The Population and Ecological History of an Endangered Seabird

自从人类在1000-1300年前到达夏威夷群岛以来，至少有59种本地鸟类已经灭绝。早期的报告表明，濒临灭绝的夏威夷海燕曾经“使天空变暗”，但后来数量下降，直到20世纪初几乎灭绝。本研究将探讨：1)人类到达之前夏威夷海燕的种群数量有多大；2)不同岛屿上的夏威夷海燕是否是遗传上不同的亚种群；3)夏威夷海燕的饮食和摄食地点是否随时间而变化；4)种群遗传学或摄食生态的变化与人类活动的关系。这些主题可以通过分析DNA序列、稳定同位素值和过去3000年间死亡的海鸟骨头的放射性碳年代来揭示——从人类到来之前开始，一直持续到人类到来之后。这项研究还将评估繁殖海鸟数量的急剧下降是否会通过减少岛屿上从海洋到陆地的营养物质流动来影响夏威夷的植物群落。人类对岛屿和海洋生态的影响可以通过这样的研究来理解。通过分析现代和古代鸟类的骨头，夏威夷的过去被赋予了生命，并为生态恢复和管理提供了一个基线。例如，了解海洋养分流动可能对森林和流域保护很重要，重建海燕饮食随时间的变化可以启发渔业管理。该项目吸引了几名学生，吸引了参加实地考察的夏威夷年轻人的兴趣，也吸引了媒体的兴趣（例如http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/07/ln/hawaii708070352.html）。它将包括为公众和K-12学生开发创意媒体。

At least 59 species of native birds have become extinct in the Hawaiian Islands since humans arrived there some 1000-1300 years ago. Early reports indicate that the endangered Hawaiian Petrel once "darkened the skies", but later declined in numbers until it was nearly extinct by the early 20th century. This study will address: 1) how large the Hawaiian Petrel population was before human arrival, 2) if Hawaiian Petrels on different islands are genetically distinct subpopulations, 3) if the diet and feeding location of Hawaiian Petrels changed over time, and 4) how changes in the population genetics or feeding ecology relate to human activities. These topics can be unmasked by analyzing DNA sequences, stable isotope values, and radiocarbon dates from bones of petrels that died during the past 3000 years - beginning before and continuing after human arrival. The study will also assess whether dramatic declines in numbers of breeding seabirds affected Hawaiian plant communities by reducing the flow of nutrients from ocean to land in the islands.The effects of humans on island and ocean ecology can be understood through studies like this one. By analyzing modern and ancient bird bones, Hawaii's past is brought to life and offers a baseline for ecological restoration and management. For example, understanding marine nutrient flow could prove important for forest and watershed conservation, and reconstructing change in petrel diets over time can enlighten fisheries management. The project engages several students and captures the interest of young Hawaiians who participate in the fieldwork, and also the interest of the press (e.g. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/07/ln/hawaii708070352.html). It will include the development of creative media for the public and K-12 students.