BATTERY HOTEL, ST. JOHN'S NL (MUN) 1998

Activity Budgets of molting Harlequin Ducks Histrionicus histrionicus at the Gannet Islands, Labrador.

Peter Adams, Memorial University

Activity budgets of Harlequin ducks were studied during the summer (July and August) at the Gannet Islands, Labrador. The study was designed to determine the percentage of time spent feeding during the different stages of their moult. The Harlequins were observed with the use of a spotting scope from various locations within the Gannet Clusters. During each focal sample individual ducks were observed for a total of five minutes with activities recorded at fifteen second intervals. The stage of moult of each male Harlequin was determined through a close examination of their plumage. Later in the summer, stages of wing moult were also determined for both males and females. The total population of Harlequins at each observation area was also determined during each focal sample. Weekly Harlequin surveys were carried out by boat to determine the total population of Harlequins at the Gannet Islands. It was determined that approximately 120 - 125 Harlequins were molting there during the study period. Also during this study Harlequins previously banded in Maine and in Labrador were resighted.

Parental provisioning and breeding performance of Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica in response to changing Capelin Mallotus villosus availability at the Gannet Islands 1996 to 1998

Shauna Baillie, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Due to a capelin stock crash in southern Labrador in the early 1990s, breeding seabirds in the region have exhibited evidence of food stress. Despite increasing capelin biomass in puffin chick diet at the Gannet Islands over the past three years (3% to 26% biomass), present use of capelin remains lower than historical records (75 to 80% biomass). In this part of my study, I plan to show impacts of food stress by comparing diet composition in relation to prey availability, breeding productivity and linear phase chick growth among years 1996, 1997 and 1998. My late 1990s study will be constrasted with those conducted in the early 1980s at the Gannets when Capelin was abundant.

The influence of ectoparasites on the breeding biology of four alcids

Sabir Bin Muzaffar, Memorial University of Newfoundland

A survey was made of the existing parasite fauna of four species alcids (Fratercula arctica, Alca torda, Uria alga and Uria lomvia) in the Gannet Islands, Labrador. The study was designed to investigate possible effects of ectoparasites on the breeding biology of the species concerned. Birds were captured by fleyging or noosing. Chicks were collected by hand from nest sites. They were dust ruffled using a commercial Cat-flea powder and left in a container for a measured time period to allow ectoparasites to fall into the collecting tray at the bottom. The birds were then banded, measured, and released. The ectoparasites were carefully transferred into ziplok bags containing 70% ethanol. Preliminary analysis of the samples revealed lice of the genera Quadraceps, Saemundssonia and Austromenpon. Ticks of the species Ixodes uriae were also found along with feather mites belonging to the family Proctophyllodidae. A diversity of acarids of uncertain affinities, in addition to some parasitic Diptera larvae (possibly of the family Calliphoridae) were also recovered from the samples. The effects of these groups of parasites on the ornaments and health of the host species, as well as the evolution of host parasite interactions are all avenues that can potentially be explored by this study.

The Canadian Wildlife Service - Atlantic Region's Endangered Species Program

Andrew Boyne, Canadian Wildlife Service

With the Canadian Endangered Species Protection Act (CESPA) potentially being enacted within the next year, the Canadian Wildlife Service's endangered species program is experiencing a period of growth and renewed vigor. There are currently 307 species listed by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), of which 58 occur in Atlantic Canada. Our program currently focuses on the four species of birds in the region that fall in the Threatened and Endangered categories; Piping Plover, Roseate Tern, Harlequin Duck, and Peregrine Falcon. I will give a general overview of the endangered species program and speak briefly on two projects that we initiated in the last year; a Piping Plover banding study and a tern restoration plan.

Impact of restrictions on the Newfoundland murre harvest

John Chardine, Canadian Wildlife Service

In 1993, the harvest of murres or turrs in Newfoundland and Labrador was restricted by imposing a bag limit and shorter hunting seasons lasting about 3.5 months. Since then the Canadian Wildlife Service has conducted three special harvest surveys, the results of which can be compared with previous surveys dating from the late 1970s onwards. The annual harvest before restrictions averaged from 600,000-900,000 birds per year, compared with current estimated harvests of 173,000-287,000 birds per year. Thus the restrictions have had the desired effect of substantially reducing the number of murres taken annually. Over the period that harvest surveys have been conducted, the number of murre hunters has declined along with the number of birds killed per hunter per season. However, it is encouraging to note that the number of birds killed per hunter.day has not declined over the same period, suggesting that the availability of birds may not have declined. Recent information from the breeding colony of Thick-billed Murres at Coats Island suggests that there has been an increase in the number of potential recruits at the colony as a result of the reduced harvest.

Birds Crossing Borders: Metapopulation Dynamics and Landscape Ecology

Kate Devlin, University of New Brunswick

The study of metapopulation dynamics and landscape ecology are two currently developing branches of biology. The study of metapopulation dynamics deals with species moving through a habitat matrix without necessarily associating how the structure of the habitat influences the dispersal of the species. On the other hand, in the study of landscape ecology there is often more emphasis on the structure of the habitat and the distributions of habitat types than the behavior of the species moving through that habitat. I propose a study of Arctic Terns breeding in the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy that will show how these two disciplines can be closely linked through examining the structure of the breeding population and the distribution of nesting colonies.

ACWERN seabird research - a review of our programmes, priorities and future directions

Ian L. Jones, Memorial University & Tony Diamond, University of New Brunswick

ACWERN seabird research has spanned geographically from Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick in the Bay of Fundy at the southern limit of Atlantic Canada to the Gannet Islands in the sub-arctic waters of Labrador. To date, twelve graduate and undergraduate student projects have focused on seabird ecology, with work on foraging and diet of Atlantic Puffins, murres and Razorbills at several sites, tern diet and behaviour at Machias Seal, the role of ectoparasites, and interactions between seabird species and their predators. At Machias Seal, Witless Bay and the Gannet Islands demographic studies and census work in collaboration with the CWS have become an important aspect of the programme. Priorities for future work include population biology and conservation related work on the Razorbill, including further exploration of their recently discovered important wintering area in the Bay of Fundy.

ACWERN's research program in forest bird ecology

Tony Diamond, University of New Brunswick

In the long term, we plan to clarify relationships between persistence of forest songbird populations and the characteristics of their habitats, at spatial scales from the territory to the landscape. In two study areas we approach this problem in different ways. In and around Fundy National Park in southern New Brunswick, we compare year-to-year changes in density and productivity of breeding pairs of songbird in mature hardwood plots set within different landscapes dominated by (i) mature contiguous forest (Fundy N.P.); (ii) industrial softwood plantations; and (iii) privately-owned woodlots. Here Dorothy McFarlane not only runs these surveys, but operates a MAPS (constant-effort banding) site and carries out her own M.Sc. research on movements of juvenile songbirds. In northern NB, Pete McKinley and John Gunn are studying resource use and productivity, respectively, in 2 50 km2 study grids, one in heavily- harvested forest and one in relatively undisturbed, on land owned by Fraser Papers.

The effects of landscape structure on populations of yellow-spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum)

Samara Eaton, Acadia University.

Population level responses are affected by landscape structure through effects of landscape change on the process of movement. These effects may be discernable and different at multiple spatial scales. Understanding an organisms ability to move to access vital resources can provide us with knowledge of the importance of elements of the landscape for populations hence improving our ability to deal with conservation problems. We were able to infer connectivity within a heterogeneous landscape for yellow-spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) by conducting a survey and a series of analyses which examine the effects of landscape structure on population level response variable presence/absence and density at multiple spatial scales. Our results show effects of landscape structure at small spatial scales but a lack of multiple scale effects. I will discuss the value of examining these questions through studying a species such as the yellow-spotted salamander.

Science Priorities of the Canadian Wildlife Service in Atlantic Canada

Richard Elliot and George Finney, Canadian Wildlife Service

Most CWS conservation and management programs (e.g. habitat, landbird, seabird, toxicology, waterfowl management programs) rely on sound scientific data to effectively address impacts of human activity on migratory birds and ecosystems of Atlantic Canada. These human factors include: release of oil at sea, forest harvesting, waterfowl hunting, impacts of marine fisheries, intensive agricultural practices, aquaculture, long range transport of airborne pollutants and climate change. Key species groups requiring urgent attention include endangered species and those at risk of becoming endangered, and marine and coastal birds including sea ducks, seabirds and shorebirds. Much concern is now focused on coastal ecosystems, such as the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence, areas of Labrador subject to huge hydro and mining proposals, and forested areas of the Maritimes. Although much of the necessary information will be collected by CWS and other management agencies, we will discuss several specific research areas which may best be addressed in conjunction with ACWERN students and chairs.

Ecological considerations for sea ducks: toward their conservation and management

R. Ian Goudie

Sea ducks comprise the waterfowl tribe Mergini and spend large portions of their life histories on marine habitats. For the most part, they exploit near-shore habitats and feed by diving to extract mollusks and crustaceans, and/or fish. Sea ducks have a long history of conservation problems relecting back to the extinction of Labrador Ducks in eastern North America to current threatened listing of Spectacled Eiders in the United States. Sea ducks display a life history more akin to sea birds, i.e., delayed sexual maturation, low recruitment, deferred breeding, and relatively long-lived (15-20 years). A leslie matrix model of a Harlequin Duck population exemplifies the sensitivity of sea ducks to adult mortality. Current knowledge supports that man-related mortality (e.g. from hunting, oil spills etc.) is additive to natural mortality. Additional mortality exceeding 3% to 5% of the adult population on an annual basis is not sustainable over the longer term. This sensitivity coupled with strong philopatry to wintering and breeding sites supports the need to manage sea ducks very conservatively. For the most part, sea ducks have been treated similar to or under more liberal management regimes than mallards and other "sport" ducks. This may account for many of the current sea duck conservation problems emerging in North America. Even under ideal conditions, sea duck populations only grow at rates of 6% to 15% per year; hence our ability to recover declining populations is limited. A conservative approach to sea duck management is essential, and will require radical changes in our current system.

The effects of landscape connectivity on peatland dragonflies and damselflies

Matt Holder, Acadia University

As part of a larger study examining how various taxa are affected by the connectivity of the forested landscape of the Gros Morne Greater Ecosystem in western Newfoundland, I will examine how taxa in non-forested landscapes respond to variation or changes in overall landscape structure. To evaluate how the landscape is affected by such anthropogenic effects as forestry, and in turn how these might affect different taxa within the landscape, it is important to broaden oneís scope beyond forest to encompass other habitats which are just as integral to the function of the landscape. The open bog typical of western Newfoundland is one such habitat. I will test how the structure of open bog systems at various scales affects the distribution of breeding dragonfly and damselfly (Odonata) species, of varying degrees of mobility, within and between bogs.

Scale Revisited: Seabird Distribution Research in the Eastern Canadian Atlantic.

Falk Huettmann, University of New Brunswick

Scale related research is already a well accepted field in Oceanography (Wiebe 1970) and Landscape Ecology. Schneider (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993), Schneider and Piatt (1986) and others made the point that Scale issues are also obvious but not well researched or addressed within seabird ecology and its research design. This paper will present and discuss some Scale issues relevant for seabird distribution research, using the PIROP (Programme Intégré de recherches sur les oiseaux pélagiques) database and environmental data sets from a variety of sources for the study area of the Northern Atlantic. Classical terms in Scale Research like grain size, extent and autocorrelation will be presented and discussed in the context of a temporal and spatial scale for seabird species interactions with selected environmental datasets. Results will be presented for the spatial scales of 1, 2, 5 , and 10 degree blocks (bins), biological scale (Continental Shelf) and political scale (NAFO Units). In addition, further analysis will show how the scale problem in seabird ecology can be addressed by discussing new approaches, such as grid direction and a "Sunday Effect".

Seabird Movements: Stepping Stones, Modelling with a Geographic Information System (GIS) Long-distance Migration and the Seascape

Falk Huettmann, University of New Brunswick

Migration of seabirds at sea is difficult to investigate and not well understood, since humans depend on boats or planes to enter the offshore marine environment. Even a mixture of techniques to analyse seabird movements give only a small window in time and space of the overall, large-scale movements. Although satellite telemetry is already used for larger seabirds, banding data and seabird counts from land or sea still present the main method used for the analysis of seabird movements. However, considering the specific characteristics of the "seascape" can help to improve the value of these basic methods. The seascape offers for instance migration bottlenecks and movement corridors which are relatively easy to be monitored. In addition, some marine areas, such as shallow banks or underwater funnels, can concentrate prey, which is easy for seabirds to catch. In consequence, these areas are used by seabird populations as wintering grounds, resting places during migration or moulting grounds. The identification and prediction of these "hotspots" and finally their monitoring allows us to investigate movement directions and timing of seabird migration.

Movement behaviours of the sarcophagid fly Blaesoxipha fletcheri in response to boreal forest landscape structure: effects of matrix variation on a patch dwelling insect.

Meg Krawchuk, Acadia University

Commercial forest cutting is proceeding around the border of Gros Morne National Park (GMNP) in western Newfoundland. A long-term study looking at the effects of timber harvesting on animal movement was initiated this year in collaboration with GMNP, Acadia University, Western Newfoundland Model Forest, and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper with the goal of maximizing the ecological potential of remaining habitat for the animal community. In association with this project, I am proposing a study to look at the movement behaviours of Blaesoxipha fletcheri in non-merchantable patches of boreal bog habitat within the forest landscape. Local populations of B. fletcheri inhabit bog-lands and may be spatially restricted by surrounding forest, alternatively, they may use forest resources. I predict that if matrix structure (forest) is significant to the population ecology of B. fletcheri then changes in this structure should be reflected in movement behaviours.

A quantitative examination of the structure and species composition of the Pine Barren plant assemblage in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

Andrea Marshall, Acadia University

This study presents a quantitative examination of the structure and species composition of the Pine Barren plant assemblage in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, with special attention to the degree to which this Pine Barren vegetation assemblage can be distinguished using remote sensing. The goals for the work include primarily to establish baseline data and create a map on the species composition, size, density, and distribution patterns of the plant assemblages associated with the Pine and Heath Barrens in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. The research will secondly explore the structure of the vegetation community and how anthroprogenic and natural factors affect the structure of the community. These factors include: fragmentation, patch size and development. The study offers a detailed baseline study of the Pine Barrens in Nova Scotia, as not only a resource for the Pine and Heath Barrens in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, but also serves as a resource for Environmental Impact Assessments for these areas in Nova Scotia and other similar areas.

The impact of large gulls on kittiwake reproductive success and survival in a changing environment

Melanie Massaro, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Reproductive success of 725 Black- legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) pairs was recorded on Gull Island, Witless Bay, Newfoundland during 1998. Further I investigated Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and Great Black- backed Gull (Larus marinus) predatory behaviour on kittiwake eggs, chicks and adults. Most predation attempts occurred shortly after gull hatching until capelin arrival, which was a time period of approximately two weeks. The reproductive success data shows that most kittiwake eggs and chicks went missing within that same time period. The study suggests that delayed capelin arrival in Witless Bay increases the predation pressure of gulls on kittiwake eggs, chicks and adults.

The effect of body condition on subsequent creche attendance in Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima)

Kim Mawhinney, University of New Brunswick

Creches are groups containing any number of adult female(s) and duckling(s), two or more of which are parentally unrelated. Several authors have suggested that the body condition of ducks is a determining factor in parental care and that females in poor condition more readily abandon their young. In 1997 and 1998, 285 adult female Common Eiders breeding on Green Island were captured and nasal tagged. Our objective was to examine the relationship between adult female condition, using multiple measures of body size, and subsequent membership in creche. The body was higher than average for females tending a brood and the body condition of abandoning females was lower than average regardless at which point they were captured in the incubation period. "Aunties" are females without young which assist brood-caring females in defending a brood. Females that were in good condition and hatched and lost their own ducklings became aunties; and females that lost their clutch early enough in incubation such that they were in good condition when ducklings in the colony hatched became aunties.

A review and comparative analysis of three radiotelemetry technologies used on Woodland Caribou in Gros Morne National Park

Christopher McCarthy, Gros Morne National Park

In 1993, the Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Division and Gros Morne National Park initiated comprehensive studies of three large mammals (woodland caribou, moose and black bear) inhabiting the park and surrounding area. Various components of study included movements, distribution, habitat use and a new census technique, all of which involved the implementation of a variety of telemetry techniques and hardware. This paper reports on Gros Morne's experience with accuracies, advantages and limitations of VHF, Argos and GPS telemetry technologies deployed on free-roaming woodland caribou, arriving at a cost per point evaluation. While satellite technologies are comparatively more expensive for initial hardware, cost per point determinations over the life of a hypothetical three year big game study using Gros Morne parameters indicate up to two fold cost efficiencies over conventional telemetry.

Trials and techniques used to estimate warbler territory boundaries and to locate young birds in a hardwood forest

Dorothy McFarlane, University of New Brunswick

I followed standard guidelines in recording the presence of warblers from eight surveys conducted in the breeding season in a 10-ha. hardwood plot. I spent an additional 38 days in the plot gathering and mapping information on two species to determine where young were being fed. I then overlaid the new maps made with the extra information over the ones made with eight surveys. The territories I plotted using added information were the same in number, but differed in size and shape from those plotted using eight surveys. This comparison supports the relative accuracy of traditional spot-mapping methods. Difficulties in finding fledglings has hampered research into their use of the forest habitat and of the parental territory, so in the summer of 1998 I attempted to use harmonic radar to locate birds. This technology was used successfully by ACWERN student Samara Eaton (Acadia) on salamanders. I discovered that several problems need to be solved before harmonic radar can aid us in locating forest birds.

Influence of tree species on avian foraging success in two commercial forest landscapes.

Peter S. McKinley, University of New Brunswick.

Avian attack rates on arthropod prey in a variety of tree species and within two landscape contexts have been measured and analyzed to date. The study area encompasses two commercially managed forest landscapes in Northwestern New Brunswick. Samples were taken on systematic grids to allow a bottom-up interpretation of avian resource use patterns across landscape gradients. Foraging behaviour data for four forest songbirds were collected during the breeding seasons of 1996, 1997, and 1998. Stomach contents of the focal bird species were obtained using live capture techniques and the administration of a non-toxic emetic. Arthropod diversity and abundance data were collected during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. To date, the 1996 and 1997 avian foraging data have been analyzed. A relationship between tree species and avian foraging attack rate is evident for some of the bird species.

Pitcher Plant Surveys in Gros Morne National Park

Jennifer Miner, Acadia University

I investigated how landscape structure influences population dynamics and distribution of animals over a range of spatial scales. In particular, I hypothesized that generalized responses of taxa will correspond to their life-history attributes. I surveyed the density of insect species inhabiting the leaves of the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland. The primary inhabitants of these water-bearing leaves are mosquito, chironomid, and sarcophagid fly larvae which exhibit a range of life-history strategies. Densities of the larval communities were quantified by non-destructive sampling 800 pitchers. Pitchers were sampled within plants, within patches of plants in bogs, and across open and closed bogs of three different sizes.

Behavioral toxicology of the Common Loon in the Maritimes : the value of in situ behavioral investigation.

Joseph J. Nocera, Acadia University

Common Loons in Kejimkujik National Park (Nova Scotia) have the highest blood mercury levels of any tested population in North America. Also, reproductive success at this site is low compared with other populations in North America. I conducted a comparative investigation of loon behavior across a range of lakes in Kejimkujik and the Lepreau watershed (New Brunswick). I report the first association of blood mercury burdens and variation in loon breeding behavior. Mercury exposure may alter in situ time-activity budgets and disrupt the energetic balance of young chicks through reductions in brooding time and subsequent increases in self-maintenance activities. These effects pose obvious energetic problems for young chicks and their survivability. By identifying the negative impacts of mercury on loons in Atlantic Canada, various management initiatives may now be considered. These initiatives, and the position of my research within the framework of the Atlantic Region mercury investigation, shall be discussed.

Time-budget flexibility of breeding Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea)

Julie Paquet, University of New-Brunswick

In varying environmental conditions, seabirds will adjust their time-budgets to maintain reproduction and survival needs. In this way, time-budgets could possibly be used to indicate variations in marine food availability. Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea) react sensitively to shortages of food, but other factors such as weather conditions, tide, chick age and sex of the parent can also affect behaviour. The influence of these factors must be understood before a relationship between time-budget fluctuations and food availability can be investigated. Behavioural observations at the nest site and telemetry were used to measure Arctic Tern time-budgets and chick provisioning in 1997 and 1998 on Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick. Environmental conditions and nest history were monitored. Broods were enlarged to study the effect of brood size an adult time-budgets and members of a breeding pair will be genetically sexed to compare male and female parental care.

Population trends of Razorbills in the Gannet Islands, 1983-1998

Gregory J. Robertson, Richard D. Elliot, Candian Wildlife Service, and Ian L. Jones, Memorial University of Newfoundland

In 1983, permanent study plots were established on 6 islands within the Gannet Islands, Labrador, to monitor numbers of nesting Razorbills (Alca torda). Plots were searched and all incubating adults, eggs and chicks were counted. These plots were counted again in 1984, 1992 and 1998. In 1992 and 1995, arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) were present and few Razorbills attempted to breed on the affected islands. In 1998, effects of the foxes were still evident. On islands where dens had been present, numbers increased between 1992 and 1998, but were about 50% of 1983-84 levels. On islands where no foxes had been sighted, nesting Razorbill numbers increased (on one island by close to 33%) or remained stable. The reductions seen on islands that were inhabited by foxes may have been due to: i) adult population reductions by predation, ii) emigration of breeding adults to other islands, and/or iii) reduced recruitment rates during the years when foxes were present.

Estimating movement with Capture-Mark-Recapture models

Gregory J. Robertson, Canadian Wildlife Service

Capture-Mark-Recapture models were originally developed to estimate population sizes, recruitment and survival rates of animal populations. In basic CMR models, survival rate (f) is confounded with permanent emigration, and capture rate (p) is confounded with temporary emigration. Recent analyses, however, have used supplementary information to estimate these emigration (i.e. movement) rates directly. The number of transients (individuals that are captured only once, i.e. permanent emigrants), can be made by using age-structured models. Further, over short time periods, or when survival rates are known from other information, residency times and emigration rates can be estimated. Temporary emigration rates can also be estimated when supplemental information is available to estimate capture rates. Finally, when two or more plots are studied simultaneously, survival (f), capture (p) and movement (or transition- y) probabilities can all be estimated. Examples from the literature are presented for all of these techniques.

The enigma of Razorbill (Alca torda) breeding site selection: Adaptation to a variable environment?

Sherrylynn Rowe, Memorial University of Newfoundland

I investigated habitat choice in the Razorbill, which is unusual among seabirds because it uses exposed ledges, enclosed crevices, and even burrows for breeding. Foxes inflicted intense predation upon crevice nesting Razorbills (and other ground nesting birds) at the Gannet Islands, Labrador between the late 1980s and 1995. Currently, foxes are absent and the gull population appears to be increasing. I found no difference between ledges and crevices in egg size, laying date, breeding success, or the likelihood of use as a new site. Experimental evidence indicated that unlike crevice sites, ledges were vulnerable to gulls. Razorbills use of various nest types may result from alternating episodes of intense terrestrial predation, followed by intense avian predation. Use of two different nest types may be maintained because when foxes are present, crevice nesting birds are selected against while in the presence of avian predators (and in the absence of foxes) there is selection against ledge nesting Razorbills.

Life Beyond Birds: Ecological studies of processes important to the maintenance of biodiversity

Philip D. Taylor, Acadia University

Management aims to predict and control the interaction between human activities and ecological processes. All human activities disrupt or subvert natural processes in some way: understanding the mechanisms, scales and extent of these interactions will allow us to more intelligently alter our behavior to minimize the impact we have on the planet's biota. Key processes include such things as hydrological and nutrient cycles, disturbance and animal movement. Key scales are those where human activity maximizes the subversion of a key natural process. ACWERN research at Acadia University examines how human activity influences the process of animal movement. As model systems we primarily focus on the approximately 99.9% of animal species on the planet that don't have feathers. We can infer general patterns of response from these studies that will aid managers in both broad and specific policy decisions.

Statistical analysis of spatial patterns in ecology- a guide to methods

Trish Turliuk, Acadia University

Landscape indices based on categorical data are limited to the few systems in which sharp boundaries may be justifiably defined. Traditional statistical techniques such as the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are not amenable to most ecological spatial datasets because ecological spatial data typcially exhibit a certain degree of spatial dependence. Given the varied methods to analyze ecological spatial patterns found in the literature, it is often no small task to decide which method is the most appropriate to use and when. Here then is a guide to chart a trail through the myriad of techniques to describe, test hypotheses and model spatial patterns and processes in ecology.

CWS Research and Monitoring Needs in Newfoundland and Labrador

Bruce Turner, Scott Gilliland and John Chardine, Canadian Wildlife Service

In an area over twice the size of the Maritime provinces, relatively little is known of the ecology of many of Newfoundland and Labrador's migratory birds, their population sizes and trends, and the increasing impacts of cumulative threats posed by activities such as mining, forest management, dam and road construction, low-level flying, fishing, shipping and eco-tourism. Coastal areas support important populations of seabirds, with colonies of murres, puffins and storm-petrels of global importance in Witless Bay, Groswater Bay and Funk Island, breeding, moulting and wintering populations of sea ducks such as eiders, scoters and harlequins, and inland wetlands and uplands which support waterfowl production, raptor breeding areas and northern forest songbirds. However, we know little about bird numbers and threats to which they are exposed in central Newfoundland and most of Labrador - where the lack of data limits our ability to conduct environmental assessments, and resources needed to collect this information are scarce. CWS and ACWERN have cooperated recently in investigating impacts of tourist boats on seabird colonies, foraging ecology of murres, and seabird population trends. These projects, and new ones addressing impacts of oil and gulls on seabirds, are helping to fill important knowledge gaps.

Effects of chronic oil pollution on marine birds in southeastern Newfoundland

Francis K. Wiese, Memorial University of Newfoundland

The effects of large oil spills on seabirds has been extensively studied, yet many important questions relating to the impact on seabird population dynamics and the number of seabirds being killed by small amounts of oil remain unanswered. In addition, it is becoming clear that chronic effects maybe more important to long-term population stability than occasional spills. My study will attempt to produce a user friendly model and related techniques to estimate seabird mortality (with confidence intervals) in relation to oil spills of known magnitude in Eastern Newfoundland, estimate the quantitative effects of oiled seabird mortality on long-term population stability's, present an improved protocol for beached bird surveys in Eastern Newfoundland, and describe oil accumulation levels in breeding seabirds. Methodologies will include beached bird surveys, autopsies, corpse persistence studies, drift block experiments, oil sample analysis, oil slick attraction to seabirds, oil spill trajectories, foot biospsies and oil spill modeling. Finally, the feasibility of rehabilitation projects will be discussed.

An investigation of the population dynamics and dispersal patterns of Musca domestica

W. Mateo Yorke, Acadia University

In May of 1998, a two-year project began to investigate the decade old fly problem in the Grand Pré region of Nova Scotia. House fly populations were above outbreak levels creating an annoyance, health risk, and economic impact at the Evangeline Park and local community. I wanted to determine the dispersal patterns and ranges of house flies hatched from manure spread on the Grand Pré marshbody using marked flies and baited traps in order to make recommendations for control. To design a method for mass marking flies, I raised flies in the lab from larvae infested poultry manure and marked them using two dyes. A series of release-recapture methods were designed and tested. These methods will be employed in a series of experiments in the summer of 1999. The project includes extensive cooperation with local farmers, Parks Canada, and the NS Department of Agriculture and Marketing.