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G. Hubert, S. Aubry. (2021). Study of the Impact of Past Extreme Solar Events on the Modern Air Traffic (Vol. 19).
Abstract: The ancient solar energetic particle (SEP) events of 774/775 CE and 993/994 CE were characterized thanks to radionuclide productions stored in environmental archives as ice cores or tree rings. Primary cosmic ray spectra deduced from these cosmogenic isotope data indicate that the impact of these extreme SEP events would have been much more significant than any of the ones observed during the modern era. However, the impact of these should be studied more accurately in the framework of the ambient dose equivalent impacting aircrew and passengers in the air traffic context by considering physical parameters such as time profile or anisotropy properties. In this study, the impact that 774/775 CE and 993/994 CE past extreme SEP events could have had on modern air traffic is discussed. Possible event spectra for these ancient events are derived from the spectra ground-level enhancement (GLE) 5 and GLE 69, which have been observed during the modern era and have been widely studied/characterized using measurements. The investigations include the impact of the SEP activity on ambient dose equivalent, including detailed analyses considering route, airplane characteristics (departure, arrival, continent, airplane type), and the time occurrence of the SEP event. Statistical analyses show that additional dose levels can reach values on the order of 70 mSv, which is absolutely significant considering the current air traffic recommendations. The orders of magnitude of the ambient dose equivalent induced during past extreme SEP events raises a number of issues, both for aircrews and for avionics hardware. This study demonstrates that simulations can be useful for the evaluation of risks in case of extreme SEP events.
Programme: 1112
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Amalie Vigdel Ask, Bjørn Munro Jenssen, Sabrina Tartu, Frédéric Angelier, Olivier Chastel, Geir Wing Gabrielsen. (2021). Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Are Positively Associated with Thyroid Hormones in an Arctic Seabird (Vol. 40).
Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with several disrupted physiological and endocrine parameters. Regarding endocrine mechanisms, laboratory studies suggest that PFAS could disrupt the thyroid hormone system and alter circulating thyroid hormone concentrations. Thyroid hormones play a ubiquitous role—controlling thermoregulation, metabolism, and reproduction. However, evidence for disruption of thyroid hormones by PFAS remains scarce in wildlife. The present study investigated the associations between concentrations of PFAS, thyroid hormones, and body condition in an arctic seabird, the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). We collected blood from kittiwakes sampled in Svalbard, Norway (2013 and 2014). Plasma samples were analyzed for total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) concentrations; detected PFAS included branched and linear (lin) C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (i.e., perfluoroctane sulfonate [PFOS]) and C9-C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs). The dominant PFAS in the kittiwakes were linPFOS and C11- and C13-PFCAs. Generally, male kittiwakes had higher concentrations of PFAS than females. We observed positive correlations between linPFOS, C10-PFCA, and TT4 in males, whereas in females C12-14-PFCAs were positively correlated to TT3. Interestingly, we observed contrasted correlations between PFAS and body condition; the direction of the relationship was sex-dependent. Although these results show relationships between PFAS and circulating thyroid hormone concentrations in kittiwakes, the study design does not allow for concluding on causal relationships related to effects of PFAS on the thyroid hormone system. Future experimental research is required to quantify this impact of PFAS on the biology of kittiwakes. The apparently different associations among PFAS and body condition for males and females are puzzling, and more research is required. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:820–831. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Keywords: Avian toxicity Ecotoxicology Endocrine-disrupting compounds Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance Thyroid hormones
Programme: 330
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Maud Quéroué, Christophe Barbraud, Frédéric Barraquand, Daniel Turek, Karine Delord, Nathan Pacoureau, Olivier Gimenez. (2021). Multispecies integrated population model reveals bottom-up dynamics in a seabird predator–prey system (Vol. 91). Bachelor's thesis, , .
Abstract: Assessing the effects of climate and interspecific relationships on communities is challenging because of the complex interplay between species population dynamics, their interactions, and the need to integrate information across several biological levels (individuals, populations, communities). Usually used to quantify single-species demography, integrated population models (IPMs) have recently been extended to communities. These models allow fitting multispecies matrix models to data from multiple sources while simultaneously accounting for uncertainty in each data source. We used multispecies IPMs accommodating climatic variables to quantify the relative contribution of climate vs. interspecific interactions on demographic parameters, such as survival and breeding success, in the dynamics of a predator–prey system. We considered a stage-structured predator–prey system combining 22 yr of capture–recapture data and population counts of two seabirds, the Brown Skua (Catharacta lönnbergi) and its main prey the Blue Petrel (Halobaena caerulea), both breeding on the Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Ocean. Our results showed that climate and predator–prey interactions drive the demography of skuas and petrels in different ways. The breeding success of skuas appeared to be largely driven by the number of petrels and to a lesser extent by intraspecific density dependence. In contrast, there was no evidence of predation effects on the demographic parameters of petrels, which were affected by oceanographic factors. We conclude that bottom-up mechanisms are the main drivers of this skua–petrel system.
Keywords: Bayesian inference demography environmental variation integrated population model matrix population model Nimble predator–prey interactions
Programme: 109
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Benjamin Pohl, Thomas Saucède, Vincent Favier, Julien Pergaud, Deborah Verfaillie, Jean-Pierre Féral, Ylber Krasniqi, Yves Richard. (2021). Recent Climate Variability around the Kerguelen Islands (Southern Ocean) Seen through Weather Regimes (Vol. 60). Bachelor's thesis, , .
Abstract: Daily Weather Regimes Are Defined Around The Kerguelen Islands (Southern Ocean) On The Basis Of Daily 500-hpa Geopotential Height Anomalies Derived From The Era5 Ensemble Reanalysis Over The Period 1979–2018. Ten Regimes Are Retained As Significant. Their Occurrences Are Highly Consistent Across Reanalysis Ensemble Members. Regimes Show Weak Seasonality And Nonsignificant Long-term Trends In Their Occurrences. Their Sequences Are Usually Short (1–3 Days), With Extreme Persistence Values Above 10 Days. Seasonal Regime Frequency Is Mostly Driven By The Phase Of The Southern Annular Mode Over Antarctica, Midlatitude Dynamics Over The Southern Ocean Such As The Pacific–south American Mode, And, To A Lesser Extent, Tropical Variability, With Significant But Weaker Relationships With El Niño–southern Oscillation. At The Local Scale Over The Kerguelen Islands, Regimes Have A Strong Influence On Measured Atmospheric And Oceanic Variables, Including Minimum And Maximum Air Temperature, Mostly Driven By Horizontal Advections, Seawater Temperature Recorded 5 M Below The Surface, Wind Speed, And Sea Level Pressure. Relationships Are Weaker For Precipitation Amounts. Regimes Also Modify Regional Contrasts Between Observational Sites In Kerguelen, Highlighting Strong Exposure Contrasts. The Regimes Allow Us To Improve Our Understanding Of Weather And Climate Variability And Interactions In This Region; They Will Be Used In Future Work To Assess Past And Projected Long-term Circulation Changes In The Southern Midlatitudes.
Programme: 688,1044,1048
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Jean Roger, Bernard Pelletier, Maxime Duphil, Jérôme Lefèvre, Jérôme Aucan, Pierre Lebellegard, Bruce Thomas, Céline Bachelier, David Varillon. (2021). The Mw 7.5 Tadine (Maré, Loyalty Is.) earthquake and related tsunami of December 5, 2018: implications for tsunami hazard assessment in New Caledonia.
Abstract: On The 5th Of December 2018, A Magnitude Mw 7.5 Earthquake Occurred Southeast Of Maré, An Island Of The Loyalty Archipelago, New Caledonia. This Earthquake Is Located At The Junction Between The Plunging Loyalty Ridge And The Southernmost Vanuatu Arc, In A Tectonically Very Active Area Regularly Subjected To Strong Seismic Crises And Events Higher Than Magnitude 7 And Up To 8. Widely Felt In New Caledonia It Has Been Immediately Followed By A Tsunami Warning, Confirmed Shortly After By A First Wave Arrival At The Loyalty Islands Tide Gauges (Maré And Lifou), Then Along The East Coast Of Grande Terre Of New Caledonia And In Several Islands Of The Vanuatu Archipelago. Seafloor Initial Deformation Linked To Tsunami Generation Has Been Modeled With Most Numerical Code Using Earthquake Parameters Available From Seismic Observatories. Then The Wave Propagation Has Been Modeled Using Schism, Another Modelling Code Solving The Shallow Water Equations On An Unstructured Grid Based On A New Regional Dem Of ~180 M Resolution And Allowing Refinement In Many Critical Areas. Finally, The Results Have Been Compared To Tide Gauge Records, Field Observations And Testimonials From 2018. The Arrival Times, Wave Amplitude And Polarities Present Good Similarities, Especially In Far-field Locations (Hienghène, Port-vila And Poindimié). Maximum Wave Heights And Energy Maps For Two Different Scenarios Highlight The Fact That The Orientation Of The Source (Strike Of The Rupture) Played An Important Role, Focusing The Maximum Energy Path Of The Tsunami South Of Grande-terre And The Isle Of Pines. However, Both Scenarios Indicate Similar Propagation Toward Aneityum, Vanuatu Southernmost Island, The Bathymetry Acting Like A Waveguide. This Study Has A Significant Implication In Tsunami Hazard Mitigation In New Caledonia As It Helps To Validate The Modelling Code And Process Used To Prepare A Scenarios Database For Warning And Coastal Evacuation.
Programme: 133
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Simon Véron, Carlos Rodrigues-Vaz, Elise Lebreton, Claudine Ah-Peng, Vincent Boullet, Hervé Chevillotte, Stephan Robbert Gradstein, Joël Jérémie, Elisabeth Lavocat Bernard, Marc Lebouvier, Jean-Yves Meyer, Jérôme Munzinger, Odile Poncy, Louis Thouvenot, Guillaume Viscardi, Guillaume Léotard, Olivier Gargominy, Sébastien Leblond, Marc Pignal, Germinal Rouhan, Sandrine Tercerie, Vanessa Invernon, Serge Muller. (2021). An assessment of the endemic spermatophytes, pteridophytes and bryophytes of the French Overseas Territories: towards a better conservation outlook (Vol. 30).
Abstract: A broad range of climatic and biogeographical conditions are represented in the French Overseas Territories, from sub-polar to equatorial, resulting in a high diversity of endemic species. We mobilized data from herbaria, floras, checklists, literature, the expertise of botanists and plant ecologists to compile the most complete dataset on endemic vascular plants and bryophytes in the 15 French Overseas Territories. To date, 3748 spermatophytes (seed plants), 244 pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) and 448 bryophytes are strictly endemic to the overseas territories. New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Réunion harbour the highest numbers of strictly endemic species, yet French Guiana and the French Antilles harbour high numbers of regional endemic species due to their proximity with other territories. The endemic flora of these territories is highly threatened. In particular, 51% of strictly endemic spermatophytes are threatened and many species at risk belong to Rubiaceae and Orchidaceae families. Around 82% and 69% of strict and regional endemic spermatophytes and pteridophytes are found in the Paris herbaria. Only 34% of endemic bryophytes have their label information fully databased so that their total number in Paris herbaria is not known. Databasing the remaining specimens in the collection will greatly enhance future research and conservation projects. To facilitate the use of the information we compiled, we provide a publicly searchable dataset of the checklist. This study not only provides a picture of the flora of French overseas territories; it also identifies gaps in knowledge on which future research efforts in systematics, ecology and conservation could focus.
Programme: 136
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Christophe Barbraud, Baudouin des Monstiers, Adrien Chaigne, Cédric Marteau, Henri Weimerskirch, Karine Delord. (2021). Predation by feral cats threatens great albatrosses (Vol. 23).
Abstract: Feral cats (Felis catus) are a potential threat for several seabird species including medium sized albatrosses, but studies documenting predation behavior, demographic impacts and effects of predator control are scarce. Here, we present data on feral cat predation behavior on one of the world’s largest seabirds, the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) at Kerguelen Island, and show how it affects breeding success and rate of population growth. We assess the effect of a feral cat control experiment on breeding success and population viability. Using 32 camera traps we monitored 25 nests of albatross and detected 295 events showing a potential predator. Of these, 75.2% and 24.8% involved feral cats and giant petrels, respectively. Giant petrels were never implicated in direct predation. We recorded 17 attacks of feral cats on 13 albatross chicks. Attacks lasted in average 52.1 ± 72.9 min, and resulted in the death of 10 of the 13 (76.9%) monitored chicks. Breeding success where attacks were recorded was low (12%) compared to areas with no attack (86%). Mean breeding success during 3 years before cat control was 26% and increased to 80% during the 3 years following the experiment. According to predation scenarios, population modelling showed that the albatross population would decline by 2.7–4.5% per year without cat control. Following cat control the population would increase at 1.8% per year. Our results demonstrate that feral cats predate and have negative impacts on breeding success and population growth rate of wandering albatrosses at Kerguelen Island. We provide recommendations on feral cat control and eradication to mitigate the risk of population decline or local extinction of large albatrosses.
Programme: 109
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Danish A. Ahmed, Emma J. Hudgins, Ross N. Cuthbert, Phillip J. Haubrock, David Renault, Elsa Bonnaud, Christophe Diagne, Franck Courchamp. (2021). Modelling the damage costs of invasive alien species.
Abstract: The rate of biological invasions is growing unprecedentedly, threatening ecological and socioeconomic systems worldwide. Quantitative understandings of invasion temporal trajectories are essential to discern current and future economic impacts of invaders, and then to inform future management strategies. Here, we examine the temporal trends of cumulative invasion costs by developing and testing a novel mathematical model with a population dynamical approach based on logistic growth. This model characterises temporal cost developments into four curve types (I–IV), each with distinct mathematical and qualitative properties, allowing for the parameterization of maximum cumulative costs, carrying capacities and growth rates. We test our model using damage cost data for eight genera (Rattus, Aedes, Canis, Oryctolagus, Sturnus, Ceratitis, Sus and Lymantria) extracted from the InvaCost database—which is the most up-to-date and comprehensive global compilation of economic cost estimates associated with invasive alien species. We find fundamental differences in the temporal dynamics of damage costs among genera, indicating they depend on invasion duration, species ecology and impacted sectors of economic activity. The fitted cost curves indicate a lack of broadscale support for saturation between invader density and impact, including for Canis, Oryctolagus and Lymantria, whereby costs continue to increase with no sign of saturation. For other taxa, predicted saturations may arise from data availability issues resulting from an underreporting of costs in many invaded regions. Overall, this population dynamical approach can produce cost trajectories for additional existing and emerging species, and can estimate the ecological parameters governing the linkage between population dynamics and cost dynamics.
Programme: 136
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Anika Immer, Thomas Merkling, Olivier Chastel, Scott A. Hatch, Etienne Danchin, Pierrick Blanchard, Sarah Leclaire. (2021). Spying on your neighbours? Social information affects timing of breeding and stress hormone levels in a colonial seabird (Vol. 35).
Abstract: A good overlap between offspring energetic requirements and availability of resources is required for successful reproduction. Accordingly, individuals from numerous species fine-tune their timing of breeding by integrating cues that predict environmental conditions during the offspring period. Besides acquiring information from their direct interaction with the environment (personal information), individuals can integrate information by observing the behaviours or performance of others (social information). The use of social information is often beneficial because the accumulated knowledge of conspecifics may represent a source of information more reliable than the intrinsically more limited personal information. However, although social information constitutes the major source of information in a wide range of contexts, studies investigating its use in the context of timing of breeding are scarce. We investigated whether black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) used social information to adjust the timing of egg-laying. We manipulated social information using a food-supplementation experiment, known to advance kittiwakes' reproductive phenology. We expected food-supplemented and unsupplemented pairs to delay and advance, respectively, their timing of laying when surrounded by a majority of neighbours from the opposite food-treatment. However, both unsupplemented and food-supplemented kittiwakes delayed egg-laying when surrounded by a higher proportion of neighbours from the opposite food-treatment. This result shows that kittiwakes use social information to time egg-laying, but that it is not used to match the seasonal peak of food availability. We suggest that when social and personal cues give contradictory environmental information, individuals may benefit from delaying laying to gather more information to make better decisions about investment into eggs. Further, we explored a potential proximate mechanism for the pattern we report. We show that baseline corticosterone, known to mediate reproductive decisions, was lower in unsupplemented females facing a higher proportion of food-supplemented neighbours. Altogether, our results suggest that to fine-tune their timing of laying, kittiwakes use complex decision-making processes in which social and personal information interplay.
Programme: 1162
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Adrien Pajot, Alexandre Corbeau, Aurélie Jambon, Henri Weimerskirch. (2021). Diel at-sea activity of two species of great albatrosses: the ontogeny of foraging and movement behaviour (Vol. 52).
Abstract: The first year of life is a period of high mortality in animals. Reduced foraging capacities of naive individuals might be the primary cause of their mortality. These capacities are supposed to be progressively acquired during the first months of life. In this study, we investigate the ontogeny of flight capacities, by day and night, of first-year individuals, and compare it with adults from two closely related species of great albatrosses: Amsterdam Diomedea amsterdamensis and wandering Diomedea exulans albatrosses which forage in different environmental conditions. We used 71 tracks of 71 juvenile birds and 141 of 116 incubating adults to compare both age categories. In order to explore the effect of moon light on night activity, we elaborated a new formula which improves the precision of the proxy of moon illumination. By day, we found that juveniles of both species reach some adult foraging capacities in less than two months. By night, albatrosses have reduced activity increasing during the first weeks at sea for juveniles and changing in accordance with moon illumination for both juveniles and adults. A peak of flight activity at dawn and dusk was apparent for both species. Interspecific comparison underlined that Amsterdam albatrosses were more active than wandering albatrosses, suggesting a difference in food and foraging strategy. Overall, we highlighted how life history traits, environmental conditions and time of the day affect the foraging activity of two related species of seabirds.
Keywords: albatross diel activity pattern Diomedea flight behavior foraging activity moon illumination night activity seabirds
Programme: 109
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