A quarter century of environmental surveillance: The Canadian Wildlife Service's Great Lakes Herring Gull Monitoring Program

摘要: The Great Lakes Herring Gull Monitoring Program has annually provided information concerning levels of environmental contaminants in herring gull eggs since 1974, making it one the longest running biomonitoring programs world. program was initiated response to observations poor reproductive success colonial waterbirds on Lakes. Initial studies examined role halogenated hydrocarbons (HAHs) causing this dysfunction. By late 1970s, gulls had improved greatly and emphasis placed developing more sensitive indicators measure subtle effects associated with HAH exposure. Geographic temporal trends contamination were also elucidated. Analysis tissues led identification HAHs (mirex, photomirex, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorobenzenes, dioxins) previously undetected upper trophic level biota. Data collected as part have our understanding contaminant sources fate us a means assess progress controlling inputs. extensive nature dataset allowed detailed examination factors that regulate species. Most monitoring rely less datasets for interpretation may benefit from mechanisms identified here. Research other stressors, e.g., dietary deficiencies, affect populations. Ongoing species will continue provide new insights into dynamic ecosystem.