Main objective
The main goal of this topic is to analyse the effect of artificial light at night in the year-round distribution and abundance of seabirds breeding in Madeira Island.
Available data
Seabirds’ colonies will be monitored through autonomous recording units. ARUs will be placed on the 12 N2000 areas to confirm breeding colonies and to estimate population size. Call rate data will be analysed together with luminosity data (light pollution, moonlight, and night sky brightness). The student will have the opportunity to take part of data collection and fieldwork. Also, the entire dataset will be made available for analysis. This topic is developed within the project LIFE Natura@night.
Proposed tasks
- Analysis of several datasets
- Join the fieldwork sessions
- Collect additional data on identified seabird colonies
- Submit the work in a peer-reviewed journal
Framework of the topic
- Is the topic part of an ongoing project/study? Yes – funded project
- Is there any financial support? Yes: fieldwork/material
Supervisor/tutor
Cátia Gouveia, SPEA Madeira| catia.gouveia@spea.pt
