Using observed seabird fallout records to infer patterns of attraction to artificial light

Troy, Jeff R.; Holmes, Nick D.; Veech, Joseph A.; Green, M. Clay

doi:10.3354/esr00547

Cited by 30 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Efforts to model the spatial fallout distribution generally show positive relationships with light pollution levels taken from satellite imagery (Rodrigues et al ; Troy et al. , ). The spatial distribution of breeding colonies and their proximity to lit areas (directly adjacent or on transit routes out to sea) also plays a crucial role in determining the severity of the light‐induced impact on seabirds.…”

Section: Temporal and Spatial Distribution Of Falloutmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In some cases, this type of attraction may be a large proportion of total fallout on the island (Troy et al. ). However, tracked flights of Cory's Shearwater fledglings from nests to grounding locations suggest birds were grounded on the night they fledge and very close to their natal burrows (Rodríguez et al.…”

Section: Temporal and Spatial Distribution Of Falloutmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Troy et al. , ), the potential relationship between light intensity and the distance over which birds are attracted is poorly known because of the difficulty in tracking birds. For Cory's Shearwater fledglings on Tenerife, a positive correlation between light intensity and flight distance from nests to grounding location is reported (i.e., stronger lights attracted birds from farther away [Rodríguez et al.…”

Section: Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Seabird mortality induced by land‐based artificial lights

Rodríguez

Holmes²,

Ryan

et al. 2017

Conservation Biology

126

153

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Artificial lights at night cause high mortality of seabirds, one of the most endangered groups of birds globally. Fledglings of burrow-nesting seabirds, and to a lesser extent adults, are attracted to and then grounded (i.e., forced to land) by lights when they fly at night. We reviewed the current state of knowledge of seabird attraction to light to identify information gaps and propose measures to address the problem. Although species in families such as Alcidae and Anatidae can be grounded by artificial light, the most affected seabirds are petrels and shearwaters (Procellariiformes). At least 56 species of Procellariiformes, more than one-third of them (24) threatened, are subject to grounding by lights. Seabirds grounded by lights have been found worldwide, mainly on oceanic islands but also at some continental locations. Petrel breeding grounds confined to formerly uninhabited islands are particularly at risk from light pollution due to tourism and urban sprawl. Where it is impractical to ban external lights, rescue programs of grounded birds offer the most immediate and employed mitigation to reduce the rate of light-induced mortality and save thousands of birds every year. These programs also provide useful information for seabird management. However, these data are typically fragmentary, biased, and uncertain and can lead to inaccurate impact estimates and poor understanding of the phenomenon of seabird attraction to lights. We believe the most urgently needed actions to mitigate and understand light-induced mortality of seabirds are estimation of mortality and effects on populations; determination of threshold light levels and safe distances from light sources; documentation of the fate of rescued birds; improvement of rescue campaigns, particularly in terms of increasing recovery rates and level of care; and research on seabird-friendly lights to reduce attraction.

show abstract

Section: Temporal and Spatial Distribution Of Falloutmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Temporal and Spatial Distribution Of Falloutmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Seabird mortality induced by land‐based artificial lights

Rodríguez

Holmes²,

Ryan

et al. 2017

Conservation Biology

126

153

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One major group influenced by artificial light pollution comprises birds that show nocturnal activity, such as petrels and shearwaters (family Procellariidae; Rodr ıguez et al 2017). Recent studies have found that seabirds are more likely to be encountered in locations with high light intensity (Le Corre et al 2002, Rodr ıguez & Rodr ıguez 2009, Rodrigues et al 2012, Troy et al 2013, Rodr ıguez et al 2015. Fledglings on their first flight are often found to crash-land in the cities and towns near their nest-sites; this phenomenon can be termed 'grounding' (Le Corre et al 2002, Rodr ıguez et al 2014 or 'fallout' (Ainley et al 2001, Troy et al 2011.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing Manx Shearwater grounding on the west coast of Scotland

Syposz

Gonçalves

Carty³

et al. 2018

Ibis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Grounding of thousands of newly fledged petrels and shearwaters (family Procellariidae) in built‐up areas due to artificial light is a global problem. Due to their anatomy these grounded birds find it difficult to take off from built‐up areas and many fall victim to predation, cars, dehydration or starvation. This research investigated a combination of several factors that may influence the number of Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus groundings in a coastal village of Scotland located close to a nesting site for this species. A model was developed that used meteorological variables and moon cycle to predict the daily quantity of birds that were recovered on the ground. The model, explaining 46.32% of the variance of the data, revealed how new moon and strong onshore winds influence grounding. To a lesser extent, visibility conditions can also have an effect on grounding probabilities. The analysis presented in this study can improve rescue campaigns of not only Manx Shearwaters but also other species attracted to the light pollution by predicting conditions leading to an increase in the number of groundings. It could also inform local authorities when artificial light intensity needs to be reduced.

show abstract

“…Nocturnal artificial lighting on vessels has been shown to disorientate seabirds, particularly fledglings, leading to "fallout, " in which the birds fly toward the light source and become exhausted or collide with man-made objects (Troy et al, 2013). Research is needed to determine the extent to which Beck's petrel (Pseudobulweria becki)-a species listed as critically endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List and which is native to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands-would be attracted by artificial light used in proposed mining operations.…”

Section: Anthropogenic Lightmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of Seabed Mining Including the Current State of Development, Environmental Impacts, and Knowledge Gaps

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rising demand for minerals and metals, including for use in the technology sector, has led to a resurgence of interest in exploration of mineral resources located on the seabed. Such resources, whether seafloor massive (polymetallic) sulfides around hydrothermal vents, cobalt-rich crusts (CRCs) on the flanks of seamounts or fields of manganese (polymetallic) nodules on the abyssal plains, cannot be considered in isolation of the distinctive, in some cases unique, assemblages of marine species associated with the same habitats and structures. In addition to mineral deposits, there is interest in extracting methane from gas hydrates on continental slopes and rises. Many of the regions identified for future seabed mining are already recognized as vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). Since its inception in 1982, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), charged with regulating human activities on the deep-sea floor beyond the continental shelf, has issued 27 contracts for mineral exploration, encompassing a combined area of more than 1.4 million km 2 , and continues to develop rules for commercial mining. At the same time, some seabed mining operations are already taking place within continental shelf areas of nation states, generally at relatively shallow depths, and with others at advanced stages of planning. The first commercial enterprise, expected to target mineral-rich sulfides in deeper waters, at depths between 1,500 and 2,000 m on the continental shelf of Papua New Guinea, is scheduled to begin early in 2019. In this review, we explore three broad aspects relating to the exploration and exploitation of seabed mineral resources: (1) the current state of development of such activities in areas both within and beyond national jurisdictions, (2) possible environmental impacts both close to and more distant from mining activities and (3) the uncertainties and gaps in scientific knowledge and understanding which render baseline and impact assessments particularly difficult for the deep sea. We also consider whether there are alternative approaches to the management of existing mineral reserves and resources, which may reduce incentives for seabed mining.

show abstract

Using observed seabird fallout records to infer patterns of attraction to artificial light

Cited by 30 publications

References 21 publications

Seabird mortality induced by land‐based artificial lights

Seabird mortality induced by land‐based artificial lights

Factors influencing Manx Shearwater grounding on the west coast of Scotland

An Overview of Seabed Mining Including the Current State of Development, Environmental Impacts, and Knowledge Gaps

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About