light pollution impact on seabirds of malta
TRANSCRIPT
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LIGHT POLLUTION IMPACT ON SEABIRDS OF MALTA Paulo Lago. BirdLife Malta
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LIGHT POLLUTION
Excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial light
Consequences: it washes out starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical research, disrupts ecosystems, has adverse health effects and wastes energy
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
Light trespass Glare Skyglow
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Increasing development since 70’s in Malta
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
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PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
IMPACT OF LIGHT POLLUTION ON SEABIRDS
- Colony disturbance: reduces available nesting habitat abandonment of colonies (Xlendi 1975, Sultana)
- Disturbs nesting birds
- Disorients fledglings
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SEABIRD STRANDING HOTSPOTS
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
120 cases of stranded seabirds along 36 years (1978-2013) reported to BirdLife Malta. 32 Yelkouan shearwaters., 79 Scopolis shearwaters, 9 Storm petrels 44 locations all around Malta. (Juan Mula et al. In prep.)
Yelkouan
Scopolis
Storm petrel
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Is light pollution becoming an increasingly concerning problem?
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
Seabird strandings in Malta 1978-2013 (Juan Mula et al. In prep.)
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How to reduce light pollution?
- Corrective measures
- Legislation
- Careful planning
- Public and stakeholders awareness
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
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BIRDLIFE MALTA ACTIONS
LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater project (2006-2010)
- Legislative: Notice to Mariners No 02 of 2010
- Enforcement: meeting stakeholders, public awareness
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
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BIRDLIFE MALTA ACTIONS
LIFE+ Malta Seabird project (2011-2016)
- Measurement of light pollution from bunkering
Pilot testing in Majjistral Nature & History Park
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015
Prototype by Stephen John Cachia Bachelor thesis 2015
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BIRDLIFE MALTA ACTIONS
LIFE Arcipelagu Garnija (2015-2020)
- Address and reduce light pollution on P. yelkouan colonies utilising policy and legislation.
- Practical example: Cirkewwa terminal
PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN TA’ CENC, 23rd -25th Nov. 2015