RT Journal Article
T1 Satellite tracking of red-listed nominate lesser black-backed gulls (Larus f. fuscus): Habitat specialisation in foraging movements raises novel conservation needs
A1 Juvaste, Risto
A1 Arriero Higueras, Elena
A1 Gagliardo, Anna
A1 Holland, Richard
A1 Huttunen, Markku J.
A1 Mueller, Inge
A1 Thorup, Kasper
A1 Wikelski, Martin
A1 Hannila, Juhani
A1 Penttinen, Maija-Liisa
A1 Wistbacka, Ralf
AB In contrast to many other gull species, nominate lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus fuscus, nLBBG) have shown generally decreasing population trends throughout their breeding area in northern and eastern Fennoscandia over the past decades and are now red-listed. Interspecific competition, predation, increased disturbance, organochlorine poisoning and food shortages were suggested as main reasons for the overall decrease. Here we contribute to a better understanding of population declines by comparing foraging movements of satellite tracked adult gulls in three geographical areas of Finland (West, South, and East) that differ in their population trends. Our analysis examines potential differences and preferences in the feeding site behaviour of adult gulls. Our comparison of the three geographical areas showed that nLBBGs preferred feeding at fur farms in West Finland, waste dumps in South Finland, and lakes and fields in East Finland. We found individual gulls of this purportedly generalist species to be highly specialised in their foraging behaviour, particularly those that might be associated with their survival probabilities. We hypothesise that differences in foraging behaviour and food availability during the breeding season are partially responsible for differences in demographic trends between populations. Specifically, we identify potential local conservation problems such as shooting in birds visiting fur farms. Our data suggest that the effective conservation and management of endangered nLBBGs could be aided by simple actions in the breeding areas in addition to better protection throughout the annual movement cycle.
PB Elsevier
SN ESSN: 2351-9894
YR 2017
FD 2017-04
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/17996
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/17996
LA eng
NO Max-Planck Society (Munich, Germany)
NO National Geographic Society(Washington USA)
NO National Science Foundation (NSF, USA)
NO Baden-Wuerttenberg Fund for Innovation(Germany)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 16 abr 2025