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Carter, Harry R. 1995. Marbled Murrelet: How did these little-known seabirds become a symbol for saving old-growth forests? Tideline Vol 15 No. 4 1-3. The Marbled Murrelet:How did these little-known
seabirds become a symbol
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by Ervio Sian The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) has recently become an important symbol of the biological consequences of the logging of the last remaining old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, along with its better-known avian companion, the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis). In fact, the murrelet is only known to nest in coastal old-growth forests in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Farther north, in Alaska, murrelets also nest in old-growth forests and on the ground in treeless areas. Amazingly, the murrelet is actually a seabird that feeds on small fish and invertebrates in the ocean during the day and visits its nest site located on a large branch high in the canopy of old-growth forests mainly at dawn or dusk. Due to concerns about the impacts of loss of nesting habitat in old-growth forests and mortality at sea from gill nets and oil spills, the marbled murrelet was listed in 1992 under the Endangered Species Act as a federally threatened species in California, Oregon, and Washington by the US Fish |
Last updated:
May 27, 2008
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