United States
£ GBP
The Seabird Breeding Atlas of the Lesser Antilles makes available data and narrative related to Environmental Protection in the Caribbean's (EPIC) census of breeding seabirds in the Lesser Antilles. The book provides information on methodology, species profiles and distribution maps and tables by species and country/territory, and site specific threats.
Seabird Breeding Atlas of the Lesser Antilles reports key individual islands for breeding seabirds in the Lesser Antilles, nations or territories supporting the greatest number of globally and regionally important populations and clarifies the significance of the region in relation to Caribbean-wide populations. Species with restricted breeding ranges are also identified.
The study covered 3,162 nautical miles and over 200 islands between 2009 and 2010. Every island, islet, or cay above the high-tide level capable of supporting seabirds was surveyed by land and/or sea. Surveys were conducted over a two-year period to account for variations in breeding cycles. The only islands not surveyed by EPIC were locations for which colleagues contributed recent data.
A full seabird population survey for this region had never previously been undertaken. Existing records varied greatly from areas of intense research, to sites where data were based on anecdotal notes, sometimes dating back to the early 19th century. This ground-breaking study sheds light on numerous undocumented seabird breeding colonies, as well as colonies previously thought extirpated. The standardised methods and results will provide a baseline for the future monitoring of seabirds within the region and guide conservation priorities.
