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Applying ecology to conservation: tracking breeding penguins at New Island South reserve, Falkland Islands
Author(s) -
Dee Boersma P.,
Stokes David L.,
Strange Ian J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
aquatic conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1099-0755
pISSN - 1052-7613
DOI - 10.1002/aqc.477
Subject(s) - marine reserve , marine protected area , ecology , geography , marine conservation , habitat , fishery , satellite tracking , nature reserve , biology , satellite , engineering , aerospace engineering
1. Understanding how penguins use marine habitats around the Falkland Islands is critical to reducing conflicts with human activities. We present satellite tracking data that show how three species of penguins breeding at New Island use the marine environment. This information can be used to prevent and reduce negative impacts of development. 2. Gentoo penguins foraged very close (<10 km) to the breeding colony, magellanic penguins foraged at intermediate distances (10–90 km) and rockhopper penguins foraged both very close (<10 km) and at great (>100 km) distances. Rockhoppers foraged in and/or travelled through an area designated for oil and gas development. 3. The patterns of penguin use of the Falkland Islands marine environment indicate that conflicts between penguins and humans are likely. Because of the large area penguins use, marine zoning (regulating location and timing of human activities over large areas of the marine environment) will be required to minimize these conflicts. Localized marine reserves near colonies may effectively protect gentoo penguins, but will be inadequate to protect other penguin species. 4. The precautionary principle should be incorporated into future plans for fisheries that target penguin prey species such as crustaceans or baitfish and for development of petroleum extraction and transport. Given the dynamic nature of the marine environment, continued satellite tracking of penguins will be essential for an effective conservation programme. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.