Human influences on breeding of south polar skuas in the eastern Larsemann Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Authors: Wang, Z., Norman, F.I., Burgess, J.S., Ward, S.J., Spate, A.P., Carson, C.J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1996
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; East Antarctica; Austral; Larsemann Hills; Princess Elizabeth Land; Antarc*; Antarctica; Catharacta maccormicki; Polar Record; South Polar Skuas
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247400027650; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247400027650

Abstract Breeding activity of pairs of south polar skuas ( Catharacta maccormicki ) in the eastern Larsemann Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica, was recorded in five of six austral summers between 1988 and 1994. More detailed observations of breeding success were made in the 1989/90 and 1993/94 summers. Although relatively few skuas nest in the study area, data suggest that there was inter-annual variation in numbers and locations of territories and chicks fledged. This variation is discussed in relation to increased human activities in the area (development of a summer base and more permanent stations) and to an enhanced access to human-derived foods. It is concluded that there has been some human impact on this species in the Larsemann Hills.