Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-nmvwc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-27T09:16:00.819Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ainley, D.G., Ribic, C.A., and Wood, R.C.. 1990. A demographic study of the south polar skua Catharacta maccormicki at Cape Crozier. Journal of Animal Ecology 59: 1–20.Google Scholar
Burgess, J.S., Spate, A.P., and Norman, F.I.. 1992. Environmental impacts of station development in the Larsemann Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land, Antarctica. Journal of Environmental Management 36: 287–299.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ensor, P.H. 1979. The effect of storms on the breeding success of south polar skuas at Cape Bird, Antarctica. Notornis 26: 349–352.Google Scholar
Green, K. 1986. Observations on the food of the south polar skua, Catharacta maccormicki, near Davis, Antarctica. Polar Biology 6: 185–186.Google Scholar
Hemmings, A.D. 1990. Human impacts and ecological constraints on skuas. In: Kerry, K.R. and Hempel, G. (editors). Antarctic ecosystems: ecological change and conservation. Berlin: Springer-Verlag: 224–274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hull, C., Carter, R., and Whitehead, M.D.. 1994. Aspects of breeding chronology and success of the Antarctic skua Catharacta maccormicki at Magnetic Island, Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Corella 18: 37–40.Google Scholar
Johnston, B.R. 1971. Skua numbers and conservation problems at Cape Hallett, Antarctica. Nature 231: 468.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jouventin, P., and Guillotin, M.. 1979. Socio-écologie du skua Antarctique à Pointe Géologie. Terre et Revue Ecologie 33: 109–127.Google Scholar
Le Morvan, P., Mougin, J.L., and Prévost, J.. 1967. Ecologie du skua Antarctique (Stercorarius skua maccormicki) dans l'Archipel de Pointe Géologie (Terre Adélie). L 'Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Omithologie 37: 193–219.Google Scholar
Norman, F.I., and Ward, S.J.. 1990. Foods of the south polar skua at Hop Island, Rauer Group, East Antarctica. Polar Biology 10: 489–493.Google Scholar
Norman, F.I., MacFarlane, R.A., and Ward, S.J.. 1994. Carcasses of Adélie penguins as a food resource for south polar skuas: some preliminary observations. Wilson Bulletin 106: 26–34.Google Scholar
Pietz, P. J. 1986. Feeding and nesting ecology of sympatric south polar and brown skuas. Auk 104: 617–627.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pietz, P.J., and Parmelee, D.F.. 1994. Survival, site and mate fidelity in south polar skuas Catharacta maccormicki at Anvers Island, Antarctica. Ibis 136: 32–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SAS. 1988. SAS/STAT user's guide. Cary, NC: SAS InstituteGoogle Scholar
Wang, Z., and Norman, F.I.. 1993a. Foods of the south polar skua Catharacta maccormicki in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Polar Biology 13: 255–262.Google Scholar
Wang, Z., and Norman, F.I.. 1993b. Timing of breeding, breeding success and chick growth in south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) in the eastern Larsemann Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Notornis 40: 189–203.Google Scholar
Young, E.C. 1963. Feeding habits of the south polar skua Catharacta maccormicki. Ibis 105: 301–318.Google Scholar
Young, E.C. 1994. Skua and penguins: predator and prey. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar