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Energy and Food Requirements of Pelagic Aerial Seabirds in Different Regions of the African Sector of the Southern Ocean

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Antarctic Nutrient Cycles and Food Webs

Summary

The African sector of the Southern Ocean includes 3 regions separated by oceanic fronts. The frontal areas between the sub-tropical, sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions are characterized by relatively high nutrient and biotic production levels. In addition, the Benguela upwelling system over the southwestern African continental shelf is especially productive. Daily Energy Expenditures (DEE) of seabirds capable of flight were compared to see whether differences in primary productivity between different areas at sea are reflected at higher trophic levels. Theoretical carbon flux to seabirds at sea during 1979–1981 was calculated to be between 0.040g C m2 yr−1 and 0.224 g C m2 yr−1. The greatest C flux to seabirds occurred in the sub-tropical, and in certain frontal, areas.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa

    R. W. Abrams

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  1. R. W. Abrams
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Percy FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, 7700, Rondebosch, South Africa

    Walter R. Siegfried

  2. Foundation for Research Development, C.S.I.R., P.O. Box 395, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa

    Pat R. Condy

  3. British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB 3 OET, Cambridge, UK

    Richard M. Laws

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© 1985 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Abrams, R.W. (1985). Energy and Food Requirements of Pelagic Aerial Seabirds in Different Regions of the African Sector of the Southern Ocean. In: Siegfried, W.R., Condy, P.R., Laws, R.M. (eds) Antarctic Nutrient Cycles and Food Webs. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-82275-9_65

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-82275-9_65

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-82277-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-82275-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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