Open AccessIdentification of marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas for penguins around the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands
Author(s) -
Dias Maria P.,
Carneiro Ana Paula Bertoldi,
WarwickEvans Victoria,
Harris Colin,
Lorenz Katharina,
Lascelles Ben,
Clewlow Harriet L.,
Dunn Michael J.,
Hinke Jefferson T.,
Kim JeongHoon,
Kokubun Nobuo,
Manco Fabrizio,
Ratcliffe Norman,
Santos Mercedes,
Takahashi Akinori,
Trivelpiece Wayne,
Trathan Philip N.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.4519
Subject(s) - shetland , seabird , geography , peninsula , biological dispersal , fishery , pygoscelis , oceanography , ecology , biology , archaeology , forestry , geology , foraging , population , demography , sociology , predation
Aim To provide a method of analyzing penguin tracking data to identify priority at‐sea areas for seabird conservation (marine IBAs), based on pre‐existing approaches for flying seabirds but revised according to the specific ecology of Pygoscelis penguin species. Location Waters around the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland, and South Orkney archipelagos (FAO Subareas 48.1 and 48.2). Methods We made key improvements to the pre‐existing protocol for identifying marine IBAs that include refining the track interpolation method and revision of parameters for the kernel analysis (smoothing factor and utilization distribution) using sensitivity tests. We applied the revised method to 24 datasets of tracking data on penguins (three species, seven colonies, and three different breeding stages—incubation, brood, and crèche). Results We identified five new marine IBAs for seabirds in the study area, estimated to hold ca. 600,000 adult penguins. Main conclusions The results demonstrate the efficacy of a new method for the designation of a network of marine IBAs in Antarctic waters for penguins based on tracking data, which can contribute to an evidence‐based, precautionary, management framework for krill fisheries.