Hentati Sundberg, Jonas
- Institutionen för akvatiska resurser (SLU Aqua), Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Sammanfattning
The Gulf of Panama is a critical nesting area for several seabird species, thanks to its unique oceanographic conditions that create abundant foraging opportunities during seasonal upwelling events. However, long-term monitoring of seabird breeding colonies in the region has been lacking, leaving critical ecological aspects of these species, including their conservation status, insufficiently updated. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the seabird colony of Bona Island, a newly designated protected area. Through drone surveys, we estimated the breeding populations of Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis and Magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens during the 2023-2024 season and compared the findings with the most recent previous report. Our results confirmed that both species predominantly breed during the upwelling season and exhibit consistent nesting area preferences over time. The Brown pelican population remained stable throughout the years, indicating a healthy colony, while the Magnificent frigatebird population declined in 2023-2024 compared to earlier years, warranting further investigation. Drone surveys proved to be an efficient monitoring tool, and we recommend adopting of standardized drone-based techniques for future population assessments. Given the numerous threats seabirds face and the recent establishment of protections at the study site, this study provides a critical first step in understanding an important seabird colony in the Pacific and offers valuable insights for future conservation and management efforts in Panama.
Nyckelord
seabird breeding colony; Brown pelican; Magnificent frigatebird; unmanned aerial vehicle; population size; nest distribution
Publicerad i
Ethology Ecology & Evolution
2025
Utgivare: TAYLOR AND FRANCIS LTD
SLU författare
UKÄ forskningsämne
Ekologi
Zoologi
Publikationens identifierare
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2025.2493636
Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142098