Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
Breeding density, fine‐scale tracking, and large‐scale modeling reveal the regional distribution of four seabird species
AbstractPopulation‐level estimates of species’ distributions can reveal fundamental ecological processes and facilitate conservation. However, these may be difficult to obtain for mobile species, especially colonial central‐place foragers (CCPFs; e.g., bats, corvids, social insects), because it is often impractical to determine the provenance of individuals observed beyond breeding sites. Moreover, someCCPFs, especially in the marine realm (e.g., pinnipeds, turtles, and seabirds) are difficult to observe because they range tens to ten thousands of kilometers from their colonies. It is hypothesized that the distribution ofCCPFs depends largely on habitat availability and intraspecific competition. Modeling these effects may therefore allow distributions to be estimated from samples of individual spatial usage. Such data can be obtained for an increasing number of species using tracking technology. However, techniques for estimating population‐level distributions using the telemetry data are poorly developed. This is of concern because many marineCCPFs, such as seabirds, are threatened by anthropogenic activities. Here, we aim to estimate the distribution at sea of four seabird species, foraging from approximately 5,500 breeding sites in Britain and Ireland. To do so, weGPS‐tracked a sample of 230 European ShagsPhalacrocorax aristotelis, 464 Black‐legged KittiwakesRissa tridactyla, 178 Common MurresUria aalge, and 281 RazorbillsAlca tordafrom 13, 20, 12, and 14 colonies, respectively. Using Poisson point process habitat use models, we show that distribution at sea is dependent on (1) density‐dependent competition among sympatric conspecifics (all species) and parapatric conspecifics (Kittiwakes and Murres); (2) habitat accessibility and coastal geometry, such that birds travel further from colonies with limited access to the sea; and (3) regional habitat availability. Using these models, we predict space use by birds from unobserved colonies and thereby map the distribution at sea of each species at both the colony and regional level. Space use by all four species’ British breeding populations is concentrated in the coastal waters of Scotland, highlighting the need for robust conservation measures in this area. The techniques we present are applicable to anyCCPF.
Breeding density, fine‐scale tracking, and large‐scale modeling reveal the regional distribution of four seabird species
AbstractPopulation‐level estimates of species’ distributions can reveal fundamental ecological processes and facilitate conservation. However, these may be difficult to obtain for mobile species, especially colonial central‐place foragers (CCPFs; e.g., bats, corvids, social insects), because it is often impractical to determine the provenance of individuals observed beyond breeding sites. Moreover, someCCPFs, especially in the marine realm (e.g., pinnipeds, turtles, and seabirds) are difficult to observe because they range tens to ten thousands of kilometers from their colonies. It is hypothesized that the distribution ofCCPFs depends largely on habitat availability and intraspecific competition. Modeling these effects may therefore allow distributions to be estimated from samples of individual spatial usage. Such data can be obtained for an increasing number of species using tracking technology. However, techniques for estimating population‐level distributions using the telemetry data are poorly developed. This is of concern because many marineCCPFs, such as seabirds, are threatened by anthropogenic activities. Here, we aim to estimate the distribution at sea of four seabird species, foraging from approximately 5,500 breeding sites in Britain and Ireland. To do so, weGPS‐tracked a sample of 230 European ShagsPhalacrocorax aristotelis, 464 Black‐legged KittiwakesRissa tridactyla, 178 Common MurresUria aalge, and 281 RazorbillsAlca tordafrom 13, 20, 12, and 14 colonies, respectively. Using Poisson point process habitat use models, we show that distribution at sea is dependent on (1) density‐dependent competition among sympatric conspecifics (all species) and parapatric conspecifics (Kittiwakes and Murres); (2) habitat accessibility and coastal geometry, such that birds travel further from colonies with limited access to the sea; and (3) regional habitat availability. Using these models, we predict space use by birds from unobserved colonies and thereby map the distribution at sea of each species at both the colony and regional level. Space use by all four species’ British breeding populations is concentrated in the coastal waters of Scotland, highlighting the need for robust conservation measures in this area. The techniques we present are applicable to anyCCPF.
Breeding density, fine‐scale tracking, and large‐scale modeling reveal the regional distribution of four seabird species
Ecological Applications
Wakefield, Ewan D. (Autor:in) / Owen, Ellie (Autor:in) / Baer, Julia (Autor:in) / Carroll, Matthew J. (Autor:in) / Daunt, Francis (Autor:in) / Dodd, Stephen G. (Autor:in) / Green, Jonathan A. (Autor:in) / Guilford, Tim (Autor:in) / Mavor, Roddy A. (Autor:in) / Miller, Peter I. (Autor:in)
Ecological Applications ; 27 ; 2074-2091
01.10.2017
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch