Research FFS Monitoring

	Monitoring Breeding Seabirds at French Frigate Shoals
*Sponsored by*

Monitoring Breeding Seabirds at French Frigate Shoals

Sponsored by

Project Duration

April 1, 2012 / August 31, 2013

Description

In 2012, with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Inventory and Monitoring Initiative, we inventoried, reviewed, compiled and archived data from the Tern Island Field Station, French Frigate Shoals (FFS), Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

French Frigate Shoals are an unusual crescent-shaped atoll about 29 km (18 mi) wide and approximately 1000 km (600) miles NW of Honolulu.

There are 12 sandy islets scattered around the lagoon.

Approach

This project addressed long-term data-sets of seabird abundance and productivity, environmental conditions and human impacts compiled and archived at the FFS field station.

We compiled and synthesized existing data. Data from 1986-2011 breeding seasons were compiled for 19 seabird species breeding within FFS in a status and trends report.

We reviewed data collection and management practices. The knowledge we gained provides insight for improvement of long-term data management at this and other USFWS remote field stations.

On December 09, 2012 a massive low pressure system produced a violent downdraft ‘microburst’ event that demolished buildings, killed hundreds of birds, and crippled life support systems.

Our findings will inform decisions as the Tern Island Field Station is rebuilt following a recent natural disaster.