Model Estimation of Energy Flow in Oregon Coastal Seabird Populations

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Abstract
A computer simulation model was used to explore the patterns and magnitudes of population density changes and population energy demands in Oregon [USA] populations of sooty shearwaters, Leach''s storm-petrels, Brandt''s cormorants, and common murres. The species differ in seasonal distribution and abundance, with shearwaters attaining high densities during their migratory movements through Oregon waters, and murres exhibiting the greatest seasonal stability in population numbers. On a unit area basis, annual energy flow is greatest through murre and cormorant populations. Because shearwaters occupy a larger area during their transit, they dominate the total energy flow through the four-species seabird community. Consumption of various prey types is estimated by coupling model output of energy demands with information on dietary habits. Murres annually consume nearly twice as many herring as any other prey and consume approximately equal quantities of anchovy, smelt, cod and rockfish. Cormorants consume a relatively small quantity of bottom-dwelling fish, while storm-petrels take roughly equal quantities of euphausiids and hydrozoans.

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