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- Title
CONNECTIVITY OF ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO WATERBIRD POPULATIONS.
- Authors
DUDEK, SARAH; COX, W. ANDREW; PRUNER, RAYA
- Abstract
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill caused catastrophic damage to marine and terrestrial environments in and along the Gulf of Mexico. The DWH Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) estimated that 56,141-102,399 birds across 93 species were directly or indirectly injured, and breeding and foraging habitats suffered substantial damage. The 2016 DWH civil settlement allocated NRDA funds to Florida to replenish and protect DWH-injured bird species. Additional NRDA restoration funds were allocated Regionwide (i.e., all Gulf states) and to Open Ocean Restoration Areas. In addition, Florida was allocated funds through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF) to address DWH-injured living resources and habitats. NRDA and GEBF funds for bird restoration must be used in areas impacted by the DWH oil spill or in locations with clear connections to DWH-injured bird populations. We compiled and summarized literature and unpublished data to illustrate the coastal connectivity of 17 focal waterbird species between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast. We documented coastal connectivity for 13 of the 17 (76%) focal species. Rates of coastal connectivity derived from United States Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab data for populations anywhere on the United States Atlantic or Gulf coasts ranged by species from 0-22% of resighted individuals being observed on both coasts and ranged from 0-30% when restricted to coasts within Florida. The connectivity between the majority of Atlantic and Gulf coast focal populations is substantial, and the consideration of restoration projects on the Atlantic Coast should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Restoring living resources and breeding and foraging habitats along Florida's coastlines for the benefit of avian species that exhibit coastal connectivity will help create more resilient habitats for the benefit of at-risk species in the face of future catastrophes.
- Subjects
FLORIDA; GULF of Mexico; BP Deepwater Horizon Explosion &; Oil Spill, 2010; WATER birds; ENDANGERED species; BIRD banding; OIL spills; GEOLOGICAL surveys; BIRD populations
- Publication
Florida Field Naturalist, 2024, Vol 52, Issue 2, p41
- ISSN
0738-999X
- Publication type
Article