Linking foraging flexibility and energetic physiology of an Arctic seabird to environmental variability

In the Arctic, environmental variability is currently increasing. Variability in sea ice dynamics, such as the timing of ice-off and concentration of sea ice, these in turn affect distributions and abundance of fish and invertebrate species. Thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia), an Arctic-breeding seabird, are expected to be greatly affected by changes in sea ice dynamics, as they prey upon fish and invertebrates. In order for Arctic species to succeed and persist in a rapidly changing climate, they must be able to adapt their foraging strategies to match current environmental conditions. The goal of this study is to determine if thick-billed murres are able to alter their foraging strategies in response to varying environmental conditions. We will take an integrative approach using energetic physiology and diet to predict the success of different foraging strategies (measured via GPS tracking) in response to sea ice concentration at Coats Island, TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Oliver Love

Student:

Partner:

Université de La Rochelle

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Windsor

Program: