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Observed and predicted effects of climate on Australian seabirds
- Source :
- Emu - Austral Ornithology. 111:235-251
- Publication Year :
- 2011
- Publisher :
- Informa UK Limited, 2011.
-
Abstract
- Although there is growing evidence of climate warming, for many regions the broader effects of climate variation on marine top predators remains unknown owing to the difficulty in obtaining, for synthesis, long-term and short-term datasets on multiple species. In the Australian region, climatic and oceanographic variability and change have been shown to affect marine species, often with profound consequences. Many seabirds are apex predators for which changes in climatic and oceanic dynamics have driven range movements poleward, reduced breeding success and altered breeding timing for some species. Here we review the literature to assess and determine the vulnerability of Australian seabirds to variation and change in climate and identify which species and ecosystems may be more resilient to future climate warming. It is clear from this synthesis that not all Australian seabirds are affected similarly, with responses varying by species and location. In addition, the paucity of information on the distribution and biology of seabird prey, foraging patterns and movements of seabirds, and the ability of seabirds to switch between prey species or adjust timing of life-cycles make generalisations about potential effects of future climate change and adaptive capacity in seabirds difficult. This applies both within Australia and elsewhere, where data are similarly sparse.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
biology
Range (biology)
Ecology
fungi
Foraging
Global warming
Climate change
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
010605 ornithology
biology.animal
parasitic diseases
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecosystem
Conservation biology
Seabird
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Nature and Landscape Conservation
Apex predator
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14485540 and 01584197
- Volume :
- 111
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Emu - Austral Ornithology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........38dce36e226814e1520dcb3e1379d712