**Abstract:**

Knowledge of sexual differences in diet composition is key to properly understand aspects of seabird life history, their role in marine food webs, and how human activities such as fisheries may differentially affect individuals of each sex. We assessed differences in diet composition between male and female Imperial Cormorants (<i>Leucocarbo atriceps</i>) breeding at Islas Blancas (44°46´S, 65°39´W), Argentina. Imperial cormorants show sexual size dimorphism, with males being 18% heavier than females. We obtained stomach samples through induced regurgitation from 60 adult individuals, 10 of each sex during three stages of the breeding cycle (incubation, small chicks and large chicks) in 2019. At least 11 and 28 prey taxa were recorded in stomach samples of males and females, respectively. Females consumed a greater diversity of prey species and a significantly higher number of prey items per stomach content. A two-way crossed analysis of similarities showed significant sex differences in diet composition in terms of numerical frequency along the breeding cycle. Males mainly consumed demersal species, with Argentine Red Shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (43.6%) and Argentine Hake Merluccius hubbsi (35.9%) being the main prey during incubation, and hake (>77%) the dominant prey during both chick rearing stages. Females preyed upon benthic species mostly inhabiting rocky reefs. Prey with higher representation in the diet in the three stages analyzed were the fishes Patagonotothen spp. (30.84%, 36.43% and 19.37%). Results show a clear sexual segregation in the diet of Imperial Cormorants, in agreement with studies in other dimorphic seabirds, and also suggest that sex differences reflect the spatial segregation in feeding behavior of male and female individuals. Males and females may be playing different roles in coastal food webs and may be differentially affected by coastal trawl fisheries as hake and shrimp are their main target species.

**Authors:**

Cynthia Ibarra¹, Nicolás Suárez¹, Juan Ignacio Cortés¹, Ximena Navoa², Cristian Silva³, Pablo Yorio¹

¹Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos - CONICET, ²UNPSJB- Instituto de Investigación de Hidrobiología, ³Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco

Sexual segregation in the diet of the dimorphic Imperial Cormorant breeding in northern Argentine Patagonia

**Abstract:**

While many members of the Larus genus have adapted to urban environments, the degree to which urban environments are utilized for foraging may vary greatly between species. To understand how the use of urban areas drives movement and foraging behavior in gulls, we compared differences in the habitat use and foraging ecology of herring gulls (Larus argentatus; HERG) and the lesser studied great black-backed gull (Larus marinus; GBBG). HERG are widely known to utilize urban environments, but evidence suggests that GBBG may primarily forage in marine environments. We collected data from a mixed-species breeding colony on Young's Island, NY, during the incubation period in spring 2019. We deployed GPS tags on 6 GBBG and 3 HERG with minimum and maximum deployment durations of 5 and12 days, respectively. Locations of foraging behavior were identified as areas of restricted search (ARS) using First Passage Time (FPT) analysis. We found that the proportion of foraging points within urban environments was significantly lower for GBBG than for HERG (Wilcoxon, p=0.01962). Site fidelity and the average number of foraging trips per day were also significantly lower for GBBG than HERG (Wilcoxon, p=0.03887; p=0.0181). Our results exemplify the variation in urban adaptability that exists within the Larus genus and how urban vs. non-urban habitat use may influence foraging behavior. Ongoing work is using bulk stable isotope analyses of whole blood examining ẟ13C and ẟ15N values for tagged individuals to assess differences in isotopic signatures in relation to habitat use. Together, these analyses will provide further insight in to how habitat use and the use of urban environments impacts behavior, diet, and trophic ecology.

**Authors:**

Kimberly Lato¹, Eleanor Heywood¹, Richard Veit², Lesley Thorne¹

¹Stony Brook University, ²College of Staten Island

Comparing the habitat use and foraging ecology of great black-backed and herring gulls

**Abstract:**

Environmental impacts of marine or coastal debris are evident at the global scale. There is ample evidence indicating severe impacts of debris resulting from fishing operations in coastal economies, as well as marine megafauna, including seabirds through entanglement with and ingestion of debris. The later became evident in the northern coasts of Argentina, particularly affected by poorly planned urbanization and the consequent habitat degradation affecting wildlife. Further, recent literature has shown detrimental effects of fishery debris on seabirds, resulting in severe injuries and mortality in a range of species. Our interdisciplinary project seeks to improve the health of coastal areas in northern Argentina, focusing in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area subject to an intensive use as recreational resort. We implemented a research and conservation program focused in understanding the nature and characteristics of stranded debris in coastal areas, and contributing towards its reduction through the implementation of an outreach and awareness transdisciplinary programme. We surveyed the perceptions of anglers and tour operators on their recreational activity and the potential effect of the by-products generated by this activity on the environment. Using the information obtained and with all stakeholders involved, a trial was conducted installing debris collectors in key areas of the estuary, accompanied by outreach posters and brochures. These collectors were monitored on a weekly basis during six months. A total of 212 kg of fishing-related debris (e.g. monofilament lines holding some 416 hooks, plastic containers with bait remains) and another 100 kilograms of debris related to recreational activities were classified and quantified. Currently, we are on the second stage of the project, monitoring the collectors and the behavior in this recreational activity, confident that this transdisciplinary approach to conservation is the one needed to drive significant changes in the way humans use coastal areas.

**Authors:**

GERMAN GARCIA¹, ARIADNA GOROSTEGUI VALENTI², MAXIMILIANO HERNANDEZ¹, FRANCISCO ZUMPANO¹, MELINA CASTANO¹, VICTORIA CABRAL³, MARCO FAVERO¹, JUAN PABLO SECO PON¹

¹Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (UNMdP-CONICET), ²Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, ³Instituto del Hábitat y del Ambiente, IHAM-FAUD, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata

Interaction between seabirds and recreational fisheries: a new transdisciplinary conservation program for the responsible disposal of fishing debris in Argentina

**Abstract:**

Recovering critically endangered populations poses a challenge to conservationists, especially when breeding sites are restricted to remote areas and birds depend on specific conditions. Trindade is a volcanic island arising over 1100 km east of Brazil mainland and is the only remaining breeding site for Fregata minor nicolli and F. trinitatis, both critically endangered. Severe population decline is due to the dependence on trees for nesting, which were destroyed by goats over the 19th and 20th. Frigatebirds were still nesting on remains of trees of Trindade in 1916 and 1925, but appear to have been gone by 1950; they were certainly absent from the main island by 1975-1976. For the past 30 years, less than 20 pairs have been recorded on a small islet off the southern point of the island, nesting on the ground. On the main island of Trindade, however, presence of native land crabs (Johngarthia lagostoma), and the invasive and abundant house mice (Mus musculus) make ground nesting probably not feasible. Brazilian Navy snipers eradicated goats by 2005, with nearly immediate recovery of some components of the native vegetation, but trees are still not available. Thus, Brazilian researchers set up a conservation project (RETER-Trindade), which erected until now ten artificial nests and roosting perches with three decoys in areas most suitable for frigatebirds. Monitoring of the artificial nests occurs with camera traps and expeditions to the area. Since November 2018, six field expeditions were accomplished to this remote site, it was censused an overall of four Fregata trinitatis and ten F. minor nicolli (2019). Extinction of these populations would imply in loss of global biological diversity, also loss of genes that could increase the evolutionary potential of Pacific and Indian Ocean conspecific populations. To try everything in our hands to save those Trindade frigatebirds represent an iconic attempt to fight against the loss of seabird species in the world.

**Authors:**

Patricia Serafini¹, Gustavo Leal², Guilherme Nunes³, Marcio Efe⁴, Ricardo Krul⁵, Andre Elias-Paiva⁶, Ruy Alves⁷, Nilber Silva⁷, Fabricio Escarlate-Tavares¹, Fabio Oliveira⁸, Gabriela Oliveira², Leandro Bugoni²

¹ICMBio, ²FURG, ³UFRGS, ⁴UFAL, ⁵Tríade, ⁶UnB, ⁷MNRJ, ⁸UFMG

Creating lost colonies from scratch: artificial nests to the critically endangered Lesser and Great Frigatebirds from Trindade Island, Brazil

**Abstract:**

In the past, Humboldt penguin (HUPE) colonies in Peru have been greatly impacted by guano extraction campaigns. At Punta San Juan (PSJ), the largest HUPE breeding area in the country, mitigation strategies have been developed since 2001 to minimize negative effects on this species´ population (e.g. management of extraction areas and use of visual barriers). Even so, interaction with campaign stimuli is still witnessed and might be causing impacts. To date, little is known about the effectiveness of the applied strategies. This study aims to determine the effects that the 2012 and 2019 campaigns had on the biggest HUPE colony at PSJ. We conducted three analyses. First, using nest counts during an 11 year period (2008-2019) we assessed if campaign years present significant temporal or size variation using a non-parametric multivariate analysis. Second, during campaign years we evaluated differences in phenology between sectors of the colony given their proximity to extraction zones. Finally, we used a GLM to estimate the relationship between sector distance to extraction zones and the number of active nests (nest desertion proxy) during campaign years. Results of the inter-annual and inter-sector analysis showed no evidence of campaign impacts. The GLM revealed no significant relationship between distance and nest counts. However, downward trends in overall population and irregular variation in HUPE phenology since 2015-16, 2017 El Niño events might be masking possible 2019 campaign effects. This study contributes much-needed scientific evidence into the effectiveness of mitigation strategies for guano campaigns at PSJ developed thanks to collaborative efforts between academic and governmental authorities. Nevertheless, recent changes in population size and nesting phenology are worrisome. While this case exemplifies how balance between economic and conservation interests can be achieved, it also illustrates the necessity of incorporating other factors in future studies.

**Authors:**

Leonardo Doig-Alba¹ ², Alonso Bussalleu¹ ² , Susana Cárdenas-Alayza¹, Marco Cardeña-Mormontoy¹, Dr. Armando Valdés-Velásquez²

¹Punta San Juan Program, Center for Environmental Sustainability, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
²Laboratory for EcoHealth and Urban Ecology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

Have we achieved a balance? Evaluating the effects of guano extraction campaigns with applied mitigation strategies on Peru's biggest Humboldt penguin breeding colony (2008-2019)

**Abstract:**

Scotland is home to internationally important seabird populations. However, over two thirds of species are experiencing declines in breeding abundance. 2020/21 have been landmark years for seabird conservation in Scotland. We showcase six partnership initiatives developed to help save our seabirds. New marine protected areas: 12 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for 31 species of marine birds have been designated. These are the first wholly marine SPAs in Scotland and include foraging areas for seabird aggregations. Scottish Seabird Conservation Strategy: The draft Strategy assesses the pressures and threats driving the declines in Scottish seabird populations and identifies actions to reduce the key pressures and their impacts on seabirds. Actions are targeted at enabling better delivery of management, research, monitoring and communication and will be consulted on later this year. Marine Protected Areas Monitoring and Management (MarPAMM): This project is developing cross-border capacity for the monitoring/management of globally important seabird populations within the shared seas between western Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. By collecting novel information on the abundance and distribution of these seabirds, along with the pressures they face, the project is developing regional management plans to safeguard key populations. Biosecurity for Life: Many of our most important seabird colonies are on islands that are free of mammalian predators. This project is putting in place biosecurity measures at 29 Scottish seabird island SPAs to help prevent accidental introduction, developing capacity for effective incursion responses and working with stakeholders to improve preventative measures on key pathways. A long-term programme is in development that will ensure continuation of biosecurity implementation on Scottish seabird islands. Seabirds Count: With nearly 12,000 seabird breeding sites surveyed, approximately 1000 surveyors taking part and a global pandemic appearing in its final year, the 4th Britain and Ireland breeding seabird census is finally complete. The task to understand how breeding seabirds in Britain and Ireland have fared over the last 20 years, now begins. Message in a bottle: This audio-visual performance for Scotland's Year of Coasts & Waters 2020/21 programme draws attention to our impacts on the world's oceans. It focuses on the shear range of marine wildlife Scotland is home to and the incredible journeys they make.

**Authors:**

Emma Philip¹, Kerstin Kober², Laura Bambini³, Daisy Burnell², Richard Howell⁴, Jayne Burns⁵

¹NatureScot, ²Joint Nature Conservation Committee, ³Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, ⁴Marine Scotland Science, ⁵Marine Scotland

Celebrating Scotland's seabirds - Year of Coasts & Waters 2020/21

**Abstract:**

When threatened seabirds nest in inhabited areas, effective conservation requires involving local communities concurrently with ecological studies. In the Caribbean, the remaining nesting areas of the endangered Black-capped petrel (Pterodroma hasitata, known as Diablotin) are shared across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, two countries where resources for conservation are severely limited. Considered extinct until the 1960's, the population is estimated at 1,000-2,000 pairs, with 100 known nests located between five documented sites on Hispaniola. Surveys conducted in the last decade have shown a significant population decline due to habitat degradation and loss, predation by invasive species and collisions with infrastructure. To foster conversation about the conservation of tropical species at risk, we report on the progress of conservation actions and research undertaken under the auspices of the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group. On land, colony monitoring and nest searches started in the 2010's and, to date, ca. 100 nests have been located and are monitored annually; in parallel, education and outreach are ongoing in both countries in communities neighboring nesting areas: these have ranged from rural development, sustainable agriculture and school programs, to the creation of a Black-capped petrel festival and pride campaign. Recent actions are focusing on controlling predators at nesting sites, reducing collisions, and finding unknown nesting sites in Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Cuba. At sea, little information is available on the species' distribution and its ecology but recent studies, ranging from satellite tracking of birds captured at sea to a molecular assessment of diet, are expanding our understanding of its marine range and of associated conservation threats. Finally, institutionally, the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group has used Open Standard processes to collectively identify key conservation strategies for the species at local, regional, and international levels.

**Authors:**

Yvan Satgé¹, Anderson Jean², Jennifer Wheeler³, Adam Brown⁴, Ernst Rupp⁵, Hannah Nevins⁶, Brad Keitt⁷, Patrick Jodice⁸

¹South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit - Clemson University, ²Jeunes en Action pour la Sauvegarde de l?Ecologie en Haïti, ³BirdsCaribbean, ⁴Environmental Protection in the Caribbean, ⁵Grupo Jaragua, ⁶Independent Researcher, ⁷American Bird Conservancy, ⁸U.S. Geological Survey South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Recent advances in the conservation and ecological study of the endangered Black-capped petrel: a multi-level approach from community education to fecal DNA

**Please read the paper on the following link:**

https://1worldcontent.com/ess/9266.pdf

**Abstract:**

It is well established that oxide defects are a major threat concerning the reliability of electronic devices. Point defects like the oxygen vacancy and hydrogen related defects like the hydrogen bridge and the hydroxyl-E\' center can trap charges from the Si substrate during operation. Here we present a statistical study of parameters by analyzing 144 defects of each type in amorphous SiO2 . We use density functional theory in conjunction with a hybrid functional to provide a large and accurate dataset of defect parameters such as the relaxation energy or the charge transition level and link them to bias temperature instability in nMOSFET devices.

Statistical Ab Initio Analysis of Electron Trapping Oxide Defects in the Si/SiO2 Network

Sulfur-containing polymer is promising to the application of the optical, anti-corrosion and antifouling materials. Using sulfur-containing C1 building blocks [i.e. carbonyl sulfide (COS), carbon disulfide (CS2)] to copolymerize with epoxides have been rapidly developed in our group and others. This talk reports two metal-free routes for the reaction of COS with epoxides.
1) The inhibition of oxygen-sulfur exchange reaction (O-S ER)1 for synthesizing poly(monothiocarbonate)s. Two types of organocatalysts will present, one is the combination of Lewis bases including amidine, guanidine, or quaternary onium salts with triethyl borane.2 A highly transparent and colorless poly(monothiocarbonate)s are obtained with > 99% tail-to-head content and high Mns of up to 92.5 kg/mol. O-S ER that would generate random thiocarbonate and carbonate units, were totally suppressed in most instances. The turnover frequency (TOF) of these Lewis pairs are as high as 240 h-1 at ambient temperature. The other is the combination of organic bases and thioureas via cooperative catalysis.3 Poly(monothiocarbonate)s are obtained with 100 % alternating degree, > 99% tail-to-head content, high Mns of up to 98.4 kg/mol and narrow molecular weight distributions (1.13-1.23). TOFs of the catalysts are up to 112 h−1 at 25 °C. 
2) The utilization of O-S ER for synthesizing poly(thioether)s using COS and epoxides as the starting materials.4 This route undergoes the coupling reaction of COS with epoxides, decarboxylative ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the generated mixed cyclic thiocarbonates with releasing CO2(a little bit COS). And this method is also applied to the reaction of carbon disufide with epoxides, providing a new pathway to produce COS and poly(thioether)s simultaneously. 
Finally, we’ll present the transformation of poly(monothiocarbonate)s to poly(thioether)s by using O-S ER process, which is a polymer A to polymer B method for recycling the polymers.

Underline digital video library

Sexual segregation in the diet of the dimorphic Imperial Cormorant breeding in northern Argentine Patagonia

Comparing the habitat use and foraging ecology of great black-backed and herring gulls

Interaction between seabirds and recreational fisheries: a new transdisciplinary conservation program for the responsible disposal of fishing debris in Argentina

Creating lost colonies from scratch: artificial nests to the critically endangered Lesser and Great Frigatebirds from Trindade Island, Brazil

Have we achieved a balance? Evaluating the effects of guano extraction campaigns with applied mitigation strategies on Peru's biggest Humboldt penguin breeding colony (2008-2019)

Celebrating Scotland's seabirds - Year of Coasts & Waters 2020/21

Recent advances in the conservation and ecological study of the endangered Black-capped petrel: a multi-level approach from community education to fecal DNA

Statistical Ab Initio Analysis of Electron Trapping Oxide Defects in the Si/SiO2 Network

Organocatalytic Synthesis of Sulfur-containing Polymers

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