Habitat, population dynamics, and metal levels in colonial waterbirds: a food chain approach

Content: INTRODUCTION TO BARNEGAT BAY AND NORTHEAST ESTUARIES  Introduction Introduction Objectives of This Book Biomonitoring and Bioindicators Using Colonial Waterbirds as Bioindicators and Sentinels Habitat Diversity and Changes Environmental Contaminants Human Dimensions Summary and Conclusions  Barnegat Bay and Other Northeast Estuaries Introduction National Estuary Program Ecoregions Barnegat Bay Ecosystem Massachusetts Bays and Boston Harbor Buzzards Bay and Nearby Waters Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay New York-New Jersey Harbor Delaware Bay Estuary Chesapeake Bay Summary and Conclusions  Species, Methods, and Approaches Introduction Ethical Issues in Field Studies Conservation Status Definitions Taxonomy and Nomenclature Primary Species Descriptions Secondary Species Descriptions Barnegat Bay Methods Collection of Data from Other Bays and Estuaries Collection of Samples for Metal Analysis Metal Analysis Statistical Analysis Summary and Conclusions  HABITAT AND POPULATION DYNAMICS  Habitat Introduction Habitat Loss Habitat and Activity Available Habitat and Suitable Habitat Habitat Selection Coloniality Factors Affecting Colony and Nest Site Selection Temporal, Horizontal, and Vertical Stratification Foraging Summary and Conclusions  Population Trends of Colonial Waterbirds in Barnegat Bay Introduction Barnegat Bay Colonies Sandy Beach Habitats Spatial Variation Temporal Trends Summary and Conclusions  Population Trends of Colonial Waterbirds in Other Northeast Bays Introduction Massachusetts Bays and the Region Buzzards Bay Long Island Sound New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Delaware Bay Chesapeake Bay Discussion Summary and Conclusions  Global Warming, Sea Level Rise, and Suitable Nesting and Foraging Habitats Introduction Environmental Effects of Global Warming and Sea Level Rise on Coastal Habitats Climate Change and Nonavian Species Climate Change Effects on Birds Available Habitats and Changes in Barnegat Bay Sea Level Rise and Avian Responses in Barnegat Bay Foraging Birds in Bays and Estuaries Implications for Future Populations Summary and Conclusions  METALS  Overview of Ecotoxicology for Birds Introduction Background on Organic and Inorganic Pollutants General Principles Affecting Metals in the Environment Exposure Assessment and Toxicokinetics Toxic Effects of Metals and Toxicodynamics Establishing Causation of Toxic Effects Summary and Conclusions  Effects of Metals in Birds Introduction Lead Mercury Cadmium Selenium Manganese Chromium Arsenic Summary and Conclusions Appendix  Heavy Metals in Fish, Lower Trophic Levels, and Passerine Birds Introduction Lower Trophic Levels Horseshoe Crabs Fish as Bioindicators Natural History Background Prey Fish Finfish Passerines Summary and Conclusions  Heavy Metal Levels in Terns and Black Skimmers Introduction Common Terns Forster's Tern Roseate Terns Black Skimmers Discussion Summary and Conclusions  Heavy Metal Levels in Gulls Introduction Great Black-Backed Gull Herring Gull Laughing Gull Discussion Summary and Conclusions Appendix  Heavy Metal Levels in Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons, and Ibises Introduction Great Egret Snowy Egret Black-Crowned Night-Heron Other Species Discussion Summary and Conclusions Appendix  IMPLICATIONS, CONCLUSIONS, AND THE FUTURE  Heavy Metals, Trophic Levels, Food Chains, and Future Risks Introduction Effects Levels and Individual Variation Levels in Feathers Associated with Effects Levels in Eggs Associated with Effects Building Food Chains Implications for People Human Exposure to Mercury from Fish Lessons Learned Summary and Conclusions Appendix  Colonial Waterbirds-The Future Introduction Current Status of Waterbird Populations in Northeast Bays Indices of Vulnerability and Risks of Species Recovery, Resiliency, and Adaptations Summary and Conclusions  Color Insert  References