Seabird influence on ecological processes in coastal marine ecosystems: An overlooked role? A critical review

Abstract

Seabirds are vital components of coastal ecosystems and connect marine and terrestrial systems at a global scale, significantly contributing to inter-habitat connectivity and the ecological dynamics of the recipient systems. By exhibiting a wide range of ecological functions, seabirds can contribute to shape coastal ecological processes in a multitude of ways, among which directly influencing trophic status, environmental contamination, biodiversity and food webs through trophic (bottom-up or top-down) and non-trophic processes. Although the ecological and functional role of birds in terrestrial areas, islands in particular, has been deeply studied since the last century, the same does not hold true for coastal area. Since coastal areas have a crucial economic and ecological role worldwide and, at the same time, are highly vulnerable, looking into the role of seabirds in influencing the ecosystem functioning in coastal areas is needed nowadays. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the influence of seabirds on coastal ecological processes highlighting 2 knowledge gaps, with particular emphasis on the avian ecological functions that are crucial in influencing the ecosystem processes and functioning and, therefore, their influence on the provision of ecosystem services and goods for the human well-being.

Progressing delineations of key biodiversity areas for seabirds, and their application to management of coastal seas

“…With this prospect of identifying more species-specific KBA element layers, a key challenge for decisionmakers will be to determine which interventions, and at what scales, will be most appropriate for conserving biodiversity. In the case of the near-pristine (Baylis et al, 2021;Mora-Soto et al, 2021), and highly connected Falklands marine system (Agnew, 2002;Payne et al, 2019;Signa et al, 2021;Tabak et al, 2016), there is a unique opportunity to proactively consider the best suited actions that would be able to maintain the globally significant biodiversity in all relevant areas of Falklands waters. Obtaining up-to-date population data, as well as fine-scale at-sea distribution estimates (Baylis et al, 2021) would serve as part of the necessary baseline required to monitor the impact of potential activities in future, and would significantly strengthen opportunities to guide efforts which could support lasting ecosystem functioning of the region (Kullberg et al, 2019).…”

“…Complementing these political commitments is also a growing body of knowledge regarding the interventions that can support targets being met (Douvere, 2008;Hays et al, 2019;Maxwell et al, 2020). This knowledge includes decision-making products that foster identification of important areas for biodiversity in the marine environment, in which the effects of potentially harmful practices should be mitigated (Douvere, 2008;Smith et al, 2019).…”

“…To support decision-making for possible management action, the KBA guidelines recognize that sites should be considered as "manageable units" when delineating boundaries. However, KBAs come with no legal standing and are rather considered a valuable information product that can support data-led management of terrestrial or marine systems (Smith et al, 2019).…”

“…Because of the relative ease through which seabird populations can be monitored on land and at sea as opposed to other marine species, they are, however, a key taxonomic group that can play a critical role guiding marine spatial planning efforts (Davies et al, 2021; Mallory et al, 2019; McGowan et al, 2013), and have long been considered indicators of broader biodiversity patterns (Boersma, 2008; Furness & Camphuysen, 1997; Hazen et al, 2019). Additionally, there is a growing body of evidence detailing the critical ecosystem services these birds provide (Estes et al, 2011; Signa et al, 2021). Hence, implementing management actions that benefit the persistence or recovery of seabird populations can be highly beneficial not only for specific seabird species, but also for the ecosystems on which birds rely on.…”

Baseline Gene Expression Levels in Falkland-Malvinas Island Penguins: Towards a New Monitoring Paradigm

“…As an example, seabirds have a global distribution, are vital components of coastal marine ecosystems, and may connect marine and terrestrial environments at a global scale [9][10][11]. Because seabirds are dependent on a variety of ecosystems, they are vulnerable to both marine and terrestrial environmental stressors and the synergistic effects of combined stressors [11].…”