Dissertation Research: Seabirds to Coral Reefs: Assessing Cross-ecosystem Nutrient Subsidies in Threatened Communities

这篇博士论文的改进项目将研究海鸟来源的营养物质对夏威夷西北群岛多个环礁的珊瑚礁生态系统的影响。具体来说，这项研究将测试海鸟群体增加营养输入到珊瑚礁，导致增加珊瑚礁藻类覆盖和丰富的草食性鱼类的假设。 将采用三种方法：一项有无海鸟栖息地的珊瑚礁群落的比较调查，一项从单个珊瑚礁的生产者到消费者的能量路径分析，以及一项有无海鸟栖息地的珊瑚礁之间的移植实验。最濒危的海洋生态系统。 了解海鸟对珊瑚礁的潜在间接影响对于设计珊瑚礁保护工作十分重要。 这项研究将促进国际养护工作的新的协同作用。

This doctoral dissertation improvement project will study the effects of seabird-derived nutrients on coral reef ecosystems across multiple atolls in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Specifically, the study will test the hypothesis that sea bird colonies augment nutrient import to coral reefs, leading to increased coral reef algal cover and abundance of herbivorous fishes. Three approaches will be used: a survey comparing coral reef communities with and without seabird colonies, an analysis of energy pathways from producers to consumers in single reefs, and a transplant experiment between coral reefs with and without seabird colonies.Coral reef ecosystems and seabird colonies are two of the world?s most endangered marine ecosystems. Understanding the potential indirect impact of seabirds on coral reefs is important for the design of coral reef preservation efforts. This study will promote new synergies in international conservation efforts.