Anthropogenic pressure in a marine world: Distribution, movement, diet and parasite infestation of red-throated divers Gavia stellata in the context of habitat change ...

• Main Authors: Kleinschmidt, Birgit, Justus Liebig University Giessen
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Universitätsbibliothek Gießen 2022
• Subjects: ddc333.7; ddc500; ddc570; ddc590; Arctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.22029/jlupub-7458; https://jlupub.ub.uni-giessen.de//handle/jlupub/8043

Information on the behaviour and ecology of seabirds provides an important basis for better understanding the effects of changes in their habitats and developing conservation strategies accordingly. The red-throated diver Gavia stellata breeds in Arctic regions and is found in coastal marine offshore areas outside the breeding season. German waters contain some important non-breeding areas for this species, with internationally relevant populations such as in the German Bight. Nevertheless, these areas are also characterized by high anthropogenic use, leading to strong responses in this species with avoidance distances of over 10 km and significant changes in distribution patterns. If these responses have long-term effects at the population level is still unclear due to the lack of basic studies on behavioural-ecological aspects. Therefore, this dissertation, aimed at filling the knowledge gapes related to dietary, migratory, and disease ecology. The cumulative dissertation presented here is structured into ...