Abundance and Community Composition of Marine Birds in the San Juan Archipelago, WA

Abstract

The San Juan Archipelago is ecologically important to numerous marine bird species. The Pelagic Ecosystem Function Apprenticeship has conducted Fall surveys in this area since 2006. This study took place in the San Juan Channel. It evaluates the abundance and community composition of marine bird populations in October and November of 2011. The most dominant families, Alcids and Gulls, were assessed. Species with the highest abundance were ranked over the last six years. Overall, the data does not display evidence of decline; stable abundance and community composition have been established. This is in opposition to other studies, which show general declines across marine bird populations over the last 40 years. However, long-term relationships have yet to be established in the San Juan Channel.