Influence of local and large-scale weather events and timing of breeding on tropical roseate tern reproductive parameters

Ramos, Jaime A.; Maul, A.; Ayrton, Vickie; Bullock, Ian; Hunter, J.E.; Bowler, John; Castle, Gill; Mileto, Rob; Pacheco, Carlos

doi:10.3354/meps243271

Cited by 69 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…We clearly identify a correlation between the breeding season of sooty terns from Europa, Juan de Nova and Bird Islands and the seasonal variability of the local marine environment as was already demonstrated for other species at different latitudes (Forchhammer et al 1998, Ramos et al 2002, Frederiksen et al 2004. The relatively rapid variation in SST (change of trend) before the beginning of the reproduction indicates strong modification of the environment, which precedes the increase in marine productivity.…”

Section: Local Environmental Variationsmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…At the Seychelles Archipelago (Feare 1976(Feare , 1981Ramos et al 2002), at Aldabra Atoll (Diamond & Prys-Jones 1986) and at Europa Island in the southern Mozambique Channel (Le Corre 2001, Le Corre et al 2003, most of the seabirds breed seasonally. The breeding seasons depend on various environmental factors being favourable for reproduction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ocean control of the breeding regime of the sooty tern in the southwest Indian Ocean

Jaquemet¹,

Corre²,

Quartly

2007

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

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Abstract:Food availability, which is often seasonal, is regarded as a key factor in the breeding success of seabirds. In oceanic tropical areas, the resources are mostly patchy and ephemeral at the surface, and the seasonality is less marked than at higher latitudes. Such a situation influences greatly the breeding strategies of the oceanic seabird species. We conducted a comparative study of the breeding phenology of the sooty tern (Sterna fuscata) in relation to the local and regional oceanographic conditions around the four major colonies (Europa, Juan de Nova, Lys and Bird Islands) of the southwest Indian Ocean. Over the 1997-2003 period, around all the studied locations, the sea-surface temperature (SST) and the chlorophyll concentration in the Mozambique Channel and the Seychelles area showed clear seasonal differences related to the southern climate and the monsoon phenomena. The breeding activity is synchronized at each studied colony, but the timings are very different. Seasonal reproduction occurs in austral winter at Europa and Bird Island and in austral summer at Juan de Nova; at Lys Island the reproduction is non-seasonal. For the seasonal colonies, there is a large monthly change in SST just before the beginning of reproduction, which is a proxy indicating the annual phytoplankton bloom. This variation is accompanied by the development of oceanic features such as fronts that favour aggregation of prey, and may also play an important role in the presence of schools of surface tuna, which are very important for the foraging success of sooty terns. Conversely, around Lys Island the seasonal variations of the marine environment do not lead to pronounced development of oceanic structures, and consequently, the longer-lasting phytoplankton bloom could explain the non-seasonal breeding regime there. Further studies will help discern the advantages and disadvantages of seasonal and non-seasonal reproduction regime in response to unpredictable fluctuations of the marine environment.

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Section: Local Environmental Variationsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ocean control of the breeding regime of the sooty tern in the southwest Indian Ocean

Jaquemet¹,

Corre²,

Quartly

2007

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

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“…Large-and local-scale climate processes, including El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and sea surface temperature (SST), have been shown to influence seabird reproduction, distribution, phenology and survival in many regions of the globe. For example, breeding of seabirds in the northern Japan Sea is delayed when air and sea temperatures are lower, as a result of the influence of temperature on access to breeding sites and prey availability (Watanuki and Ito 2012), and a multivariate index of ENSO partly explained variations in tropical seabird breeding in the Seychelles (Ramos et al 2002(Ramos et al , 2006.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The timing of breeding in seabirds can influence annual breeding productivity, thereby impacting on population dynamics. The timing of breeding has been hypothesised to be the reproductive parameter most influenced by climate change (Przybylo et al 2000;Ramos et al 2002). An earlier onset to breeding often corresponds to increased seabird productivity (number of chicks raised per pair, clutch size, and chick mass on fledging) (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate as a driver of phenological change in southern seabirds

et al. 2013

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Seabirds are one of the most threatened groups of birds globally and, overall, their conservation status is deteriorating rapidly. Southern hemisphere countries are overrepresented in the number of species of conservation concern yet long-term phenological data on seabirds in the southern hemisphere is limited. A better understanding of the implications of changes in the marine and terrestrial environments to seabird species is required in order to improve their management and conservation status. Here we conducted a meta-analysis of the phenological drivers and trends among southern hemisphere seabirds. Overall there was a general trend towards later phenological events over time (34 % of all data series, N = 47; 67 % of all significant trends), though this varied by taxa and location. The strongest trends towards later events were for seabirds breeding in Australia, the Laridae (gulls, noddies, terns) and migratory southern polar seabirds. In contrast, earlier phenologies were more often observed for the Spheniscidae (penguins) and for other seabirds breeding in the Antarctic and subantarctic. Phenological changes were most often associated with changes in oceanographic conditions, with sea-ice playing an important role for more southerly species.For some species in some locations, such as the Little Penguin Eudyptula minor in southeastern Australia, warmer oceans projected under various climate change scenarios are expected to correspond to increased seabird productivity, manifested through earlier breeding, heavier chicks, an increased chance of double brooding, at least in the short-term.

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Nestboxes augment seabird breeding performance in a high‐density colony: Insight from 15 years of monitoring data

Burke¹,

O’Connell

Kinchin‐Smith

et al. 2022

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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The provision of artificial nest structures is used in the conservation of a broad range of bird groups including raptors, owls, ducks, passerines and seabirds, with varying degrees of success. Artificial nestboxes have been provided to increase the density and breeding success of Roseate Tern pairs at colonies in north‐west Europe and the eastern seaboard of the USA and Canada, but their effect on breeding productivity has never been comprehensively quantified. Using 15 years of monitoring data, based on daily nest monitoring visits, we carried out a comparative analysis of the breeding performance of Roseate Tern pairs utilizing artificial nestboxes with those in open nests, on Rockabill Island (Ireland), to evaluate the effectiveness of nestbox installation as a conservation measure. Nestboxes were used ahead of open sites early in the season, likely by the experienced breeding pairs. Hatching success and fledging success were higher for pairs in nestboxes compared with those in open nest sites. Earlier clutches were more successful than later ones, independent of the effects of nest site type. The results of this study show definitively that Roseate Terns nesting in nestboxes perform better than those using open nest sites at their largest European colony and that nestboxes are chosen ahead of other sites, likely by the experienced breeding pairs. We recommend the continued and expanded use of nestboxes to help maximize the densities and breeding performance of the Roseate Tern.

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Influence of local and large-scale weather events and timing of breeding on tropical roseate tern reproductive parameters

Cited by 69 publications

References 48 publications

Ocean control of the breeding regime of the sooty tern in the southwest Indian Ocean

Ocean control of the breeding regime of the sooty tern in the southwest Indian Ocean

Climate as a driver of phenological change in southern seabirds

Nestboxes augment seabird breeding performance in a high‐density colony: Insight from 15 years of monitoring data

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