Abstract
In recent times metapopulation models have contributed important insights to conservation, and they have inspired field studies that focus on collecting key data on demography and movement. Seabirds are suitable models for studying ecological processes in metapopulations because they breed in discrete local populations (i.e. colonies) both in space and time. However, in the Mediterranean, seabird colonies mostly show conservation problems at an ecosystem level, linked to human activities (e.g. fisheries, tourism, industrial pollution) and the resulting loss of habitat and deterioration of habitat quality. From a conservation point of view, it is crucial to study transfer processes in seabird metapopulations (i.e. emigration, immigration and colonisation) in order to propose management measures. Conservation agencies should always take into account these processes and the spatial factor involved in metapopulation dynamics. However, it is difficult to estimate demographic parameters at a metapopulation level because of technical and financial constraints. In addition, there is a need to act at large geographical scales, since seabirds are wide-ranging species, which operate in ranges beyond political boundaries and far greater than those encompassed by traditional management practices.
Highlights
SUMMARY: In recent times metapopulation models have contributed important insights to conservation, and they have inspired field studies that focus on collecting key data on demography and movement
Seabirds are suitable models for studying ecological processes in metapopulations because they breed in discrete local populations both in space and time
Conservation agencies should always take into account these processes and the spatial factor involved in metapopulation dynamics
Summary
Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Spain. Seabirds are suitable models for studying ecological processes in metapopulations because they breed in discrete local populations (i.e. colonies) both in space and time. From a conservation point of view, it is crucial to study transfer processes in seabird metapopulations (i.e. emigration, immigration and colonisation) in order to propose management measures. Las aves marinas son modelos apropiados para estudiar procesos ecológicos en metapoblaciones ya que crían en poblaciones locales discretas (i.e. colonias) tanto en el espacio como en el tiempo. En el Mediterráneo, además, las colonias de aves marinas suelen presentar problemas de conservación al nivel de ecosistema, principalmente relacionados con las actividades humanas Desde el punto de vista de la conservación, es crucial estudiar los procesos de transferencia en metapoblaciones de aves marinas (i.e. emigración, inmigración y colonización) para proponer medidas de manejo. Palabras clave: metapoblación, conservación, dispersión, procesos de transferencia, criterios de gestión, investigación, efecto rescate, captura-recaptura, Mediterráneo
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
