EFFECTS OF CYCLONE ROSIE ON BREEDING RED-TAILED TROPICBIRDS PHAETHON RUBRICAUDA ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND, INDIAN OCEAN

摘要

Extreme weather events, such as storms or flooding, can have a strong impact on the reproductive success of seabirds. Because an increase in frequency and intensity of such catastrophic events attributable to global climate change is predicted, quantitative data on the impacts of these events are important to help to evaluate potential long-term effects on seabird populations. In the present Study, the impact of a cyclone on Red-tailed Tropicbirds Phaethon rubricauda breeding on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, is examined. In April 2008, Cyclone Rosie hit the island and caused a loss of 34.3% of nest sites, 41.3% of active nests and 61.3% of eggs. Despite this substantial impact, long-term consequences might not be problematic with respect to population size because no adult birds were found dead. Given the predicted increase of strong storms because of climate change, cumulative effects of frequent breeding failures caused by extreme weather conditions have to be monitored and taken into account for future management strategies.