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

Grecian, W. James; Witt, Matthew J.; Attrill, Martin J.; Bearhop, Stuart; Becker, Peter H.; Egevang, Carsten; Furness, Robert W.; Godley, Brendan J.; González-Solís, Jacob; Grémillet, David; Kopp, Matthias; Lescroël, Amélie; Matthiopoulos, Jason; Patrick, Samantha C.; Peter, Hans-Ulrich; Phillips, Richard A.; Stenhouse, Iain J.; Votier, Stephen C.. 2016 Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Biology Letters, 12 (8), 20160024. 5, pp. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024

Abstract/Summary

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.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Ecosystems
ISSN:	1744-9561
Date made live:	16 Jan 2017 09:55 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/515838

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0024

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Ecosystems

ISSN:

1744-9561

Date made live:

16 Jan 2017 09:55 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/515838