Seabird presence and seasonality influence nutrient dynamics of atoll habitats

In this study, we investigate nutrient dynamics linked to seabird presence and seasonality. We compare seabird colonies of different taxa nesting on separate islands of Farquhar Atoll, Seychelles. We first quantify guano nutrient input and guano nitrogen isotopes for each seabird species. We assess the transfer of seabird-derived nutrients in terrestrial and marine habitats by comparing nitrogen isotope values in soil, plants, and seagrass on each seabird island and a control island, during the wet and dry seasons. We then assess the influence of seabirds by comparing nutrient levels in soil, plants, and seagrass on each seabird island and a control island, during the wet and dry seasons. For plants and seagrass, we also assess and compare nutrient ratios and carbon stable isotope ratios on each seabird island and a control island, during the wet and dry seasons.

Methods
This dataset was collected on Farquhar Atoll (Seychelles) between March and August 2022.

Details for each dataset are provided in the README file.