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Evidence of intra-specific competition for food in a pelagic seabird

Author

Listed:
  • S. Lewis

    (University of Durham
    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory Research Station)

  • T. N. Sherratt

    (University of Durham)

  • K. C. Hamer

    (University of Durham)

  • S. Wanless

    (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory Research Station)

Abstract

The factors affecting the population dynamics of seabirds have long intrigued biologists1,2,3,4,5. Current data suggest that density-dependent depletion of prey during the breeding season may regulate population size6,7,8,9. However, much of the evidence for this has been circumstantial, and the underlying mechanisms are unclear5,10. Here, we show that the per capita population growth rates of northern gannet Morus bassanus at colonies in Britain and Ireland have declined with increasing population size. Furthermore, direct observations reveal that the mean foraging trip duration of breeding gannets is positively correlated with colony size, both among colonies of different sizes in the same year, and within colonies as they change in size. To understand this phenomenon, we have developed a model which demonstrates that disturbance of fish alone can readily generate conditions under which gannets at larger colonies have to travel further to obtain food.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Lewis & T. N. Sherratt & K. C. Hamer & S. Wanless, 2001. "Evidence of intra-specific competition for food in a pelagic seabird," Nature, Nature, vol. 412(6849), pages 816-819, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:412:y:2001:i:6849:d:10.1038_35090566
    DOI: 10.1038/35090566
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    Cited by:

    1. Koehn, Laura E. & Essington, Timothy E. & Marshall, Kristin N. & Kaplan, Isaac C. & Sydeman, William J. & Szoboszlai, Amber I. & Thayer, Julie A., 2016. "Developing a high taxonomic resolution food web model to assess the functional role of forage fish in the California Current ecosystem," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 335(C), pages 87-100.
    2. Langton, R. & Davies, I.M. & Scott, B.E., 2014. "A simulation model coupling the behaviour and energetics of a breeding central place forager to assess the impact of environmental changes," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 273(C), pages 31-43.
    3. Boyd, Charlotte & Punt, André E. & Weimerskirch, Henri & Bertrand, Sophie, 2014. "Movement models provide insights into variation in the foraging effort of central place foragers," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 286(C), pages 13-25.
    4. Ford, R. Glenn & Ainley, David G. & Brown, Evelyn D. & Suryan, Robert M. & Irons, David B., 2007. "A spatially explicit optimal foraging model of Black-legged Kittiwake behavior based on prey density, travel distances, and colony size," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 204(3), pages 335-348.
    5. Jessica Meade & John M Martin & Justin A Welbergen, 2021. "Fast food in the city? Nomadic flying-foxes commute less and hang around for longer in urban areas," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 32(6), pages 1151-1162.

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