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Predicting the spatial distribution of a seabird community to identify priority conservation areas in the Timor Sea
Citation
Lavers, JL and Miller, MGR and Carter, MJ and Swann, G and Clarke, RH, Predicting the spatial distribution of a seabird community to identify priority conservation areas in the Timor Sea, Conservation Biology, 28, (6) pp. 1699-1709. ISSN 0888-8892 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Conservation Biology
Abstract
Understanding spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of species is fundamental
to the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. To support strategic decision making aimed at
sustainable management of the oceans, such as the establishment of protected areas for marine wildlife,
we identified areas predicted to support multispecies seabird aggregations in the Timor Sea. We developed
species distribution models for 21 seabird species based on at-sea survey observations from 2000–2013 and
oceanographic variables (e.g., bathymetry). We applied 4 statistical modeling techniques and combined the
results into an ensemble model with robust performance. The ensemble model predicted the probability of
seabird occurrence in areas where few or no surveys had been conducted and demonstrated 3 areas of high
seabird richness that varied little between seasons. These were located within 150 km of Adele Island, Ashmore
Reef, and the Lacepede Islands, 3 of the largest aggregations of breeding seabirds in Australia. Although these
breeding islands were foci for high species richness, model performance was greatest for 3 nonbreeding
migratory species that would have been overlooked had regional monitoring been restricted to islands. Our
results indicate many seabird hotspots in the Timor Sea occur outside existing reserves (e.g., Ashmore Reef
Marine Reserve), where shipping, fisheries, and offshore development likely pose a threat to resident and
migratory populations. Our results highlight the need to expand marine spatial planning efforts to ensure
biodiversity assets are appropriately represented in marine reserves. Correspondingly, our results support the
designation of at least 4 new important bird areas, for example, surrounding Adele Island and Ashmore Reef.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | marine protected area, marine ecology, oil pollution |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Environmental management |
Research Field: | Conservation and biodiversity |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Marine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Lavers, JL (Dr Jennifer Lavers) |
ID Code: | 98018 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 19 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2015-01-28 |
Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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