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Samantha C. Patrick, Julien G. A. Martin, Caroline C. Ummenhofer, Alexandre Corbeau, Henri Weimerskirch. (2021). Albatrosses respond adaptively to climate variability by changing variance in a foraging trait (Vol. 27).
Abstract: The ability of individuals and populations to adapt to a changing climate is a key determinant of population dynamics. While changes in mean behaviour are well studied, changes in trait variance have been largely ignored, despite being assumed to be crucial for adapting to a changing environment. As the ability to acquire resources is essential to both reproduction and survival, changes in behaviours that maximize resource acquisition should be under selection. Here, using foraging trip duration data collected over 7 years on black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophris) on the Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, we examined the importance of changes in the mean and variance in foraging behaviour, and the associated effects on fitness, in response to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Using double hierarchical models, we found no evidence that individuals change their mean foraging trip duration in response to a changing environment, but found strong evidence of changes in variance. Younger birds showed greater variability in foraging trip duration in poor conditions as did birds with higher fitness. However, during brooding, birds showed greater variability in foraging behaviour under good conditions, suggesting that optimal conditions allow the alteration between chick provisioning and self-maintenance trips. We found weak correlations between sea surface temperature and the ENSO, but stronger links with sea-level pressure. We suggest that variability in behavioural traits affecting resource acquisition is under selection and offers a mechanism by which individuals can adapt to a changing climate. Studies which look only at effects on mean behaviour may underestimate the effects of climate change and fail to consider variance in traits as a key evolutionary force.
Keywords: bet-hedging intra-individual variability resource acquisition salt-water immersion logger seabirds Southern Oscillation Index
Programme: 109
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Matteo Feltracco, Elena Barbaro, Clara J. M. Hoppe, Klara K. E. Wolf, Andrea Spolaor, Rose Layton, Christoph Keuschnig, Carlo Barbante, Andrea Gambaro, Catherine Larose. (2021). Airborne bacteria and particulate chemistry capture Phytoplankton bloom dynamics in an Arctic fjord (Vol. 256). Bachelor's thesis, , .
Abstract: Primary biological aerosol particles and microorganisms are ubiquitous in the atmosphere. Investigations of airborne chemical markers and microbial communities are critical for identifying sources, transport and transformation processes of aerosols. One potential major source of airborne chemical compounds and microbial communities (e.g. L- and D-amino acids, Flavobacteria) could be related to phytoplankton blooms that occur during the spring season in Arctic fjord systems. Here, we conducted a field study in a polar environment to investigate the occurrence in coarse and fine particles of water-soluble compounds (major ions, carboxylic acids and free L- and D-amino acids) and airborne bacterial communities in aerosol samples. The sampling was conducted with a 6 day sampling frequency at the Gruvebadet observatory, close to Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard Islands). Glycine, D-amino acids and C4- organic acids increased during the exponential phase of a marine bloom that occurred in Kongsfjorden and started to drop at the beginning of the main-bloom phase. On the other hand, Polaribacter together with free L-amino acids overlapped with the Chlorophyll a peak and the subsequent decline, and thus might constitute a useful marker for the main-bloom phase.
Keywords: Air-to-sea exchanges Amino acids Arctic Atmospheric microorganisms Marine phytoplankton bloom
Programme: 1192
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Candice Michelot, Akiko Kato, Thierry Raclot, Yan Ropert-Coudert. (2021). Adélie penguins foraging consistency and site fidelity are conditioned by breeding status and environmental conditions (Vol. 16).
Abstract: There is a growing interest in studying consistency and site fidelity of individuals to assess, respectively, how individual behaviour shapes the population response to environmental changes, and to highlight the critical habitats needed by species. In Antarctica, the foraging activity of central place foragers like Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) is constrained by the sea-ice cover during the breeding season. We estimated the population-level repeatability in foraging trip parameters and sea-ice conditions encountered by birds across successive trips over several years, and we examined their foraging site fidelity linked to sea-ice concentrations throughout the chick-rearing season. Penguins’ foraging activity was repeatable despite varying annual sea-ice conditions. Birds’ site fidelity is constrained by both sea-ice conditions around the colony that limit movements and resources availability, and also behavioural repeatability of individuals driven by phenological constraints. Adélie penguins favoured sea-ice concentrations between 20–30%, as these facilitate access to open water while opening multiple patches for exploration in restricted areas in case of prey depletion. When the sea-ice concentration became greater than 30%, foraging site fidelity decreased and showed higher variability, while it increased again after 60%. Between two trips, the foraging site fidelity remained high when sea-ice concentration changed by ± 10% but showed greater variability when sea-ice concentrations differed on a larger range. In summary, Adélie penguins specialize their foraging behaviour during chick-rearing according to sea-ice conditions to enhance their reproductive success. The balance between being consistent under favourable environmental conditions vs. being flexible under more challenging conditions may be key to improving foraging efficiency and reproductive success to face fast environmental changes.
Keywords: Animal behavior Animal sexual behavior Animal sociality Birds Foraging Nesting habits Penguins Reproductive success
Programme: 1091
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Lavrillier, A., Gabyshev S. (2021). A Siberian Indigenous Knowledge System for Understanding Climate Change (Vol. II).
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Rune Dietz, Jérôme Fort, Christian Sonne, Céline Albert, Jan Ove Bustnes, Thomas Kjær Christensen, Tomasz Maciej Ciesielski, Jóhannis Danielsen, Sam Dastnai, Marcel Eens, Kjell Einar Erikstad, Anders Galatius, Svend-Erik Garbus, Olivier Gilg, Sveinn Are Hanssen, Björn Helander, Morten Helberg, Veerle L. B. Jaspers, Bjørn Munro Jenssen, Jón Einar Jónsson, Kaarina Kauhala, Yann Kolbeinsson, Line Anker Kyhn, Aili Lage Labansen, Martin Mørk Larsen, Ulf Lindstøm, Tone K. Reiertsen, Frank F. Rigét, Anna Roos, Jakob Strand, Hallvard Strøm, Signe Sveegaard, Jens Søndergaard, Jiachen Sun, Jonas Teilmann, Ole Roland Therkildsen, Thorkell Lindberg Thórarinsson, Rune Skjold Tjørnløv, Simon Wilson, Igor Eulaers. (2021). A risk assessment of the effects of mercury on Baltic Sea, Greater North Sea and North Atlantic wildlife, fish and bivalves (Vol. 146).
Abstract: A wide range of species, including marine mammals, seabirds, birds of prey, fish and bivalves, were investigated for potential population health risks resulting from contemporary (post 2000) mercury (Hg) exposure, using novel risk thresholds based on literature and de novo contamination data. The main geographic focus is on the Baltic Sea, while data from the same species in adjacent waters, such as the Greater North Sea and North Atlantic, were included for comparative purposes. For marine mammals, 23% of the groups, each composing individuals of a specific sex and maturity from the same species in a specific study region, showed Hg-concentrations within the High Risk Category (HRC) and Severe Risk Category (SRC). The corresponding percentages for seabirds, fish and bivalves were 2.7%, 25% and 8.0%, respectively, although fish and bivalves were not represented in the SRC. Juveniles from all species showed to be at no or low risk. In comparison to the same species in the adjacent waters, i.e. the Greater North Sea and the North Atlantic, the estimated risk for Baltic populations is not considerably higher. These findings suggest that over the past few decades the Baltic Sea has improved considerably with respect to presenting Hg exposure to its local species, while it does still carry a legacy of elevated Hg levels resulting from high neighbouring industrial and agricultural activity and slow water turnover regime.
Keywords: Biological effect Bird of prey Hg Marine mammal Risk threshold Seabird
Programme: 1036
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Martin Tournier, Pauline Goulet, Nadège Fonvieille, David Nerini, Mark Johnson, Christophe Guinet. (2021). A novel animal-borne miniature echosounder to observe the distribution and migration patterns of intermediate trophic levels in the Southern Ocean (Vol. 223).
Abstract: Despite expanding in-situ observations of marine ecosystems by new-generation sensors, information about intermediate trophic levels remains sparse. Indeed, mid-trophic levels, while encompassing a broad range of zooplankton and micronekton organisms that represent a key component of marine ecosystems and sustain large and diverse communities of marine predators, are challenging to sample and identify. In this study, we examined whether an animal-borne miniature active echosounder can provide information on the distribution and movements of mid-trophic level organisms. If so, such a sonar tag, harnessing the persistent diving behaviour of far-ranging marine mammals, could greatly increase the density of data on this under-studied biome. High-frequency (1.5 MHz) sonar tags were deployed simultaneously with oceanographic tags on two southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), at the Kerguelen Islands and Valdés Peninsula (Argentina), and recorded acoustic backscatter while the seals foraged respectively in the Indian and the Atlantic sectors of the Southern Ocean. The backscatter varied widely over time and space, and the seals attempted to capture only a small fraction of the insonified targets. Diel vertical migration patterns were clearly identifiable in the data, reinforcing our confidence in the ability of the sonar tags to detect living mid-trophic organisms along with possibly sinking biological detritus. Moreover, CTD tags attached to the same animals indicated how the abundance, size distribution, and diel migration behaviour of acoustic targets varied with water bodies. These preliminary results demonstrate the potential for animal-borne sonars to provide detailed in-situ information. Further validation effort will make it a valuable tool to refine the estimation of carbon export fluxes as well as for assessing the variation of mid-trophic level biomass according to oceanographic domains and seasons.
Keywords: Biologging Diel vertical migration Functional data analysis Marine acoustics Micronekton Sonar tag
Programme: 1201
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Alexander L. Bond, Christopher Taylor, David Kinchin-Smith, Derren Fox, Emma Witcutt, Peter G. Ryan, Simon P. Loader, Henri Weimerskirch. (2021). A juvenile Tristan albatross (Diomedea dabbenena) on land at the Crozet Islands (Vol. 44).
Abstract: Albatrosses and other seabirds are generally highly philopatric, returning to natal colonies when they achieve breeding age. This is not universal, however, and cases of extraordinary vagrancy are rare. The Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena) breeds on Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, with a small population on Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha, ca 380 km away. In 2015, we observed an adult male albatross in Gonydale, Gough Island, which had been ringed on Ile de la Possession, Crozet Islands in 2009 when it was assumed to be an immature Wandering Albatross (D. exulans). We sequenced 1109 bp of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene from this bird, and confirmed it to be a Tristan Albatross, meaning its presence on Crozet 6 years previous, and nearly 5000 km away, was a case of prospecting behaviour in a heterospecific colony. Given the challenges in identifying immature Diomedea albatrosses, such dispersal events may be more common than thought previously.
Programme: 109
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Christophe Leroy-Dos Santos, Mathieu Casado, Frédéric Prié, Olivier Jossoud, Erik Kerstel, Morgane Farradèche, Samir Kassi, Elise Fourré, Amaëlle Landais. (2021). A dedicated robust instrument for water vapor generation at low humidity for use with a laser water isotope analyzer in cold and dry polar regions (Vol. 14). Bachelor's thesis, , .
Abstract: Obtaining Precise Continuous Measurements Of Water Vapor Isotopic Composition In Dry Places (Polar Or High-altitude Regions) Is An Important Challenge. The Current Limitation Is The Strong Influence Of Humidity On The Measured Water Isotopic Composition By Laser Spectroscopy Instruments For Low Humidity Levels (Below 3000 Ppmv). This Problem Is Addressed By Determining The Relationships Between Humidity And Measured δ18o And δD Of Known Water Standards. Here, We Present The Development Of A Robust Field Instrument Able To Generate Water Vapor, Down To 70 Ppmv, At Very Stable Humidity Levels (Average 1σ Lower Than 10 Ppmv). This Instrument, Operated By A Raspberry Interface, Can Be Coupled To A Commercial Laser Spectroscopy Instrument. We Checked The Stability Of The System As Well As Its Accuracy When Expressing The Measured Isotopic Composition Of Water Vapor On The Vsmow–slap (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water – Standard Light Antarctic Precipitation) Scale. It Proved To Be Highly Stable During Autonomous Operation Over More Than 1 Year At The East Antarctic Concordia And Dumont D'urville Stations.
Programme: 1110,1169,1205
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Joanna Charton, Vincent Jomelli, Irene Schimmelpfennig, Deborah Verfaillie, Vincent Favier, Fatima Mokadem, Adrien Gilbert, Fanny Brun, Georges Aumaître, Didier L. Bourlès, Karim Keddadouche. (2021). A debris-covered glacier at Kerguelen (49°S, 69°E) over the past 15 000 years (Vol. 33).
Abstract: Debris-covered glaciers constitute a large part of the world's cryosphere. However, little is known about their long-term response to multi-millennial climate variability, in particular in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we provide first insights into the response of a debris-covered glacier to multi-millennial climate variability in the sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Archipelago, which can be compared to that of recently investigated debris-free glaciers. We focus on the Gentil Glacier and present 13 new 36Cl cosmic-ray exposure ages from moraine boulders. The Gentil Glacier experienced at least two glacial advances: the first one during the Late Glacial (19.0–11.6 ka) at ~14.3 ka and the second one during the Late Holocene at ~2.6 ka. Both debris-covered and debris-free glaciers advanced broadly synchronously during the Late Glacial, most probably during the Antarctic Cold Reversal event (14.5–12.9 ka). This suggests that both glacier types at Kerguelen were sensitive to abrupt temperature changes recorded in Antarctic ice cores, associated with increased moisture. However, during the Late Holocene, the advance at ~2.6 ka was not observed in other glaciers and seems to be an original feature of the debris-covered Gentil Glacier, related to either distinct dynamics or to distinct sensitivity to precipitation changes.
Keywords: Antarctic Cold Reversal glacier fluctuations Holocene in situ cosmogenic chlorine-36 dating palaeoclimate sub-Antarctic
Programme: 1048
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William Jouanneau, Don-Jean Léandri-Breton, Alexandre Corbeau, Dorte Herzke, Børge Moe, Vladimir A. Nikiforov, Geir W. Gabrielsen, Olivier Chastel. (2021). A Bad Start in Life? Maternal Transfer of Legacy and Emerging Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances to Eggs in an Arctic Seabird (Vol. 56).
Abstract: In birds, maternal transfer is a major exposure route for several contaminants, including poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Little is known, however, about the extent of the transfer of the different PFAS compounds to the eggs, especially for alternative fluorinated compounds. In the present study, we measured legacy and emerging PFAS, including Gen-X, ADONA, and F-53B, in the plasma of prelaying black-legged kittiwake females breeding in Svalbard and the yolk of their eggs. We aimed to (1) describe the contaminant levels and patterns in both females and eggs, and (2) investigate the maternal transfer, that is, biological variables and the relationship between the females and their eggs for each compound. Contamination of both females and eggs were dominated by linPFOS then PFUnA or PFTriA. We notably found 7:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid─a precursor of long-chain carboxylates─in 84% of the egg yolks, and provide the first documented finding of ADONA in wildlife. Emerging compounds were all below the detection limit in female plasma. There was a linear association between females and eggs for most of the PFAS. Analyses of maternal transfer ratios in females and eggs suggest that the transfer is increasing with PFAS carbon chain length, therefore the longest chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were preferentially transferred to the eggs. The mean ∑PFAS in the second-laid eggs was 73% of that in the first-laid eggs. Additional effort on assessing the outcome of maternal transfers on avian development physiology is essential, especially for PFCAs and emerging fluorinated compounds which are under-represented in experimental studies.
Programme: 330
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