Set-back distances to protect nesting and roosting seabirds off Vancouver Island from boat disturbance
Subject
Sea birds; Wildlife watching; Bird watching; Wildlife watching industry; Ecological assessment (Biology); Boats and boating; Vancouver Island (B.C.)Abstract
In order to set guidelines that promote responsible wildlife viewing, I quantified the effects of boat-based disturbance to seabirds off Vancouver Island. Field trials recorded the approach distance at which roosting and nesting birds responded to either a motor boat or a kayak. Probability of agitation response was used to evaluate disturbance. At a distance of 40 m nesting Double-crested Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Pigeon Guillemots and Black Oystercatchers had less than an 8% chance of being agitated with either a kayak or motorboat approach. Roosting birds had longer response distances. Harlequin Ducks were particularly sensitive with a 25% probability of agitation at distances less than 50 m. Agitation distances were reduced by habituation to boat traffic. A set-back guideline of 50 m would protect most nest and roost sites in the study area while allowing viewers to appreciate seabirds. Some sensitive sites would require 70 m set-backs.
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Animals of ancient Vancouver Island colouring sheets
Johnstone, Sandra (Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University, 2018)Colouring sheets showing animals that lived at the time when the rocks of Vancouver Island were formed. Sharks, ammonites, crinoids, and more! -
Fossils of Vancouver Island
Johnstone, Sandra (Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University, 2013)An overview of the most interesting and most common fossils of Vancouver Island. -
How do recent graduates of secondary schools in India, now attending university programs in Vancouver Island University, perceive their preparedness to be competitive in a global context, in terms of their functional technological skill set; as examined across both urban and rural and public and private schools?
Kaur, Amardeep (Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University, 2019-04-09)The purpose of the study is to provide a deeper understanding of how young Indian students feel about their technological skills when they enter the global world. The study also aims to find out how competitive the ...