Seabird distribution is better predicted by abundance of prey than oceanography. A case study in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW, Iberian Peninsula)

de la Cruz, Andrés; Ramos, Fernando; Tornero, Jorge; Rincón, Margarita María; Jiménez, Mª Paz; Arroyo, Gonzalo Muñoz; Browman, ed., Howard

doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsab256

Seabird distribution is better predicted by abundance of prey than oceanography. A case study in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW, Iberian Peninsula)

Journal Article · Wed Dec 22 00:00:00 EST 2021 · ICES Journal of Marine Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsab256· OSTI ID:1837104

; Ramos, Fernando; Tornero, Jorge; Rincón, Margarita María; Jiménez, Mª Paz; Arroyo, Gonzalo Muñoz; Browman, ed., Howard

Abstract

Quantifying factors that influence marine predator distributions is essential to understanding the current and future change in marine biodiversity. Here, we test whether marine predator distribution relates to prey, or is better predicted by other specific habitat features. We examine the correlation between spatial distribution of three seabird species and their prey, as well as environmental proxies (oceanographic characteristics) in the Gulf of Cadiz, NE Atlantic. We modeled the at-sea distribution of Cory's shearwater, Balearic shearwater and Northern gannet, based on: (i) pelagic fish abundance according to acoustic surveys, and (ii) a forecast-model of remotely sensed environmental variables (productivity, sea surface temperature, and salinity). In general, seabird distributions were better predicted by abundance of fish than by environmental variables at the habitat scale. We obtained consistent correlations between seabird presence and the abundance of medium-sized (10–20 cm) sardines, anchovies and Mediterranean horse mackerel, providing information on their preferred prey. Additionally, oceanographic productivity variables moderately contributed to seabird distribution models, with better predictive value for the critically endangered Balearic shearwater and Northern gannet in the summer, whilst the model for Cory's shearwater's produced poorer predictions. Predator–prey combined studies may represent essential tools for an efficient ecosystem-based management of marine environments.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Federal Energy Management Program Office

OSTI ID:: 1837104

Journal Information:: ICES Journal of Marine Science, Journal Name: ICES Journal of Marine Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 79; ISSN 1054-3139

Publisher:: Oxford University PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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