The ocean is a seemingly homogeneous and vast landscape, yet, in reality, oceanic habitats are highly dynamic and patchy mosaics in which marine animals eke out their existence in complex ways. While I was a post-doc in the Leonard lab, my research focused on linkages between marine predators (particularly seabirds) and ocean habitats. From 2003-2008, my PhD work investigated critical habitats of marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus), a threatened species in coastal British Columbia. Since 2005, along with the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station, we have been studying the foraging ecology, energetics, habitat selection, and migratory behaviour of shearwaters in Atlantic Canada. This work is integrating a banding program, dietary analysis (stable isotopes and fatty acids), biochemical analysis (lipids, corticosterone, hematology), and satellite tracking of movements and migrations. Ultimately, my objective is to apply these studies towards the conservation and management of marine animals (e.g. design of Marine Protected Areas, oil spill response, mitigation of fisheries bycatch).
Ronconi, R.A. & A.E. Burger (2008) Limited foraging flexibility: increased foraging effort by a marine predator does not buffer against scarce prey. Marine Ecology Progress Series 366: 245-258.
Wong, S.N.P., R.A. Ronconi, A.E. Burger & B. Hansen (2008) Marine distribution and behavior of juvenile Marbled Murrelets off southwest Vancouver Island, British Columbia: applications for monitoring. Condor 110: 306-315.
Ronconi, R.A. (2007) The spectacular migration of greater shearwaters. BirdWatch Canada 39: 4-7.
Haynes, T.B., R.A. Ronconi & A.E. Burger (2007) Habitat use and behaviour of the Pacific Sand Lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) in the shallow subtidal region of southwestern Vancouver Island. Northwestern Naturalist 88: 155-167.
Ronconi, R.A. (2006) Predicting bird oiling events at oil sands tailings ponds and assessing the importance of alternate waterbodies for waterfowl: a preliminary assessment. Canadian Field-Naturalist 120: 1-9.
Ronconi, R.A. & C.C. St. Clair (2006) Efficacy of a radar-activated on-demand system for deterring waterfowl from oil sands tailings ponds. Journal of Applied Ecology 43: 111-119.
Ronconi, R.A., C.C. St. Clair, P. O’Hara, & A.E. Burger (2004) Waterbird deterrence at oil spills and other hazardous zones: potential applications of a radar-activated on-demand deterrence system. Marine Ornithology 32: 25-33.
Ronconi, R.A. & S.N.P. Wong (2003) Estimates of changes in seabird numbers in the Grand Manan Archipelago, New Brunswick, Canada. Waterbirds 26: 462-472.
Ronconi, R.A., & C.C. St. Clair (2002) Management options to reduce boat disturbance on foraging black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) in the Bay of Fundy. Biological Conservation 108: 265-271.