Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in Washington

In Washington, Tufted Puffin (TUPU) populations have undergone widespread colony abandonment along with an order of magnitude population decline consistent with a general pattern of regional range contraction (Pearson et al., submitted). The primary objective of my research is to gain an understandi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Fross, Olivia M
Format: Text
Language:unknown
Published: Sound Ideas 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/389
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1819&context=summer_research
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Summary:In Washington, Tufted Puffin (TUPU) populations have undergone widespread colony abandonment along with an order of magnitude population decline consistent with a general pattern of regional range contraction (Pearson et al., submitted). The primary objective of my research is to gain an understanding of the TUPU breeding population dynamics and trends on 3 active breeding sites in Washington (Destruction, Protection, and Smith Islands) by conducting an inter-annual comparison of variability in burrow occupancy and breeding success. This research complements concurrent TUPU diet research in Prof. Hodum’s lab which will inform conservation planning for TUPU populations.