Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem

W. James Grecian; Matthew J. Witt; Martin J. Attrill; Stuart Bearhop; Peter H. Becker; Carsten Egevang; Robert W. Furness; Brendan J. Godley; Jacob González-Solís; David Grémillet; Matthias Kopp; Amélie Lescroël; Jason Matthiopoulos; Samantha C. Patrick; Hans Ulrich Peter; Richard A. Phillips; Iain J. Stenhouse; Stephen C. Votier

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024

Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem

W. James Grecian^*, Matthew J. Witt, Martin J. Attrill, Stuart Bearhop, Peter H. Becker, Carsten Egevang, Robert W. Furness, Brendan J. Godley, Jacob González-Solís, David Grémillet, Matthias Kopp, Amélie Lescroël, Jason Matthiopoulos, Samantha C. Patrick, Hans Ulrich Peter, Richard A. Phillips, Iain J. Stenhouse, Stephen C. Votier

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Upwelling regions are highly productive habitats targeted by wide-ranging marine predators and industrial fisheries. In this study, we track the migratory movements of eight seabird species from across the Atlantic; quantify overlap with the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) and determine the habitat characteristics that drive this association. Our results indicate the CCLME is a biodiversity hotspot for migratory seabirds; all tracked species and more than 70% of individuals used this upwelling region. Relative species richness peaked in areas where sea surface temperature averaged between 15 and 20°C, and correlated positively with chlorophyll a, revealing the optimum conditions driving bottom-up trophic effects for seabirds. Marine vertebrates are not confined by international boundaries, making conservation challenging. However, by linking diversity to ocean productivity, our research reveals the significance of the CCLME for seabird populations from across the Atlantic, making it a priority for conservation action.

Original language	English
Article number	20160024
Journal	Biology Letters
Volume	12
Issue number	8
Early online date	1 Aug 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024
Publication status	Published - 31 Aug 2016

Keywords

Biologging
Human impacts
Marine conservation
Marine protected areas
Migration
Upwelling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Grecian, W. J., Witt, M. J., Attrill, M. J., Bearhop, S., Becker, P. H., Egevang, C., Furness, R. W., Godley, B. J., González-Solís, J., Grémillet, D., Kopp, M., Lescroël, A., Matthiopoulos, J., Patrick, S. C., Peter, H. U., Phillips, R. A., Stenhouse, I. J., & Votier, S. C. (2016). Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Biology Letters, 12(8), Article 20160024. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024

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title = "Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem",

abstract = "Upwelling regions are highly productive habitats targeted by wide-ranging marine predators and industrial fisheries. In this study, we track the migratory movements of eight seabird species from across the Atlantic; quantify overlap with the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) and determine the habitat characteristics that drive this association. Our results indicate the CCLME is a biodiversity hotspot for migratory seabirds; all tracked species and more than 70% of individuals used this upwelling region. Relative species richness peaked in areas where sea surface temperature averaged between 15 and 20°C, and correlated positively with chlorophyll a, revealing the optimum conditions driving bottom-up trophic effects for seabirds. Marine vertebrates are not confined by international boundaries, making conservation challenging. However, by linking diversity to ocean productivity, our research reveals the significance of the CCLME for seabird populations from across the Atlantic, making it a priority for conservation action.",

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Grecian, WJ, Witt, MJ, Attrill, MJ, Bearhop, S, Becker, PH, Egevang, C, Furness, RW, Godley, BJ, González-Solís, J, Grémillet, D, Kopp, M, Lescroël, A, Matthiopoulos, J, Patrick, SC, Peter, HU, Phillips, RA, Stenhouse, IJ & Votier, SC 2016, 'Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem', Biology Letters, vol. 12, no. 8, 20160024. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024

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AU - Egevang, Carsten

AU - Furness, Robert W.

AU - Godley, Brendan J.

AU - González-Solís, Jacob

AU - Grémillet, David

AU - Kopp, Matthias

AU - Lescroël, Amélie

AU - Matthiopoulos, Jason

AU - Patrick, Samantha C.

AU - Peter, Hans Ulrich

AU - Phillips, Richard A.

AU - Stenhouse, Iain J.

AU - Votier, Stephen C.

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Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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Stephen Votier

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Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

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Stephen Votier

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