Long-term declines in common breeding seabirds in Japan

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-446
Author(s):  
MASAYUKI SENZAKI ◽  
AKIRA TERUI ◽  
NAOKI TOMITA ◽  
FUMIO SATO ◽  
YOSHIHIRO FUKUDA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
State Space Model ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
Common Murre ◽  
Cerorhinca Monocerata ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Declining Species ◽  
The Japanese Archipelago

SummaryGlobal seabird populations are in decline, with nearly half of all seabird species currently in an extinction crisis. Understanding long-term seabird population trends is an essential first step to inform conservation actions. In this study, we assembled historical breeding records of seabirds throughout the Japanese archipelago and quantified the long-term population trends of 10 major breeding seabird species using a hierarchical Bayesian state-space model. The model revealed that six species had increasing or no detectable trends (Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastria albatrus, Leach’s Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus, Spectacled Guillemot Cepphus carbo, and Rhinoceros Auklet Cerorhinca monocerata). However, decreasing trends were found not only in nationally threatened species (Common Murre Uria aalge, and Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata) but also common species that are often described as abundant (Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris and Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus). These declining species have declined to 3–35% of baseline levels over the past 30 years. This study provides the first evidence of long-term declines in common and widespread seabirds in Japan.

scholarly journals Ecological Correlates of 20-Year Population Trends of Wintering Waterbirds in Deep Bay, South China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yik-Hei Sung ◽  
Chun-chiu Pang ◽  
Tom Chung-hoi Li ◽  
Paulina Pui Yun Wong ◽  
Yat-tung Yu
Keyword(s):  
South China ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Waterbird Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Deep Bay

Along the East Asian-Australasian flyway (EAAF), waterbirds are threatened by a wide range of human activities. Studies have shown that wintering populations of many species have declined in Australia and Japan; however, long term data along China’s coast are limited. In this study, we analyzed data collected from monthly bird surveys to quantify population trends of wintering waterbirds from 1998 to 2017 in the Deep Bay area, South China. Of the 42 species studied, 12 declined, while nine increased significantly. Phylogenetic comparative analysis revealed that population trends were negatively correlated to reliance on the Yellow Sea and body size. Further, waterbird species breeding in Southern Siberia declined more than those breeding in East Asia. These findings, coupled with a relatively high number of increasing species, support the continual preservation of wetlands in the Deep Bay area. This study provides another case study showing that data collected from wintering sites provide insights on the threats along migratory pathway and inform conservation actions. As such, we encourage population surveys in the EAAF to continue, particularly along the coast of China.

Response of Native Species 10 Years After Rat Eradication on Anacapa Island, California

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Newton ◽  
Matthew McKown ◽  
Coral Wolf ◽  
Holly Gellerman ◽  
Tim Coonan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
International Union ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
Cassin's Auklet ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Ptychoramphus Aleuticus

Abstract Measuring the response of native species to conservation actions is necessary to inform continued improvement of conservation practices. This is particularly true for eradications of invasive vertebrates from islands where up-front costs are high, actions may be controversial, and there is potential for negative impacts to native (“nontarget”) species. We summarize available data on the response of native species on Anacapa Island, California, 10 y after the eradication of invasive black rats Rattus rattus. Native marine taxa hypothesized to respond positively to rat eradication increased in abundance (Scripps's murrelet Synthliboramphus scrippsi; International Union for Conservation of Nature Vulnerable, and intertidal invertebrates). Two seabird species likely extirpated by rats—ashy storm-petrel Oceanodroma homochroa (International Union for Conservation of Nature Endangered) and Cassin's auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus—are now confirmed to breed on the island. Long-term negative effects from nontarget impacts are limited. Rufous-crowned sparrows Aimophila ruficeps obscura are still present, although likely in lower abundance. The endemic Anacapa deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus anacapae population increased with no loss in heterozygosity, but with reduced genetic differentiation on East Anacapa and the loss of some alleles across the islets. Intertidal invertebrate cover increased while algal cover decreased. These findings clarify the pervasive effects of invasive rats on a wide variety of taxa, the short- and long-term impacts of eradication, and the ability of some island fauna to passively recover following a carefully planned rat-eradication project.

scholarly journals Declines in Common and Migratory Breeding Landbird Species in South Korea Over the Past Two Decades

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hankyu Kim ◽  
Yongwon Mo ◽  
Chang-Yong Choi ◽  
Brenda C. McComb ◽  
Matthew G. Betts
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Declining Species

Population declines in terrestrial bird species have been reported across temperate regions in the world and are attributed to habitat loss, climate change, or other direct mortality sources. North American and European studies indicate that long-distance migrants, common species, and species associated with grasslands and agricultural lands are declining at the greatest rates. However, data from East Asia on avian population trends and associated drivers are extremely sparse. We modeled changes in occupancy of 52 common breeding landbird species in South Korea between 1997–2005 and 2013–2019. Thirty-eight percent of the species showed evidence of declines, and seven of these were declining severely (46–95%). Occupancy of Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) populations have dropped the most precipitously over the study period. Among declining species, long-distance migrants (9/20) and common species (14/20) showed more rapid declines than other groups. Declines of five species were associated with climate change, and two species appeared to be affected by land-cover change. However, causes of change in occupancy of other species (46/52) remains cryptic. Based on our results, we suggest an immediate re-evaluation of species’ conservation status and legal protection levels for seven severely declining species in South Korea, and a dedicated survey design and analysis effort for the continued monitoring landbird populations. Because many species exhibiting declines migrate from beyond national boundaries, international collaborations will be required to better quantify population trends across the full annual cycle, and to understand mechanisms for these declines.

scholarly journals Foraging niche partitioning in sympatric seabird populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Petalas ◽  
Thomas Lazarus ◽  
Raphael A. Lavoie ◽  
Kyle H. Elliott ◽  
Mélanie F. Guigueno
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
Foraging Range ◽  
Common Murre ◽  
Prey Items

AbstractSympatric species must sufficiently differentiate aspects of their ecological niche to alleviate complete interspecific competition and stably coexist within the same area. Seabirds provide a unique opportunity to understand patterns of niche segregation among coexisting species because they form large multi-species colonies of breeding aggregations with seemingly overlapping diets and foraging areas. Recent biologging tools have revealed that colonial seabirds can differentiate components of their foraging strategies. Specifically, small, diving birds with high wing-loading may have small foraging radii compared with larger or non-diving birds. In the Gulf of St-Lawrence in Canada, we investigated whether and how niche differentiation occurs in four incubating seabird species breeding sympatrically using GPS-tracking and direct field observations of prey items carried by adults to chicks: the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), razorbill (Alca torda), common murre (Uria aalge), and black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). Although there was overlap at foraging hotspots, all species differentiated in either diet (prey species, size and number) or foraging range. Whereas puffins and razorbills consumed multiple smaller prey items that were readily available closer to the colony, murres selected larger more diverse prey that were accessible due to their deeper diving capability. Kittiwakes compensated for their surface foraging by having a large foraging range, including foraging largely at a specific distant hotspot. These foraging habitat specialisations may alleviate high interspecific competition allowing for their coexistence, providing insight on multispecies colonial living.

scholarly journals Contrasting long-term population trends of beach-nesting shorebirds under shared environmental pressures

2021 ◽  
Vol 260 ◽  
pp. 109178
Author(s):  
Eunbi Kwon ◽  
Samantha Robinson ◽  
Chelsea E. Weithman ◽  
Daniel H. Catlin ◽  
Sarah M. Karpanty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Trends ◽  
Environmental Pressures

Harvest rate of sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) by Rakiura Māori: a potential tool to monitor population trends?

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Catherine Kitson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Change ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Harvest Rate ◽  
General Index ◽  
Careful Screening ◽  
Potential Tool

Sooty shearwaters (tītī, muttonbird, Puffinus griseus) are highly abundant migratory seabirds, which return to breeding colonies in New Zealand. The Rakiura Māori annual chick harvest on islands adjacent to Rakiura (Stewart Island), is one of the last large-scale customary uses of native wildlife in New Zealand. This study aimed to establish whether the rate at which muttonbirders can extract chicks from their breeding burrows indicates population trends of sooty shearwaters. Harvest rates increased slightly with increasing chick densities on Putauhinu Island. Birders' harvest rates vary in their sensitivities to changing chick density. Therefore a monitoring panel requires careful screening to ensure that harvest rates of the birders selected are sensitive to chick density, and represents a cross-section of different islands. Though harvest rates can provide only a general index of population change, it can provide an inexpensive and feasible way to measure population trends. Detecting trends is the first step to assessing the long-term sustainability of the harvest.

Habitat factors related to wild rabbit population trends after the initial impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Calvete ◽  
Enrique Pelayo ◽  
Javier Sampietro
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Rabbit Population ◽  
Habitat Factors ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease

The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is an introduced pest species in Australia and New Zealand. Rabbits have a devastating negative impact on agricultural production and biodiversity in these countries, and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is currently included in control strategies for rabbit populations. On the other hand, the European wild rabbit is a key native prey species in the Iberian Peninsula. Since the arrival of RHD, however, rabbit populations have undergone dramatic decreases and several predator species at risk of extinction are currently dependent on the rabbit population density. Therefore, from the point of view of biodiversity conservation, evaluating habitat correlates and trends of rabbit populations after the first RHD epizootic is of great interest to improve the long-term control or promotion of wild rabbit populations. We estimated the relationship between habitat factors and long-term population trends as well as the relationships between habitat factors and rabbit abundance 2 and 14 years after the arrival of RHD in several Iberian rabbit populations. We observed that only 26% of surveyed populations seemed to experience an increase in rabbit abundance over the last 12 years and that this increase was higher in the low-rabbit-abundance areas of l992, leading to high rabbit abundance in 2004. Our results suggested that short- and long-term impacts of RHD were related to habitat quality. The initial impact of RHD was higher in more suitable habitats, but increasing long-term population trends were positively related to good habitat quality.

Relative importance of human activities and climate driving common murre population trends in the Northwest Atlantic

Polar Biology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 1215-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Regular ◽  
Gregory J. Robertson ◽  
William A. Montevecchi ◽  
Fyzee Shuhood ◽  
Tony Power ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Northwest Atlantic ◽  
Common Murre

Estimating long-term tree mortality rate time series by combining data from periodic inventories and harvest reports in a Bayesian state-space model

2013 ◽  
Vol 292 ◽  
pp. 64-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katalin Csilléry ◽  
Maëlle Seignobosc ◽  
Valentine Lafond ◽  
Georges Kunstler ◽  
Benoît Courbaud
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
State Space ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
State Space Model ◽  
Space Model ◽  
Combining Data

High Stands of Holocene Sea Levels in the Northwest Pacific

1978 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo A. Pirazzoli
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Outer Zone ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Northwest Pacific ◽  
The Sea Of Japan ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
Level Change ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
The Japanese Archipelago

Evidence of Holocene sea levels higher than the present level have often been reported from the Northwest Pacific. Eustatic interpretations have been propounded, but age and level of the maximum transgression vary with each new analysis. In this investigation, after an inventory of approximately 250 items of data, some of which are new, a tentative synthesis transcending local scale is advanced. The highest levels are reported from Taiwan, where they often reach several tens of meters in altitude. In the Ryûkyûs and in the main islands of the Japanese Archipelago, evidence of recent emergence is found along most of the coasts. Elevation increases towards the oceanic trenches, but former sea levels at above 6 m and even higher may also be recognized along the coasts of the Sea of Japan. In a few areas, such as in the Niigata Plain, marks of Holocene sea levels higher than at present are lacking. On the other hand, in other basins regarded as subsiding, such as those in the Nôbi and the Kantô plains, evidence of recent emergence is quite frequent. In many places, marks of several sea levels indicate that a step-by-step uplift has occurred. All the investigated insular arcs, therefore, seem to be situated in epeirogenic areas formed by several more or less large blocks affected by relative movements. The blocks are larger in the Outer Zone of Southwestern Japan; in the Inner Zone, an intricate network of fault lines marks the boundaries of many smaller independent blocks. During great earthquakes, relative movements of uplift, subsidence, tilting, or undulation occur in one or several blocks, depending on the position of the epicentres. Subsidence, however, must often be simply of a temporary nature, because a long-term uplift trend seems to prevail in most regions, even if it occurs at different rates. This interpretation may explain the cause of the great variety of ages and elevations of the former sea levels (with the oldest ages corresponding to the highest elevations) and the great number of indicators of step-by-step sea-level change. The inference, drawn by several authors, that the Holocene sea level in the Northwest Pacific was higher than at present, is, therefore, reasonable on a local scale, but does not define an eustatic sea level.

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