Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird community
The application of the stable isotope technique to ecological studies is becoming increasingly widespread. In the case of seabirds, stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon have been mainly used as dietary tracers. This approach relieson the fact that food web isotopic signatures are reflected in the...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
2003-07-01
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| Series: | Scientia Marina |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/538 |
| _version_ | 1818622934096281600 |
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| author | Manuela G. Forero Keith A. Hobson |
| author_facet | Manuela G. Forero Keith A. Hobson |
| author_sort | Manuela G. Forero |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The application of the stable isotope technique to ecological studies is becoming increasingly widespread. In the case of seabirds, stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon have been mainly used as dietary tracers. This approach relieson the fact that food web isotopic signatures are reflected in the tissues of the consumer. In addition to the study of trophic ecology, stable isotopes have been used to track the movement of seabirds across isotopic gradients, as individuals moving between isotopically distinct foodwebs can carry with them information on the location of previous feeding areas. Studies applying the stable isotope methodology to the study of seabird ecology show a clear evolution from broad and descriptive approaches to detailed and individual-based analyses. The purpose of this article is to show the different fields of application of stable isotopes to the study of the seabird ecology. Finally, we illustrate the utility of this technique by considering the particularities of the Mediterranean seabird community, suggesting different ecological questions and conservation problems that could be addressed by using the stable isotope approach in this community. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:33:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3dc8b378f613468b974375d884fda8cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0214-8358 1886-8134 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:33:03Z |
| publishDate | 2003-07-01 |
| publisher | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientia Marina |
| spelling | doaj.art-3dc8b378f613468b974375d884fda8cb2022-12-21T22:21:14ZengConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasScientia Marina0214-83581886-81342003-07-0167S2233210.3989/scimar.2003.67s223532Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird communityManuela G. Forero0Keith A. Hobson1Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (CSIC-UIB)Canadian Wildlife ServiceThe application of the stable isotope technique to ecological studies is becoming increasingly widespread. In the case of seabirds, stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon have been mainly used as dietary tracers. This approach relieson the fact that food web isotopic signatures are reflected in the tissues of the consumer. In addition to the study of trophic ecology, stable isotopes have been used to track the movement of seabirds across isotopic gradients, as individuals moving between isotopically distinct foodwebs can carry with them information on the location of previous feeding areas. Studies applying the stable isotope methodology to the study of seabird ecology show a clear evolution from broad and descriptive approaches to detailed and individual-based analyses. The purpose of this article is to show the different fields of application of stable isotopes to the study of the seabird ecology. Finally, we illustrate the utility of this technique by considering the particularities of the Mediterranean seabird community, suggesting different ecological questions and conservation problems that could be addressed by using the stable isotope approach in this community.http://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/538stable isotopesmediterranean seaseabirdstrophic ecologyconservationnitrogencarbon |
| spellingShingle | Manuela G. Forero Keith A. Hobson Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird community Scientia Marina stable isotopes mediterranean sea seabirds trophic ecology conservation nitrogen carbon |
| title | Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird community |
| title_full | Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird community |
| title_fullStr | Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird community |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird community |
| title_short | Using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology: applications in the Mediterranean seabird community |
| title_sort | using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to study seabird ecology applications in the mediterranean seabird community |
| topic | stable isotopes mediterranean sea seabirds trophic ecology conservation nitrogen carbon |
| url | http://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/538 |
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