Continuing research:

Information on satellite data:
"prey distance" hypothesis v. the "feeding site quality" hypothesis

Scientist believed for a long while that the distances birds (such as the albatross) had to cover in order to find prey was directly proportional to the number of offspring.  This is also known as the "prey distance theory."  Recently however, scientist have used satellite tracking to see exactly how and where albatrosses forage for food.  They have found that if the quantity of the prey is high, then the distance does not really affect reproductive rates, suggesting that this "feeding site quality" hypothesis is accurate.  They found that "foraging trips by all three species often exceeded three weeks in duration and covered distances over 3000 km roundtrip" (Fernandez and Anderson 1999)

I found this article to be interesting mainly because it showed a way to test a hypothesis using remote data sensing systems: satellites.  This may be a possible way to monitor systems or processes with species.  The ability to link/prove/disprove "cause and effect" ideas that at first seem completely unrelated was what caught my attention. 

Source:

Fernández, A.P. and Anderson, D.J. 1999. Foraging behavior of Galapagos albatrosses revealed by satellite tracking and its relationship to reproductive rate. Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Pacific Division 18 (1): 53.



Saving the Albatross (and possibly other sea birds):
According to the article, "longlining is the single greatest threat to the world's seabirds."  Many seabirds, such as the Albatross (including Espanola's Waved Albatross) are effected by long-line fishing.  The birds often fly just behind the longlining boats and try and snag the bait on the hooks as it is "released."  Longlining is very popular now-a-days because it costs less than regular fishing methods (nets, crates).  Among other problems dealing with long- problem is that they try and eat the bait, but get caught on the hooks which then drag them underwater until they drown.  Once the lines are "set," they sink, and the birds can't get to them. 

Possible Solutions presented by the article (low cost, too!) on how to minimize seabird deaths:

-"Towing bird-scaring (or tori) lines behind the vessel. These have plastic streamers tied to them that flap in the wind and scare birds away from the baited fishing line."
-"Using an underwater setting tube. These set the fishing line underwater out of reach of the birds."
-"Tying enough weights to the fishing line so that it sinks more quickly out of reach of the birds"
-"Using thawed not frozen bait as it sinks more quickly."
-"Dying the bait blue. This puts birds off eating it."
-"Setting lines at night. Most albatrosses feed mainly by day."
(all above solutions are directly from Birdlife International (2004))

The above measures are low-cost as well as favorable to the fishermen; the less bait that gets eaten by the birds, the greater chance of catching more fish.

The Agreement for Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (CAPA) is an agreement to reduce seabird deaths due to longline fishing.  "Five countries have both signed and ratified the Agreement (Australia, Ecuador, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa), guaranteeing its entry into force on 1 February 2004." This fact may be of particular importance to us because it means that Ecuador has shown its  willingness to compromise when important environmental issues are put forth to be solved.

The ideal goal for our group would be to find a feasible, cost-effective solution, and explore all the positive and negative aspects.  Translation: if we do all the research, then the plan has a greater chance of being taken seriously, and possibly address on the governmental level (or even international level).

Source:
Birdlife International.  (2004) Save the Albatross. <http://www.birdlife.org/action/campaigns/save_the_albatross/index.html> Downloaded October 2, 2004



1000 tortoises to Espanola:
The population on Espanola went down to fifteen individuals at one point.  They were taken and bred in captivity.  By the year 2000, 1000 turtles were released on Espanola -- a major jump from fifteen.  Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Foundation have worked together (in Reptile Rearing Center located on Santa Cruz Island) to restore tortoise populations. 

This is valuable to know, because it means we have a successful method for restoring species.  Although it requires long years of hard work and dedication, the results are incredible.  Overall it is cheaper and healthier to prevent the species from becoming endangered/nearly extinct than to recreate the entire population.


Sources
Charles Darwin Foundation. (2000) More than 2000 tortoises have returned home. From the 1999 Annual Report.  <http://www.darwinfoundation.org/articles/ar00040046.html> Downloaded October 23, 2004.



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