Effects of human disturbance on breeding Least and Crested Auklets at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska

The Auk
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Abstract

We studied breeding success, chick growth, and diets of Least (Aethia pusilla) and Crested (A. cristatella) auklets on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, in summer 1987. Least Auklets had higher breeding success on control plots (50-66%) than on disturbed plots (36%). Crested Auklets had a breeding success of 42% on disturbed plots. Predation by microtine rodents and weather accounted for most natural chick mortality. Least Auklet chicks grew at a maximum rate of 4.9 g/day, and Crested Auklet chicks at 12.8 g/day. Least Auklet chicks were fed mostly copepods (Neocalanus plumchrus), whereas Crested Auklet chicks were fed Thysanoessa euphausiids.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Effects of human disturbance on breeding Least and Crested Auklets at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska
Series title The Auk
DOI 10.2307/4087618
Volume 107
Issue 2
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher American Ornithological Society
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description 9 p.
First page 342
Last page 350
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial St. Lawrence Island
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