Population declines and heavy metal exposure of Swinhoe%26apos;s Storm Petrels (Oceanodroma monorhis) breeding on the southwest coast of Korea

作者：Lee D P; Lee K G; Nam D H^*

来源：Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2012, 64(12): 2645-2649.

DOI：10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.10.018

• Population dynamics
• Biomarker
• Monitoring
• Seabirds

We investigated the population dynamics of globally near-threatened Swinhoe%26apos;s Storm Petrels on Kugul and Chilbal islets where %26gt;90% of the world breeding population have resided for %26gt;25 years. We also determined the levels of six heavy metals in the seabird species as a possible factor affecting reproduction. Of the 892 and 307 marked burrows since 1986, the breeding density of Swinhoe%26apos;s Storm Petrels has changed significantly, based on a 55% decline at Kugul islet, and a 39% decline at Chilbal islet, suggesting that this species has suffered an extensive population decline. Of the individuals studied, five Swinhoe%26apos;s Storm Petrels and two Streaked Shearwaters had %26gt;8.0 mu g/g Pb in tissues, which is a potentially lethal level in avian species. Given that substantial changes in their breeding populations may occur in a limited breeding colony, ecological threats including environmental pollutants warrant attention for global conservation of these birds.

• 出版日期2012-12