SIPT - Research

Research

The Trust proudly sponsors research projects that focus on the the study and protection of the wildlife and environment of Sable Island.

2006 Census of Terns on Sable Island

Sable Island was surveyed for terns in June 2006 using ground-based surveys by the Canadian Wildlife Service. The island was crossed every kilometre from north to south. Tern colonies were identified and subsequently surveyed. 2426-3960 pairs of terns were identified at 13 colonies. Even accounting for the uncertainty in the estimate, the total suggests that the breeding population has increased considerably over the last five years, mainly because of the growth in a colony near the main station. Species composition of breeding birds at surveyed colonies was 74% Common Terns and 26% Arctic Terns. Three Roseate Terns were identified but breeding status was not confirmed. The average clutch size was 2.41(±0.65) which is comparable to other surveys of terns in the Maritimes (A.W. Boyne pers.
obs.).

2006 Census of Ipswich Sparrows

The breeding population of the Ipswich sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis princeps), Sable Island's endemic passerine, was censussed in spring 2006 using two methods: one used from 1968-1995 that had yielded a population of up to 3400 birds, and another developed in 1998 (slightly modified here) that had yielded nearly 6000 birds. In this 2006 census, the methods yielded 6700 and 6800 sparrows, respectively, well within the margin of error of the 1998 census. These results suggest that the difference between pre-1998 and 1998 censusses represents a real increase in the sparrow population, and not just a difference in censussing technique. The Discussion evaluates the methods based on such features as how well they cover different habitats, how well they detect birds, and practicality.

Ipswich Isotopes Study (Updated with Final Report)

A study using stable isotope analysis to determine the wintering locations and diets of individual Ipswich sparrows, and to relate those data to breeding success, was started in 2006. Feather samples were collected from over 100 adults, and the fates of their 70 nests were followed. In spring and summer 2007, the sample size was increased and data on the arrival and pairing dates of returning birds was collected.

Read the 2006 Progress Report here.

Sable Island Eco Tourism Recommendation

There is a great deal of public interest in Sable Island, and much desire by individuals to experience its fascinating ecological and cultural heritage. These desires must be weighed against the possibility that tourism could seriously damage Sable Island through erosion, pollution, disturbance of wildlife and a variety of other foreseen and unforeseen factors. This research paper was created by a group of Dalhousie University Nature Conservation students and was commissioned by the Sable Island Preservation Trust in order to generate discussion about the prospect of allowing eco-tourism on Sable Island.

Sable Island Climate Change Kit

This report summaries details about climate change including a description of climate change and reasons for it, indicates trends and looks to the future regarding what we can do about it.

Sable Island Stable Isotope of CO2 Measurement Project

Since the mid-1970s, Sable Island has been used as a platform, one of 3 in Canada, for background measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2). This research project involves the collection of air samples and measurement of isotopes of carbon and oxygen in atmospheric CO2. Results from this long-term atmospheric program can help in furthering our understanding of the role of greenhouse gases in climate change and the movement of carbon between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface.

Atmospheric Ozone Profiles

This research project involves the measurement of atmospheric ozone profiles from ground level to approximately 35 kilometers. In combination with an international consortium of researchers from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, this intensive program is aimed at developing a better understanding of the factors that shape regional air quality in eastern North America, Western Europe, and in the remote regions of the North Atlantic.

Toxic Contaminants in Sable Island Fog

This project measures toxic compounds in fog, including organics and heavy metals, in order to understand gas-droplet partitioning of air toxics, evaluate long-range transport of these substances, and quantify what impact they may have on Sable Island. The transport of these substances to such a remote island has immediate relevance for other parts of the Maritimes and may be used to evaluate regional effects by combining it with similar data collected on the mainland.

Census of Breeding Birds

Over 350 species of birds have been observed by residents and visitors on Sable over the years, of which at least 28 species have nested. This includes numerous species of waterfowl, shorebirds and seabirds. Suggestions and recommendations were made by the Trust as part of this study.

Tern Study

Sources of variation in success of tern colonies on Sable Island and the implications for management.

Comments, questions, suggestions? Contact us: info@sabletrust.ns.ca

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