Spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use by Eurasian oystercatchers (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Haematopus ostralegus</Emphasis>) in the eastern Wadden Sea revealed using GPS data loggers |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Philipp?SchwemmerEmail author Stefan?Garthe |
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Institution: | 1.Research and Technology Centre (FTZ),University of Kiel,Büsum,Germany |
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Abstract: | Detailed knowledge on species–habitat relationships is of crucial importance for the understanding of processes in marine
ecosystems. Being top-predators, birds are important bio-indicators for marine systems. The aim of this study was to elucidate
precise information on foraging habitat use and foraging times of oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) on wide tidal flats using global positioning system (GPS) data loggers. The study was conducted to collect hints for the
negative population trends in oystercatchers in the Wadden Sea. It is the first time that GPS technique has been used in a
shorebird species. Although oystercatchers are known to exhibit foraging site fidelity, a number of individuals visited multiple
sites. Foraging trips at night were longer, and the targeted sites were further away than those used during the day. These
patterns were likely to be caused by higher risks of clutch predation by avian predators during the day that led adults to
reduce their absence to defend their clutches. Our methodological approach enabled the subtle spatio-temporal patterns of
habitat use to be determined on a very fine spatio-temporal scale. We suggest further potential studies using GPS data loggers
that may help to reveal the reasons for the current declines in oystercatcher populations in the German Wadden Sea. |
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