What are the social aspects of breeding in a harsh and extremely seasonal environment?
On Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) make use of the highly productive yet short summer season to breed. Timing is essential, which is increasingly difficult due to climate change disrupting environmental cues they use.
This study investigates what triggers breeding activity in seabird populations, how synchronised individuals are in their timing, and what this means for breeding success.
Using extremely light-weight geolocators that detect light, we can measure their migration as well as their timing of breeding.
This project is a collaboration between Dr. Maarten Loonen at the Uni of Groningen's Arctic station, Prof. Samantha Patrick at Uni of Liverpool, Dr. Børge Moe at NINA, and myself.
On Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) make use of the highly productive yet short summer season to breed. Timing is essential, which is increasingly difficult due to climate change disrupting environmental cues they use.
This study investigates what triggers breeding activity in seabird populations, how synchronised individuals are in their timing, and what this means for breeding success.
Using extremely light-weight geolocators that detect light, we can measure their migration as well as their timing of breeding.
This project is a collaboration between Dr. Maarten Loonen at the Uni of Groningen's Arctic station, Prof. Samantha Patrick at Uni of Liverpool, Dr. Børge Moe at NINA, and myself.
[Picture]
Checking nests of aggressive Arctic terns in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard