Wild bird mass mortalities in eastern Canada associated with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus, 2022

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

Abstract In 2022, a severe outbreak of clade 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus resulted in unprecedented mortality among wild birds eastern Canada. Tens thousands were reported sick or dead, prompting comprehensive assessment spanning the breeding season between April 1 and September 30, 2022. Mortality reports collated from federal, Indigenous, provincial, municipal agencies, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, non-governmental organizations, universities, citizen science platforms. A scenario analysis was conducted to refine estimates, accounting for potential double counts multiple sources under range spatial temporal overlap. Correcting counting, an estimated 40,966 dead Canada during spring summer Seabirds sea ducks, long-lived species that are slow recover perturbations, accounted 98.7% mortalities. Mortalities greatest Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus ; 26,193), Common Murres ( Uria aalge 8,133), American Eiders Somateria mollissima dresseri; 1,945), however, these figures underestimate total as they exclude unreported deaths on land at sea. addition presenting we compare mortalities with known population sizes trends make initial whether population-level impacts possible Gannet, has suffered significant global mortality, two harvested species, Murre Eider, support management decisions. We hypothesize but unlikely Murres. This study underscores urgent need further research understand broader ecological ramifications HPAI bird populations.

Language: Английский

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Projected amplification of summer marine heatwaves in a warming Northeast Pacific Ocean

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Jan. 26, 2024

Abstract Marine heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting in a warming world. However, it remains unclear whether feedback processes could amplify or dampen extreme ocean temperatures. Here we impose the observed atmospheric flow coupled climate simulations determine how record-breaking 2019 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave would have unfolded preindustrial times, unravel +4 °C warmer world compared present-day conditions. We find that air-sea interactions, involving reductions clouds mixed-layer depth air advection from fast-warming subpolar regions, modulate rates within heatwave. In climate, global oceans +1.9 than present levels, regional mean can reach +2.3–2.7 ± 0.25 °C. Our identified projected further intensity spatial extent of analogous summer beyond those thresholds, with reaching +2.9 0.15 above levels. Such an event-specific amplification place even greater stress on ecosystems fisheries.

Language: Английский

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Wild bird mass mortalities in eastern Canada associated with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus, 2022

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Abstract In 2022, a severe outbreak of disease caused by clade 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus resulted in unprecedented mortality among wild birds eastern Canada. Tens thousands were reported sick or dead, prompting comprehensive assessment spanning the breeding season between April 1 and September 30, 2022. Mortality reports collated from federal, Indigenous, provincial, municipal agencies, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, other nongovernmental organizations, universities, citizen science platforms. A scenario analysis was conducted to refine estimates, accounting for potential double counts multiple sources under range spatial temporal overlaps. Correcting counting, HPAI is estimated have 40,391 bird mortalities Canada during spring summer 2022; however, this figure underestimates total as it excludes unreported deaths on land at sea. Seabirds sea ducks, long‐lived species that are slow recover perturbations, accounted 98.7% mortalities. Our study provides estimates mortality, with Northern Gannets ( Morus bassanus ; 25,669), Common Murres Uria aalge 8133), American Eiders Somateria mollissima dresseri 1894) exhibiting highest figures. We then compare these recent population trends make an initial whether biologically meaningful population‐level impacts possible. Specifically, we focus Gannet, has suffered significant global two harvested species, Murre Eider, inform management decisions. suggests possible Eiders, but unlikely Murres. This demonstrates approach assessing underscores urgent need further research understand broader ecological ramifications populations.

Language: Английский

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Geographic, ecological, and temporal patterns of seabird mortality during the 2022 HPAI H5N1 outbreak on the island of Newfoundland

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 18, 2024

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 caused mass seabird mortality across the North Atlantic in 2022. Following outbreaks Europe, first case America was detected on island of Newfoundland (NFLD), Canada November 2021, before spreading through all American flyways. During following breeding season, NFLD experienced second-highest number mortalities Canadian provinces. Surveys and citizen reports identified 13543 from April to September Many carcasses occurred west coast May June Reported peaked July along southeastern coast. In August September, were concentrated northeastern With exception two colony surveys, reported decreased September. Most found among Northern Gannet (6622), Common Murre (5992), Puffin (282), Black-legged Kittiwake (217). Using comprehensive knowledge ecology, we formulated exploratory hypotheses regarding traits that could contribute mortality. Species differences most strongly associated with nesting density, timing breeding, at-sea overlap allospecifics other colonies. Unprecedented ongoing transmission within circulating viruses highlight need for continued monitoring development conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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A review of climate change impacts on migration patterns of marine vertebrates in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Oct. 25, 2024

Climate change is impacting marine ecosystems throughout the circumpolar Arctic, altering seasonal habitats and food bases for fishes, seabirds, mammals. Arctic Subarctic regions provide resources resident species that migrate to north from more southerly regions. Changes in northerly latitudes thus impact endemic as well non-endemic animals. Herein, we review what known about climate-driven changes migration patterns of vertebrates, including: 1) residents with movements – those mammals complete their entire life cycle within but exhibit movements; 2) Breeding migrants many seabirds enter breed subsequently south fall; 3) Summer visitors feeding certain boreal arrive during northern summer feed on abundant prey though they elsewhere. Migratory are often driven by timing extent sea ice, which defines suitable habitat some animals limits access open water others. Longer open-water seasons, warmer ocean temperatures, stronger winds have resulted earlier production blooms spring often, extended open-ocean plankton into late summer, resulting altered types distributions. A common thread among taxa shifts distribution migrating indicate traveling farther north, or shifting longitudinally, migrations occurring over longer time frames. Species performing multiple lifetime long-distance may need adjust routing iteratively match productivity. Altered animal distributions phenology, reduced affects critical nutritional, economical, cultural components Indigenous people’s lives Arctic. Ongoing challenge resilience adaptability people ecosystems, will require adaptive research management approaches.

Language: Английский

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Catastrophic and persistent loss of common murres after a marine heatwave

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 386(6727), P. 1272 - 1276

Published: Dec. 12, 2024

Recent marine heatwaves have had pervasive effects on ecosystems, from declines in primary production to die-offs of top predators. Seabird mortalities are often observed association with heatwaves, but population impacts not well understood. In this work, we report the rapid mortality approximately half Alaska's common murre (

Language: Английский

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Arctic and Subarctic marine heatwaves and their ecological impacts

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Feb. 19, 2025

The Arctic and Subarctic seas are predicted to become hotspots for marine heatwaves (MHWs). High-latitude ecosystems face unique consequences from accelerated warming sea ice loss, challenging species adapted cold conditions. We review the literature on MHW characteristics ecological impacts in seas, contrast between Bering Sea Barents Sea. uncover pervasive of MHWs across widely different organism groups, including benthic foundation species, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, seabirds, mammals. marginal especially prevalent areas experiencing retreat, such as seasonal zones, highlighting complex interplay dynamics. Overall, few studies have documented high-latitude ecosystems, with notable exception Chukchi 2017–2019. Many their narrow thermal preferences, appear vulnerable MHWs, they might not access climate refugia, while boreal benefit MHWs. Sessile kelp seagrasses, at risk during although evidence remains limited. Reproductive failure mass mortality events been several Pacific (e.g., crabs). observed ecosystem-wide repercussions northern shifts plankton communities affecting entire food web. responses still fully understood, a need further research assess direct indirect various taxa improve predictive models better management conservation strategies. can also large ecosystem services socio-ecological systems, example, closures economically valuable culturally important fisheries, seen Alaska, degradation traditional ice-hunting practices, compromised wellbeing coastal communities. Large abrupt changes following underscore urgent adaptive strategies ongoing change.

Language: Английский

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Ocean warming, marine heatwaves and phytoplankton biomass: long-term trends in the Northern Adriatic Sea

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 109282 - 109282

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Population level impacts of gillnet entanglement mortality on three alcid species in British Columbia, Canada

ICES Journal of Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 82(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Incidental mortality via entanglement in non-selective gillnets is a known conservation issue for marine birds globally, and specifically, the productive waters of British Columbia, Canada. Three alcid species are particularly susceptible to gillnet bycatch (common murres Uria aalge, marbled murrelets Brachyramphus marmoratus (listed as “Threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act) rhinoceros auklets Cerorhinca monocerata), with estimates commercial salmon net fisheries ranging from hundreds thousands individuals annually. Despite risk posed by gillnets, population-level impacts due have not been estimated. Therefore, we wanted (1) understand how varying levels may impact population growth persistence (2) estimate size needed withstand recent mortality. We used simulation-based approach matrix projection models on probability extinction within 25 years. found that common murre was most vulnerable current rates producing high extinction. The estimated over an order magnitude higher than size, indicating Canadian taking breeding USA. Extinction ∼1% years given bycatch, contributing other anthropogenic threats such loss fragmentation nesting habitat. Rhinoceros had very low large compared bycatch. This study highlights species-specific differences these populations importance moving away toward more selective fishing methods reduce seabird populations.

Language: Английский

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The Epidemiology of a Novel Leucocytozoon Parasite in an Endangered Population of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) on the Oregon Coast

International Journal for Parasitology Parasites and Wildlife, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101078 - 101078

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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