Polystyrene and Hawaiian Seabirds Hillary Young University of - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Polystyrene and Hawaiian Seabirds Hillary Young University of California Santa Barbara

Hawaiian islands are a seabird hotspot Largest Tropical Seabird Rookery on the Planet

Globally, seabirds have declined by 70% since 1950

Globally, seabirds have declined by 70% since 1950

Largest declines in long-ranging species including many Hawaiian species such as albatross

Tropical seabirds face particular foraging challenges

Polystyrene compounds these challenges.

Frans Lanting, National Geographic Vericool Packaging

Polystyrene resistant to biodegredation • Easily persists 500 years in environment

Thus we expect that by 2050 polytsyrene and other plastics will be found in 99% of seabirds Wilcox et al., 2015

Polystyrene quickly breaks down to small pieces

Polystyrene quickly breaks down to small pieces Lee et al., 2013

These pieces accumulate in the smallest prey species Marine Copepods Flourescently labeled polystyrene microfragments Lee et al., 2013

Polystyrene fragments then accumulate toxins (e.g. Hg & PCBs) Graca et al., 2014

Toxins bioccumulate

This can cause secondary poisoning in marine animals, including seabirds Jaymi Heimboch J.L. Lavers et al., 2014

This can cause secondary poisoning in marine animals, including seabirds • Mortality • Reduced Body Size • Infertility • Disrupted Neurological Function • Altered Sex Ratios Jaymi Heimboch J.L. Lavers et al., 2014

Polystyrene also causes mechanical blockages, false feelings of ‘fullness’, and interrupted breathing

98% of dead albatross chicks are found to have plastics in their stomachs

Polystyrene  seabird declines Ingested plastic J.L. Lavers et al., 2014

Wide range of wildlife exposed More than 180 marine species documented eating plastics, including many of Hawaii’s most iconic species

Cultural as well as conservation significance Seabirds have important roles in Hawaiian culture including traditional wayfinding roles for voyagers