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Influence of non-breeding season conditions on population dynamics Summary of Proposed Work: Seabirds are a highly visible group of organisms that can be readily used as indicators of the structure and function of marine ecosystems. To date, much of the research on seabird foraging ecology has focus...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.555.9457 http://doc.nprb.org/web/09_prjs/911_app1_web.pdf |
| Summary: | Influence of non-breeding season conditions on population dynamics Summary of Proposed Work: Seabirds are a highly visible group of organisms that can be readily used as indicators of the structure and function of marine ecosystems. To date, much of the research on seabird foraging ecology has focused on the breeding season, when breeding adults are tied to the nest site and relatively accessible; however, most seabirds spend the majority of their lives foraging in marine habitats far from the breeding colony.Data on the distribution and foraging behavior of seabirds during the non-breeding season will aid in understanding both the oceanographic features that influence over-winter habitat use and long-term population trends at the breeding colonies. This proposed study uses geolocation loggers and stable isotope analysis to gain basic information on foraging locations, activity patterns, and diet of seabirds during the non-breeding season, focusing on two species (Black-legged Kittiwakes, Rissa tridactyla and Thick-billed Murres, Uria lomvia) nesting at two Bering Sea colonies (St. Paul Island and St. George Island).The proposed research is designed to complement the seabird components of the Bering Sea Integrated Ecosystem Research Program (BSIERP).The BSIERP seabird work is an intensive study of the foraging behavior, diet, productivity, and stress hormone levels of these two species during the breeding season. By adding a study of over-winter foraging behavior, we will enhance studies during the nesting season by allowing an assessment of the effects of the non-breeding season on population trends at the two colonies, as well as potential |
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