Papers by Fred C Schaffner
Radio tracking of white-tailed tropicbirds over the Caribbean sea
Hydrobiologia, 2014
In order to better understand the feeding ecology and timing of egg formation and regional geogra... more In order to better understand the feeding ecology and timing of egg formation and regional geographic range of wading birds from South Florida, the d 13 C and d 18 O values of eggshells and the d 13 C and d 15 N values of the organic matrix, were measured in *400 samples, representing nine species of waterbirds. Results reveal major differences between the eggshells of birds nesting in the Everglades versus Florida Bay, with the samples from the Everglades having lower d 13 C, and more positive d 18 O values, compared to specimens from Florida Bay. The differences in the d 13 C values represent a fundamental difference in the d 13 C of the organic material at the base of the food chains in the two areas. In the Everglades, the d 13 C values are controlled by particulate organic material derived from terrestrial vegetation, while in Florida Bay d 13 C values are controlled by seagrasses and other marine plants. The positive d 18 O values from the Everglades reflect enrichment in 18 O of the water as a result of evaporation in the Everglades compared to Florida Bay during the period of egg formation. All of the samples exhibited similar d 15 N values and the absence of positive correlation between d 13 C and d 15 N suggests that either the birds are feeding at generally similar trophic levels, or that the d 13 C and d 15 N of the organic material in the eggshell are not an effective trophic indicator in these environments.
Aerial tracking of radio-marked white-tailed tropicbirds over the Caribbean Sea
Sustainability, 2009
Although on the publisher's website for this book [1], chapter numbers are given, in the copy of ... more Although on the publisher's website for this book [1], chapter numbers are given, in the copy of the book I received there are no chapter numbers in the Table of Contents, even though in the main text, cross references are made and the chapter numbers are mentioned. This book is divided into the following sections: Globalization and Sustainable Growth (Chapters 1-5) Bioethics and Environmental Pollution (Chapters 6-9) Organizational Performance and Sustainability (Chapters 10-17) Environmental Management and Human Progress (Chapters 18-25) Renewable Energy (Chapters 26-31) Materials Recycling and Water Treatment (Chapters 32-37) This book is suitable for both experts and non-experts to read and get an overview of current sustainability studies, as well as understanding of many specific examples of academic research in this field. As the publisher of the new journal Sustainability, I am delighted to read several books on this topic, including this one. I read most of the chapters of this book. In addition to the already mentioned matter of the missing chapter, I noted some other obvious errors that should be corrected, e.g., on page 71, figure 2, the positive charges "+" and "2+" are missing for H + and Ca 2+. The summary of the book [1] is reproduced here: The Sustainable development is now considered by many organizations and their stakeholders the model to follow. An increasing number of companies currently act and communicate based on their triple performance (i.e. economic, environmental and social). Educators and scientists can follow this example by keeping in mind the bigger picture when it
A First Assessment of the Effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria Habitat on the Habitats and Terrestrial Bird Communities in the Coastal Dry Forest of Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico Original Proposal Title: Habitat Use and Migratory Connectivity of Terrestrial Avifauna on the South Coast of Puerto Rico
Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2022
Maintaining the water quality of lakes and reservoirs is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable ... more Maintaining the water quality of lakes and reservoirs is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an initiative promoted by the United Nations, including anthropogenic and natural factors that may influence water quality. The water reservoirs of Puerto Rico were built in watersheds to provide runoff control and for primary uses. The Cerrillos Reservoir is one of the largest water reservoirs in southern Puerto Rico, and is used as a source of potable water and for recreational activities. After hurricane Maria, in September 2017, many communities were without public water service and have obtained their drinking water from local rivers or their tributaries, without filtration or purification treatment. This research explored the physical-chemical parameters of Cerrillos Reservoir's surface water from May 2018 to January 2019. The objective of the present study is to assess seasonal variations in surface water quality with respect to physical (temperature, turbidity, and conductivity), chemical (nutrient concentrations: (Phosphorus (P) (Soluble Reactive Phosphorus, phosphate, or orthophosphate) and Nitrogen (N) (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia)), pH, and dissolved oxygen), and biological (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) parameters. Results suggest that Cerrillos Reservoir did not exceed the parameters of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, pH and DO, established by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER). The reservoir showed a stable trophic state in relation to inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen as N and P concentrations did not increase sufficiently to disrupt this ecosystem. However, total coliforms exceeded the maximum parameter (23 MPN/100mL-994 MPN/100mL
Report to the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for September 2014- August 2015. Migratory and Interhabitat Connectivity of North American Wintering Songbirds on the South Coast of Puerto Rico: Program Development and the Resolution of Long-Distance Migratory Pathways
Contributions of the Energy and Environmental Sectors to Sustainable Economic Development: A Case Study from the Caribbean
... Sector of public-private part-nerships in which government units, either the state or munici... more ... Sector of public-private part-nerships in which government units, either the state or municipalities,determine performance standards and ... and (2) Water and Natural Resources, thus underscoring the imperative of attending to environmental and energy issues as requisites ...
Water, 2021
Laguna Cartagena is a coastal, eutrophic, shallow lake and freshwater wetland in southwestern Pue... more Laguna Cartagena is a coastal, eutrophic, shallow lake and freshwater wetland in southwestern Puerto Rico, managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This ecosystem has been impacted by phosphorus loading from adjacent agricultural areas since the 1950s, causing eutrophication and deteriorating wildlife habitats. Herein, we describe phosphorus input and export during September 2010–September 2011 (Phase One) and October 2013–November 2014 (Phase Two). These two phases bracket a period of intensified management interventions including excavation and removal of sediment and vegetation, draining, and burning during the summers of 2012 and 2013. Results indicate that Laguna Cartagena retains a phosphorus (sink) in its sediments, and exhibits nutrient-releasing events (source, mainly total phosphorus) to the lagoon water column, which are associated with rainfall and rising water levels. External factors including water level fluctuations and rainfall influenced phosphorus export durin...
Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2021
Point and nonpoint sources of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) can cause reductions in water quali... more Point and nonpoint sources of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) can cause reductions in water quality, including eutrophication. Nonpoint pollution represents a special challenge because of dispersed not easily identifiable sources such as the runoff from soil, nutrients, and other chemicals from agricultural fields and residential areas. Laguna Cartagena is a tropical freshwater wetland, situated in southwestern Puerto Rico. It is a eutrophic ecosystem, and its eutrophication is caused by both external nutrient loading and internal, mainly by phosphorus. This wetland has been affected by phosphorus loading from inorganic agricultural fertilizer in this historically oligotrophic wetland system until the end of subsidized fertilizer use and sugar cane cultivation in the late 1990s. This study identifies: 1) nonpoint sources of phosphorus (SRP, Soluble Reactive Phosphorus and TP, Total Phosphorus) and nitrogen (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia) that enter Laguna Cartagena; and 2) the role ...
The Environment, Sustainable Development and Human Wellbeing
Environmental Management, Sustainable Development and Human Health, 2008
... Furthermore, the advances of international environmental jurisprudence also lend a valuablear... more ... Furthermore, the advances of international environmental jurisprudence also lend a valuablearsenal of bioethical principles to the guidance of ... Next Steps for the Business Community. ... Path to Democratic Environmental Governance in Latin America: A Case Study from Mexico. ...
Egg Recognition by Elegant Terns (Sterna elegans)
Colonial Waterbirds, 1990
Feed Size and Feeding Periodicity in Pelagic Birds: Notes on Methodology
Colonial Waterbirds, 1990
Abstract.-Data are presented on feed size and feeding periodicity in White-tailed Tropicbirds (Ph... more Abstract.-Data are presented on feed size and feeding periodicity in White-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus), collected by periodic (three hour interval) "blind weighing" methodology during 1984. These data are then examined in light of provisioning data collected by ...
ASSTP, ACT.-I studied nest-site selection and nesting success of White-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaeth... more ASSTP, ACT.-I studied nest-site selection and nesting success of White-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus) at nesting colonies located in coastal boulder talus on Cayo Luls Pefia, in the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico, during 1983-1988. Twenty-nine to 38 pairs attempted to nest at each of two colonies, Punta Cruz and South Peninsula, in each season. Nests were distributed along different coastline distances: 170 m at Punta Cruz and up to 420 m at South Peninsula. Nearest-neighbor distances of nest sites were 2-4 m at Punta Cruz and 6-10 m at South Peninsula. Nests averaged 2 m from the forest edge, within 6 m of the waterline and 2 m above mean high tide. Temperatures in nest crevices fluctuated between 20øC and 35øC. Incubation times averaged 41 days (range: 40-43). Mean fledging times (+SD) were 73 + 5.25 days in 1984, 71 + 2.65 days in 1985, and 71 + 1.57 days in 1986. Overall nesting success (laying through fledging), estimated by the Mayfield method, for the two colonies combined was low (0.15 in 1984 to 0.26 in 1986), although it was similar to that reported for White-tailed Tropicbirds at other colonies worldwide if estimated by the traditional method. Most nesting failures occurred early in the egg stage. The most important causes of nest failure at Punta Cruz were abandonment and agonistic encounters between conspecifics during the egg stage, including overt and severe fighting. In contrast, the most common cause of nesting failure at South Peninsula was predation. At South Peninsula, reduced predation by black rats (Rattus rattus) and increased hatching success were concurrent with intensive predator control efforts, especially the use of poisoned rat bait.
Pilot Project: Water Quality at the Toa Vaca and Cerrillos Reservoirs of Southern Puerto Rico
Differentiation between Communities of Birds in Early Successional Secondary dry forest versus Late Secondary dry forest in Salinas, Puerto Rico
INGE CUC, 2019
Introduction: Laguna Cartagena (LC), a wetland in Lajas, Puerto Rico, has been negatively impacte... more Introduction: Laguna Cartagena (LC), a wetland in Lajas, Puerto Rico, has been negatively impacted by nutrients, mainly phosphorus run-off from agricultural activities until the end of sugar cane cultivation in the late 1900s. This led to P concentration remain high at hypereutrophic state that was irremediable even after a 5-fold reduction in source water nutrient concentration. Objective: The main goal of this research paper is to apply two different mathematical approaches to assess the eutrophication level of a wetland in Puerto Rico. Method: Grey Cluster Method (GCM) was used to classify LC’s eutrophic state by applying the International and Chinese trophic standards and two parameters, total phosphorous (TP) and total nitrogen (TN). Mean TP and TN from LC consolidated bottom substrate and flocculence samples were used to classify LC. To address whether LC can recover, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and TP from LC inlet, outlet and center water samples were used to mode...
Interhabitat Connectivity of North American Wintering Songbirds on the South Coast of Puerto Rico Report to the Nuttall Ornithological Club for 2013-14
Royal Tern Nesting Attempts in California: Isolated or Significant Incidents?
The first known nesting attempts in California by both the Royal Tern and Elegant Tern ($. elegar... more The first known nesting attempts in California by both the Royal Tern and Elegant Tern ($. elegar•$) occurred in 1959 on the dikes separating the salt evaporating ponds at the south end of San Diego Bay, San Diego County, California (Gallup and Bailey 1960). The attempt, by a single pair of Royal Terns, failed. The egg was collected by Gallup and is on deposit at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, Los Angeles (WFVZ 114, 199-1). It measures 62.8 x 44.9 min. In 1960 a second nesting attempt was reported without details (Small 1960) to have involved at least 30 nests and produced many young, but no nests of this species were found in 1961 (Small 1961).
The Influence of Habitat Composition and Food Availability on Migratory and Resident Bird Abundance and Diversity in a Subtropical Dry Forest in Southeastern Puerto Rico
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Papers by Fred C Schaffner