Seabird abundance, distribution and breeding patterns in relation to the Leeuwin Current

Lack of upwelling, and low marine productivity, results in seabirds being much less abundant off Western Australia than along the coasts of western South America and south-west Africa. The breeding and non-breeding distributions of seabirds appear to be influenced by the presence of the Leeuwin Current, as do the timing and success of their breeding activity. For instance, in a year of strong Leeuwin Current flow, Little Penguins near Perth carried less food, were in poorer condition and laid eggs much later than in a year of weaker flow

Annual and seasonal variation in the growth rates of young little penguins Eudyptula minor in Western Australia

Four linear measurements and body mass were used to measure the growth of Little Penguin Eudytula minor nestlings on Penguin Island, Western Australia, from 1989 to 1991. In general, beak length and beak depth increasedmore slowly than flipper and tarsus lengths, and body mass increased rapidly. Growth rates did not differ significantly between years. However, second-hatched chicks grew more slowly than first-hatched chicks, especially in body mass, and were lighter at fledging

Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic

Globally, collapse of ecosystems—potentially irreversible change to ecosystem structure, composition and function—imperils biodiversity, human health and well‐being. We examine the current state and recent trajectories of 19 ecosystems, spanning 58° of latitude across 7.7 M km2, from Australia's coral reefs to terrestrial Antarctica. Pressures from global climate change and regional human impacts, occurring as chronic ‘presses’ and/or acute ‘pulses’, drive ecosystem collapse. Ecosystem responses to 5–17 pressures were categorised as four collapse profiles—abrupt, smooth, stepped and fluctuating. The manifestation of widespread ecosystem collapse is a stark warning of the necessity to take action. We present a three‐step assessment and management framework (3As Pathway Awareness, Anticipation and Action) to aid strategic and effective mitigation to alleviate further degradation to help secure our future