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Rogers AM, Lermite F, Griffin AS, van Rensburg BJ, Kark S. Alien vs. Predator: Impacts of Invasive Species and Native Predators on Urban Nest Box Use by Native Birds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1807. [PMID: 37889720 PMCID: PMC10252097 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Many bird species in Australia require tree hollows for breeding. However, assessing the benefits of urban nest boxes to native birds requires frequent monitoring that allows to assess nesting success. To better understand the benefits of nest boxes for native birds, we examined the impact of local habitat characteristics, invasive species (common myna, Acridotheres tristis), and native mammalian predators on urban nest box use and nesting success of native birds. We installed 216 nest boxes across nine locations in southeastern Australia (S.E. Queensland and northern New South Wales) in both long-invaded sites (invaded before 1970) and more recently invaded sites (after 1990). We monitored all boxes weekly over two breeding seasons. We recorded seven bird species and three mammal species using the nest boxes. Weekly box occupancy by all species averaged 8% of all boxes, with the species most frequently recorded in the nest boxes being the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a native cavity user and nest predator. We recorded 137 nesting attempts in the boxes across all bird species. The most frequent nesting species were the invasive alien common mynas (72 nesting attempts). We recorded an average nesting failure rate of 53.3% for all bird species. We did not record any common mynas evicting other nesting birds, and found that several native species used the same box after the common myna completed its nesting. We recorded native possums in 92% of the boxes, and possum occupancy of boxes per site was negatively correlated with bird nesting success (p = 0.021). These results suggest that when boxes are accessible to invasive species and native predators, they are unlikely to significantly improve nesting opportunities for native birds. To ensure efficient use of limited conservation resources, nest boxes should be designed to target species of high conservation importance and limit other species of both predators and competitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Rogers
- Biodiversity Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Françoise Lermite
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (F.L.)
| | - Andrea S. Griffin
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (F.L.)
| | - Berndt J. van Rensburg
- School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Department of Zoology, DST-NRF Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Salit Kark
- Biodiversity Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Callan MN, Johnson A, Watson DM. Influence of nest box design on internal microclimate: Comparisons of plastic prototypes. AUSTRAL ECOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael N. Callan
- School of Agriculture, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences Charles Sturt University Albury New South Wales Australia
- Habitat Innovation & Management Wollongong New South Wales Australia
| | - Alexander Johnson
- School of Engineering Charles Sturt University Albury New South Wales Australia
| | - David M. Watson
- School of Agriculture, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences Charles Sturt University Albury New South Wales Australia
- Gulbali Institute Charles Sturt University Albury New South Wales Australia
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3
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Ellis MV, Taylor JE, Rhind SG. Creating entrances to tree cavities attracts hollow‐dependent fauna: Proof of concept. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Murray V. Ellis
- Office of Environment and Heritage, Science Division, PO Box 1967 Hurstville BC NSW 1481 Australia
| | - Jennifer E. Taylor
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences Australian Catholic University, PO Box 968 North Sydney NSW 2059 Australia
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Mirra G, Holland A, Roudavski S, Wijnands JS, Pugnale A. An Artificial Intelligence Agent That Synthesises Visual Abstractions of Natural Forms to Support the Design of Human-Made Habitat Structures. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.806453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity is in a state of global collapse. Among the main drivers of this crisis is habitat degradation that destroys living spaces for animals, birds, and other species. Design and provision of human-made replacements for natural habitat structures can alleviate this situation. Can emerging knowledge in ecology, design, and artificial intelligence (AI) help? Current strategies to resolve this issue include designing objects that reproduce known features of natural forms. For instance, conservation practitioners seek to mimic the function of rapidly disappearing large old trees by augmenting utility poles with perch structures. Other approaches to restoring degraded ecosystems employ computational tools to capture information about natural forms and use such data to monitor remediation activities. At present, human-made replacements of habitat structures cannot reproduce significant features of complex natural forms while supporting efficient construction at large scales. We propose an AI agent that can synthesise simplified but ecologically meaningful representations of 3D forms that we define as visual abstractions. Previous research used AI to synthesise visual abstractions of 2D images. However, current applications of such techniques neither extend to 3D data nor engage with biological conservation or ecocentric design. This article investigates the potential of AI to support the design of artificial habitat structures and expand the scope of computation in this domain from data analysis to design synthesis. Our case study considers possible replacements of natural trees. The application implements a novel AI agent that designs by placing three-dimensional cubes – or voxels – in the digital space. The AI agent autonomously assesses the quality of the resulting visual abstractions by comparing them with three-dimensional representations of natural trees. We evaluate the forms produced by the AI agent by measuring relative complexity and features that are meaningful for arboreal wildlife. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that AI can generate design suggestions that are aligned with the preferences of arboreal wildlife and can support the development of artificial habitat structures. The bio-informed approach presented in this article can be useful in many situations where incomplete knowledge about complex natural forms can constrain the design and performance of human-made artefacts.
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Printz L, Tschapka M, Vogeler A. The common noctule bat ( Nyctalus noctula): population trends from artificial roosts and the effect of biotic and abiotic parameters on the probability of occupation. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
As urbanization and intense forestry management are increasing, natural bat roosting opportunities, e.g. tree cavities, are constantly declining. A common management practice, especially in urban environments, is the installation of bat boxes. We assessed (1) abundance trends inside artificial bat boxes of the noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) over 11 years in Neu-Ulm, Germany, and identified (2) parameters affecting the occupation rate. Further, we compared (3) abundance of noctule bats in bat boxes between areas with large availability of natural roosts (forests) and urban areas with primarily artificial roosting structures (parks). Our results revealed a severe decline of noctule bats over 11 years. Further, our results indicate that bat boxes cannot fully replace natural tree cavities. Nonetheless, they support roost availability in areas already altered and providing only low amounts of natural bat roosts. The findings of our study have important implications for the conservation of bats in urbanized landscapes and underline the importance of old and intact forests for local biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Printz
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marco Tschapka
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092 Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Anna Vogeler
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
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Tirozzi P, Orioli V, Dondina O, Kataoka L, Bani L. Species Traits Drive Long-Term Population Trends of Common Breeding Birds in Northern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3426. [PMID: 34944203 PMCID: PMC8698188 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term population trends are considerable sources of information to set wildlife conservation priorities and to evaluate the performance of management actions. In addition, trends observed in functional groups (e.g., trophic guilds) can provide the foundation to test specific hypotheses about the drivers of the observed population dynamics. The aims of this study were to assess population trends of breeding birds in Lombardy (N Italy) from 1992 to 2019 and to explore the relationships between trends and species sharing similar ecological and life history traits. Trends were quantified and tested for significance by weighted linear regression models and using yearly population indices (median and 95% confidence interval) predicted through generalized additive models. Results showed that 45% of the species increased, 24% decreased, and 31% showed non-significant trends. Life history traits analyses revealed a general decrease of migrants, of species with short incubation period and of species with high annual fecundity. Ecological traits analyses showed that plant-eaters and species feeding on invertebrates, farmland birds, and ground-nesters declined, while woodland birds increased. Further studies should focus on investigation of the relationship between long-term trends and species traits at large spatial scales, and on quantifying the effects of specific drivers across multiple functional groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Tirozzi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; (P.T.); (V.O.); (O.D.); (L.K.)
| | - Valerio Orioli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; (P.T.); (V.O.); (O.D.); (L.K.)
| | - Olivia Dondina
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; (P.T.); (V.O.); (O.D.); (L.K.)
| | - Leila Kataoka
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; (P.T.); (V.O.); (O.D.); (L.K.)
| | - Luciano Bani
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; (P.T.); (V.O.); (O.D.); (L.K.)
- World Biodiversity Association Onlus c/o NAT LAB Forte Inglese, Portoferraio, 57037 Livorno, Italy
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7
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Gautschi D, Heinsohn R, Crates R, Macgregor NA, Wilson M, Stojanovic D. Utilization of modified and artificial nests by endemic and introduced parrots on Norfolk Island. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gautschi
- Fenner School Australian National University Linnaeus Way, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Robert Heinsohn
- Fenner School Australian National University Linnaeus Way, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Ross Crates
- Fenner School Australian National University Linnaeus Way, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Nicholas A. Macgregor
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Parks Australia John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes Australian Capital Territory Australia
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) University of Kent Canterbury U.K
| | - Melinda Wilson
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Norfolk Island National Park Norfolk Island Norfolk Island
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School Australian National University Linnaeus Way, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
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8
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Scattered trees in an oil palm landscape: Density, size and distribution. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Honey R, McLean CM, Murray BR, Callan MN, Webb JK. Choice of monitoring method can influence estimates of usage of artificial hollows by vertebrate fauna. AUST J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/zo21012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The loss of hollow-bearing trees is a key threat for many hollow-dependent taxa. Nesting boxes have been widely used to offset tree hollow loss, but they have high rates of attrition, and, often, low rates of usage by target species. To counter these problems, chainsaw carved hollows (artificial cavities cut into trees) have become a popular alternative, yet little research has been published on their effectiveness. We examined the usage of 150 chainsaw carved hollows by cavity-dependent fauna in the central west of New South Wales using observations from traditional inspection methods and remote cameras. Between October 2017 and April 2019, we detected 21 species of vertebrates (two reptile, one amphibian, 10 bird, and eight mammal species) inside chainsaw carved hollows, but the number of species detected was dependent on the chosen monitoring method. We detected six species inside hollows during physical inspections, whereas remote cameras detected 21 species entering hollows. Cameras detected eight species using hollows as breeding sites, whereas physical inspections detected just four species. Cameras detected two threatened mammals (squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) and greater glider (Petauroides volans)) raising young inside hollows, yet we failed to detect these species during physical inspections. For birds, the two methods yielded equivalent results for detection of breeding events. Overall, our study showed that few cavity-dependent species used chainsaw carved hollows as breeding sites. This highlights how artificial hollows are not a substitute for retaining naturally occurring hollows in large trees and revegetation programs.
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10
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Dobrowolska D, Orman O, Tiwari RM. Low-Intensity Cutting Leads to Similar Forest Structure and Tree Diversity as in Protected Stands. POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.3161/15052249pje2020.68.2.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Dobrowolska
- Forest Research Institute, Department of Forest Ecology, Sękocin Stary, Braci Leśnej 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
| | - Olga Orman
- Department of Forest Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-420 Kraków, Poland
| | - Ravi M. Tiwari
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
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11
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Griffiths SR, Semmens K, Watson SJ, Jones CS. Installing chainsaw‐carved hollows in medium‐sized live trees increases rates of visitation by hollow‐dependent fauna. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R. Griffiths
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution La Trobe University Bundoora 3086 Victoria Australia
| | - Kristin Semmens
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution La Trobe University Bundoora 3086 Victoria Australia
| | - Simon J. Watson
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution La Trobe University Bundoora 3086 Victoria Australia
- Policy and Planning Division, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning East Melbourne 3002 Victoria Australia
| | - Christopher S. Jones
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Heidelberg 3084 Victoria Australia
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12
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Bain GC, MacDonald MA, Hamer R, Gardiner R, Johnson CN, Jones ME. Changing bird communities of an agricultural landscape: declines in arboreal foragers, increases in large species. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200076. [PMID: 32269823 PMCID: PMC7137982 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Birds are declining in agricultural landscapes around the world. The causes of these declines can be better understood by analysing change in groups of species that share life-history traits. We investigated how land-use change has affected birds of the Tasmanian Midlands, one of Australia's oldest agricultural landscapes and a focus of habitat restoration. We surveyed birds at 72 sites, some of which were previously surveyed in 1996-1998, and tested relationships of current patterns of abundance and community composition to landscape and patch-level environmental characteristics. Fourth-corner modelling showed strong negative responses of aerial foragers and exotics to increasing woodland cover; arboreal foragers were positively associated with projective foliage cover; and small-bodied species were reduced by the presence of a hyperaggressive species of native honeyeater, the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala). Analysis of change suggests increases in large-bodied granivorous or carnivorous birds and declines in some arboreal foragers and nectarivores. Changes in species richness were best explained by changes in noisy miner abundance and levels of surrounding woodland cover. We encourage restoration practitioners to trial novel planting configurations that may confer resistance to invasion by noisy miners, and a continued long-term monitoring effort to reveal the effects of future land-use change on Tasmanian birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen C. Bain
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Michael A. MacDonald
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB Cymru, Castlebridge 3, 5-19 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB, UK
| | - Rowena Hamer
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Riana Gardiner
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Chris N. Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
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13
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Bovyn RA, Lordon MC, Grecco AE, Leeper AC, LaMontagne JM. Tree cavity availability in urban cemeteries and city parks. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juy030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Bovyn
- Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, 2325 N. Clifton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
| | - Michael C Lordon
- Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, 2325 N. Clifton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
| | - Allison E Grecco
- Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, 2325 N. Clifton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
| | - Abigail C Leeper
- Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, 2325 N. Clifton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
| | - Jalene M LaMontagne
- Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, 2325 N. Clifton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
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Valera F, Václav R, Calero-Torralbo MÁ, Martínez T, Veiga J. Natural cavity restoration as an alternative to nest box supplementation. Restor Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Valera
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva; Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC); Almería 04004 Spain
| | - Radovan Václav
- Institute of Zoology; Slovak Academy of Sciences; Dubravska cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Miguel Ángel Calero-Torralbo
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva; Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC); Almería 04004 Spain
| | - Teresa Martínez
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva; Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC); Almería 04004 Spain
| | - Jesús Veiga
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva; Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC); Almería 04004 Spain
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15
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Chainsaw-Carved Cavities Better Mimic the Thermal Properties of Natural Tree Hollows than Nest Boxes and Log Hollows. FORESTS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/f9050235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Belder DJ, Pierson JC, Ikin K, Lindenmayer DB. Beyond pattern to process: current themes and future directions for the conservation of woodland birds through restoration plantings. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Habitat loss as a result of land conversion for agriculture is a leading cause of global biodiversity loss and altered ecosystem processes. Restoration plantings are an increasingly common strategy to address habitat loss in fragmented agricultural landscapes. However, the capacity of restoration plantings to support reproducing populations of native plants and animals is rarely measured or monitored. This review focuses on avifaunal response to revegetation in Australian temperate woodlands, one of the world’s most heavily altered biomes. Woodland birds are a species assemblage of conservation concern, but only limited research to date has gone beyond pattern data and occupancy trends to examine whether they persist and breed in restoration plantings. Moreover, habitat quality and resource availability, including food, nesting sites and adequate protection from predation, remain largely unquantified. Several studies have found that some bird species, including species of conservation concern, will preferentially occupy restoration plantings relative to remnant woodland patches. However, detailed empirical research to verify long-term population growth, colonisation and extinction dynamics is lacking. If restoration plantings are preferentially occupied but fail to provide sufficient quality habitat for woodland birds to form breeding populations, they may act as ecological traps, exacerbating population declines. Monitoring breeding success and site fidelity are under-utilised pathways to understanding which, if any, bird species are being supported by restoration plantings in the long term. There has been limited research on these topics internationally, and almost none in Australian temperate woodland systems. Key knowledge gaps centre on provision of food resources, formation of optimal foraging patterns, nest-predation levels and the prevalence of primary predators, the role of brood parasitism, and the effects of patch size and isolation on resource availability and population dynamics in a restoration context. To ensure that restoration plantings benefit woodland birds and are cost-effective as conservation strategies, the knowledge gaps identified by this review should be investigated as priorities in future research.
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Le Roux DS, Ikin K, Lindenmayer DB, Manning AD, Gibbons P. The value of scattered trees for wildlife: Contrasting effects of landscape context and tree size. DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Darren S. Le Roux
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
- Parks and Conservation Service Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate ACT Government Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Karen Ikin
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
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18
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Griffiths SR, Rowland JA, Briscoe NJ, Lentini PE, Handasyde KA, Lumsden LF, Robert KA. Surface reflectance drives nest box temperature profiles and thermal suitability for target wildlife. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176951. [PMID: 28472147 PMCID: PMC5417605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermal properties of tree hollows play a major role in survival and reproduction of hollow-dependent fauna. Artificial hollows (nest boxes) are increasingly being used to supplement the loss of natural hollows; however, the factors that drive nest box thermal profiles have received surprisingly little attention. We investigated how differences in surface reflectance influenced temperature profiles of nest boxes painted three different colors (dark-green, light-green, and white: total solar reflectance 5.9%, 64.4%, and 90.3% respectively) using boxes designed for three groups of mammals: insectivorous bats, marsupial gliders and brushtail possums. Across the three different box designs, dark-green (low reflectance) boxes experienced the highest average and maximum daytime temperatures, had the greatest magnitude of variation in daytime temperatures within the box, and were consistently substantially warmer than light-green boxes (medium reflectance), white boxes (high reflectance), and ambient air temperatures. Results from biophysical model simulations demonstrated that variation in diurnal temperature profiles generated by painting boxes either high or low reflectance colors could have significant ecophysiological consequences for animals occupying boxes, with animals in dark-green boxes at high risk of acute heat-stress and dehydration during extreme heat events. Conversely in cold weather, our modelling indicated that there are higher cumulative energy costs for mammals, particularly smaller animals, occupying light-green boxes. Given their widespread use as a conservation tool, we suggest that before boxes are installed, consideration should be given to the effect of color on nest box temperature profiles, and the resultant thermal suitability of boxes for wildlife, particularly during extremes in weather. Managers of nest box programs should consider using several different colors and installing boxes across a range of both orientations and shade profiles (i.e., levels of canopy cover), to ensure target animals have access to artificial hollows with a broad range of thermal profiles, and can therefore choose boxes with optimal thermal conditions across different seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R. Griffiths
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica A. Rowland
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Briscoe
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pia E. Lentini
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Linda F. Lumsden
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kylie A. Robert
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Lindenmayer DB, Laurance WF. The ecology, distribution, conservation and management of large old trees. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1434-1458. [PMID: 27383287 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Large old trees are some of the most iconic biota on earth and are integral parts of many terrestrial ecosystems including those in tropical, temperate and boreal forests, deserts, savannas, agro-ecological areas, and urban environments. In this review, we provide new insights into the ecology, function, evolution and management of large old trees through broad cross-disciplinary perspectives from literatures in plant physiology, growth and development, evolution, habitat value for fauna and flora, and conservation management. Our review reveals that the diameter, height and longevity of large old trees varies greatly on an inter-specific basis, thereby creating serious challenges in defining large old trees and demanding an ecosystem- and species-specific definition that will only rarely be readily transferable to other species or ecosystems. Such variation is also manifested by marked inter-specific differences in the key attributes of large old trees (beyond diameter and height) such as the extent of buttressing, canopy architecture, the extent of bark micro-environments and the prevalence of cavities. We found that large old trees play an extraordinary range of critical ecological roles including in hydrological regimes, nutrient cycles and numerous ecosystem processes. Large old trees strongly influence the spatial and temporal distribution and abundance of individuals of the same species and populations of numerous other plant and animal species. We suggest many key characteristics of large old trees such as extreme height, prolonged lifespans, and the presence of cavities - which confer competitive and evolutionary advantages in undisturbed environments - can render such trees highly susceptible to a range of human influences. Large old trees are vulnerable to threats ranging from droughts, fire, pests and pathogens, to logging, land clearing, landscape fragmentation and climate change. Tackling such diverse threats is challenging because they often interact and manifest in different ways in different ecosystems, demanding targeted species- or ecosystem-specific responses. We argue that novel management actions will often be required to protect existing large old trees and ensure the recruitment of new cohorts of such trees. For example, fine-scale tree-level conservation such as buffering individual stems will be required in many environments such as in agricultural areas and urban environments. Landscape-level approaches like protecting places where large old trees are most likely to occur will be needed. However, this brings challenges associated with likely changes in tree distributions associated with climate change, because long-lived trees may presently exist in places unsuitable for the development of new cohorts of the same species. Appropriate future environmental domains for a species could exist in new locations where it has never previously occurred. The future distribution and persistence of large old trees may require controversial responses including assisted migration via seed or seedling establishment in new locales. However, the effectiveness of such approaches may be limited where key ecological features of large old trees (such as cavity presence) depend on other species such as termites, fungi and bacteria. Unless other species with similar ecological roles are present to fulfil these functions, these taxa might need to be moved concurrently with the target tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, 2601, Australia
| | - William F Laurance
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science (TESS) & College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, 4878, Australia
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