Lessons from the Tōhoku tsunami: A model for island avifauna conservation prioritization

Abstract (from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.3092/full): Earthquake-generated tsunamis threaten coastal areas and low-lying islands with sudden flooding. Although human hazards and infrastructure damage have been well documented for tsunamis in recent decades, the effects on wildlife communities rarely have been quantified. We describe a tsunami that hit the world's largest remaining tropical seabird rookery and estimate the effects of sudden flooding on 23 bird species nesting on Pacific islands more than 3,800 km from the epicenter. We used global positioning systems, tide gauge data, and satellite imagery to quantify characteristics of the Tōhoku earthquake-generated tsunami (11 March 2011)...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Birds, National CASC, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, Water, Coasts and Ice, Wildlife and Plants

Population Dynamics of Hawaiian Seabird Colonies Vulnerable to Sea‐Level Rise

Abstract (from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01853.x/abstract): Globally, seabirds are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats both at sea and on land. Seabirds typically nest colonially and show strong fidelity to natal colonies, and such colonies on low-lying islands may be threatened by sea-level rise. We used French Frigate Shoals, the largest atoll in the Hawaiian Archipelago, as a case study to explore the population dynamics of seabird colonies and the potential effects sea-level rise may have on these rookeries. We compiled historic observations, a 30-year time series of seabird population abundance, lidar-derived elevations, and aerial imagery of all the islands of French Frigate...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Birds, French Frigate Shoals, Hawaiian Archipelago, National CASC, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, All tags... Water, Coasts and Ice, Wildlife and Plants, sea-level rise, seabird nesting habitat, Fewer tags

Management of Black-footed Albatross in the Face of Climate Change

Global climate change scenarios predict an increase in air and ocean temperatures, storm intensity, storm surge and inundation of low-lying coastal areas and small islands. Projections of changing oceanographic conditions and inundation are at levels that could affect seabird populations including those of the black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes; BFAL). The resilience of BFAL populations in the face of more frequent extreme weather events and nesting habitat loss is therefore a critical issue for wildlife managers. Colony establishment behavior and dispersal biology are poorly understood for BFAL. Despite this uncertainty, management decisions to safeguard BFAL breeding populations in the face of climate...

Tags: Birds, Global climate change scenarios, National CASC, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, Water, Coasts and Ice, All tags... Wildlife and Plants, black-footed albatross, breeding range, foraging, sea-level rise, Fewer tags

Dynamics of Seabird Colonies Vulnerable to Sea-level Rise at French Frigate Shoals, Hawaiʻi

Abstract: Globally, seabirds are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats both at sea and on land. Seabirds typically nest colonially and show strong site fidelity; therefore, conservation strategies could benefit from an understanding of the population dynamics and vulnerability of breeding colonies to climate change. More than 350 atolls exist across the Pacific Ocean; while they provide nesting habitat for many seabirds, they are also vulnerable to sea-level rise. We used French Frigate Shoals, the largest atoll in the Hawaiian Archipelago, as a case study to explore seabird colony dynamics and the potential consequences of sea-level rise. We compiled a unique combination of data sets: historical observations of islands...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Birds, National CASC, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, Water, Coasts and Ice, Wildlife and Plants, All tags... birds, climate change, climate models, sea-level rise, Fewer tags

Trading off short-term and long-term risk: minimizing the threat of Laysan Duck extinction from catastrophes and sea-level rise

Conservation of oceanic island species presents many ecological and logistical challenges. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) include 300,000 km2 of ocean waters and 10 groups of sub-tropical islands and atolls of high conservation value. Designated as Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the islands provide habitat for four endangered species of terrestrial birds. Despite their protected status, many of these species are faced with the ongoing threat of extinction due to stochastic catastrophes such as disease, invasive mammal introductions, tsunamis, and hurricanes. A longer term threat to NWHI species is sea level rise associated with global climate change. On a 50-year time scale, many low-lying...

Tags: Birds, Laysan Duck, National CASC, Sea-Level Rise and Coasts, Structured Decision Making, All tags... Water, Coasts and Ice, Wildlife and Plants, sea-level rise, Fewer tags