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Monitoring nest incorporation of anthropogenic debris by northern gannets across their range
Citation
O'Hanlon, NJ and Bond, AL and Lavers, JL and Masden, EA and James, NA, Monitoring nest incorporation of anthropogenic debris by northern gannets across their range, Environmental Pollution, 255, (Part 1) Article 113152. ISSN 0269-7491 (2019) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113152
Abstract
Anthropogenic marine debris is a recognised global issue, which can impact a wide range of organisms. This has led to a rise in research focused on plastic ingestion, but quantitative data on entanglement are still limited, especially regarding seabirds, due to challenges associated with monitoring entanglement in the marine environment. However, for seabird species that build substantial surface nests there is the opportunity to monitor nest incorporation of debris that individuals collect as nesting material. Here, we monitored nest incorporation of anthropogenic marine debris by Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) from 29 colonies across the species' range to determine a) the frequency of occurrence of incorporated debris and b) whether the Northern Gannet is a suitable indicator species for monitoring anthropogenic debris in the marine environment within their range. Using data obtained from visual observations, digital photography and published literature, we recorded incorporated debris in 46% of 7280 Northern Gannet nests, from all but one of 29 colonies monitored. Significant spatial variation was observed in the frequency of occurrence of debris incorporated into nests among colonies, partly attributed to when the colony was established and local fishing intensity. Threadlike plastics, most likely from fishing activities, was most frequently recorded in nests, being present in 45% of 5842 nests, in colonies where debris type was identified. Comparisons with local beach debris indicate a preference for threadlike plastics by Northern Gannets. Recording debris in gannet nests provides an efficient and non-invasive method for monitoring the effectiveness of actions introduced to reduce debris pollution from fishing activities in the marine environment.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | marine debris, plastic pollution, seabird ecology, nest debris, entanglement, Sulidae, sentinel species |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Pollution and contamination |
Research Field: | Pollution and contamination not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Marine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Bond, AL (Dr Alexander Bond) |
UTAS Author: | Lavers, JL (Dr Jennifer Lavers) |
ID Code: | 134847 |
Year Published: | 2019 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 9 |
Deposited By: | Ecology and Biodiversity |
Deposited On: | 2019-09-09 |
Last Modified: | 2020-01-07 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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