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

• Main Author: Fross, Olivia M
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Sound Ideas 2021
• Subjects: Seabird; conservation; population dynamics; population trends; Tufted Puffin; conservation ecology; Science and Mathematics; Smith Islands; fratercula
• Online Access: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/389; https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1819&context=summer_research

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.