Using remote sensing tools to determine the drivers of marine predator foraging behaviour

海鸟是一个多样化的群体，有近350种，占据着从极地到热带的一系列栖息地。它们也是全球最受威胁的脊椎动物之一。除了作为海洋指示物种外，海鸟在海洋生态系统功能以及从远洋向沿海地区的营养转移中发挥着关键作用。为了有效地保护这些脆弱的物种，识别、保护和管理它们的主要栖息地至关重要。通过结合GPS跟踪、行为建模和遥感环境变量，研究人员可以调查海鸟栖息地使用的驱动因素和空间范围。因此，这些是保护规划的关键工具。本文的总体目标是系统地回顾这些方法在海鸟研究中的应用，并开发新的方法，将海鸟行为信息整合到海洋空间规划的关键海鸟栖息地识别中。本文主要研究一种易危海鸟（IUCN红色名录）的海上运动行为，黑腿三趾鸥，Rissa tridactyla。我利用了2010年至2015年间英国和爱尔兰15个繁殖个体的GPS跟踪数据。该数据集包括586个个体共1955次觅食旅行。总体而言，本文提出的工作为利用遥感和分析工具识别和表征海鸟栖息地提供了新的见解，并对海洋空间规划产生了影响。此外，它还提供了有关英国和爱尔兰三趾鸥行为景观的新信息。这些新方法的发展和新的生态学见解将有助于未来对这些重要和受威胁的海洋捕食者的监测、管理和保护。

Seabirds are a diverse group of nearly 350 species, occupying a range of habitats from the poles to the tropics. They are also one of the most globally threatened vertebrate groups. In addition to their use as ocean indicator species, seabirds play a key role in marine ecosystem functioning, as well as nutrient transfer from pelagic to coastal areas. To effectively protect these vulnerable species, it is critical to identify, conserve and manage their key habitats. Using a combination of GPS tracking, behavioural modelling and remotely sensed environmental variables, researchers can investigate the drivers and spatial extent of seabird habitat use. Hence, these represent key tools for conservation planning. The overall aim of this thesis was to systematically review the application of these methods in seabird research and to develop novel methods for integrating information on seabird behaviours into the identification of key seabird habitats for marine spatial planning. This thesis focuses on the at-sea movement behaviour of a vulnerable (IUCN Red List) seabird species, the black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla. I utilise GPS tracking data from breeding individuals, at 15 colonies around the UK and Ireland between 2010 and 2015. This dataset includes a total of 1955 foraging trips made by 586 individuals. Overall, the work presented in this thesis provides novel insights into the use of remote sensing and analytical tools to identify and characterise seabird habitat, with consequences for marine spatial planning. Additionally, it provides new information on the behavioural landscapes of kittiwakes in the UK and Ireland. The novel methods developed and new ecological insights and will contribute to the future monitoring, management, and conservation of these important and threatened marine predators.