Clark, T. J., Bonnet-Lebrun, A.-S., Campioni, L., Catry, P. and Wakefield, E. (2019) The depth of Sooty Shearwater Ardenna grisea burrows varies with habitat and increases with competition for space. IBIS, 161(1), pp. 192-197. (doi: 10.1111/ibi.12631)
|
Text
163811.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 244kB |
Abstract
The Sooty Shearwater Ardenna grisea, an abundant but declining petrel, is one of many seabird species that construct breeding burrows, presumably because these confer protection from predators and the elements. Little is known about the causes of variation in Sooty Shearwater burrow architecture, which can differ markedly both within and between breeding sites. We hypothesize that burrow architecture varies in response to habitat type and competition for space. To address these hypotheses, we recorded Sooty Shearwater burrow dimensions on Kidney Island, the largest Sooty Shearwater colony in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic, and modelled these as functions of burrow density (a proxy for competition) and habitat indices. Our models suggest that Sooty Shearwaters burrow further underground in response to competition for breeding space, and that soil underlying dense tussac grass Poa flabellata is more easily excavated than other substrates, indicating how vegetation restoration could aid the conservation of this species.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Funding for this project was provided by the Falkland Islands Government Environmental Studies Budget, the UK Natural Environmental Research Council grant NE/M017990/1, and the Seabird Group. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT Portugal) provided additional financial support through the strategic project UID/MAR/04292/2013 granted to MARE, and FCT-SFRH/BPD/89904/2012 granted to LC. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Wakefield, Dr Ewan |
| Authors: | Clark, T. J., Bonnet-Lebrun, A.-S., Campioni, L., Catry, P., and Wakefield, E. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | IBIS |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| ISSN: | 0019-1019 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1474-919X |
| Published Online: | 25 June 2018 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in IBIS 161(1): 192-197 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information