@article{fdi:010061906,
  title = {{C}ontrasted structuring effects of mesoscale features on the seabird community in the {M}ozambique {C}hannel},
  author = {{J}aquemet, {S}{\'e}bastien and {T}ernon, {J}ean-{F}ran{\c{c}}ois and {K}aehler, {S}. and {T}hiebot, {J}. {B}. and {D}yer, {B}. and {B}emanaja, {E}. and {M}arteau, {C}. and {L}e {C}orre, {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he {M}ozambique {C}hannel (western {I}ndian {O}cean) is a dynamic environment characterised by strong mesoscale features, which influence all biological components of the pelagic ecosystem. {W}e investigated the distribution, abundance and feeding behaviour of seabirds in the {M}ozambique {C}hannel in relation to physical and biological environmental variables, with a specific interest in mesoscale features. {S}eabird censuses were conducted in summer and winter during 7 cruises in the southern and northern {M}ozambique {C}hannel. {T}ropical species accounted for 49% of the 37 species identified and 97% of the individuals, and species from the sub-{A}ntarctic region constituted 30% of the identifications. {T}he typically tropical sooty tern ({O}nychoprion fuscata) was the dominant species during all cruises, and overall accounted for 74% of the species observations and 85% of counted birds. {O}utputs of {G}eneralised {L}inear {M}odels at the scale of the {M}ozambique {C}hannel suggested that higher densities of flying and feeding birds occurred in areas with lower sea surface temperatures and lower surface chlorophyll a concentrations. {M}ost of the flocks of feeding birds did not associate with surface schools of fish or marine mammals, but when they did, these flocks were larger, especially when associated with tuna. {W}hile tropical species seemed to favour cyclonic eddies, frontal and divergence zones, non-tropical species were more frequently recorded over shelf waters. {S}ooty terns foraged preferentially in cyclonic eddies where zooplankton, micronelcton and tuna schools were abundant. {A}mong other major tropical species, frigatebirds ({F}regata spp.) predominated in frontal zones between eddies, where tuna schools also frequently occurred and where geostrophic currents were the strongest. {R}ed-footed boobies ({S}ula sub) concentrated in divergence zones characterised by low sea level anomalies, low geostrophic currents, and high zooplanlcton biomass close to the surface. {O}ur results highlight the importance of mescoscale features in structuring the tropical seabird community in the {M}ozambique {C}hannel, in addition to segregating tropical and non-tropical species. {T}he mechanisms underlying the segregation of tropical seabirds seem to partially differ from that of other tropical regions, and this may be a consequence of the strong local mesoscale activity, affecting prey size and availability schemes. {B}eyond characterising the foraging habitats of the seabird community of the {M}ozambique {C}hannel, this study highlights the importance of this region as a hot spot for seabirds; especially the southern part, where several endangered sub-{A}ntarctic species over-winter.},
  keywords = {{W}estern {I}ndian {O}cean ; {F}oraging habitats ; {S}ooty tern ; {F}rigatebird ; {R}ed-footed booby ; {T}una ; {M}esoscale eddies ; {T}ropical marine predators ; {M}arine productivity ; {MOZAMBIQUE} {CANAL} ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN}},
  booktitle = {{T}he {M}ozambique channel : mesoscale dynamics and ecosystem responses},
  journal = {{D}eep-{S}ea {R}esearch {P}art {II}.{T}opical {S}tudies in {O}ceanography},
  volume = {100},
  numero = {{N}o sp{\'e}cial},
  pages = {200--211},
  ISSN = {0967-0645},
  year = {2014},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.10.027},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010061906},
}