Tetiaroa Atoll, French Polynesia

Baseline Seabird Study

In 2018, principle investigators at the University of Washington (Dr. Sarah J. Converse, Dr. Beth Gardner & Dr. Julia Parish) in collaboration with Tetiaroa Society commenced a baseline seabird study at Tetiaroa, a small (3,366 ha) coral atoll within French Polynesia. Ten seabird species, including the Red-footed Booby (S. sula), Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus), and Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus), breed here across twelve low-lying coral islets (i.e., “motus”). Non-native Polynesian (Rattus exulans) and Black (R. rattus) Rats are slated for eradication in September 2020. Prior to eradication, we are sampling locations to quantify habitat and establish baseline information on seabird and rat presence. At each location, we deploy acoustic recording devices to monitor seabird activity and two baits to determine rat presence and conduct a rapid habitat assessment. We also initiated a banding program in 2019 to provide information on seabird abundance, survival, and site fidelity. These baseline data are the first step to understanding how seabirds will respond to rat eradication on Tetiaroa. Results will inform the development of a model to predict changes in seabird abundance and distribution following eradication on a tropical atoll and can be used to inform conservation actions to prioritize islands for rat eradication.