EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS > ENDANGERED SPECIES
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This indicator is no longer maintained, and is considered OBSOLETE. INDICATOR DEFINITION The number of breeding pairs of Southern Giant Petrels at Heard Island, the McDonald Islands, and in colonies near Casey, Davis and Mawson stations. TYPE OF INDICATOR There are three types of indicators used in this report: 1. Describes the CONDITION of important elements of a system; 2. Show the extent of the major PRESSURES exerted on a system; 3. Determine RESPONSES to either condition or changes in the condition of a system. This indicator is one of: CONDITION RATIONALE FOR INDICATOR SELECTION The breeding population of Southern Giant Petrels is related to resource availability (nesting space and food), behavioural mechanisms (immigration/emigration and breeding effort/success) in addition to climate change and human impacts (including fisheries and human disturbance). Monitoring breeding populations and interpretation of the data provides information on changes in the Antarctic and Subantarctic ecosystems. DESIGN AND STRATEGY FOR INDICATOR MONITORING PROGRAM Spatial scale: Colonies near Australian Stations - Frazier Islands, Casey (lat 66 degrees 16' 54.5' S, long 110 degrees 31' 39.4' E) Hawker Island, Davis (lat 68 degrees 34' 35.8' S, long 77 degrees 58' 02.6' E) Giganteus Island, Mawson (lat 67 degrees 36' 09.7' S, long 62 degrees 52' 25.7' E) Heard Island - (lat 53 degrees 06' 00.0' S, long 73 degrees 31' 59.9' E) McDonald Islands - (lat 53 degrees 02' 26.2' S, long 72 degrees 36' 00.0' E) Frequency: Breeding Southern Giant Petrels are easily disturbed. Colonies are visited every 3-5 years to minimise disturbance to breeding birds. Measurement technique: All colonies are visited and breeding birds are counted from outside the colonies by two personnel performing replicate counts. All breeding individuals in a colony are counted. No birds are disturbed off their nests. Considerations regarding disturbance associated with census visits are also incorporated into monitoring strategies. The lack of annual census data does not reduce the value of these long-term monitoring programmes. RESEARCH ISSUES All Southern Giant Petrel breeding populations in the AAT and at HIMI decreased following their discovery. Southern Giant Petrels breeding on Indian Ocean islands are highly sensitive to human disturbance. Access to breeding colonies is restricted, as are the types of activities permitted. Disturbance from researchers has been implicated in the observed decreases in these populations (Woehler et al. 2001, Woehler et al. in press). Analyses of the long term AAT data suggest that the breeding populations at Hawker Is and at the Frazier Is have recovered following the restrictions on access and activities permitted on breeding islands. LINKS TO OTHER INDICATORS
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This indicator is no longer maintained, and is considered OBSOLETE. INDICATOR DEFINITION Breeding populations of Adelie penguins at Davis, Mawson and Casey (including Shirley Island and Whitney Point). TYPE OF INDICATOR There are three types of indicators used in this report: 1. Describes the CONDITION of important elements of a system; 2. Show the extent of the major PRESSURES exerted on a system; 3. Determine RESPONSES to either condition or changes in the condition of a system. This indicator is one of: CONDITION RATIONALE FOR INDICATOR SELECTION The breeding population of Adelie penguins is related to resource availability (nesting space and food), behavioural mechanisms (immigration/emigration and breeding effort/success) in addition to climate change and human impacts (fisheries, tourism, pollution, disturbance). Monitoring these colonies and interpretation of the data provides information on changes in the Antarctic ecosystem. DESIGN AND STRATEGY FOR INDICATOR MONITORING PROGRAM Spatial scale: Colonies near Australian Stations - Casey (lat 66 deg 16' 54.5" S, long 110 deg 31' 39.4" E) Davis (lat 68 deg 34' 35.8" S, long 77 deg 58' 02.6" E) Mawson (lat 67 deg 36' 09.7" S, long 62 deg 52' 25.7" E) All colonies on - Shirley Island (lat 66 deg 16' 55.9" S, long 110 deg 29' 17.9" E) and Whitney Point (lat 66 deg 15' 08.6" S, long 110 deg 31' 40.1" E) Frequency: Annual surveys at Shirley Island and Whitney Point. Other colonies every 2-3 years, depending on logistical constraints. Measurement technique: Each colony is visited and all breeding birds are counted from the ground by two or three personnel performing replicate counts. Supplementary census data are obtained from oblique ground and aerial photographs. All breeding adults in a colony are counted. Considerations regarding disturbance associated with census visits are also incorporated into monitoring strategies. The lack of annual census data for some colonies does not reduce the value of these long-term monitoring programmes. RESEARCH ISSUES Adelie Penguin populations throughout East Antarctica have shown sustained, long-term increases for the past 30 or more years; in contrast, populations elsewhere around the Antarctic and on the Antarctic Peninsula have exhibited decreases or no clear long-term trends (Woehler et al. 2001). Greater coverage of colonies throughout the AAT would provide a more accurate estimate of the total annual breeding population in East Antarctica. In addition to basic inventory requirements, data on the population trends would contribute to a better understanding of the role of Adelie penguins in the Antarctic ecosystem, and provide managers with feedback or management strategies. LINKS TO OTHER INDICATORS
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Observation on V3 commenced as the Aurora Australis departed Fremantle and concluded on the approach to Hobart. The SOCEP research objective is to detect and document cetacean sightings and relevant environmental and other information throughout the voyage. The BROKE-West multidisciplinary voyage provides an opportunity to correlate sightings data with oceanographic and biology research conducted by other programs. Search effort is conducted over a broad range of weather conditions. The majority of Antarctic species are medium to large whales, with cues that can be detected in relatively high Beaufort sea states up to and including Beaufort Sea State 7. Observers search for whales while ever light, weather and sea conditions are suitable unless the vessel is stopped (e.g. CTD stations) or traveling slowly (e.g. trawling). Data are recorded using a laptop computer-based sighting program (Wincruz for Logger v3) that automatically logs under-way data from the ship's system including GPS position, ship course and speed, wind direction and speed, and also downloads time and date when required (F1 key). Data Collection In the preferred and highest level of (Full Effort) two observers are positioned on the port (Port) and starboard (Starboard) sides of the flying bridge (wheelhouse roof). The search area is an arc 180 degrees ahead to abeam of the vessel, primarily with the naked eye and augmented by the use of Fujinon 7x50 binoculars. A third observer (Tracker) is also stationed on the flying bridge. This person's role is to positively identify species, numbers and behaviour, particularly in the case of distant sightings, with the aid of Fujinon 25 x 150 binoculars (BigEyes). This team member also captures digital video footage of cetacean sightings when appropriate. The fourth rostered team member, the Central Logger (CL) is located on the bridge and communicates with those on the flying bridge via hand-held radio transceiver. The role of the CL is to record all relevant data on the Logger laptop computer. When in sea ice, a fifth member of the team ('Duplicate Identifier') is rostered to collect sea ice digital still images and video, and enter ice data in the SeaIce page in Logger. The CL monitors the effort activity and progressively updates as necessary general information such as search effort, observers, weather, sea conditions. Search effort is dropped a lower level of effort (CAS Effort), if visibility is determined to be too poor for Full Effort due to some combination of adverse weather conditions that precluded detection of most species (i.e. strong winds, fog, and large swell, confused swell, high sea state). If conditions become too poor to survey, or if the ship is traveling slowly or stopped, the effort is terminated (Off Effort). At such times the CL is generally rostered to remain on the bridge to ensure that passing whales do not go unreported, and to alert the rest of the team when the ship begins transiting at speed again or if visibility improves. Sightings When observers report whale sightings the CL enters the time, angle and distance from vessel, species identification, number of animals, sighting cue, behaviour and presence of ice and ancillary data. Cetaceans are identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Positive species identification is made only when there is certainty. Best, high and low estimates of group size are recorded for each sighting, and where more than one observer made an estimate, the final record is arrived at by consensus. Photographic records of cetaceans (and other wildlife and habitat) are collected opportunistically using digital cameras. Other Wildlife Seal and penguin species are logged while in sea ice, and opportunistically elsewhere. Flying birds within 100 metres of the ship are logged half-hourly, and large flocks are logged when observed. Other Event Occurrences such as the sighting or marine debris are logged as they are observed. Sea Ice Data Sea ice observations are recorded in Logger every 10 minutes while in transit in sea ice unless the ship is stopped or transiting slowly. Sea ice data are based on observations within a 1km 90 degree radius of the ship on the port side. A buoy of known diameter is suspended just above the waterline in front of the bridge to assist with estimates of ice and snow thickness. Sea ice still digital images are taken every 10 minutes while in transit in sea ice (unless transiting slowly), coinciding with SeaIce data recording in Logger. Sea Ice continuous video is taken for ten minutes each half-hour, showing the bow and horizon. The images and video assist in post cruise validation of sea ice thickness and assessment of the 1km radius for sea ice data collection. Sea ice habitat images are also captured when/where minke whales are sighted. Acronyms % Species 1 Percentage of group made up by Species 1 % Species 2 Percentage of group made up by Species 2 % Species 3 Percentage of group made up by Species 3 Bearing Bearing of sighting, in degrees, relative to the ship Beaufort Sea state assessment using Beaufort Scale (1-12) Berg Count No of icebergs 180 degrees ahead Best school size Best estimate of the number in group Casual observations (CAS) Lower level of Effort e.g. fewer observers Duplicate Identifier Person gathering/entering ice observations/images Dynamics Changes to the pod's composition. Effort Status Classification of level of observation effort End Time Time sighting observation ended Est distance Estimated distance from ship in nm. Floe Size Descriptive of size/nature of ice flows Full effort Highest level of observation effort Glare strength Classification of glare as it effects visibility Habitat Bathymetry Determined by reference to ship's chart High school size Highest estimate of the number in group Ice Conc Concentration of ice, in tenths Ice Thick Ice thickness in cm Ice Type Descriptive nature of ice Image File Identification number allocated to image taken at time of data entry In or Near Ice Ice conditions where wildlife was sighted Initial cue What first drew the observer's attention to the sighting. Left Glare Left extremity of glare Low school size Lowest estimate of the number in group Method Whether sighting was made using naked eye, 7x50 binoculars or 25x150 (Big-eye) binoculars Minke Vis Estimate of the distance at which a minke whale blow could be seen in prevailing conditions Notes For Recorder's additional information and comments Observer Person reporting the sighting Open Water Overall ice/water situation Port Observer monitoring the ocean on the port side Primary Ice Obs. Observations of thickest ice type Reaction The animal's reaction to the ship Recorder Person entering data into Logger Right Glare Right extremity of glare Secondary Ice Obs. Observations of second-thickest ice type Sightability Assessment of overall viewing conditions Sighting No Progressive numbering of whale sightings by Logger (default) Snow Thick Snow thickness in cm Snow Type Descriptive of snow on ice Species 1 When multiple species are being reported, with the species in greatest number listed first Starboard Observer monitoring the ocean on the starboard side Swell Code Descriptive of ocean swell Swell Direction Compass direction from which swell moving. Swim direction Animal's swim direction in degrees relative to the ship's heading Tertiary Ice Obs Observations of third-thickest ice type Topog Descriptive of ice topography e.g. ridging Total Ice Conc Ice concentration in tenths Tracker Observer using BigEyes binoculars to identify species, and assisting other observers generally Weather Code Weather conditions effecting visibility An excel spreadsheet containing a full list of terms used in the observation logs is available for download from the URL given below. This work was completed as part of ASAC projects 2253, 2655 and 2679 (ASAC_2253, ASAC_2655, ASAC_2679).
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Distribution and abundance of breeding seabirds in the AAT. This dataset comprises a broad range of component datasets derived from ground surveys aerial photography and oblique photography. Aerial and oblique photography has been used to obtain supplementary information on distribution and abundance of seabirds in the region. Recent surveys, 2000/01 onwards, have made use of GPS for more precise geographic information on seabird nests and colonies. At present there are a number of child metadata records attached to this record. See the link above for details.
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Distribution and abundance of breeding seabirds at Heard I and the McDonald Is. This dataset comprises a broad range of component datasets derived from ground surveys aerial photography and oblique photography. Since the data have also been derived from old station logs for the 1947-54 period, and from published and unpublished records for the 1947-present day period. Aerial and oblique photography has been used to obtain supplementary information on distribution and abundance of seabirds in the region. Recent surveys, 2000/01 onwards, have made use of GPS for more precise geographic information on seabird nests and colonies. At present there are a number of child metadata records attached to this record. See the link above for details.
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Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 915 and 2253 See the link below for public details on these projects. Our cetacean research is conducted on multidisciplinary cruises aimed at investigating environmental change and ecosystem effects. Our research approach now integrates broad scale acoustic monitoring with fine scale ecology experiments during annual surveys with AMLR. These data will allow us to connect fine scale variability with regional and circum-Antarctic processes, and eventually to understand how the dynamics of the Antarctic ecosystem and environmental change might affect the recovery of whale populations. The BROKE WEST multidisciplinary survey to be held in the 2005/2006 season will provide a large-scale simultaneously collected dataset within which to analyse the cetacean distribution, ecological and acoustic data. These sightings were made on Australian Antarctic Division voyages. For further information about these voyages, see the URL given below. Codes provided in the download file for voyage come in two formats: V70102 - Voyage 7 of the 2001/2002 season KK0102 - Use of the Kapitan Khlebnikov by the Australian Antarctic Division in the 2001/2002 season. The download file will include an excel spreadsheet of sightings, resightings and incidental sightings, as well as an explanatory word document. For further details on methods used, and an explanation of the types of data collected, see the above mentioned word document. These data were collected as part of ASAC projects 915 and 2253 (ASAC_915 and ASAC_2253). The fields in this dataset are: Voyage Data Logger (Logger/Wincruz) Date Time Observer Method Bearing Distance (nautical miles) Swim Direction Near Ice Species Reaction Group Size Latitude Longitude
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The BROKE-West survey was conducted on voyage 3 of the Aurora Australis during the 2005-3006 season. It was intended to be a comprehensive biological and oceanographic survey of the region between 30 degrees and 80 degrees east. A number of metadata records providing more detail about aspects of the voyage are linked off this metadata record. Copies of the public summaries from the underlying ASAC projects of the voyage are below: A planned acoustic biomass survey for krill in CCAMLR Division 58.4.2 (South West Indian Ocean) in January-March 2006 will produce the data for a revised catch limit on the krill fishery. The survey will utilise a standardised design as adopted in previous biomass surveys in the CCAMLR Area and will consist of 11 parallel transects between 30 degrees and 80 degrees east. A full suite of ecological measurements will be conducted: physical and chemical oceanography, primary productivity, microbial diversity, zooplankton distribution and abundance, krill distribution, abundance and demographics, fish distribution, abundance and genetics, and seabird and cetacean distribution. The three-dimensional ocean circulation from the 30 to 80 degrees E and 200nm from Antarctica is being studied through the use of direct measurements of velocity, temperature, salinity, oxygen, nutrients , chloro-flourocarbons, dissolved inorganic carbon and bio-geochemical cycles. This multi-disciplinary experiment (see also project 2655) will determine the circulation of the region, its relation to bio-geochemical cycles, carbon cycle and ecosystems. The temperature and salinity data will also be used to test for long term trends that could be related to climate change. This work was completed as part of ASAC projects 2655 and 2679 (ASAC_2655, ASAC_2679). A pdf copy of the proposed voyage track is available for download from the provided URL. Two csv files detailing the locations (latitudes and longitudes), plus times and dates (UTC) of the trawl and ctd stations on the BROKE-West voyage are available for download from the provided URL. Additional comments (where applicable) about each station are also provided.