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Rodríguez Y, Rodríguez A, van Loon WMGM, Pereira JM, Frias J, Duncan EM, Garcia S, Herrera L, Marqués C, Neves V, Domínguez-Hernández C, Hernández-Borges J, Rodríguez B, Pham CK. Cory's shearwater as a key bioindicator for monitoring floating plastics. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 186:108595. [PMID: 38552271 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The potential of using organisms as bioindicators of marine litter has been an area of general interest in multiple scientific and monitoring programs across the globe. Procellariiformes seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic contamination, which makes them a research focus group. This study investigated plastic ingestion in deceased fledglings and adults Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) collected over eight years (2015 to 2022) at two Atlantic archipelagos: the Azores and the Canaries. Necropsies were carried out in a total of 1,238 individuals showing a high prevalence of plastic ingestion (90%), with approximately 80% of items recovered from the gizzard. Fledglings carried greater plastic loads compared to adults, yet plastic morphologies were similar between both age classes. The temporal analyses conducted with generalised additive mixed-effect models revealed a distinct temporal trend in plastic numbers, but not in terms of plastic mass. In addition, the spatial analyses showed that Cory's shearwaters from the Canary Islands ingest a higher quantity of plastic and a greater proportion of threadlike items than the Azorean birds. These results suggest higher contamination at the NW Africa foraging grounds next to the Canaries and highlight fisheries as a potential source of marine litter in that region. On the other hand, the information gathered from the Azorean birds suggests they would be able to monitor changes in the composition of the plastic items floating in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. Overall, our outcomes support the use of Cory's shearwater fledglings that are victims of light pollution as a key bioindicator of plastic contamination in the North Atlantic. For its policy application, the presented threshold value in combination with the assessment method will enable effective tracking of floating plastic litter in the framework of the MSFD and OSPAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmina Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, 9900-138 HORTA, Portugal.
| | - Airam Rodríguez
- Canary Islands' Ornithology and Natural History Group (GOHNIC), Buenavista del Norte, Canary Islands, Spain; Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG-UAM), Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Willem M G M van Loon
- Rijkswaterstaat, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Zuiderwagenplein 2, 8224 AD Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - João M Pereira
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, 9900-138 HORTA, Portugal
| | - João Frias
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Old Dublin Rd., Galway H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Emily M Duncan
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Garcia
- Direção Regional de Políticas Marítimas, Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas, Colónia Alemã - Apartado 9, 9900-014 Horta, Portugal
| | - Laura Herrera
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, 9900-138 HORTA, Portugal
| | - Cristina Marqués
- Canary Islands' Ornithology and Natural History Group (GOHNIC), Buenavista del Norte, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Verónica Neves
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, 9900-138 HORTA, Portugal
| | - Cristopher Domínguez-Hernández
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n. 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n. 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n. 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n. 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Beneharo Rodríguez
- Canary Islands' Ornithology and Natural History Group (GOHNIC), Buenavista del Norte, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Christopher K Pham
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, 9900-138 HORTA, Portugal
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Bará S, Falchi F. Artificial light at night: a global disruptor of the night-time environment. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220352. [PMID: 37899010 PMCID: PMC10613534 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Light pollution is the alteration of the natural levels of darkness by an increased concentration of light particles in the night-time environment, resulting from human activity. Light pollution is profoundly changing the night-time environmental conditions across wide areas of the planet, and is a relevant stressor whose effects on life are being unveiled by a compelling body of research. In this paper, we briefly review the basic aspects of artificial light at night as a pollutant, describing its character, magnitude and extent, its worldwide distribution, its temporal and spectral change trends, as well as its dependence on current light production technologies and prevailing social uses of light. It is shown that the overall effects of light pollution are not restricted to local disturbances, but give rise to a global, multiscale disruption of the night-time environment. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Bará
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Galicia Spain
| | - Fabio Falchi
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Galicia Spain
- ISTIL Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologia dell'Inquinamento Luminoso–Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute, Via Roma, 13 - I 36016 Thiene, Italy
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Collins SM, Hedd A, Montevecchi WA, Burt TV, Wilson DR, Fifield DA. Small tube-nosed seabirds fledge on the full moon and throughout the lunar cycle. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230290. [PMID: 38053366 PMCID: PMC10698475 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many seabirds are attracted to anthropogenic light, and the risk is greater for recent fledglings. Moon phase predicts the probability of stranding (fewer birds strand on the full moon), but it remains uncertain whether moon phase is associated with when young seabirds fledge. Fledging behaviour of nocturnal, burrowing seabirds can be difficult to monitor using traditional methods but can provide insight into environmental factors that influence the risk of stranding. We used passive integrated transponder tags to monitor the fledging dates and times of Leach's storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) chicks across four breeding seasons (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022) at a major colony in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. We also assessed whether moon phase and incident illumination related to fledging date and time. The median fledge time was 1.6 h after sunset (0.6-11.7 h). The median fledge date was 10 October, and fledging dates ranged from 13 September to 13 November. Most importantly, moon phase was not associated with the time and date that Leach's storm-petrel chicks fledged. These results suggest that recently fledged storm-petrels are less attracted to anthropogenic light during high levels of natural illumination, which could indicate periods of higher stranding risk and help concentrate conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney M. Collins
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada
| | - April Hedd
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - William A. Montevecchi
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada
| | - Tori V. Burt
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada
| | - David R. Wilson
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada
| | - David A. Fifield
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Brown TM, Wilhelm SI, Mastromonaco GF, Burness G. A path forward in the investigation of seabird strandings attributed to light attraction. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Marie Brown
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada
| | - Sabina I. Wilhelm
- Environment and Climate Change Canada Mount Pearl Newfoundland Canada
| | | | - Gary Burness
- Department of Biology Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada
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Marangoni LFB, Davies T, Smyth T, Rodríguez A, Hamann M, Duarte C, Pendoley K, Berge J, Maggi E, Levy O. Impacts of artificial light at night in marine ecosystems-A review. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:5346-5367. [PMID: 35583661 PMCID: PMC9540822 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The globally widespread adoption of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) began in the mid-20th century. Yet, it is only in the last decade that a renewed research focus has emerged into its impacts on ecological and biological processes in the marine environment that are guided by natural intensities, moon phase, natural light and dark cycles and daily light spectra alterations. The field has diversified rapidly from one restricted to impacts on a handful of vertebrates, to one in which impacts have been quantified across a broad array of marine and coastal habitats and species. Here, we review the current understanding of ALAN impacts in diverse marine ecosystems. The review presents the current state of knowledge across key marine and coastal ecosystems (sandy and rocky shores, coral reefs and pelagic) and taxa (birds and sea turtles), introducing how ALAN can mask seabird and sea turtle navigation, cause changes in animals predation patterns and failure of coral spawning synchronization, as well as inhibition of zooplankton Diel Vertical Migration. Mitigation measures are recommended, however, while strategies for mitigation were easily identified, barriers to implementation are poorly understood. Finally, we point out knowledge gaps that if addressed would aid in the prediction and mitigation of ALAN impacts in the marine realm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura F. B. Marangoni
- Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteSmithsonian InstitutionCiudad de PanamáPanamá
| | - Thomas Davies
- School of Biological and Marine SciencesUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthDevonUK
| | - Tim Smyth
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect PlacePlymouthDevonUK
| | - Airam Rodríguez
- Grupo de Ornitología e Historia Natural de las islas Canarias, GOHNICBuenavista del NorteCanary IslandsSpain
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of EcologyUniversidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC‐UAM)Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Mark Hamann
- College of Science and Engineering, Marine BiologyJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleAustralia
| | - Cristian Duarte
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la VidaUniversidad Andres BelloSantiagoChile
| | | | - Jørgen Berge
- Department for Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty for Biosciences, Fisheries and EconomicsUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
- University Centre in SvalbardLongyearbyenNorway
- Department of Biology and Technology, Centre of Autonomous Marine Operations and SystemsNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - Elena Maggi
- Dip. di Biologia, CoNISMaUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Oren Levy
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat GanIsrael
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences, The H. Steinitz Marine Biology LaboratoryEilatIsrael
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Sacramento E, Rodríguez B, Rodríguez A. Roadkill mortality decreases after road inauguration. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01574-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe main factors affecting specific road casualty rates are related to life-history traits, road features, and landscape variables. After road inauguration, roadkill rate and spatial and temporal patterns can change substantially due to changes in traffic intensity, avoidance behaviour or local population decline. Despite the Canary Islands constituting a biodiversity hotspot, Canarian ecosystems are highly threatened because of the high human density, and studies on anthropogenic sources of mortality of wildlife are scarce. Here, we counted roadkills during two annual cycles after the inauguration of an 8.8-km-road section on Tenerife, the largest and most densely populated island of the Canaries. We counted 694 roadkills belonging to a minimum of 19 species of birds and six species of introduced mammals. Seasonal variation was apparent during both annual cycles, particularly for birds, being the majority of victims concentrated in May and June. Although traffic intensity increased since road inauguration, the number of roadkills decreased significantly in the second annual cycle. The reduction in road mortality in the second cycle could be related to some non-mutually exclusive factors such as population decline, road avoidance, or weather conditions. As road networks of the Canary Islands are still increasing, further studies quantifying road mortality impacts on Canarian ecosystems and threatened species are urgently needed to guarantee the management and conservation of its fragile wildlife.
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