1. Auks (Alcidae)

Abstract

With key information linked to thematic maps, this section evaluates the climate change vulnerability of six auks (Alcidae) species – Razorbill, Little Auk, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Common Murre, and Thick-billed Murre – in the North-East Atlantic. The assessments for every species cover three categories each: the exposure, or the magnitude in percentage and the characteristics of climate change; the sensitivity, or how much and by which climatic events the species are affected, depending on their biological features; the adaptive capacity, or the potential of species to respond to climate change. Assessments of local conservation actions against climate change impacts are listed here in readily consultable tables. Interventions are evaluated by evidence of effectiveness and grouped by types of impacts on auks: mammal predation, storms causing foraging difficulty and mortality, thermal stress, and reduced prey availability. Criteria of relevance, strength, and transparency measure the actions’ effectiveness.