Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Oregon
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

The Oregon Coast is home to diverse seabird populations that play crucial ecological, economic, and cultural roles—supporting ecotourism, transporting marine nutrients to terrestrial ecosystems, and acting as biological indicators of ocean health. However, many seabird species, including the iconic tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), have experienced sharp population declines over recent decades. To protect these populations and their habitats, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) established Oregon Islands, Three Arch Rocks, and Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuges as National Wilderness Areas, designated to promote long-term stewardship and public enjoyment of Oregon’s seabird biodiversity. Despite the importance of these refuges, baseline data to support adaptive seabird management is limited. Resource managers lack crucial insights into how seabird habitats have changed, the characteristics of suitable habitats for burrow-nesting species, and accurate data on burrow occupancy and habitat use. This research addresses these gaps by examining seabird habitat requirements, establishing a baseline of vegetative habitat dynamics, and developing a structured decision-making model for adaptive management. By assessing how seabird breeding habitat characteristics have evolved over time, this study will provide USFWS refuge managers with essential data to guide targeted habitat restoration and adaptive management decisions, ultimately supporting the resilience and recovery of Oregon’s seabird populations.