A 2200-year Record of Seabird Population on Ganquan Island,South China Sea

Geochemical characteristics of a 107 cm long sediment profile,collected from Ganquan Island,South China Sea,were analyzed.Based on concentrations of bio-elements（Cu,Zn,Cd,Ba,As, Se,P）,^（210）Pb and AMS^（14）C dating,we reconstructed seabird population of Ganquan Island over the past 2200 years.Seabirds inhabited this island more than 2200 years ago,and their population displayed remarkable fluctuations with two peaks around 2100-1850 yr BP and 900-300 yr BP,respectively.The seabird population change profile on Ganquan Island is similar to that on Dongdao Island over the past 1800 years.We examined the relationship between the seabird population and climate,and found it quite complicated.The seabird population did not reach the maximum during the Medical Warm Period（MWP）with relatively high average temperature;however,it remained near the peak value for about 600 years during the climatic transition period and the Little Ice Age（LIA）,indicating that a relatively cool climate is favorable for seabirds on Ganquan Island.

Long-term study of at-sea distribution of seabirds and marine mammals in the Scotia Sea, Antarctica

The Scotia Sea is one of the most biologically rich regions of Antarctica, and it hosts a large community of upper trophic-level predators. Long-term at-sea monitoring provides valuable information on the Antarctic marine ecosystem and relationships among top predators. This paper presents the results of at-sea monitoring of seabirds and cetaceans over five consecutive summer seasons （2010--2014） in the Scotia Sea, Antarctica. A total of 11 656 flying birds belonging to 24 species were recorded in 884 ten-minute counts. Six Procellariiformes species were abundant： Black-browed Albatross, Cape Petrel, Southern Fulmar, Antarctic Prion, Wilson＇s Storm-petrel, and Black-bellied Storm-petrel. Only three of these species accounted for 82% of the total abundance： Antarctic Prion （40%）, Southern Fulmar （22%）, and Cape Petrel （20%）. A total of 678 baleen whales belonging to five species were recorded along a sampling effort of 2 351 nautical miles： Humpback, Sei, Southern Right, Fin, and Minke whales, which had different abundances during the study. The Fin Whale had the highest mean encounter rate for the 5 years （0.29 whales per nautical mile）, followed by the Humpback Whale （0.09 whales per nautical mile）. Annual dissimilarity in abundance of both seabirds and cetaceans occurred in conjunction with changes in the sea surface temperature and ice cover, showing the dependence of top predators on environmental changes. The largest aggregations of all top predators （seabirds and cetaceans） were recorded in two regions, west and south of the South Orkney Islands, suggesting important prey availability （especially krill） in those areas.

Hotspots of seabirds and marine mammals between New Zealand and the Ross Gyre:importance of hydrographic features

This article is part of our long-term study on the quantitative at-sea distribution of the marine "upper trophic levels"—seabirds and marine mammals—in polar ecosystems, aiming at quantifying the factors influencing their distribution as well as detecting possible spatial and temporal changes, with special attention to hydrography and to global climate changes. During an expedition of icebreaking RV Polarstern in February 2010, along the North–South transect between New Zealand and the Ross Gyre, off the Ross Sea, 3200 seabirds belonging to 22 identified pelagic species were recorded during 338 half-hour transect counts. Four major hotspots were identified. These were in Sub-tropical Water off New Zealand(up to 300 birds per count), and at the main Southern Ocean fronts: the Sub-Antarctic Front(up to 240 per count), the Antarctic Front(up to 150 per count) and the Polar Front(up to 200 per count), representing the vast majority of recorded seabirds. The most numerous species in the three frontal zones were: prions—mainly slender-billed Pachyptila belcheri—and Salvin’s albatross Thalassarche [cauta]salvini. The eight more abundant species represented 2650 birds, i.e. more than 80% of the total. A random forest clustering method identified four groups of seabird species occupying similar oceanographic niches.

Very low biodiversity of top predators—seabirds and marine mammals—in the high Arctic Ocean

During the ARK-XXIII/3 expedition of icebreaking RV Polarstern in the high Arctic Ocean(partim north of 73°N)from 25 August to 10 October 2008,550 transect counts lasting 30 min were devoted to seabird and marine mammal counts from the bridge.In the whole area,the three most numerous species,kittiwake Rissa tridactyla,fulmar Fulmarus glacialis and Brünnich’s guillemot Uria lomvia represented 90%of the total of 12000 individuals registered,followed by ivory gull Pagophila eburnea,black guillemot Cepphus grylle and Ross’s gull Rodostethia rosea.Four geographical zones were recognized on the basis of number of species and density.Both were especially low in the deeper areas(mean depth of 3000 m),both ice-free and heavily ice-covered:0.3 birds per 30 min count belonging to three and four species respectively.The most numerous species was kittiwake with 0.25 per count(50 individuals)in the ice-covered area.Pinniped numbers were very low as well,the most numerous of the four species tallied being 20 harp seals Phoca groenlandica and 10 ringed seal Pusa hispida.Seven polar bears Ursus maritimus were encountered.These observations were basically confirmed during 12 helicopter flights lasting one hour each with very low numbers:50 kittiwakes and 13 harp seals,almost none in the ice-covered deep zone.A comparison between data obtained from ship and from helicopter seems however to reflect the importance of seabird followers including for long distances.The only cetaceans were two adult belugas Delphinapterus leucas tallied from helicopter.

Population size and distribution of seabirds in the Cosmonaut Sea,Southern Ocean

The Cosmonaut Sea is one of the less studied ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere.Unlike other seas which were near to coastal regions,however,few studies exist on the top predators in this zone.From December 2019 to January 2020,a survey of seabirds was carried out on the board icebreaker R/V Xuelong 2 in the Cosmonaut Sea and the Cooperation Sea.Twenty-three bird species were recorded.Antarctic petrel(Thalassoica antarctica),Antarctic prion(Pachyptila desolata),and Arctic tern(Sterna paradisaea)were the most abundant species.A total of about 37500 birds belonging to 23 species were recorded.Around 23%of the region had no record of birds.A large number of birds was recorded in 39°E-40°E,44°E-46°E and 59°E-60°E.Many areas,such as 33°E-35°E,39°E-41°E,44°E-46°E and 59°E-60°E show a great richness.More than two-thirds of seabirds(71%)were observed in the zone near the ocean front.The prediction of the distributions of the most dominant species Antarctic petrel also showed that the area near the ocean front region had an important ecological significance for seabirds.The results suggest that the distribution of seabirds in the Cosmonaut Sea is highly heterogenous.

Seabird and marine mammal at-sea distribution in the western Bering Sea and along the eastern Kamtchatka Peninsula

Seabird and marine mammal at-sea distribution in the western Bering Sea and along the eastern Kamtchatka(Kamtsjatka)Peninsula was determined during 114 transect counts,lasting 30 min each,in September 2018.A total of 58000 seabirds were tallied,i.e.a mean value of 510 per count.The most abundant species was short-tailed shearwater:43250 individuals representing 74%of the total.Fulmar and kittiwake represented 13%and 8%of the total.Important geographical differences were noted,concerning both the number of seabird species and their abundance.The following species were tallied mainly in the northern zone(North of 60°N):fulmar(light morphs),short-tailed shearwater,Vega(herring)gull and horned puffin.In the southern zone,including Commander(Komandorski)Islands,observed species included fulmar(dark morphs),pelagic cormorant,glaucous-winged gull,red-legged kittiwake and black guillemot.The vast majority of the 100 cetaceans and 40 pinnipeds were tallied in the southern area,mainly porpoises,killer whale and humpback whale,and Largha(spotted)seal.

Tri-axial accelerometry allows to determine parental food provisioning behaviour in a marine bird

The study of parental food provisioning is essential for understanding the breeding ecology of birds.We conducted the first study using accelerometry to detect food provisioning in birds,using Support Vector Machine(SVM)models to identify when adults feed chicks of three different age classes.Accelerometers were attached to the head of adult female Imperial Shags(Leucocarbo atriceps),and various attributes derived from the acceleration signals were used to train SVM models for each chick age class.Model performance improved with chick age class,with SVM models achieving high overall accuracy(>88%)and highest sensitivity in older chick categories(>91%).However,precision values,especially for younger chicks,remained relatively low(between 26%and 45%).The application of a time filter based on the minimum duration of the observed food provisioning behaviours for each chick age category,improved model performance by reducing false provisioning behaviours,particularly in the model for older chicks,which showed the highest precision(72.4%).This study highlights the effectiveness of accelerometry and machine learning in studying parental food provisioning in birds,providing a rapid and accurate data collection method to complement traditional techniques.The described methodology can be applied to any bird species that exhibits distinctive movements while feeding its offspring and has suitable characteristics for attaching an accelerometer to the body part that best captures this movement.Finally,it is hoped that the results of this study will contribute to future research on key questions in parental investment theory and reproductive strategies in birds.

Diverse foraging strategies of breeding Swinhoe's Storm-petrel in the productive marginal sea of the Northwest Pacific

Understanding the foraging behavior is essential for investigating seabird ecology and conservation,as well as monitoring the well-being of the marine environment.Breeding seabirds adopt diverse foraging strategies to maximize energy gains and cope with the intensified challenges of parenting and self-maintenance.Such tradeoff may stem from the heterogeneity of food resources and the constraints of central place foraging.Nevertheless,abundant marine productivity could alleviate the energy limitation for seabirds,resulting in a consistent foraging approach.Here,we investigated the foraging strategy during the breeding season of a cryptic small-sized seabird,Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel(Hydrobates monorhis),in the Yellow Sea,a productive marginal sea of the Northwest Pacific.Using GPS tracking,we evaluated habitat preference,quantified the foraging strategy,and tested if environmental conditions and individual traits influence foraging trips.We found that Swinhoe’s Storm-petrels preferred nearshore areas with shallow water and engaged in primarily short foraging trips.Distinctive southeastward and southwestward strategies emerged when combining trip metrics,including foraging direction,duration,and maximum distance.The bathymetry,proximity to the coastline,and sea surface temperature differed in two foraging strategies.Foraging strategies exhibited flexibility between individuals,potentially explained by wing morphology,in which longer-winged birds are more likely to embark on longer-distance foraging trips.These findings highlight the impact of environmental factors and individual traits on seabirds’foraging decisions in productive marginal sea ecosystems.Our study also provides valuable insights into the foraging ecology of this Asian endemic storm-petrel.

Direct impacts of climatic warming on heat stress in endothermic species: seabirds as bioindicators of changing thermoregulatory constraints

There is now abundant evidence that contemporary climatic change has indirectly affected a wide-range of spe­cies by changing trophic interactions,competition,epidemiology and habitat.However,direct physiological im­pacts of changing climates are rarely reported for endothermic species,despite being commonly reported for ec­totherms.We review the evidence for changing physiological constraints on endothermic vertebrates at high temperatures,integrating theoretical and empirical perspectives on the morphology,physiology and behavior of marine birds.Potential for increasing heat stress exposure depends on changes in multiple environmental vari­ables,not just air temperature,as well as organism-specific morphology,physiology and behavior.Endotherms breeding at high latitudes are vulnerable to the forecast,extensive temperature changes because of the adap­tations they possess to minimize heat loss.Low-latitude species will also be challenged as they currently live close to their thermal limits and will likely suffer future water shortages.Small,highly-active species,particu­larly aerial foragers,are acutely vulnerable as they are least able to dissipate heat at high temperatures.Overall,direct physiological impacts of climatic change appear underrepresented in the published literature,but avail­able data suggest they have much potential to shape behavior,morphology and distribution of endothermic spe­cies.Coincidence between future heat stress events and other energetic constraints on endotherms remains largely unexplored but will be key in determining the physiological impacts of climatic change.Multi-scale,biophysical modeling,informed by experiments that quantify thermoregulatory responses of endotherms to heat stress,is an essential precursor to urgently-needed analyses at the population or species level.

Co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic

Through ingestion and subsequent egestion,Arctic seabirds can bioaccumulate microplastics at and around their colony breeding sites.While microplastics in Arctic seabirds have been well documented,it is not yet understood to what extent these particles can act as transport vehicles for plastic-associated contaminants,including legacy persistent organic pollutants(POPs),trace metals,and organic additives.We investigated the occurrence and pattern of organic and inorganic co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic-northern fulmar(Fulmarus glacialis)and black-legged kittiwake(Rissa tridactyla).We found that fulmars had higher levels of plastic contamination and emerging organic compounds(known to be plastic additives)than kittiwakes,whereas higher concentrations of legacy POPs were found in kittiwakes than the fulmars.Furthermore,fulmars,the species with the much larger foraging range(~200 km),had higher plastic pollution and overall contaminant burdens,indicating that birds may be acting as long-range transport vectors for plasticassociated pollution.Our results suggest a potential connection between plastic additive contamination and plastic pollution burdens in the bird stomachs,highlighting the importance of treating plastic particles and plastic-associated organic additives as co-contaminants rather than separate pollution issues.

南极食物链顶端海鸟卵中PCBs和OCPs积累水平及其全球意义

采用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器(GC-ECD)内标法定量测定了南极乔治王岛世袭栖息地海鸟(棕贼鸥、灰贼鸥、巨海燕、白眉企鹅)卵样中持久性有机氯污染物多氯联苯(PCBs)和有机氯农药(OCPs)残留量,研究探讨南极海洋食物链顶级生物体有机毒物积累水平探讨其环境意义.结果显示,卵样中有机毒物积累水平依次为:多氯联苯＞滴滴涕＞氯代苯＞六六六.贼鸥卵样多氯联苯含量范围在91.9～515.5ng/g,滴滴涕56.6～304.4ng/g,氯代苯6.5～70.5ng/g,六六六＜0.5～2.0ng/g;企鹅卵样多氯联苯含量范围在0.4～0.9ng/g,滴滴涕2.4～10.3ng/g,氯代苯6.0～10.2ng/g,六六六0.1～0.4ng/g;巨海燕卵样多氯联苯含量范围在38.1～81.7ng/g,滴滴涕12.7～53.7ng/g,氯代苯4.2～8.8ng/g,六六六0.5～1.5ng/g.研究结果还显示,不同种类海鸟卵样检出多氯联苯和有机氯农药均以七氯、六氯联苯、滴滴涕同系物(P,P'-DDE)和氯代苯化合物为主体.贼鸥、巨海燕卵样检出9种多氯联苯同系物(大小依次为PCB-180＞PCB-153＞PCB-194＞PCB-138＞PCB-118＞PCB-170＞PCB-101＞PCB-163＞PCB-149).贼鸥卵样七氯、六氯取代物的多氯联苯同系物含量在17.5～205.5ng/g占其总多氯联苯的62%;巨海燕卵样在14.5～30.5ng/g,占其总多氯联苯的69%;企鹅卵样检出5种多氯联苯同系物相对积蓄较低,其卵样之间变化相对稳定.对不同种类海鸟卵样的有机污染物数据进行统计分析,结果显示不同鸟种有机毒物积累水平的差异取决于不同鸟种的生态习性,如活动范围、迁徒距离、觅食习性以及巢址选择等,最主要是海鸟在海洋生态食物链中的位置,其食谱的宽窄,同时表明海鸟体内PCBs和OCPs积累通过食物链逐级加强的结果.有机毒物最高积累水平出现在棕贼鸥卵样中,灰贼鸥和巨海燕次之,企鹅最低.因为贼鸥不仅食性杂食谱宽,而且贼鸥与企鹅及其他小型海鸟之间存在着一定的捕食与被捕食的关系.南极海鸟卵样多氯联苯和有机氯农药的检出,是全球性有机氯污染又一新的重要证据.南极海鸟卵样中有机毒物的检出,揭示了人造有机污染物在南极鸟类代间转移的存在,它们在南大洋生态系统中的消除将会需要较长的时间过程,表明人类活动对南极生物圈与南极海洋环境的持久影响,南极是全球唯一无污染地区的价值正在丧失.

南海东岛湖泊沉积物中的生态环境记录

东岛牛塘为目前在西沙群岛少见的淡水湖泊,发育保存完好的沉积物。文章通过对一根长126cm的沉积柱开展多方面的沉积学分析,包括沉积物的岩性特征,反映碳酸盐含量的白度、CaO和LOI950℃以及反映有机质含量的TOC,TN,TS和LOI550℃等地球化学指标随深度的变化特征,沉积物和环境介质的碳、氮同位素的对比分析,沉积物的稀土元素和Sr,F,P,Se等元素地球化学特征。结果认为:该湖泊沉积剖面自上而下可分成3个具有明显不同沉积学特征的沉积单元,其中25～96cm的沉积层明显地受到了海鸟粪的影响。识别出的海鸟粪土沉积层,为进一步研究历史时期岛屿鸟类生态系统和气候演化提供了良好的信息载体。

微波萃取-原子荧光光谱法优化测定海鸟生物粪中的甲基汞

建立了微波萃取-原子荧光光谱法测定海鸟生物粪中的甲基汞测量方法。优化了显著影响微波萃取甲基汞的两个因素:萃取温度和盐酸用量。最终确定了120℃和200μL6mol·L-1盐酸介质为最佳萃取条件。此条件下测定的生物标准参考物质人发粉的相对标准偏差为0.74%,回收率大于90%,测定的海鸟生物粪样品相对标准偏差为6.61%,回收率为90%。微波辅助萃取和原子荧光光谱的联用,具有操作简单,高灵敏度,低检出限,低成本等一系列优点,适用于生物粪样品中痕量成分甲基汞的快速分离与分析。采用此方法分析了西沙群岛古鸟粪颗粒和现代新鲜鸟粪中甲基汞含量,发现大量海鸟粪的输入将会对偏远的西沙群岛生态环境造成严重的汞污染。

Sr/Ca,Mg/Ca:珊瑚岛鸟粪沉积的物源指示计

文章尝试用Sr/Ca,Mg/Ca比值作物源指示计,区分了珊瑚岛屿受到海鸟粪影响的湖泊沉积物中鸟粪、珊瑚砂、植物这几种主要的环境介质对沉积物的相对贡献,据此恢复1800年来西沙群岛东岛海鸟数量变化和植被演化的历史。结果表明,东岛海鸟数量的变化历史可划分为潜伏期、增长期、稳定期和衰退期4个阶段,历史时期东岛海鸟生态系统的建立和发展与岛屿植被的演变有着密切的联系。研究获得的方法和初步结论为进一步开展西沙岛屿海鸟数量变化、植被演化的广泛对比并探讨与气候变化、人类活动的相互联系提供了基础。

海鸟系列CTD数据预处理分析

介绍了海鸟系列温盐深测量仪(CTD)原始数据预处理的方法和步骤,解释各个过程中的原理,根据规范和工作实际对处理过程中存在的问题进行分析,提出解决方案,针对资料的标准化提出建议和意见。

北极新奥尔松古海鸟粪土层的识别

对采自北极新奥尔松(Ny-lesund)一级海岸阶地上的海蚀凹槽沉积剖面进行沉积岩相学、同位素地球化学和元素地球化学研究,结果显示该剖面的70—118 cm段显著受到了海鸟粪沉积的影响,为含贝壳的海鸟粪土沉积层。该段粪土沉积层中大多数元素的浓度随深度表现出明显的波动特征,其中TOC、TN、Se、Sr、CaO、Pb、As、Zn等元素含量在深度剖面上表现出较为一致的垂向变化趋势。对粪土层的元素地球化学数据进行了聚类分析,结果表明在浓度剖面上具有较好协同关系的上述元素组合与海鸟粪有机质的输入密切相关,这些具有显著地球化学性质差异的元素共生组合是北极新奥尔松粪土沉积层的生物地球化学组合的标型特征,它们的含量变化主要受控于海鸟粪对沉积物的影响程度。海鸟粪土生物地球化学标型组合特征的识别为进一步研究该地区12—4 ka B.P.的海鸟生态系统和气候演化记录提供了科学基础。

鸟类对持久性有机污染物的定向传输作用研究进展

传统意义上认为,持久性有机污染物(POPs)的传输途径主要有两种形式,一种是通过挥发之后进入大气,然后通过长距离大气传输、蚱蜢效应、高山冷凝效应等方式进行传输;另一种是进入水体中,通过水流的搬运作用传输,从而进入湖泊、河流生态系统,甚至可以通过洋流的长距离输送到达北极等高纬地区.另外,海鸟、候鸟和留鸟可以对POPs进行海-陆、跨纬度和区域小范围内的定向传输.鸟类因其数量巨大、显著的生物放大效应以及迁徙性等独有的特征,可能成为POPs的定向传输和再分配中的第三种方式———生物传输中的重要形式.而且,在全球气候变化和环境变化的背景下,海鸟、候鸟和留鸟的栖息地、迁徙路径等已经或者将要发生显著变化,从而对污染物的再分配产生显著影响,有可能带来新的环境问题.本文对于POPs的传输和再分配的认识具有重要意义,可为在国内开展相关的研究提供理论依据.

南极典型鸟类骨骼中的Ca、P、Sr的含量及Ca/P和Ca/Sr特征

应用同步辐射加速器X荧光技术(SR-XRF)和原子荧光光谱(AFS)对南极雪海燕(Pagodroma nivea)、贼鸥(Catharacta maccormicki)和三种典型企鹅(阿德利企鹅PygoscelisAdeliae、南极企鹅Pygoscelis antarctica、金图企鹅Pygoscelis gentoo)的新鲜翅骨和腿骨以及沉积物中的残骨进行微区扫描和定量分析,并使用AXIL软件对扫描图谱进行解读,获取骨骼中主要元素Ca、P和微量元素Sr的相对含量.元素Ca、P和Sr在骨骼皮质骨不同部位分布不均,Ca/P计数比变异系数为4.7%,Ca/Sr计数比和质量比变异系数都超过了70%.相比其他海鸟,企鹅骨骼中的Sr含量异常偏高,Ca/Sr计数比显著小于其他海鸟骨骼,表明该比值可能是一个识别企鹅和其他海鸟骨骼的替代性指标,并初步探讨了Sr含量异常的原因.

Major hotspots detected along the Scotia Ridge in autumn for southern right whales Eubalaena australis, Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and Antarctic prions Pachyptila desolata

We investigated the role of hydrological features, such as water masses, fronts, eddies, and sea ice, in affecting the distribution of upper trophic level species in the Scotia Sea region during autumn. On board RV Polarstern, we performed 365 30-min strip transects recording seabirds and marine mammals along the North Scotia Ridge and the South Sandwich Trench in March--April 2013. Among the 7 identified cetacean species recorded, the humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae was the most abundant baleen whale （40 individuals）, and noteworthy were sightings of six southern right whales Eubalaena australis. Pinnipeds （3 species, 1650 individuals） were dominated by Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella （99%）, and seabirds （36 species, 18900 individuals） by Antarctic prion Pachyptila desolata （-50%）. The distribution of these top predators was highly patchy with the majority of observations concentrated in a few counts. This heterogeneity is likely a result of prey availability, and we discuss how hydrological features may have caused the patchiness.

Assessment of trace metals in droppings of Adélie penguins(Pygoscelis adeliae) from different locations of the Antarctic Peninsula area

In recent decades, polar regions of the planet have witnessed an increase in human presence. Antarctica is considered one of the most pristine regions of the world, but it could be affected by pollution owing to anthropogenic activities, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula. Human presence can increase the levels of some trace metals in Antarctic environments, an issue that needs to be evaluated. To acquire data of trace metal contamination in the Antarctic Peninsula region, concentrations （dry weight） of Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Hg and Zn in fresh excrement of Ad61ie penguins were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. During the 2012/2013 austral summer, samples were collected from four important nesting sites on the Antarctic Peninsula： Arctowski Base, Kopaitic Island （both sites in the northern Antarctic Peninsula）, Yalour Island and Avian Island （both sites in the southern Antarctic Peninsula）. Data showed that Ad61ie penguin excreta had significantly higher levels （mg.kg~） of As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Cu at Arctowski Base and Kopaitic Island, both sites that have major anthropogenic activities that probably contributed to increased metal levels. The levels of trace metals in Ad61ie penguins were similar to those reported in excreta of Antarctic species in previous studies, and lower than those in excreta of other Antarctic animals. Data suggest that metals ingested by these penguin species that feed in the sea, end up in terrestrial ecosystems.