Demography of marine birds in the Northeast Atlantic: informed parameter values for population modelling

Matrix models are often used to assess and predict the impact of human
activities on wild populations. These models require input values of
demographic parameters, i.e. survival and fecundity. However, empirical
estimates of these parameters are often not available, particularly for
survival. We built matrix population models for 25 species of marine birds
in the Northeast Atlantic. These models were based on long-term monitoring
data on abundance and breeding productivity, collated for an environmental
status assessment under the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the
North-East Atlantic. We started with literature-based values of
age-specific survival and tuned these values to fit the observed
population growth rate. This database presents tuned values of
age-specific survival for 25 species in four regions of the north-east
Atlantic, a total of 54 regional populations. In addition, we report
modelled generation time as well as the level of breeding productivity
required to maintain a stable population for the same populations.
Practical implication. Our tuned values of age-specific survival should be
used as starting values in future modelling exercises. They represent
means over relatively large scales and long timespans and may need
adjusting to local conditions.