SBU-Led Study Receives NSF Award for Seabird Research in the Southern Ocean

A new award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will enable Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) to explore the effects of environmental change on marine ecosystems.

The three-year, $666,910 award supports a research project led by Lesley Thorne, associate professor and associate dean of research at SoMAS. Her study will focus on the environmental drivers affecting the energetics, distribution, and population dynamics of giant petrels, dominant seabird predators in the rapidly changing Southern Ocean.

The project, titled "Environmental drivers of giant petrel energetics, and implications for population trends and predation pressure in the Southern Ocean,"represents a collaboration with Richard Phillips at the British Antarctic Survey. It will examine how shifting wind patterns and Antarctic sea ice influence the behavior and ecological role of giant petrels (Macronectesspp.). These seabirds, which rely on wind to efficiently navigate vast marine environments, are known to play a critical role in Southern Ocean food webs by preying on penguins and scavenging carrion.

"This important NSF-funded research truly embodies the spirit of the work we foster here at Stony Brook," said Vice President for Research and Innovation Kevin Gardner. "When you see our faculty tackling critical global challenges head-on, that's exactly the kind of groundbreaking research we're dedicated to cultivating." Gardner emphasized that Thorne's research exemplifies the core mission of the Office for Research and Innovation and its commitment to producing impactful knowledge and innovative solutions for a sustainable future.

"Research efforts like Professor Thorne's help us to better understand, and potentially protect, the delicate and interdependent ecosystems that make up this planet," said Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost. "I congratulate the team for receiving this grant, and look forward to seeing how what they learn impacts science and society."

By investigating how environmental factors such as wind and sea ice dynamics shape giant petrel foraging, habitat use, and energy expenditure, the project aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that influence predator-prey interactions and seabird population trends in the Southern Ocean. The research will contribute to broader ecological models that predict species responses to environmental variability in polar marine ecosystems.

To carry out this work, Thorne's research team will integrate several field tools and technologies, including drones, accelerometers, heart rate loggers, and 3D modeling. These instruments will allow Thorne and her team to measure the energetic cost of giant petrel flight and identify behavioral responses to changing atmospheric and oceanographic conditions. Through a combination of fieldwork and modeling, the team will assess how access to sea ice and favorable wind conditions affects giant petrel movement and predation pressure.

The study addresses a critical gap in knowledge about the links between environmental change and seabird ecology. While long-term trends in seabird populations have been documented, the physiological and behavioral responses driving those changes are not well understood. This research will help refine predictions about how apex avian predators adapt to environmental shifts and will support conservation and management strategies in polar regions.

By better understanding the response of giant petrels to environmental stressors, scientists can gain valuable insight into the resilience of marine ecosystems as a whole. The project will also examine how seasonal changes in sea ice availability affect giant petrel foraging strategies, reproductive success, and overall population health.

Thorne's research program is known for integrating marine biology, environmental science, and conservation with cutting-edge technology to evaluate the impacts of human activity and environmental change on marine mammals and seabirds. Her broader work at SoMAS focuses on marine ecology and energetics, particularly the spatial patterns of animal movement in response to environmental and anthropogenic factors.

The project will run from August 2025 through July 2028 and will advance understanding of one of the world's most remote and vulnerable environments. This NSF grant adds to a growing portfolio of externally funded research supporting Stony Brook's mission as a leader in marine and atmospheric sciences. As part of the NSF-GEO-NERC collaboration, the project also contributes to international efforts to understand and mitigate the effects of environmental change on polar ecosystems.

- Beth Squire