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

海鸟是近350个物种的多样化群体，占据了从两极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群体之一。除了作为海洋指示物种之外，海鸟还在海洋生态系统的运作以及从水层向沿海地区的营养转移方面发挥关键作用。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。利用全球定位系统跟踪、行为建模和遥感环境变量相结合的方法，研究人员可以调查海鸟生境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。本论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，将海鸟行为的信息整合到海洋空间规划的关键海鸟栖息地的确定中。本论文主要研究濒危海鸟三趾鸥（里萨三趾鸥）的海上运动行为。我利用GPS跟踪数据从育种个人，在15个殖民地在英国和爱尔兰之间2010年和2015年。该数据集包括586个人的1955次觅食旅行。总体而言，本论文提出的工作提供了新的见解，利用遥感和分析工具，以确定和监测海鸟栖息地，海洋空间规划的后果。此外，它还提供了关于英国和爱尔兰三趾鸥行为景观的新信息。开发的新方法和新的生态见解，将有助于未来监测，管理和保护这些重要的和受威胁的海洋捕食者。

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.