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Important marine sectors for the top predator community around Kerguelen Archipelago

Authors :
Laurie Thiers
Henri Weimerskirch
Karine Delord
Christophe Guinet
Charles-André Bost
Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé - UMR 7372 (CEBC)
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université de La Rochelle (ULR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Université de La Rochelle (ULR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE)
Source :
Polar Biology, Polar Biology, Springer Verlag, 2017, 40, pp.365-378. ⟨10.​1007/​s00300-016-1964-4⟩, Polar Biology, Springer Verlag, 2017, 40, pp.365-378. ⟨10.1007/s00300-016-1964-4⟩
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
HAL CCSD, 2017.

Abstract

International audience; The French Kerguelen Archipelago represents an important breeding place for many species of marine top predators within the Southern Ocean, making the plateau hosting the archipelago and surrounding waters (CCAMLR area 58.5) a crucial area to design conservation measures. In this study, available tracking data from nine species of seabirds and marine mammals breeding at Kerguelen were analysed to define potential boundaries for a Marine Protected Area. Maps of time spent per square of each species were first used to describe high-use areas within the Kerguelen Plateau. Habitat models were then developed for four species (Black-browed albatross, Wandering albatross, King penguin and Antarctic fur seal) chosen on the basis of their contrasted foraging ecology and diet to represent the top predator community. Predictive models were then applied to the main colonies of the four species for which no tracking data were available to illustrate the most important feeding areas at the scale of the entire study zone. An area delineated by the central part of the plateau and its slopes appeared to be of great importance for the top predators’ community and would appropriately complete the limits of the existing Australian marine reserve of Heard and McDonald Islands.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
07224060 and 14322056
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Polar Biology, Polar Biology, Springer Verlag, 2017, 40, pp.365-378. ⟨10.​1007/​s00300-016-1964-4⟩, Polar Biology, Springer Verlag, 2017, 40, pp.365-378. ⟨10.1007/s00300-016-1964-4⟩
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....3f1254cd13bedc825bcc4380875bca82
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1964-4⟩