Dataset Identification:
Resource Abstract:
- description: Globally, seabirds are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats both at sea and on land. Seabirds typically nest colonially
and show strong site fidelity; therefore, conservation strategies could benefit from an understanding of the population dynamics
and vulnerability of breeding colonies to climate change. More than 350 atolls exist across the Pacific Ocean; while they
provide nesting habitat for many seabirds, they are also vulnerable to sea-level rise. We used French Frigate Shoals, the
largest atoll in the Hawaiian Archipelago, as a case study to explore seabird colony dynamics and the potential consequences
of sea-level rise. We compiled a unique combination of data sets: historical observations of islands and seabirds, a 30-year
time series of population abundance, LiDAR- (light detection and ranging) derived elevations, and satellite imagery. To model
population dynamics for ten species at Tern Island from 1980 to 2009, we used the Gompertz model with parameters for the population
growth rate, density dependence, process variation, and observation error. We used a Bayesian approach to estimate the parameters.
All species increased in a pattern that provided evidence of density dependence. Density dependence may exacerbate the consequences
of sea-level rise on seabirds because species that are already near the carrying capacity of the nesting habitat will be limited
more than species that still have space for population growth. Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), Great Frigatebird
(Fregata minor), Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda), Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra), Gray-backed Tern (Onychoprion
lunatus), and White Tern (Gygis alba) are likely already at carrying capacity at Tern Island and therefore are most likely
to be negatively impacted by sea-level rise. We project 12% of French Frigate Shoals (excluding La Perouse Pinnacle) will
be inundated with +1.0 m sea-level rise or 32% with +2.0 m. Gray-backed Terns that nest along the coastal perimeters of islands
and shrub-nesting species that are habitat limited are especially vulnerable to sea-level rise. However, at Tern Island, seawalls
and habitat creation may mitigate projected seabird population declines due to habitat loss. We predict substantial losses
in seabird nesting habitat across the low-lying Hawaiian Islands by 2100 and emphasize the need to restore higher elevation
seabird colonies.; abstract: Globally, seabirds are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats both at sea and on land. Seabirds
typically nest colonially and show strong site fidelity; therefore, conservation strategies could benefit from an understanding
of the population dynamics and vulnerability of breeding colonies to climate change. More than 350 atolls exist across the
Pacific Ocean; while they provide nesting habitat for many seabirds, they are also vulnerable to sea-level rise. We used French
Frigate Shoals, the largest atoll in the Hawaiian Archipelago, as a case study to explore seabird colony dynamics and the
potential consequences of sea-level rise. We compiled a unique combination of data sets: historical observations of islands
and seabirds, a 30-year time series of population abundance, LiDAR- (light detection and ranging) derived elevations, and
satellite imagery. To model population dynamics for ten species at Tern Island from 1980 to 2009, we used the Gompertz model
with parameters for the population growth rate, density dependence, process variation, and observation error. We used a Bayesian
approach to estimate the parameters. All species increased in a pattern that provided evidence of density dependence. Density
dependence may exacerbate the consequences of sea-level rise on seabirds because species that are already near the carrying
capacity of the nesting habitat will be limited more than species that still have space for population growth. Laysan Albatross
(Phoebastria immutabilis), Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor), Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda), Masked Booby (Sula
dactylatra), Gray-backed Tern (Onychoprion lunatus), and White Tern (Gygis alba) are likely already at carrying capacity at
Tern Island and therefore are most likely to be negatively impacted by sea-level rise. We project 12% of French Frigate Shoals
(excluding La Perouse Pinnacle) will be inundated with +1.0 m sea-level rise or 32% with +2.0 m. Gray-backed Terns that nest
along the coastal perimeters of islands and shrub-nesting species that are habitat limited are especially vulnerable to sea-level
rise. However, at Tern Island, seawalls and habitat creation may mitigate projected seabird population declines due to habitat
loss. We predict substantial losses in seabird nesting habitat across the low-lying Hawaiian Islands by 2100 and emphasize
the need to restore higher elevation seabird colonies.
Citation
- Title Dynamics of Seabird Colonies Vulnerable to Sea-Level Rise at French Frigate Shoals, Hawaii.
-
- creation Date
2018-05-19T16:56:26.367005
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Metadata data stamp:
2018-08-07T01:20:13Z
Resource Maintenance Information
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- notes: This metadata record was generated by an xslt transformation from a dc metadata record; Transform by Stephen M. Richard, based
on a transform by Damian Ulbricht. Run on 2018-08-07T01:20:13Z
Metadata contact
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pointOfContact
- organisation Name
CINERGI Metadata catalog
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- Contact information
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- Address
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- electronic Mail Address cinergi@sdsc.edu
Metadata language
eng
Metadata character set encoding:
utf8
Metadata standard for this record:
ISO 19139 Geographic Information - Metadata - Implementation Specification
standard version:
2007
Metadata record identifier:
urn:dciso:metadataabout:6624c09e-58b7-449b-a628-20cf8afff5ef
Metadata record format is ISO19139 XML (MD_Metadata)