Marine Bird Mapping and Assessment

With the growing interest in offshore energy development along the eastern seaboard, it is increasingly important to determine the associated risks for the bird species that rely on this habitat. Although many efforts have been made to identify important habitat areas for marine birds, each focused on a different geography, and followed different protocols. Using an innovative modeling approach to synthesize historic data on 24 species of marine birds, this report and accompanying maps offer new insight for researchers and marine spatial planners about how these species use offshore waters.

Go to the Product(s)

Final report outlining a framework for marine bird habitat risk assessments in the context of offshore development

Technical metadata and direct download available from the Spatial Data page

Seasonal and annual maps for 24 species of marine birds on our Conservation Planning Atlas (See "Marine Bird Assessment" folder)

Additional Resources

Download link for Final Report plus project datasets (occurrence, large counts, and covariates) [Large File]

Final Report - Richard Veit's Review of Marine Bird Dataset, Aug. 2013

Poster summarizing some of the results

Technical description

North Carolina State University developed spatial models (exposure maps) for 24 species of marine birds and a final report [large file] for the project. The Biodiversity Research Institute updated seabird data for the USGS Atlantic Seabird Compendium so that they could be used by NC State in modeling. Richard Veit completed review of the historical USGS database on marine birds to correct apparent errors (e.g., mislabeled species) and advised how to handle uncertainties in bird identification. Brian Kinlan (contractor to NOAA) completed coordinating work with other investigators as part of the project.

Case Studies and News Stories

The Best Darn Bird Map - North Atlantic LCC Conservation in Action case study

Project Contact(s):

Beth Gardner, Assistant Professor of Quantitative Wildlife Biology, North Carolina State University

LCC Staff Contact(s):

Scott Schwenk, North Atlantic LCC Science Coordinator

PROJECT PAGE:

Marine Bird Mapping and Assessment

Resource Type:	Birds
Conservation Targets:	Coastal and Marine
Conservation Framework:	Assumption-based Research
Threats/Stressors:	Development/Urban Growth, Energy Development
Conservation Action:	Site/area protection, Site/area management, Habitat and natural process restoration, Species management

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