Data from: Seabird diversity hotspot linked to ocean productivity in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Upwelling regions are highly productive habitats targeted by wide-ranging marine predators and industrial fisheries. In this study, we track the migratory movements of eight seabird species from across the Atlantic; quantify overlap with the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) and determine the habitat characteristics that drive this association. Our results indicate the CCLME is a biodiversity hotspot for migratory seabirds; all tracked species and more than 70% of individuals used this upwelling region. Relative species richness peaked in areas where sea surface temperature averaged between 15 and 20°C, and correlated positively with chlorophyll a, revealing the optimum conditions driving bottom-up trophic effects for seabirds. Marine vertebrates are not confined by international boundaries, making conservation challenging. However, by linking diversity to ocean productivity, our research reveals the significance of the CCLME for seabird populations from across the Atlantic, making it a priority for conservation action.

上升流区是生产力极高的栖息地，同时也是广泛分布的海洋捕食者与工业渔业的重点目标区域。本研究追踪了大西洋全域8种海鸟的迁徙活动，量化其与加那利洋流大型海洋生态系统（Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem, CCLME）的空间重叠范围，并明确驱动这种栖息地关联的关键特征。研究结果表明，加那利洋流大型海洋生态系统是迁徙海鸟的生物多样性热点区域；所有被追踪的海鸟物种，以及超过70%的追踪个体均会利用这片上升流栖息地。海鸟物种的相对丰富度在海表水温介于15至20摄氏度的区域达到峰值，且与叶绿素a浓度呈显著正相关，这揭示了驱动海鸟产生底上行营养级联效应的最优环境条件。海洋脊椎动物不受国际国界的约束，这为其保护工作带来了极大挑战。然而，本研究通过将海鸟多样性与海洋生产力相联系，明确了加那利洋流大型海洋生态系统对于大西洋全域海鸟种群的重要价值，因此该区域应被列为保护行动的优先重点。