num_pages: 224
description: The Seabird Breeding Atlas of the Lesser Antilles makes available data and narrative related to Environmental Protection in the Caribbeans (EPIC) census of breeding seabirds in the Lesser Antilles. The book provides information on methodology species profiles and distribution maps and tables by species and country/territory and site specific threats. The Atlas reports key individual islands for breeding seabirds in the Lesser Antilles nations or territories supporting the greatest number of globally and regionally important populations and clarifies the significance of the region in relation to Caribbean-wide populations. Species with restricted breeding ranges are also identified. The study covered 3162 nautical miles and over 200 islands between 2009 and 2010. Every island islet or cay above the high-tide level capable of supporting seabirds was surveyed by land and/or sea. Surveys were conducted over a two-year period to account for variations in breeding cycles. The only islands not surveyed by EPIC were locations for which colleagues contributed recent data. A full seabird population survey for this region had never previously been undertaken. Existing records varied greatly from areas of intense research to sites where data were based on anecdotal notes sometimes dating back to the early 19th century. This ground-breaking study sheds light on numerous undocumented seabird breeding colonies as well as colonies previously thought extirpated. The standardised methods and results will provide a baseline for the future monitoring of seabirds within the region and guide conservation priorities.
language: English
title: Seabird Breeding Atlas of the Lesser Antilles
publisher: None