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Dr. Yvonne Schumm

phone: +49 (0)641-99 35772
e-mail:
room: B421

 

Fields of interest / focus of work:

Following my dissertation, which focused on the comparative behavioural ecology of wild pigeons and doves (order of Columbiformes) native to Europe, my current work concentrates on the ecological segregation, in particular in terms of foraging and movement ecology, of two storm-petrel species (order of Procellariiformes) breeding sympatrically in Antarctica. Petrels are among the most abundant pelagic seabirds and are therefore an important component of marine ecosystems. Both species, the Wilson's storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and the black-bellied storm-petrel (Fregetta tropica), are important links in the Antarctic food web, both as predators and as prey.

The foraging and movement ecology of the two species will be investigated and compared using baseline-independent stable isotopes, GPS and GLS data, metabarcoding of diet components, and morphological and breeding parameter data. The aim is to examine (1) whether and how differences in trophic position between the species are linked to differences in food distribution, (2) how foraging ecology changes during the breeding season and (3) how foraging ecology compares to the non-breeding season. As much of this information is still unknown, the results of the project will provide a basis for future analyses of behavioural variability. In addition, a better understanding of the challenges faced by storm-petrels during and outside of the breeding season, and the impact of these on breeding success or spatial distribution of the species, will help in deciding on where to target conservation efforts.

The project "Foraging and movement ecology of two sympatrically breeding Antarctic storm-petrels" is funded by the priority programme Antarctic Research of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is, among others, in cooperation with the Instituto Antártico Argentino (Argentina). Field work takes place during the breeding season in Antarctica at the Argentinean research station Carlini (King George Island).

 

CV

  • Currently: PostDoc in the DFG project "Foraging and movement ecology of two sympatrically breeding Antarctic storm-petrels". Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen: Prof. Dr. P. Quillfeldt.
  • 2017 - 2022: Doctoral student (Dr. rer. nat.) Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany). Dissertation topic: "Comparative ecology of wild Columbiformes native to Europe - An analysis of movement behaviour, diet composition and haemosporidian infections". Supervisor: Prof. Dr. P. Quillfeldt
  • 2012 - 2017: BSc and MSc Biology at the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen (Germany). Topic of the Master thesis: "Breeding success, condition and blood parasites of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) under a global change scenario"