Navigation Links
Rats on islands disrupt ecosystems from land to sea, researchers find
Date:2/25/2008

SANTA CRUZ, CA--Seabird colonies on islands are highly vulnerable to introduced rats, which find the ground-nesting birds to be easy prey. But the ecological impacts of rats on islands extend far beyond seabird nesting colonies, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

The study, which will be published the week of February 25, 2008, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has already helped make the case for the first major rat eradication effort in the Aleutian Islands. Planned to begin this summer, the project will target rats on the appropriately named Rat Island.

The UCSC researchers found that the presence of rats on islands in the Aleutian Archipelago dramatically alters the intertidal zone, reducing the amount of seaweed and increasing the numbers of snails, barnacles, and other invertebrates. These changes result from the decimation of seabird populations by the rats, according to graduate student Carolyn Kurle, who led the study.

"When you're on an island with rats, there are so few birds it's silent, in contrast to the cacophony on the islands without rats," Kurle said.

Some of the affected birds--sea gulls and oystercatchers, in particular--are major predators of invertebrates in the intertidal zone. In their absence, the snails, limpets, and other grazers increase in abundance, eat more algae, and clear more space for other invertebrates to settle and grow. The result is a shoreline practically stripped bare of the usual cover of fleshy algae (i.e., seaweed).

"Where there are no rats, we found plenty of birds, fewer invertebrates, and a lot more algal cover," Kurle said.

Kurle's coauthors are associate professor Donald Croll and assistant adjunct professor Bernie Tershy of UCSC's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Croll and Tershy are also the cofounders of Island Conservation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
'/>"/>

Contact: Tim Stephens
stephens@ucsc.edu
831-459-2495
University of California - Santa Cruz
Source:Eurekalert

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. First wind turbines on Galapagos Islands will halve diesel imports, reduce risk of future oil spills
2. Disrupting common parasites ability to talk to each other reduces infection
3. Climate gas could disrupt food chain
4. City birds better than rural species in coping with human disruption
5. Adapting local ecosystems can soften impact of global climate change
6. Map is first to track global human influences on ocean ecosystems
7. First map of threats to marine ecosystems shows all the worlds oceans are affected
8. Resilience concepts poised to aid management of coastal marine ecosystems
9. At the root of nutrient limitation, ecosystems are not as different as they seem
10. Genetically engineered corn may harm stream ecosystems
11. Study shows genetically engineered corn could affect aquatic ecosystems

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:11/24/2009)... , This release is available in Spanish . ,...re higher levels of inflammatory substances in the...eight; as shown by a research project of the Unive...Soto, a scientist at the School of Pharmacy. , T...mic study in relation to the control of body weigh...
(Date:11/23/2009)... , Washington, D.C. The community-associated str...g bacteria resistant to most common antibioticspos...wn and is making its way into hospitals, according...ectious Diseases . , The new threat is easily p...blic places and has increased the overall burden o...
(Date:11/23/2009)... , TORONTO, November 23, 2009 - The time of day...ording to a new paper produced by a research team ...oronto Scarborough,s vice-principal for research a...s biology at the St. George campus. , Capitali...f the poplar tree, the research team examined how ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):It can be predicted the reaction obese patients will have to a diet 2New study finds MRSA on the rise in hospital outpatients 2Time of day matters to thirsty trees, U of T researcher discovers 2Want to Learn How to Testify 3F New Home Study Course by Practicing Physician Teaches Medical Malpractice Defendants and Physicians How to be Effectiv 48551 1Want to Learn How to Testify 3F New Home Study Course by Practicing Physician Teaches Medical Malpractice Defendants and Physicians How to be Effectiv 48551 2Want to Learn How to Testify 3F New Home Study Course by Practicing Physician Teaches Medical Malpractice Defendants and Physicians How to be Effectiv 48551 3American Otological Society 2009 Recipient For the 26quot 3BAward of Merit 26quot 3B Goes to Dr William H Lippy of Warren Ohio 48549 1American Otological Society 2009 Recipient For the 26quot 3BAward of Merit 26quot 3B Goes to Dr William H Lippy of Warren Ohio 48549 2Snoring pregnant women at higher risk for gestational diabetes 48547 1Snoring pregnant women at higher risk for gestational diabetes 48547 2
...ers have determined that the presence of the rare ... this increase to the consumption of refined plati...s, the equipment commonly installed in cars to red...uring platinum refinement and also during the norm...ly through the atmosphere. , While osmium is foun...
... offered by the green economy in the current econo...ee leading experts in the fields of economics and ...s Grantham Research Centre, Professor Paul Ekins o... the ESRC,s Centre for Economic Performance. ,Is...me traditional, and environmentally unfriendly, in...
..., a student in the MD/PhD program at LSU Health Sc...d Johnson Research Award in Endocrinology and Meta...e 2009 Experimental Biology Meeting April 18-22 in...or $500, is intended to recognize the graduate stu...s the best abstract for research in the area of En...
Other Biology News:Increasing levels of rare element found worldwide 2Saving the economy and saving the planet 2
(Date:11/24/2009)...alth care employment grew by 29,000 jobs in Octob...sistent growth during the U.S. recession. However,..., and health systems are coming closer to having t...administrators. , (Vocus)...nued growing in October despite the shedding of jo...
(Date:11/24/2009)...lif., Nov. 24 NeurogesX,...y focused on developing and commercializing novel ...thony DiTonno, President and Chief Executive Offic...er Jaffray Health Care Conference, to be held Dece... York, New York. ,, Mr. DiTonno and Stephen Gh...
(Date:11/24/2009)... FBI recently approved the Promega PowerPlex 16 HS...r generating DNA records for the National DNA Inde...SA (PRWEB) -- The FBI recently approved the Promeg...ories participating in, or generating DNA records ...rrently contains more than seven million profiles ...
(Date:11/24/2009)...mber 24 Shire plc (LSE: ...rmaceutical company, today,announced that it has s...r,velaglucerase alfa, the company,s enzyme replace...ype 1 Gaucher disease. This is the third marketing...submitted, with previous,submissions in the United...
Breaking Biology Technology:The MedZilla Report for October 2009 - Health Care Employment Grows Again in October Even As Clinics, Specialty Centers Close 2The MedZilla Report for October 2009 - Health Care Employment Grows Again in October Even As Clinics, Specialty Centers Close 3The MedZilla Report for October 2009 - Health Care Employment Grows Again in October Even As Clinics, Specialty Centers Close 4NeurogesX to Present at Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference 2NeurogesX to Present at Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference 3NDIS Approval of Promega PowerPlex Kit Clears Path for More DNA Profiles to be Added to U.S. Database 2Shire Submits European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for velaglucerase alfa for the Treatment of Type 1 Gaucher Disease 2Shire Submits European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for velaglucerase alfa for the Treatment of Type 1 Gaucher Disease 3Shire Submits European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for velaglucerase alfa for the Treatment of Type 1 Gaucher Disease 4
...liance, the,non- profit organization that manages ...sing a grant program that enabled over ninety prof...employment in the life sciences and,biotechnology-...e Workforce Alliance,s expiring Biotechnology Trai...bor,s High Growth Job Training,Initiative in 2004 ...
...iles,Transnational Corp. today announced the expan...atories and Clinical Development Services (CDS) un...ss in China., The new consolidated Quintiles Chin...pace, is located at Sun Dong Ann Plaza in Beijing,... Peking Union Medical College,Hospital (PUMCH). Th...
...rug,and diagnostic discovery company, announced to...ic partnership with bioMerieux in the field of,can... ExonHit will gain,commercial rights on the diagno...oMerieux will have a greater flexibility to initia...ield., The partnership, initiated in October 2005...
Other Biology Technology:Workforce Alliance Concludes Three-Year Biotech Training Program 2Quintiles Central Lab, Clinical Development in China to Expand, Relocate to New Facility 2ExonHit and bioMerieux Amend Their Strategic Partnership 2ExonHit and bioMerieux Amend Their Strategic Partnership 3
...Cortin (POMC) has long been a molecule of fascinat...f biologically-active peptides such as ACTH, -Lipo...lating Hormone (a-MSH) and more. It is also a very...ebrates studied, including those "living fossils",...
RNase T1 from Roche Applied Science
RNase, DNase-free from Roche Applied Science
Mouse Anti-Tubulin IV, beta Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated, Clone ONS.1A6 from Sigma-Aldrich
Biology Products: