Project Information

Title: Effects of Food Stress on Survival and Reproductive Performance of Seabirds 99479

Project Year and Number: 1999: 99479

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2002: 02479, 2001: 01479, 2000: 00479

Principal Investigator (PI): John Piatt (US Geological Survey)

Managing Agency: USGS

Assisting Personnel: Sasha Kitaysky

Research Location: Cook Inlet, Gulf of Alaska

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemot

Abstract: This project will measure the rise in blood levels of stress hormones such as corticosterone in response to a standardized stressor: capture, handling and restraint. This well-known response (found throughout vertebrates from fish to mammals) provides a strong assessment of whether or not a free-living population is chronically stressed or, if baseline levels of corticosterone appear normal, the stress-induced increase in corticosterone indicates potential for stress. This "field endocrinology" approach provides exact information on current stress status and the potential for stress in relation to quality and abundance of food. The project will investigate seabirds breeding in lower Cook Inlet.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Annual Report FY99: View (3,477 KB)
Final Report: See Project 02479

Publications from this Project: None Available