Data from: Modelled drift patterns of fish larvae link coastal morphology to seabird colony distribution

• Main Authors: Sandvik, Hanno, Barrett, Robert T., Erikstad, Kjell Einar, Myksvoll, Mari S., Vikebø, Frode, Yoccoz, Nigel, Anker-Nilssen, Tycho, Lorentsen, Svein-Håkon, Reiertsen, Tone K., Skarðhamar, Jofrid, Skern-Mauritzen, Mette, Systad, Geir Helge
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Zenodo 2017
• Subjects: Fratercula arctica; central-place foraging; Clupea harengus; food availability; ichthyoplankton; Alca torda; predictability; Uria aalge; Rissa tridactyla; colonial breeding; Arctic cod; fratercula; Northeast Arctic cod; rissa tridactyla; uria
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3jr62

Colonial breeding is an evolutionary puzzle, as the benefits of breeding in high densities are still not fully explained. Although the dynamics of existing colonies are increasingly understood, few studies have addressed the initial formation of colonies, and empirical tests are rare. Using a high-resolution larval drift model, we here document that the distribution of seabird colonies along the Norwegian coast can be explained by variations in the availability and predictability of fish larvae. The modelled variability in concentration of fish larvae is, in turn, predicted by the topography of the continental shelf and coastline. The advection of fish larvae along the coast translates small-scale topographic characteristics into a macroecological pattern, viz. the spatial distribution of top-predator breeding sites. Our findings provide empirical corroboration of the hypothesis that seabird colonies are founded in locations that minimise travel distances between breeding and foraging locations, thereby enabling optimal foraging by central-place foragers. Grid cell characteristics Description of the characteristics of the coastal grid cells used in simulations gridcell.csv Generic particle abundances Gridded spatial data of particle abundances according to the generic larval drift model generic.csv Cod larvae abundances Gridded spatial data of abundances of Northeast Arctic cod eggs and larvae according to the larval drift model cod.csv Herring larvae abundances Gridded spatial data of abundances of Norwegian spring-spawning herring larvae according to the larval drift model herring.csv