Last updated: December 29, 2020
Place
Alcatraz Island Climate Change
The seabirds of Alcatraz Island are threatened by changing ocean circulation patterns related to climate change. Many different seabird species, including Brandt’s and pelagic cormorants and pigeon guillemots, breed on Alcatraz Island.
As the climate changes, California’s seabirds will be stressed by disturbances in their food supply. The timing and intensity of upwelling, which moves nutrients into shallow coastal waters, is changing as the ocean absorbs more heat from the atmosphere. The seabirds’ prey fish rely on upwelling and associated plankton blooms. Changes in the timing and intensity of these events can disrupt food availability during the birds’ critical breeding season and ultimately impact survival of their offspring.
As the climate changes, California’s seabirds will be stressed by disturbances in their food supply. The timing and intensity of upwelling, which moves nutrients into shallow coastal waters, is changing as the ocean absorbs more heat from the atmosphere. The seabirds’ prey fish rely on upwelling and associated plankton blooms. Changes in the timing and intensity of these events can disrupt food availability during the birds’ critical breeding season and ultimately impact survival of their offspring.