable foraging habitat for gannets in pursuit of different prey types using habitat suitability models and kernel density utilization distributions. We deployed 25 GPS/Time-depth recorder devices on parental Northern Gannets at Cape St. Mary's, Newfoundland, Canada from 2019 to 2021. To assess the influence of environmental variables on gannets foraging for different prey types, we constructed three different habitat suitability models: a U-shaped dive model, and two V-shaped dive models (early and late chick-rearing). Suitable foraging habitat for capelin, deduced by the U-shaped dive model, was defined by coastal, shallow waters with flat relief and sea surface temperatures (SST) of 11-15° C. Suitable habitat for early V-shaped dives was defined by shallow and coastal waters with steep slope and SST of 12-15°C and ~18°C, likely reflecting the variability in environmental preferences of different prey species captured when performing V-shaped dives. Suitable habitat for late V-shaped dives was defined by shallow coastal waters (<100m depth), as well as waters deeper than 200 m, and by SST greater than 16°C. We show that space-use by gannets can vary both within and between years depending on environmental conditions and the prey they are searching for, with consequences for the extent of potential interaction with anthropogenic activities. Further, we suggest regions defined as suitable for U-shaped dives are likely to be critical habitat of multi-species conservation concern, as these regions are likely to represent consistent capelin spawning habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J. N. d’Entremont
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Psychology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Isabeau Pratte
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | | | - William A. Montevecchi
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Psychology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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2
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Handley JM, Harte E, Stanworth A, Poncet S, Catry P, Cleminson S, Crofts S, Dias M. Progressing delineations of key biodiversity areas for seabirds, and their application to management of coastal seas. DIVERS DISTRIB 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Harte
- Falklands Conservation Stanley Falkland (Malvinas) Islands UK
| | | | - Sally Poncet
- The Antarctic Research Trust Stanley Falkland (Malvinas) Islands UK
| | - Paulo Catry
- MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre ISPA – Instituto Universitário Lisbon Portugal
| | - Sacha Cleminson
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Sandy UK
| | - Sarah Crofts
- Falklands Conservation Stanley Falkland (Malvinas) Islands UK
| | - Maria Dias
- BirdLife International Cambridge UK
- MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre ISPA – Instituto Universitário Lisbon Portugal
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
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3
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Manco F, Lang SDJ, Trathan PN. Predicting foraging dive outcomes in chinstrap penguins using biologging and animal-borne cameras. Behav Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Direct observation of foraging behavior is not always possible, especially for marine species that hunt underwater. However, biologging and tracking devices have provided detailed information about how various species use their habitat. From these indirect observations, researchers have inferred behaviors to address a variety of research questions, including the definition of ecological niches. In this study, we deployed video cameras with GPS and time-depth recorders on 16 chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) during the brood phase of the 2018–2019 breeding season on Signy (South Orkney Islands). More than 57 h of footage covering 770 dives were scrutinized by two observers. The outcome of each dive was classified as either no krill encounter, individual krill or krill swarm encounter and the number of prey items caught per dive was estimated. Other variables derived from the logging devices or from the environment were used to train a machine-learning algorithm to predict the outcome of each dive. Our results show that despite some limitations, the data collected from the footage was reliable. We also demonstrate that it was possible to accurately predict the outcome of each dive from dive and horizontal movement variables in a manner that has not been used for penguins previously. For example, our models show that a fast dive ascent rate and a high density of dives are good indicators of krill and especially of swarm encounter. Finally, we discuss how video footage can help build accurate habitat models to provide wider knowledge about predator behavior or prey distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Manco
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University , Cambridge , UK
| | - Stephen D J Lang
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University , Cambridge , UK
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4
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Warwick‐Evans V, Kelly N, Dalla Rosa L, Friedlaender A, Hinke JT, Kim JH, Kokubun N, Santora JA, Secchi ER, Seyboth E, Trathan PN. Using seabird and whale distribution models to estimate spatial consumption of krill to inform fishery management. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - N. Kelly
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Australian Antarctic Division Kingston Tasmania Australia
| | - L. Dalla Rosa
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande—FURG Rio Grande Brazil
| | - A. Friedlaender
- Institute for Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
| | - J. T. Hinke
- Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration La Jolla California USA
| | - J. H. Kim
- Korea Polar Research Institute Incheon South Korea
| | - N. Kokubun
- National Institute of Polar Research Tokyo Japan
| | - J. A. Santora
- Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Santa Cruz California USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
| | - E. R. Secchi
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande—FURG Rio Grande Brazil
| | - E. Seyboth
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande—FURG Rio Grande Brazil
- Centre for Sustainable Oceans, Faculty of Applied Sciences Cape Peninsula University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
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5
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Oosthuizen WC, Pistorius PA, Korczak‐Abshire M, Hinke JT, Santos M, Lowther AD. The foraging behavior of nonbreeding Adélie penguins in the western Antarctic Peninsula during the breeding season. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- W. Chris Oosthuizen
- Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research and Department of Zoology Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth South Africa
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Pierre A. Pistorius
- Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research and Department of Zoology Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth South Africa
| | | | - Jefferson T. Hinke
- Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration La Jolla California USA
| | - Mercedes Santos
- Departamento Biología de Predadores Tope Instituto Antártico Argentino Buenos Aires Argentina
- Laboratorios Anexos Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Andrew D. Lowther
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Research Department Fram Centre Tromsø Norway
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Phillips JA, Fayet AL, Guilford T, Manco F, Warwick-Evans V, Trathan P. Foraging conditions for breeding penguins improve with distance from colony and progression of the breeding season at the South Orkney Islands. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2021; 9:22. [PMID: 33947478 PMCID: PMC8094539 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-021-00261-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to central place foraging theory, animals will only increase the distance of their foraging trips if more distant prey patches offer better foraging opportunities. Thus, theory predicts that breeding seabirds in large colonies could create a zone of food depletion around the colony, known as "Ashmole's halo". However, seabirds' decisions to forage at a particular distance are likely also complicated by their breeding stage. After chicks hatch, parents must return frequently to feed their offspring, so may be less likely to visit distant foraging patches, even if their quality is higher. However, the interaction between prey availability, intra-specific competition, and breeding stage on the foraging decisions of seabirds is not well understood. The aim of this study was to address this question in chinstrap penguins Pygoscelis antarcticus breeding at a large colony. In particular, we aimed to investigate how breeding stage affects foraging strategy; whether birds foraging far from the colony visit higher quality patches than available locally; and whether there is evidence for intraspecific competition, indicated by prey depletions near the colony increasing over time, and longer foraging trips. METHODS We used GPS and temperature-depth recorders to track the foraging movements of 221 chinstrap penguins from 4 sites at the South Orkney Islands during incubation and brood. We identified foraging dives and calculated the index of patch quality based on time allocation during the dive to assess the quality of the foraging patch. RESULTS We found that chinstrap penguin foraging distance varied between stages, and that trips became shorter as incubation progressed. Although patch quality was lower near the colony than at more distant foraging patches, patch quality near the colony improved over the breeding season. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest chinstrap penguin foraging strategies are influenced by both breeding stage and prey distribution, and the low patch quality near the colony may be due to a combination of depletion by intraspecific competition but compensated by natural variation in prey. Reduced trip durations towards the end of the incubation period may be due to an increase in food availability, as seabirds time their reproduction so that the period of maximum energy demand in late chick-rearing coincides with maximum resource availability in the environment. This may also explain why patch quality around the colony improved over the breeding season. Overall, our study sheds light on drivers of foraging decisions in colonial seabirds, an important question in foraging ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ann Phillips
- Department of Zoology, Oxford University, 11a Mansfield Rd, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
| | - Annette L Fayet
- Department of Zoology, Oxford University, 11a Mansfield Rd, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Tim Guilford
- Department of Zoology, Oxford University, 11a Mansfield Rd, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Fabrizio Manco
- Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Rd, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK
| | | | - Phil Trathan
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
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Pratte I, Ronconi RA, Craik SR, McKnight J. Spatial ecology of endangered roseate terns and foraging habitat suitability around a colony in the western North Atlantic. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting habitat suitability and understanding habitat utilization are important to inform and orient conservation and management decisions for the recovery of endangered species. In North America, the roseate tern Sterna dougallii is listed as endangered in both the northeastern USA and Canada, where little is known about the foraging spatial ecology of the species. We equipped breeding roseate terns with miniature GPS tracking devices during incubation at North Brother Island, the main Canadian colony. Our aim was to characterize the spatial foraging ecology of the species, identify marine zones of importance, and develop a habitat suitability model around the colony. Our results provide novel, high resolution information on individual foraging trips, notably showing that individuals restricted their range around the colony (15.4 km) while performing multiple foraging trips: up to 11 daytime trips and a maximum total of 152.9 km travelled per day. Roseate terns concentrated their foraging effort around the colony and further south along the coast to the Cockerwit Passage. Using distance from colony, sea surface temperature, distance from land, bathymetry, and subtidal substrate type as covariates in a habitat suitability model, a high proportion of the deviance was explained (72.4%); the model also predicted high occurrence of foraging near the colony, in Cockerwit Passage, and at additional sites to which the birds were not tracked. Along with the description of important marine areas for roseate terns nesting on North Brother Island, this habitat suitability model provides a relevant and essential context for understanding roseate tern habitat use in a broad sense, but with a focus on habitat requirements during incubation.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Pratte
- Canadian Wildlife Service, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2N6, Canada
| | - RA Ronconi
- Canadian Wildlife Service, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2N6, Canada
| | - SR Craik
- Université Sainte-Anne, Département des sciences, 1695 route 1, Pointe-de-l’Église, Nova Scotia B0W 1M0, Canada
| | - J McKnight
- Canadian Wildlife Service, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2N6, Canada
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8
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Bamford CCG, Warwick-Evans V, Staniland IJ, Jackson JA, Trathan PN. Wintertime overlaps between female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and the krill fishery at South Georgia, South Atlantic. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248071. [PMID: 33662029 PMCID: PMC7932113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The diet of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at South Georgia is dominated by Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). During the breeding season, foraging trips by lactating female fur seals are constrained by their need to return to land to provision their pups. Post-breeding, seals disperse in order to feed and recover condition; estimates indicate c.70% of females remain near to South Georgia, whilst others head west towards the Patagonian Shelf or south to the ice-edge. The krill fishery at South Georgia operates only during the winter, providing the potential for fur seal: fishery interaction during these months. Here we use available winter (May to September) tracking data from Platform Terminal Transmitter (PTT) tags deployed on female fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia. We develop habitat models describing their distribution during the winters of 1999 and 2003 with the aim of visualising and quantifying the degree of spatial overlap between female fur seals and krill harvesting in South Georgia waters. We show that spatial distribution of fur seals around South Georgia is extensive, and that the krill fishery overlaps with small, highly localised areas of available fur seal habitat. From these findings we discuss the implications for management, and future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor C. G. Bamford
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Iain J. Staniland
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- International Whaling Commission, The Red House, Impington, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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9
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Krüger L, Huerta MF, Santa Cruz F, Cárdenas CA. Antarctic krill fishery effects over penguin populations under adverse climate conditions: Implications for the management of fishing practices. AMBIO 2021; 50:560-571. [PMID: 32979187 PMCID: PMC7882667 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-020-01386-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fast climate changes in the western Antarctic Peninsula are reducing krill density, which along with increased fishing activities in recent decades, may have had synergistic effects on penguin populations. We tested that assumption by crossing data on fishing activities and Southern Annular Mode (an indicator of climate change in Antarctica) with penguin population data. Increases in fishing catch during the non-breeding period were likely to result in impacts on both chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and gentoo (P. papua) populations. Catches and climate change together elevated the probability of negative population growth rates: very high fishing catch on years with warm winters and low sea ice (associated with negative Southern Annular Mode values) implied a decrease in population size in the following year. The current management of krill fishery in the Southern Ocean takes into account an arbitrary and fixed catch limit that does not reflect the variability of the krill population under effects of climate change, therefore affecting penguin populations when the environmental conditions were not favorable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Krüger
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Magdalena F. Huerta
- Centro de Humedales Río Cruces, Universidad Austral de Chile, Camino Cabo Blanco Alto s/n, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Francisco Santa Cruz
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - César A. Cárdenas
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile
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10
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Lowther AD, Staniland I, Lydersen C, Kovacs KM. Male Antarctic fur seals: neglected food competitors of bioindicator species in the context of an increasing Antarctic krill fishery. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18436. [PMID: 33116190 PMCID: PMC7595138 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75148-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The fishery for Antarctic krill is currently managed using a precautionary, ecosystem-based approach to limiting catch, with performance indices from a long-term monitoring program focused on several krill-dependent predators that are used to track ecosystem health. Concerns over increased fishing in concentrated areas and ongoing efforts to establish a Marine Protected Area along the Peninsula, a key fishing region, is driving the development of an adaptive management system for the fishery. The cumulative effects of fishing effort and interactions among krill-dependent predators and their performance is at present neglected in the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program. However, we show considerable overlap between male Antarctic fur seals and the krill fishery in a complex mosaic, suggesting potential for cumulative impacts on other krill dependent predators. A holistic view is required as part of future efforts to manage the krill fishery that incorporates various sources of potential impacts on the performance of bioindicator species, including the fishery and its interactions with various krill dependent predators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - C Lydersen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsö, Norway
| | - K M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsö, Norway
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11
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Handley JM, Pearmain EJ, Oppel S, Carneiro APB, Hazin C, Phillips RA, Ratcliffe N, Staniland IJ, Clay TA, Hall J, Scheffer A, Fedak M, Boehme L, Pütz K, Belchier M, Boyd IL, Trathan PN, Dias MP. Evaluating the effectiveness of a large multi‐use MPA in protecting Key Biodiversity Areas for marine predators. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steffen Oppel
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Sandy UK
| | | | | | | | - Norman Ratcliffe
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
| | - Iain J. Staniland
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
| | - Thomas A. Clay
- School of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - Jonathan Hall
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Sandy UK
| | - Annette Scheffer
- AS, Marine Stewardship Council London UK
- Okeanos Centre University of the Azores 9901‐862 Horta Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Mark Belchier
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
| | | | - Phil N. Trathan
- School of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
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12
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Boersma P, Borboroglu PG, Gownaris N, Bost C, Chiaradia A, Ellis S, Schneider T, Seddon P, Simeone A, Trathan P, Waller L, Wienecke B. Applying science to pressing conservation needs for penguins. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:103-112. [PMID: 31257646 PMCID: PMC7027562 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
More than half of the world's 18 penguin species are declining. We, the Steering Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Penguin Specialist Group, determined that the penguin species in most critical need of conservation action are African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus), and Yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). Due to small or rapidly declining populations, these species require immediate scientific collaboration and policy intervention. We also used a pairwise-ranking approach to prioritize research and conservation needs for all penguins. Among the 12 cross-taxa research areas we identified, we ranked quantifying population trends, estimating demographic rates, forecasting environmental patterns of change, and improving the knowledge of fisheries interactions as the highest priorities. The highest ranked conservation needs were to enhance marine spatial planning, improve stakeholder engagement, and develop disaster-management and species-specific action plans. We concurred that, to improve the translation of science into effective conservation for penguins, the scientific community and funding bodies must recognize the importance of and support long-term research; research on and conservation of penguins must expand its focus to include the nonbreeding season and juvenile stage; marine reserves must be designed at ecologically appropriate spatial and temporal scales; and communication between scientists and decision makers must be improved with the help of individual scientists and interdisciplinary working groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- P.D. Boersma
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinels and Department of BiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWA98103U.S.A.
- Global Penguin SocietyPuerto Madryn9120Argentina
| | - P. García Borboroglu
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinels and Department of BiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWA98103U.S.A.
- Global Penguin SocietyPuerto Madryn9120Argentina
- CESIMAR CCT Cenpat‐CONICET9120Puerto MadrynChubutArgentina
| | - N.J. Gownaris
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinels and Department of BiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWA98103U.S.A.
| | - C.A. Bost
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé79360Villiers‐en‐BoisFrance
| | - A. Chiaradia
- Conservation DepartmentPhillip Island Nature ParksCowesVIC3922Australia
| | - S. Ellis
- International Rhino FoundationStrasburgVA22657U.S.A.
| | - T. Schneider
- Detroit Zoological SocietyRoyal OakMI48067U.S.A.
| | - P.J. Seddon
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedin9016New Zealand
| | - A. Simeone
- Facultad de Ciencias de la VidaUniversidad Andres BelloSantiago8370146Chile
| | | | - L.J. Waller
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB)Cape Town7441South Africa
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation BiologyUniversity of the Western CapeBellvilleCape Town7535South Africa
| | - B. Wienecke
- Australian Antarctic DivisionKingstonTAS7050Australia
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13
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Important At-Sea Areas of Colonial Breeding Marine Predators on the Southern Patagonian Shelf. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8517. [PMID: 31186455 PMCID: PMC6560117 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44695-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Patagonian Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem supports high levels of biodiversity and endemism and is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Despite the important role marine predators play in structuring ecosystems, areas of high diversity where multiple predators congregate remains poorly known on the Patagonian Shelf. Here, we used biotelemetry and biologging tags to track the movements of six seabird species and three pinniped species breeding at the Falkland Islands. Using Generalized Additive Models, we then modelled these animals’ use of space as functions of dynamic and static environmental indices that described their habitat. Based on these models, we mapped the predicted distribution of animals from both sampled and unsampled colonies and thereby identified areas where multiple species were likely to overlap at sea. Maximum foraging trip distance ranged from 79 to 1,325 km. However, most of the 1,891 foraging trips by 686 animals were restricted to the Patagonian Shelf and shelf slope, which highlighted a preference for these habitats. Of the seven candidate explanatory covariates used to predict distribution, distance from the colony was retained in models for all species and negatively affected the probability of occurrence. Predicted overlap among species was highest on the Patagonian Shelf around the Falkland Islands and the Burdwood Bank. The predicted area of overlap is consistent with areas that are also important habitat for marine predators migrating from distant breeding locations. Our findings provide comprehensive multi-species predictions for some of the largest marine predator populations on the Patagonian Shelf, which will contribute to future marine spatial planning initiatives. Crucially, our findings highlight that spatially explicit conservation measures are likely to benefit multiple species, while threats are likely to impact multiple species.
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14
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Hays GC, Bailey H, Bograd SJ, Bowen WD, Campagna C, Carmichael RH, Casale P, Chiaradia A, Costa DP, Cuevas E, Nico de Bruyn PJ, Dias MP, Duarte CM, Dunn DC, Dutton PH, Esteban N, Friedlaender A, Goetz KT, Godley BJ, Halpin PN, Hamann M, Hammerschlag N, Harcourt R, Harrison AL, Hazen EL, Heupel MR, Hoyt E, Humphries NE, Kot CY, Lea JSE, Marsh H, Maxwell SM, McMahon CR, Notarbartolo di Sciara G, Palacios DM, Phillips RA, Righton D, Schofield G, Seminoff JA, Simpfendorfer CA, Sims DW, Takahashi A, Tetley MJ, Thums M, Trathan PN, Villegas-Amtmann S, Wells RS, Whiting SD, Wildermann NE, Sequeira AMM. Translating Marine Animal Tracking Data into Conservation Policy and Management. Trends Ecol Evol 2019; 34:459-473. [PMID: 30879872 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
There have been efforts around the globe to track individuals of many marine species and assess their movements and distribution, with the putative goal of supporting their conservation and management. Determining whether, and how, tracking data have been successfully applied to address real-world conservation issues is, however, difficult. Here, we compile a broad range of case studies from diverse marine taxa to show how tracking data have helped inform conservation policy and management, including reductions in fisheries bycatch and vessel strikes, and the design and administration of marine protected areas and important habitats. Using these examples, we highlight pathways through which the past and future investment in collecting animal tracking data might be better used to achieve tangible conservation benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Bailey
- Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Solomons, MD 20688, USA
| | - Steven J Bograd
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
| | - W Don Bowen
- Population Ecology Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - Claudio Campagna
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Program, Buenos Aires, 1414 Argentina
| | - Ruth H Carmichael
- University Programs, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA; Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Paolo Casale
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andre Chiaradia
- Conservation Department, Phillip Island, Nature Parks, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Eduardo Cuevas
- CONACYT - Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad Autonoma del Carmen, Campeche 24180, Mexico; Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan, Yucatan 97205, Mexico
| | - P J Nico de Bruyn
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Maria P Dias
- BirdLife International, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Center, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel C Dunn
- Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter H Dutton
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nicole Esteban
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Ari Friedlaender
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA; Institute for Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 965060, USA
| | - Kimberly T Goetz
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA),Greta Point, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Patrick N Halpin
- Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mark Hamann
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Neil Hammerschlag
- Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, Abess Center for Ecosystem Science & Policy, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Robert Harcourt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Autumn-Lynn Harrison
- Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Elliott L Hazen
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
| | - Michelle R Heupel
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Erich Hoyt
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Bridport, Dorset, UK; IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas E Humphries
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Connie Y Kot
- Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - James S E Lea
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Helene Marsh
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Sara M Maxwell
- School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Bothell Campus, Bothell, WA 98011, USA
| | - Clive R McMahon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; Ecology and Biodiversity Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7004, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara
- Tethys Research Institute, 20121 Milano, Italy; IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Daniel M Palacios
- Marine Mammal Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Richard A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - David Righton
- Cefas Laboratory, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK; School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Gail Schofield
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, E14NS, London, UK
| | - Jeffrey A Seminoff
- Marine Turtle Ecology and Assessment Program, NOAA-Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Colin A Simpfendorfer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - David W Sims
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK; Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK; Centre for Biological Sciences, Building 85, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Michael J Tetley
- IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Michele Thums
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (M096), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Philip N Trathan
- IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Stella Villegas-Amtmann
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Randall S Wells
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
| | - Scott D Whiting
- Marine Science Program, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, Kensington, WA 6151, Australia
| | - Natalie E Wildermann
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric, Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4320, USA
| | - Ana M M Sequeira
- IOMRC and The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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15
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Habitat preferences of Adélie Pygoscelis adeliae and Chinstrap Penguins Pygoscelis antarctica during pre-moult in the Weddell Sea (Southern Ocean). Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02465-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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16
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Dias MP, Carneiro APB, Warwick‐Evans V, Harris C, Lorenz K, Lascelles B, Clewlow HL, Dunn MJ, Hinke JT, Kim J, Kokubun N, Manco F, Ratcliffe N, Santos M, Takahashi A, Trivelpiece W, Trathan PN. Identification of marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas for penguins around the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:10520-10529. [PMID: 30464824 PMCID: PMC6238121 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To provide a method of analyzing penguin tracking data to identify priority at-sea areas for seabird conservation (marine IBAs), based on pre-existing approaches for flying seabirds but revised according to the specific ecology of Pygoscelis penguin species. LOCATION Waters around the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland, and South Orkney archipelagos (FAO Subareas 48.1 and 48.2). METHODS We made key improvements to the pre-existing protocol for identifying marine IBAs that include refining the track interpolation method and revision of parameters for the kernel analysis (smoothing factor and utilization distribution) using sensitivity tests. We applied the revised method to 24 datasets of tracking data on penguins (three species, seven colonies, and three different breeding stages-incubation, brood, and crèche). RESULTS We identified five new marine IBAs for seabirds in the study area, estimated to hold ca. 600,000 adult penguins. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate the efficacy of a new method for the designation of a network of marine IBAs in Antarctic waters for penguins based on tracking data, which can contribute to an evidence-based, precautionary, management framework for krill fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Colin Harris
- Environmental Research & Assessment (ERA)CambridgeUK
| | | | | | - Harriet L. Clewlow
- British Antarctic SurveyNatural Environment Research CouncilCambridgeUK
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenryn, CornwallUK
| | - Michael J. Dunn
- British Antarctic SurveyNatural Environment Research CouncilCambridgeUK
| | - Jefferson T. Hinke
- Antarctic Ecosystem Research DivisionSouthwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationLa JollaCalifornia
| | - Jeong‐Hoon Kim
- Division of Polar Life SciencesKorea Polar Research InstituteIncheonKorea
| | | | - Fabrizio Manco
- Faculty of Science & TechnologyAnglia Ruskin UniversityCambridgeUK
| | - Norman Ratcliffe
- British Antarctic SurveyNatural Environment Research CouncilCambridgeUK
| | - Mercedes Santos
- Departamento Biología de Predadores TopeInstituto Antártico ArgentinoBuenos AiresArgentina
| | | | - Wayne Trivelpiece
- Antarctic Ecosystem Research DivisionSouthwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationLa JollaCalifornia
| | - Philip N. Trathan
- British Antarctic SurveyNatural Environment Research CouncilCambridgeUK
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17
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Using habitat models to identify marine important bird and biodiversity areas for Chinstrap Penguins Pygoscelis antarcticus in the South Orkney Islands. Polar Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2404-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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18
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Managing fishery development in sensitive ecosystems: identifying penguin habitat use to direct management in Antarctica. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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