Managing seabird metapopulations in the Mediterranean: constraints and challenges

Oró, Daniel

doi:10.3989/scimar.2003.67s213

Cited by 48 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…This appears to be the case for our population, given the recorded drop in YLG body condition (Steigerwald et al 2015) along with a slight decrease in local survival rates after landfill closure. Gulls usually form spatially structured populations and given that previous studies have shown that dispersal occurs following environmental perturbations (Oro et al 2004, Ferna´ndez-Chaco´n et al 2013, we suggest that food limitation has triggered not only mortality but also permanent emigration (through breeding dispersal) to neighboring populations (Bosch 2000, Oro 2003.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population control of an overabundant species achieved through consecutive anthropogenic perturbations

Payo‐Payo

Oró

Igual

et al. 2015

Ecological Applications

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Abstract. The control of overabundant vertebrates is often problematic. Much work has focused on population-level responses and overabundance due to anthropogenic subsidies. However, far less work has been directed at investigating responses following the removal of subsidies. We investigate the consequences of two consecutive perturbations, the closure of a landfill and an inadvertent poisoning event, on the trophic ecology (d 13 C, d 15 N, and d 34 S), survival, and population size of an overabundant generalist seabird species, the Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis). We expected that the landfill closure would cause a strong dietary shift and the inadvertent poisoning a decrease in gull population size. As a long-lived species, we also anticipated adult survival to be buffered against the decrease in food availability but not against the inadvertent poisoning event. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the dietary shift towards marine resources after the disappearance of the landfill. Although the survival model was inconclusive, it did suggest that the perturbations had a negative effect on survival, which was followed by a recovery back to average values. Food limitation likely triggered dispersal to other populations, while poisoning may have increased mortality; these two processes were likely responsible for the large fall in population size that occurred after the two consecutive perturbations. Life-history theory suggests that perturbations may encourage species to halt existing breeding investment in order to ensure future survival. However, under strong perturbation pulses the resilience threshold might be surpassed and changes in population density can arise. Consecutive perturbations may effectively manage overabundant species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population control of an overabundant species achieved through consecutive anthropogenic perturbations

Payo‐Payo

Oró

Igual

et al. 2015

Ecological Applications

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“…Evidence clearly shows one thing, at least: local population changes may affect other local populations, even quiet far. Therefore, local actions (as breeding facilitation of endangered species or culling of considered pest species) need to consider the global effect (see Oro, 2003). Outside the reproductive season, most Mediterranean seabirds move to the Atlantic Ocean (see in this volume Mouriño et al, 2003;Valeiras, 2003;Yésou, 2003; see also Le Mao and Yésou, 1986) where only international fishing convenes would permit conservation measurements.…”

Section: Diagnosing Conservation Problems In the Mediterraneanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean seabird conservation: what can we do?

Mínguez¹,

Oró²,

Juana³

et al. 2003

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY: Human activities in the Mediterranean determine, to a large extent, the availability of food and breeding sites for seabirds, the two most important ecological requirements for breeding seabirds. Food availability is highly dependent on fisheries activities and the availability of breeding sites is largely related with tourism pressure. Conservation plans necessarily need to incorporate the fact that Mediterranean seabirds and human activities are forced partners. However, solutions are complex because fishing policies are not commonly designed by environmental agencies and also because seabirds are organized in metapopulations which do not coincide with administrative borders. In this monographic volume, several authors describe the main characteristics of the Mediterranean seabird community, identify its conservation problems and suggest a number of technical solutions.Key words: conservation, seabirds, Mediterranean, management, fisheries, tourism. RESUMEN: LA CONSERVACIÓN DE LAS AVES MARINAS MEDITERRÁNEAS: QUÉ PODEMOS HACER? -Las actividades humanasdeterminan en el Mediterráneo, en gran medida, la disponibilidad de alimento y lugares para la reproducción, los dos principales requerimientos ecológicos de las aves marinas. La obtención de alimento se ve muy influenciada por las actividades pesqueras y la disponibilidad de sitios de cría depende de la presión turística. Los planes de conservación han de contemplar necesariamente esta realidad con la que las aves marinas están obligadas a coexistir. Las soluciones son complejas porque las competencias en materia pesquera no suelen estar en manos de las agencias ambientales y porque las aves marinas se constituyen en unidades metapoblacionales, transgrediendo fronteras administrativas. En el presente volumen diversos autores ponen de relevancia las particularidades de la comunidad de aves marinas del mediterráneo, identificando los principales problemas para su persistencia en el tiempo y sugiriendo algunas medidas paliativas.

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“…Here, predator numbers are limited and vegetation is kept at the pioneer stage, which enables adults to spot potential dangers more readily. Yet another important factor that determines breeding success is availability of food in the surrounding waters (Stienen et al 2000;Stienen and Brenninkmeijer 2002;Oro 2003). Thus, both nest safety and fish availability largely determine a colony's success.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The few birds that do not return to their original breeding site, nesting instead at an alternative location, can be regarded as dispersing animals. A number of connected breeding sites is called a metapopulation (Spendelow et al 1995;Akçakaya et al 2003;Oro 2003;Serrano and Tella 2003). Opdam (1991) described metapopulations as spatially structured populations of plants or animals consisting of distinct units (subpopulations), separated by space or barriers and connected via dispersal movements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seabird metapopulations: searching for alternative breeding habitats

et al. 2009

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Today, many seabird species nest in port areas, which are also necessary for human economic activity. In this paper, we evaluate, using a metapopulation model, the possibilities for creating alternative breeding sites for the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) in the Rhine-MeuseScheldt estuary. We explore 22 scenarios that differ with respect to (1) loss of breeding habitat in port areas, (2) location and size of newly created habitat, and (3) coexistence of old and new habitat. Results indicate that loss of port area habitats results in a serious 41% decline in the breeding population. When the loss in ports is compensated for within the ports, the decline was negligible. Fourteen scenarios result in an increase of the Common Tern metapopulation. In these, extra breeding habitat is created outside the ports in fish-rich waters, resulting in a potential metapopulation increase of 25%. However, the period of overlap between lost and newly created habitat strongly affects the results. A gap between the removal of old and the creation of new breeding areas might cause a drop in the metapopulation level of 30%. The population recovery from this drop might take more than 100 years due to slow recolonization. Our results suggest that conservation of seabird species should be evaluated on a metapopulation scale and that the creation of new habitat may help to compensate for habitat loss in other areas. Furthermore, the results indicate that overlap between the existence of old and newly created breeding habitats is crucial for the success of compensation efforts. However, new locations should be carefully selected, because not only is the suitability of the breeding grounds important, but ample fish availability nearby is also key.

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Managing seabird metapopulations in the Mediterranean: constraints and challenges

Cited by 48 publications

References 26 publications

Population control of an overabundant species achieved through consecutive anthropogenic perturbations

Population control of an overabundant species achieved through consecutive anthropogenic perturbations

Mediterranean seabird conservation: what can we do?

Seabird metapopulations: searching for alternative breeding habitats

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