Occurrence of polar seabirds at sea in relation to prey concentrations and oceanographic factors

The distribution and abundance of breeding and foraging seabirds is usually a reflection of the availability of prey in the marine ecosystems on which the birds depend. At the scale of hundreds of km, differences in marine communities may be reflected in variation in the species composition of resident seabirds. At small scales, environmental features such as fronts or ice can influence where birds will aggregate to forage. Features at which prey become concentrated near the surface are of particular importance to bird species dependent upon small planktonic organisms. Concentrations of foraging seabirds frequently indicate the presence of such features, or of areas of unusually high prey biomass. The absence of birds does not mean that concentrations of potential prey are absent. "Assembly rules," by which one might predict aspects of the marine environment that birds should use in selecting foraging areas are proposed.     

How can we observe the underwater feeding behavior of endotherms?

Marine mammals and marine birds perform diving to forage underwater. Recent technological advances have led to rapid progress in our understanding of diving behavior, but additional research is required into feeding behavior to determine the timing of prey ingestion, prey mass, and prey type. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the foraging and diving behavior of these endotherms, it is essential to integrate information on feeding behavior with other data. The challenges involved in developing an appropriate research method have been addressed, and several methods have been tested and used in the field, including the stomach temperature method, the esophagus method for marine birds, the stomach temperature telemeter method for seals, and the beak magnet sensor method. In the present study, I review these methods, suggest the necessity of their further development in field studies, and propose a new practical method that involves the measurement of jaw movements underwater as an indicator of the feeding behavior of seals.     

Seabirds and fronts: a brief overview

Oceanographic fronts are the sites of enhanced physical and biological activity, including locally concentrated feeding by marine birds. Two general hypotheses relating marine birds to fronts have been developed. The first is that enhanced primary production at fronts increases prey supply through increased animal growth, reproduction, or immigration. The second is that prey patches develop at fronts either through behavioural responses of prey to thermal or salinity gradients, or through interaction between prey behaviour and circulatory patterns. Several recent studies support the second hypothesis. The first hypothesis, that birds benefit from enhanced primary production at fronts, has yet to be evaluated. We need a better understanding of trophic mechanisms at fronts in order to determine (1) the proportion of daily energy requirements extracted by predators at fronts; (2) the proportion of natural mortality of prey populations at fronts; and (3) the probability of contact between seabirds and point source pollutants.     

Correlations between pelagic distribution of Common and Brünnich's Guillemots and their prey in the Barents Sea

Correlations between guillemots (including Common Guillemots Uria aalge and Brünnich's Guillemots U. lomvia) and their prey (divided into five prey categories, capelin Mallotus villosus , herring Clupea harengus , polar cod Boreogadus saida , plankton, and a mixture of other prey species) at two depths (10-100 m and 100-200m) were estimated along an extended transect of 3,060 nautical miles (5,667 km) in the Barents Sea in April/May 1986. Spatial concordance was highest during daylight hours when the largest number of birds were seen on water (presumably feeding birds). Capelin was the single prey category which was most often associated with birds but no single prey category could alone explain the distribution of birds. Although only a small fraction of guillemots could be identified to species, there was some evidence that capelin were of greater importance to Common than to Brünnich's Guillemots. Overall correlation between birds and total prey density was statistically significant at the smallest scale of 5 nautical miles (n.m.). The removal of herring from the calculations increased the strength of the correlation. The depth at which prey was located had little effect on the distribution of birds. The correlation between birds and prey was scale dependent, and reached a maximum at 90 n.m., although there seemed to be some upper threshold in the coefficient at c. 40 n.m. Numerical concordance (including only 5 n.m. periods where both prey and birds were present) was significant at the 5 n.m. scale but was higher for high density than for low density prey patches. The results are discussed in relation to the few similar studies in other oceans and in relation to the severe reduction of important prey species in the Barents Sea.     

Marine birds breeding in Penny Strait and Queens Channel, Nunavut, Canada

Surveys of breeding birds on small islands in Penny Strait and Queens Channel, Nunavut Territory, Canada, were conducted in July 2002 and 2003. Approximately 3600 marine birds were observed, with the most common species being Arctic terns ( Sterna paradisaea , N=2400) and common eiders ( Somateria mollissima borealis , N=620). We observed no Ross's gulls ( Rhodostethia rosed ) in either year, and we found ivory gulls ( Pagophila eburned ) only in 2003, even though these species commonly bred here in the 1970s. This previously unsurveyed region supports numerous breeding marine birds, but reproductive success on these small islands may be dependent on annual ice conditions and consequent movements of Arctic foxes ( Alopex lagopus ).     

Feeding habits of harp and hooded seals in drift ice waters along the east coast of Greenland in summer and winter

Results of analyses of stomach and intestinal contents from hooded ( Cystophora cristata ) and harp ( Phoca groenlandica ) seals captured in the pack ice belt of the Greenland Sea in summer (July-August) in 2000 and winter (February-March) in 2001 revealed that the diet of both species were comprised of relatively few prey taxa. Pelagic amphipods of the genus Parathemisto , the squid Gonatus fabricii , polar cod ( Boreogadus saida ) and capelin ( Mallotus villosus ) constituted 63-99% of the observed diet biomass in both seal species, irrespective of sampling period, but their relative contribution to the diet varied both with species and sampling period/area. For hooded seals, G. fabricii and capelin were the dominant food items in winter 2001, but the summer 2000 diet comprised a mixture of this squid and polar cod. Parathemisto was most important for the harp seals during summer 2000; in winter 2001 the contribution from krill and capelin were comparable to that of Parathemisto . Multivariate analyses revealed differences in the intestinal contents of hooded and harp seals in areas where the two species' occurrence spatially overlapped. Different foraging depths of the two species may have contributed to the observed differences in diets.     

Interaction dynamics of avian frugivores and plants in a Chilean Mediterranean shrubland

Studies of plant-frugivore interactions are important for identifying the roles that biotic seed vectors play in seed dispersal, and ultimately plant recruitment. In a subandean shrubland of central Chile, 50% of total flora (14 species) has fleshy fruits dispersed by birds. We examined two aspects of frugivore-plant interaction in this system: the structure of the seed-dispersal network, to predict the effect of hypothetical frugivore species loss for seed dispersal and disperser effectiveness, by analyzing whether birds contribute equally to the removal of seeds from different shrub species. We show that the seed-dispersal network is highly and significantly nested, resulting in a core of interactions among generalist vertebrates and plant species. A reduction in the populations of the three main avian generalists, Turdus falcklandii, Mimus thenca and Elaenia albiceps, would disrupt seed dispersal and natural regeneration for most woody species. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the network was robust to the random loss of frugivorous species but highly sensitive to the loss of generalist species first. Mist-net sampling of birds corroborated that most fruit removal was effected by E. albiceps and T. falcklandii, highlighting the importance of frugivore species identity on seed dispersal for the maintenance of Mediterranean shrublands.     

长果桑果熟期摄食鸟类多样性

鸟类对山地环境的变化敏感，对森林结构和食物资源的反应明显，我们在西双版纳人为影响的热带山林，进一步研究了长果桑果期摄食鸟类种群结构，对人类影响下森林生态系统动植关系及其动态变化有更清楚的了解；一些地区特有的鸟类种和亚种、大中型非雀形目鸟类、以及人们需要重点保护的鸟类，已经随着植被结构的变化和食源的减少而失去了。若不尽早消除干扰、改善植被结构，情况还会越来越严重。只有保护森林自然结构和自然更新，停止对森林结构的破坏性干扰，才可能有效保护鸟类多样性。     

The diet of high-arctic seabirds in coastal and ice-covered, pelagic areas near the Svalbard archipelago

Food samples from six high-arctic seabird species were collected during spring and summer seasons between 1982 and 1990 in the Svalbard region. The material came from coastal localities on the island of Spitsbergen and the marginal ice zone in eastern Svalbard waters. Polar cod Boreogadus saida was the most frequently occurring prey in the ice-covered areas. Analysis of otoliths showed that most polar cod were one-or two-year olds. These year classes are known to associate with sea ice. Other ice-associated (sympagic) organisms, such as gammarid amphipods, were not found to be of high importance as prey for seabirds in the study area. However, the sea ice occurring in the area was mainly one year old. Such ice contains a less developed sympagic fauna than multi-year ice. The pelagic amphipod Parathemisto libellula , which is not sympagic but occurs in the water column, was also found to be an important prey in the marginal ice zone, especially for the Briinnich's guillemot Uria lomuia . The smallest of the seabird species studied, the little auk Alle alle , differed from the other five species in its diet, preying mainly upon smaller items such as copepods and young stages of amphipods, euphausiids and decapods. The diet of the various seabird species was in general more diverse in the coastal areas than in the marginal ice zone.     

美国弗蒙特州两种濒危鸟类保护成效研究

本文以美国弗蒙特(Vermont)州濒危鸟类游隼(Falco peregrinus)和潜鸟(Gavia immer)为例,反映鸟类与环境的关系,说明人类活动对环境及野生动物的影响,濒危动物的拯救工作应把环境综合治理放在重要位置。     

The marine ecosystem of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in the Arctic (Svalbard) that is influenced by both Atlantic and Arctic water masses and harbours a mixture of boreal and Arctic flora and fauna. Inputs from large tidal glaciers create steep environmental gradients in sedimentation and salinity along the length of this fjord. The glacial inputs cause reduced biomass and diversity in the benthic community in the inner fjord. Zooplankton suffers direct mortality from the glacial outflow and primary production is reduced because of limited light levels in the turbid, mixed inner waters. The magnitude of the glacial effects diminishes towards the outer fjord. Kongsfjorden is an important feeding ground for marine mammals and seabirds. Even though the fjord contains some boreal fauna, the prey consumed by upper trophic levels is mainly Arctic organisms. Marine mammals constitute the largest top-predator biomass, but seabirds have the largest energy intake and also export nutrients and energy out of the marine environment. Kongsfjorden has received a lot of research attention in the recent past. The current interest in the fjord is primarily based on the fact that Kongsfjorden is particularly suitable as a site for exploring the impacts of possible climate changes, with Atlantic water influx and melting of tidal glaciers both being linked to climate variability. The pelagic ecosystem is likely to be most sensitive to the Atlantic versus Arctic influence, whereas the benthic ecosystem is more affected by long-term changes in hydrography as well as changes in glacial runoff and sedimentation. Kongsfjorden will be an important Arctic monitoring site over the coming decades and a review of the current knowledge, and a gap analysis, are therefore warranted. Important knowledge gaps include a lack of quantitative data on production, abundance of key prey species, and the role of advection on the biological communities in the fjord.     

海洋细菌对DMSP的降解及其在极地低温海域的研究进展

DMSP(二甲基巯基丙酸内盐)是地球上最丰富的有机含硫化合物之一,同时也是海洋微生物的重要营养物。浮游植物是其主要的生产者。DMSP还是海洋中DMS(二甲基硫)的重要来源和前体,而DMS的排放与全球气候变化存在密切关联。细菌在DMSP的降解及DMS的生成方面扮演着重要角色。有关DMSP生物合成、代谢及其生态影响的研究已开展了近70年,但涉及高纬度极地低温海域的相关研究却为数甚少。本文在简要介绍DMSP生物合成与代谢,以及DMSP降解途径中的关键酶基因及其产生菌的基础上,结合笔者的工作实践,对近年来在极地低温海域的相关研究进行了介绍并展开了部分讨论。随着国内对微生物驱动水圈地球元素循环的重视,有关极地海域细菌参与DMSP/DMS代谢的研究工作将极大地增进人们对于微生物在极地海洋生态系统中生态地位的认识,也对评估极地海洋微生物群落对全球气候环境变化的响应与反馈具有重要的参考意义。     

Seasonality in an Arctic fjord ecosystem: Hornsund, Spitsbergen

Based on two complete years of marine ecological surveys (1981-82 and 1984-85) carried out in the Hornsund fjord on southern Spitsbergen (77N), the seasonal variation of physical and biological processes is presented. Physical parameters reflect the strong seasonality of sun radiation, while water salinity and temperature fluctuate within a narrow range. Concentrations of nutrients and suspended matter depend on meltwater discharge from glaciers and snow cover thickness. The breeding period of most marine invertebrate species is strongly related to the phytoplankton bloom which peaks in May. Ringed seal and polar bear occurrences are directly related to sea ice conditions. Both species are most numerous in Hornsund during March-April. Sea birds which nest in huge colonies along the Hornsund coasts arrive in April-May and leave by August-September except for Fulmars and Brünnich's Guillemots which were observed year-round.     

南极冰盖SO_4~(2-)浓度记录研究进展

本文综述了南极冰盖雪冰中SO2 -4 的来源、SO2 -4 浓度记录的时空分布特征 ,特别对nss SO2 -4 记录的火山活动事件进行了概括与总结 ,反映了近年来南极雪冰中SO2 -4 记录的最新研究进展。南极冰盖雪冰中SO2 -4 来源的综述表明南极地区雪冰中的SO2 -4 主要来源于海盐、海洋生物和火山喷发三种。很多研究表明 ,用南极冰芯中记录的nssSO2 -4 可以恢复火山活动的历史 ,虽然对同一次火山活动 ,在取自南极不同地区的冰芯中 ,其浓度和沉积通量大不一样 ,然而 ,各次火山活动引起的硫酸根离子的沉积通量相对于Tambora火山的沉积通量的百分比在不同冰芯中却经常具有可比性 ,这使得利用冰芯中nssSO2 -4 的沉积通量推算历史时期火山喷发的强度成为可能     

南极冰盖SO_4~(2-)浓度记录研究进展

本文综述了南极冰盖雪冰中SO2 -4 的来源、SO2 -4 浓度记录的时空分布特征 ,特别对nss SO2 -4 记录的火山活动事件进行了概括与总结 ,反映了近年来南极雪冰中SO2 -4 记录的最新研究进展。南极冰盖雪冰中SO2 -4 来源的综述表明南极地区雪冰中的SO2 -4 主要来源于海盐、海洋生物和火山喷发三种。很多研究表明 ,用南极冰芯中记录的nssSO2 -4 可以恢复火山活动的历史 ,虽然对同一次火山活动 ,在取自南极不同地区的冰芯中 ,其浓度和沉积通量大不一样 ,然而 ,各次火山活动引起的硫酸根离子的沉积通量相对于Tambora火山的沉积通量的百分比在不同冰芯中却经常具有可比性 ,这使得利用冰芯中nssSO2 -4 的沉积通量推算历史时期火山喷发的强度成为可能     

Daily time budgets and activity patterns of sandgrouse (Pteroclididae) in contrasting arid habitats in Spain and Israel

Time budgets and activity patterns of sandgrouse were studied in semi-arid agricultural land in Spain (Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse) and in more desertic conditions in Israel (Black-bellied and Spotted Sandgrouse). During c. 75% of daylight hours, all four species were either foraging or inactive. The birds in Israel spent more time foraging than those in Spain, despite having lower thermoregulatory costs, reflecting a likely difference in the productivity of the sites. Partitioning of foraging habitat was evident at both sites and, contrary to expectation, it was the larger Black-bellied Sandgrouse which spent the most time foraging. In Israel, Spotted Sandgrouse became inactive at high temperatures whereas the Black-bellied continued to forage, utilizing the shade available in its dwarf shrub foraging habitat. The range of Black-bellied Sandgrouse may be limited by its thermoregulatory ability in hot conditions and its need to forage for long periods.     

Use of satellite-linked telemetry to study Steller sea lion and northern fur seal foraging

One explanation for recent declines in some Alaskan pinniped populations is that ecosystem changes may have reduced the availability of preferred prey. Part of our evaluation of this hypothesis involves the use of satellite-linked telemetry to study Steller sea lion (Eumelopias jubaius) and northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) foraging. Data on dives (depth and duration) and water temperatures are collected by satellite-linked time-depth recorders (SLTDR) glued to the backs of sea lions and fur seals. These data are then summarized and stored for later transmission. Data are relayed back to land through NOAA Tiros-series satellites and are processed by Service-Argos (a U.S.-French consortium). These transmissions are also used to calculate at-sea and on-land locations of the animals through use of Doppler shifts of the frequency of received transmissions. Ultimately, diving and temperature can be reconciled with at-sea locations to compare foraging areas with locations of known prey stocks.     

Factors for the presence of avian scavengers in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana

Avian scavengers are common and active in the social life of southern Ghana, yet few studies consider both the ecological factors for avian presence and the avian–human interactions from human gender and age perspectives, and compare avian behaviour in both human-dominated and natural landscapes. This paper examines interactions between people, hooded vultures and pied crows in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana using both ecological and social research methods. Land use was classified for species presence into meat and waste production, vegetable marketing, non-food production, residential and central business areas, green spaces and rural areas. One hundred and eighty-four people were interviewed, classified according to age and gender. Hooded vultures and pied crows were more common in urban than rural areas, and their presence was positively correlated with human numbers. Birds were most common in meat and waste production areas, but also foraged for street discards in non-food production and residential areas, and were most rare in rural areas. Bird consumption of waste was viewed positively, while eating of other foods, close proximity and unusual behaviours were viewed negatively. Both species, especially the larger vultures, were feared as spiritual agents, this measured by odd behaviours. Women and older people had stronger beliefs, due to cultural conditioning. These human perspectives and reactions influenced avian presence. This study contributes to urban avian ecology, socio-cultural studies and urban planning.     

北冰洋海冰和海水变异对海洋生态系统的潜在影响

最近30年来,北冰洋海冰和海水发生了急剧变化:海冰覆盖面积减少、冰层变薄、水温升高、淡水输入增加、污染加剧,正威胁着现有与海冰关系密切的生态系统。预期随着变化的持续,与海冰相关的食物链将在部分海域消失并被较低纬度的海洋物种所取代、总初级生产力有望增加并为人类带来更多的渔获量、而北极熊和海象等以海冰作为栖息和捕食场所的大型哺乳动物的生存前景堪忧。今后人类将更为重视对北冰洋生态环境变化规律的认识并加以运用、关注北冰洋特有物种的命运并加以力所能及的保护、评估北冰洋生态系统的变化对人类社会经济的影响以期及早采取应对措施。数据积累是目前制约北极研究的最大障碍,但随着 SEARCH 等大型国际研究计划的实施,对北冰洋生态系统的监测和研究将更为系统和全面。     

Foraging strategy of little auks under divergent conditions on feeding grounds

A dual foraging strategy (long versus short trips) has been described for some species of seabirds, such as petrels, albatrosses (Procellariiformes) and penguins (Sphenisciphormes). Such a strategy has recently been reported for little auks ( Alle alle ) from the central coast of west Spitsbergen, Svalbard. This has been explained as a response to poor trophic conditions close to the breeding colony, and better conditions further away (150 km). In the present study, we investigated the foraging strategy of little auks in Hornsund, southern Spitsbergen, during two seasons with contrasting oceanographic conditions. During 2004, foraging conditions for little auks were good: cold Arctic waters rich in profitable high-energy food were dominant in their feeding grounds. Conversely, during 2006 there was a great influx of warm Atlantic water in the feeding area, inducing poor foraging conditions. In both seasons we examined the pattern of foraging trip lengths automatically with a video camera (both adults from four nests in each year), and by direct non-stop observation of 20–54 individually marked birds. Our results showed that the dual strategy and the ratio of short and long trips were consistent, regardless of the conditions in the feeding grounds. This suggests that the strategy is inherent and may be crucial for the self-maintenance of adults.