Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Global seabird response to forage fish depletion - one-third for the birds
Curry, P.M.; Boyd, I.L.; Bonhommeau, S.; Anker-Nilssen, T.; Crawford, R.J.M.; Furness, R.W.; Mills, J.A.; Murphy, E.J.; Österblom, H.; Paleczny, M.; Piatt, J.F.; Roux, J.-P.; Shannon, L.J.; Sydeman, W.J. (2011). Global seabird response to forage fish depletion - one-third for the birds. Science (Wash.) 334(6063): 1703-1706 + Supporting materials
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Curry, P.M.
  • Boyd, I.L., more
  • Bonhommeau, S.
  • Anker-Nilssen, T.
  • Crawford, R.J.M.
  • Furness, R.W.
  • Mills, J.A.
  • Murphy, E.J.
  • Österblom, H.
  • Paleczny, M.
  • Piatt, J.F.
  • Roux, J.-P.
  • Shannon, L.J.
  • Sydeman, W.J.

Abstract
    Determining the form of key predator-prey relationships is critical for understanding marine ecosystem dynamics. Using a comprehensive global database, we quantified the effect of fluctuations in food abundance on seabird breeding success. We identified a threshold in prey (fish and krill, termed “forage fish”) abundance below which seabirds experience consistently reduced and more variable productivity. This response was common to all seven ecosystems and 14 bird species examined within the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans. The threshold approximated one-third of the maximum prey biomass observed in long-term studies. This provides an indicator of the minimal forage fish biomass needed to sustain seabird productivity over the long term.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors