A Tropical Volcano, High Predation Pressure, and Breeding Biology of Arctic Waterbirds: A Circumpolar Review of Breeding Failure in the Summer of 1992

Abstract

Although periodic breeding failures of Arctic-nesting birds on a regional scale are common, a breeding failure encompassing almost the entire Arctic in the same year is exceptional. In the spring and summer of 1992, however, the aerosol cloud resulting from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo (Philippines) had reached the high northern latitudes and caused significant cooling in most of the Arctic, with widespread negative consequences for Arctic-breeding birds. At the same time, low abundance of small rodents and high abundance of predators presented additional problems for breeding birds in parts of the Palearctic. We compiled data on breeding biology of Arctic waterfowl and waders from more than 30 field studies to illuminate in what ways the circumpolar bad weather and predation influenced the breeding season of Arctic birds in 1992. Most projects reported a higher proportion of nonbreeders and a delayed onset of nest initiation compared to other years. Hatching and fledging success of the low number of late breeders was reduced. In addition, some projects reported lower clutch sizes and increased adult mortality. Detailed data from field studies are complemented by data on overall reproductive success of waterfowl and wader populations collected from staging and wintering grounds. In total, there was an almost complete reproductive failure for waders and waterfowl throughout the Arctic in 1992, suggesting a short-term effect on global waterbird populations. This is an example of climatic fluctuations influencing reproductive biology of a group of species on a circumpolar scale.

Variation in Timing of the Siberian KnotCalidris c. canutusAutumn Migration in the Puck Bay Region (Southern Baltic)

“…In years with low breeding success, departures of adults from Taimyr were earlier than usual (Tomkovich & Soloviev 1996, Tomkovich 1998a, which corresponded to observations from the Puck Bay, assuming that low number of juveniles there indicated low breeding success. The extreme situation was noted in 1992, when after Pinatubo eruption aerosol cloud reached the Arctic and caused significant cooling (Ganter & Boyd 2000). Unfavourable weather resulted in widespread nonbreeding among waterbirds, with the extremely low breeding success being also a consequence of high predation pressure (Tomkovich 1998a, ARCTIC BIRDS 2005.…”

Synchrony in lemming and vole populations in the Canadian Arctic

“…Geese can be severely impacted by late spring weather (Ganter and Boyd 2000), and the question arises as to whether independent goose colonies spread over the Arctic are affected at the same time. Ganter and Boyd (2000) showed a correlation between the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo and a widespread breeding failure of waterfowl and waders in the Canadian Arctic in 1992. They tabulated data from Canadian Arctic goose populations to show that there was widespread breeding failure in other years, such as 1986.…”

Trends in Forage Fish Populations in Northern Hudson Bay since 1981, as Determined from the Diet of Nestling Thick-billed Murres, <i>Uria lomvia</i>

“…The statistic used was the extent (km 2 ) of ice cover greater than 10%. The summer of 1992 was exceptionally cold because of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo (McCormick et al, 1995), a phenomenon that had striking consequences for Arctic-breeding birds (Ganter and Boyd, 2000). Consequently, we have repeated some analyses omitting data for 1992.…”