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Young L, VanderWerf E. A review of predator exclusion fencing to create mainland islands in Hawai'i. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17694. [PMID: 38952975 PMCID: PMC11216197 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Invasive species are the primary threat to island ecosystems globally and are responsible for approximately two-thirds of all island species extinctions in the past 400 years. Non-native mammals-primarily rats, cats, mongooses, goats, sheep, and pigs-have had devastating impacts on at-risk species and are major factors in population declines and extinctions in Hawai'i. With the development of fencing technology that can exclude all mammalian predators, the focus for some locations in Hawai'i shifted from predator control to local eradication. Methods This article describes all existing and planned full predator exclusion fences in Hawai'i by documenting the size and design of each fence, the outcomes the predator eradications, maintenance issues at each fence, and the resulting native species responses. Results Twelve predator exclusion fences were constructed in the Hawaiian Islands from 2011-2023 and six more were planned or under construction; all were for the protection of native seabirds and waterbirds. Fences ranged in length from 304-4,877 m and enclosed 1.2-640 ha. One-third of the 18 fences were peninsula-style with open ends; the remaining two-thirds of the fences were complete enclosures. The purpose of twelve of the fences (67%) was to protect existing bird populations, and six (33%) were initiated for mitigation required under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Of the six mitigation fences, 83% were for the social attraction of seabirds and one fence was for translocation of seabirds; none of the mitigation fences protected existing bird populations. Rats and mice were present in every predator exclusion fence site; mice were eradicated from five of six sites (83%) where they were targeted and rats (three species) were eradicated from eight of 11 sites (72%). Mongoose, cats, pigs, and deer were eradicated from every site where they were targeted. Predator incursions occurred in every fence. Rat and mouse incursions were in many cases chronic or complete reinvasions, but cat and mongoose incursions were occasional and depended on fence type (i.e., enclosed vs. peninsula). The advent of predator exclusion fencing has resulted in great gains for protecting existing seabirds and waterbirds, which demonstrated dramatic increases in reproductive success and colony growth. With threats from invasive species expected to increase in the future, predator exclusion fencing will become an increasingly important tool in protecting island species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Young
- Pacific Rim Conservation, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | - Eric VanderWerf
- Pacific Rim Conservation, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
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Choeur A, Faulquier L, Orlowski S, Dijoux J, Potin G, Bureau S, Guilhaumon F, Le Corre M. Impacts and management of unowned and owned cats at a seabird colony on Reunion Island (Western Indian Ocean). Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02774-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Idle JL, Wilhite CJ, Harmon KC, Friswold B, Price MR. Wedge-tailed Shearwater ( Ardenna pacifica) nesting success in human-dominated coastal environments. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12096. [PMID: 34540374 PMCID: PMC8411936 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many seabird populations are declining globally, but successful conservation efforts have led to population expansion of some species into human-dominated landscapes. Thus, there is an increased potential for direct human and seabird interactions for certain species in human-occupied areas, with nest-site characteristics potentially affecting the susceptibility of nests to human disturbance. We assessed the effect of human activity and nest-site characteristics on Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica, 'ua'u kani) nesting success at two breeding colonies, one with human exposure and one without, located in Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Human activity was measured by recording the frequency of people who entered a 5 m buffer around each nest. Nests were checked every two to three days to monitor nest success. The effect of human activity and nest-site characteristics on nesting success was determined using a variety of combinations of variables within binomial logistic regression models and AICc model selection. Nest-site characteristics among nests at both sites and human activity at the human-exposed site did not show a significant effect on nesting success. Our results suggest Wedge-tailed Shearwaters may experience some tolerance of human activity immediately around their nests-as long as burrow collapse does not occur. Given the small sample sizes and a single season of data collection, additional studies are needed to better understand the effect of human disturbance on Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. Infrastructure, such as fencing and signage, may be effective at reducing human-caused nest failure and may allow humans and disturbance-tolerant seabird species to coexist in shared coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Idle
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States of America
| | - Chad J. Wilhite
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States of America
| | - Kristen C. Harmon
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States of America
| | - Brooke Friswold
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States of America
| | - Melissa R. Price
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States of America
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Binny RN, Innes J, Fitzgerald N, Pech R, James A, Price R, Gillies C, Byrom AE. Long‐term biodiversity trajectories for pest‐managed ecological restorations: eradication vs. suppression. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle N. Binny
- Manaaki Whenua‐Landcare Research Lincoln New Zealand
- Te Pūnaha Matatini New Zealand
| | - John Innes
- Manaaki Whenua‐Landcare Research Hamilton New Zealand
| | | | - Roger Pech
- Manaaki Whenua‐Landcare Research Lincoln New Zealand
| | - Alex James
- Te Pūnaha Matatini New Zealand
- School of Mathematics and Statistics University of Canterbury Christchurch New Zealand
| | - Robbie Price
- Manaaki Whenua‐Landcare Research Hamilton New Zealand
| | - Craig Gillies
- Department of Conservation, Biodiversity Group Hamilton New Zealand
| | - Andrea E. Byrom
- Manaaki Whenua‐Landcare Research Lincoln New Zealand
- NZ Biological Heritage National Science Challenge New Zealand
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Smith D, King R, Allen BL. Impacts of exclusion fencing on target and non-target fauna: a global review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1590-1606. [PMID: 32725786 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Exclusion fencing is a common tool used to mitigate a variety of unwanted economic losses caused by problematic wildlife. While the potential for agricultural, ecological and economic benefits of pest animal exclusion are often apparent, what is less clear are the costs and benefits to sympatric non-target wildlife. This review examines the use of exclusion fencing in a variety of situations around the world to elucidate the potential outcomes of such fencing for wildlife and apply this knowledge to the recent uptake of exclusion fencing on livestock properties in the Australian rangelands. In Australia, exclusion fences are used to eliminate dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) predation on livestock, prevent crop-raiding by emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae), and enable greater control over total grazing pressure through the reduction of macropods (Macropodidae) and feral goats (Capra hircus). A total of 208 journal articles were examined for location, a broad grouping of fence type, and the reported effects the fence was having on the study species. We found 51% of the literature solely discusses intended fencing effects, 42% discusses unintended effects, and only 7% considers both. Africa has the highest proportion of unintended effects literature (52.0%) and Australia has the largest proportion of literature on intended effects (34.2%). We highlight the potential for exclusion fencing to have positive effects on some species and negative effects on others (such as predator exclusion fencing posing a barrier to migration of other species), which remain largely unaddressed in current exclusion fencing systems. From this review we were able to identify where and how mitigation strategies have been successfully used in the past. Harnessing the potential benefits of exclusion fencing while avoiding the otherwise likely costs to both target and non-target species will require more careful consideration than this issue has previously been afforded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deane Smith
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia
| | - Rachel King
- University of Southern Queensland, School of Sciences, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Allen
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia.,Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, 6034, South Africa
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VanderWerf EA, Young LC, Kohley CR, Dalton ME, Fisher R, Fowlke L, Donohue S, Dittmar E. Establishing Laysan and black-footed albatross breeding colonies using translocation and social attraction. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Buckner EV, Hernández DL, Samhouri JF. Conserving connectivity: Human influence on subsidy transfer and relevant restoration efforts. AMBIO 2018; 47:493-503. [PMID: 29127669 PMCID: PMC5884764 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-0989-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Conservation efforts tend to focus on the direct impacts humans have on their surrounding environment; however there are also many ways in which people indirectly affect ecosystems. Recent research on ecological subsidies-the transfer of energy and nutrients from one ecosystem to another-has highlighted the importance of nutrient exchange for maintaining productivity and diversity at a landscape scale, while also pointing toward the fragility of ecotones and vulnerability of subsidies to human activities. We review the recent literature on landscape connectivity and ecosystem subsidies from aquatic systems to terrestrial systems. Based on this review, we propose a conceptual model of how human activities may alter or eliminate the flow of energy and nutrients between ecosystems by influencing the delivery of subsidies along the pathway of transfer. To demonstrate the utility of this conceptual model, we discuss it in the context of case studies of subsidies derived from salmon, marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, and shoreline debris. Subsidy restoration may require a different set of actions from simply reversing the pathway of degradation. We suggest that effective restoration and conservation efforts will require a multifaceted approach, targeting many steps along the subsidy transfer pathway, to address these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily V. Buckner
- Department of Biology, Carleton College, 1 North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057 USA
- Present Address: 3324 E Laurelhurst DR NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Daniel L. Hernández
- Department of Biology, Carleton College, 1 North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057 USA
| | - Jameal F. Samhouri
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112 USA
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Brooke MDL, Bonnaud E, Dilley BJ, Flint EN, Holmes ND, Jones HP, Provost P, Rocamora G, Ryan PG, Surman C, Buxton RT. Seabird population changes following mammal eradications on islands. Anim Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. de L. Brooke
- Department of Zoology; University of Cambridge; Cambridge UK
| | - E. Bonnaud
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution; Université Paris-Sud; CNRS; AgroParisTech; Université Paris-Saclay; Orsay France
| | - B. J. Dilley
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology; DST-NRF Centre of Excellence; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch South Africa
| | - E. N. Flint
- US Fish and Wildlife Service; Marine National Monuments of the Pacific; Honolulu HI USA
| | | | - H. P. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for the Study of the Environment; Sustainability, and Energy; Northern Illinois University; DeKalb IL USA
| | - P. Provost
- Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Sept-Iles; Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux; Station LPO Ile-Grande; Pleumeur-Bodou France
| | - G. Rocamora
- Biodiversity & Conservation Centre; University of Seychelles; Anse Royale Seychelles
- Island Conservation Society; Pointe Larue; Mahé Seychelles
| | - P. G. Ryan
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology; DST-NRF Centre of Excellence; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch South Africa
| | - C. Surman
- Halfmoon Biosciences; Ocean Beach WA Australia
| | - R. T. Buxton
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation; Colorado State University; Fort Collins CO USA
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Gérard A, Jourdan H, Millon A, Vidal E. Anti-predator behaviour in a procellariid seabird: Wedge-tailed shearwaters do not respond to the odour of introduced ship rats. AUSTRAL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Gérard
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD de Nouméa; BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie France
| | - H. Jourdan
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD de Nouméa; BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie France
| | - A. Millon
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Europôle de l'Arbois; Aix-en-Provence France
| | - E. Vidal
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD de Nouméa; BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie France
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