The Population and Ecological History of an Endangered Seabird

濒危海鸟的种群和生态历史

• 批准号: 0745604
• 负责人: Peggy Ostrom
• 金额: $ 43.4万
• 依托单位: Michigan State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-03-15 至 2012-02-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0745604&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Population; Ecological; History; Endangered; Seabird

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.

自从人类在1000-1300年前到达夏威夷群岛以来，至少有59种本土鸟类已经灭绝。早期的报告指出，濒临灭绝的夏威夷海燕曾经“使天空变暗”，但后来数量下降，直到世纪初几乎灭绝。这项研究将涉及：1）在人类到来之前，夏威夷海燕的数量有多大; 2）不同岛屿上的夏威夷海燕是否是遗传上不同的亚群; 3）夏威夷海燕的饮食和觅食地点是否随着时间的推移而改变; 4）种群遗传学或觅食生态学的变化如何与人类活动有关。通过分析过去3000年中死亡的海燕的DNA序列、稳定同位素值和放射性碳年代，可以揭开这些主题的面纱。 这项研究还将评估繁殖海鸟数量的急剧下降是否通过减少营养物质从海洋流向岛屿的陆地而影响了夏威夷的植物群落。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的鸟类骨骼，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，了解海洋营养流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的参与，并引起了参与实地考察的夏威夷年轻人的兴趣，也引起了媒体的兴趣（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。