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Climate as a driver of phenological change in southern seabirds

  • Phenology - Milwaukee 2012
  • Published:
International Journal of Biometeorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seabirds are one of the most threatened groups of birds globally and, overall, their conservation status is deteriorating rapidly. Southern hemisphere countries are over-represented in the number of species of conservation concern yet long-term phenological data on seabirds in the southern hemisphere is limited. A better understanding of the implications of changes in the marine and terrestrial environments to seabird species is required in order to improve their management and conservation status. Here we conducted a meta-analysis of the phenological drivers and trends among southern hemisphere seabirds. Overall there was a general trend towards later phenological events over time (34 % of all data series, N = 47; 67 % of all significant trends), though this varied by taxa and location. The strongest trends towards later events were for seabirds breeding in Australia, the Laridae (gulls, noddies, terns) and migratory southern polar seabirds. In contrast, earlier phenologies were more often observed for the Spheniscidae (penguins) and for other seabirds breeding in the Antarctic and subantarctic. Phenological changes were most often associated with changes in oceanographic conditions, with sea-ice playing an important role for more southerly species. For some species in some locations, such as the Little Penguin Eudyptula minor in south-eastern Australia, warmer oceans projected under various climate change scenarios are expected to correspond to increased seabird productivity, manifested through earlier breeding, heavier chicks, an increased chance of double brooding, at least in the short-term.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge countless students and volunteers who have helped to monitor the various Little Penguin colonies over the years and whose dedication has greatly enhanced our knowledge of this species. These include members of the Penguin Study Group (Phillip Island) and Earthcare St Kilda Inc. We are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box 1289, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia

    Lynda E. Chambers

  2. Research Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, PO Box 97, Cowes, Phillip Island, Victoria, 3991, Australia

    Peter Dann

  3. Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Belinda Cannell

  4. IMAS, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tas, 7005, Australia

    Eric J. Woehler

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  1. Lynda E. Chambers
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  2. Peter Dann
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  3. Belinda Cannell
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  4. Eric J. Woehler
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Correspondence to Lynda E. Chambers.

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Chambers, L.E., Dann, P., Cannell, B. et al. Climate as a driver of phenological change in southern seabirds. Int J Biometeorol 58, 603–612 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-013-0711-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-013-0711-6

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