Seabird Colonies in Western Greenland:(60o - 79o 30' N. lat.)
About 1 million seabirds (indvs) breed in 1032 colonies distributed along the coasts of western Greenland (Fig. 1). However, this figure does not include the little auk colonies in Avanersuaq. These colonies are roughly estimated to hold about 20 mill. pairs. All the basic information on seabird col...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
National Environmental Research Institute
1996
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/seabird-colonies-in-western-greenland(4565f290-7e9c-11dd-a5a8-000ea68e967b).html http://www2.dmu.dk/1_viden/2_Publikationer/3_fagrapporter/rapporter/FR170.pdf |
| Summary: | About 1 million seabirds (indvs) breed in 1032 colonies distributed along the coasts of western Greenland (Fig. 1). However, this figure does not include the little auk colonies in Avanersuaq. These colonies are roughly estimated to hold about 20 mill. pairs. All the basic information on seabird colonies in Greenland is compiled in a database maintained by NERI-AE. This report presents data on distribution, population numbers and population trends of 19 species of breeding colonial seabirds in western Greenland. Distributions are depicted on maps in Fig. 18-39. It is apparent that the major colonies are found in the northern part of the region, viz. Upernavik and Avanersuaq. The numbers of birds recorded in the database for each species are presented in Tab. 4, and on the basis of these figures estimates of the populations in western Greenland are given (Tab. 5). The most numerous species in western Greenland are little auk (in Avanersuaq), Brünnich's guillemot, northern fulmar and kittiwake. Common eider is also numerous. However, the present material is inadequate for estimating the population size of this species. It is generally very difficult to interpret trends in population size and range on the basis of the present material, due to too few and incomparable surveys. Only the Brünnich's guillemot is adequately studied to make conclusions on population trends (Kampp et al. 1994). However, our impressions of trends are given in Tab. 5. Species with decreasing populations are common eider, Brünnich's guillemot and Arctic tern, while at least great cormorant and great black-backed gull have shown range expansions and probably also population increases in recent years. The most important areas to breeding colonial seabirds are indicated on Fig. 40. Fig. 41 shows coastlines where surveys of seabird colonies are needed, due to a lack of information or because the present information probably is outdated. The most immediate threats to the colonial seabirds in western Greenland during the breeding time is hunting and egging. Oil pollution is a minor threat to-day, but will increase if offshore areas with oil potential are explored and developed. Tab. 6 gives an overview of each species sensitivity to oil spills and the capacity to recover, as well as a comparison of the western Greenland population numbers to the North Atlantic population numbers. The most significant western Greenland populations in an international context are the populations of northern fulmar, great cormorant, common eider, Iceland gull, kittiwake, arctic tern, Brünnich's guillemot, black guillemot and little auk. Furthermore, populations of great cormorant and great black-backed gull are probably isolated from other North Atlantic populations. The Iceland gull population is referred to an endemic Greenland subspecies. The population of little auks in Avanersuaq probably makes up more than 99 % of the Baffin Bay population and perhaps 80 % of the global population (Nettleship & Evans 1985). Of particular Greenland conservation concern are the populations of great cormorant, Iceland gull, great black-backed gull and little auk. Following species of European conservation concern (Tucker & Heath 1994) breed in western Greenland: lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, razorbill, black guillemot and atlantic puffin. |
|---|