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Human influences on breeding of south polar skuas in the eastern Larsemann Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

Z. Wang ,
F.I. Norman ,
J.S. Burgess ,
S.J. Ward ,
A.P. Spate  and
C.J. Carson
Z. Wang
Affiliation:
Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, PO Box 1207, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 31002, China
F.I. Norman
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Environmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
J.S. Burgess
Affiliation:
Department of Geography and Oceanography, University of New South Wales, Northcott Drive, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia
S.J. Ward
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Melbourne University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
A.P. Spate
Affiliation:
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 34 Lowe Street, Queanbeyan, New South Wales 2620, Australia
C.J. Carson
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, Melbourne University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Abstract

Breeding activity of pairs of south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) in the eastern Larsemann Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica, was recorded in five of six austral summers between 1988 and 1994. More detailed observations of breeding success were made in the 1989/90 and 1993/94 summers. Although relatively few skuas nest in the study area, data suggest that there was inter-annual variation in numbers and locations of territories and chicks fledged. This variation is discussed in relation to increased human activities in the area (development of a summer base and more permanent stations) and to an enhanced access to human-derived foods. It is concluded that there has been some human impact on this species in the Larsemann Hills.

Type
Articles
Information
Polar Record , Volume 32 , Issue 180 , January 1996 , pp. 43 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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