title: Seabirds as indicators of aquatic ecosystem conditions: a case for gathering multiple proxies of seabird health.
abstract: The use of seabirds as sentinels of the condition of aquatic ecosystems has been well-established. Large environmental perturbations to aquatic food webs (e.g., chemical contamination, overfishing, particulate pollution) have all been detected or monitored by tracking seabirds at colonies. However, seabirds may elicit more subtle, sublethal responses that can also be used to track ecosystem health, or the health of seabird populations. In this article, we advocate for field researchers to plan a priori to collect a broader suite of samples when handling seabirds, and to reach out for collaboration with specialists (e.g., parasitologists, wildlife veterinarians). Collectively, such efforts will greatly improve our ability to establish baseline physiological and chemical levels for seabirds, against which we can detect future changes in aquatic ecosystems.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Service, Box 1714, Iqaluit, NU, Canada X0A 0H0. mark.mallory@ec.gc.ca
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mallory
authors.forename: Stacey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Craig E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Forbes
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005843:Geography; D006262:Health; D011157:Population Dynamics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*