Dispersal of the Blue-breasted Fairy-wren in fragmented habitat in the wheatbelt of Western Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Brooker ◽  
Lesley Brooker
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Fragmented Habitat ◽  
Habitat Patches ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
Juvenile Males

Dispersal of the Blue-breasted Fairy-wren Malurus pulcherrimus was studied in an agricultural landscape in which 93% of their preferred habitat has been cleared for farming and the remaining 7% is highly fragmented. In these conditions, the wrens were still capable of dispersing through non-breeding habitat for distances in excess of 10 km. Most long dispersals were by juvenile females moving between habitat patches, although shorter movements were made within habitat patches by breeding females and juvenile males. While it would seem that the population in this area is not entirely limited by the ability to disperse at the present time, persistence may depend more on the rigorous maintenance of existing habitat and inter-connecting corridors than on the revegetation of farmed land.

Dispersal and population dynamics of the blue-breasted fairy-wren, Malurus pulcherrimus, in fragmented habitat in the Western Australian wheatbelt

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Brooker ◽  
M. G. Brooker
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Fragmented Habitat ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Straight Line Distance ◽  
Western Australian

The blue-breasted fairy-wren, Malurus pulcherrimus, is a small, permanently sedentary, socially monogamous, co-operatively breeding, long-lived Australian passerine, whose core distribution is contained within the Western Australian wheatbelt. Little is known of their dispersal capabilities and population dynamics, knowledge of which are urgently needed as their preferred habitat becomes increasingly fragmented and degraded, due to clearing for agriculture. From 1993 to 1998, we studied a colour-banded population of blue-breasted fairy-wrens living in 13 small, 3 medium-sized and one large habitat remnant in an agricultural landscape at Wyalkatchem. Wrens in small remnants were more likely to disperse between remnants than were those in larger remnants. Females were likely to travel further and were more likely to disperse between remnants than were males. Dispersing females in the largest remnant moved a median straight-line distance of 400 m compared with 3 km for females in the smaller remnants. The furthest recorded movement was 9 km (straight-line distance) or about 14 km by the nearest corridor route. Females living in fragmented habitat may have to travel many times the distances travelled by females in unfragmented habitat. Demographic modelling shows that, over an average run of seasons, the wrens in the study population will produce sufficient yearlings to fill all breeding vacancies, provided none are lost during dispersal. However, in our study landscape, an estimated 11% of dispersers were lost to the population (i.e. either dispersed outside the study area or died during dispersal). We show that the remnants in the study landscape can be divided into neighbourhoods based on their relative connectivity. About 14% more potential dispersers were lost from the poorly-connected areas than from a core 'well connected' neighbourhood. This difference would be sufficient to cause population decline in a poorly connected neighbourhood. We conclude that, for species with poor dispersal capacity living in fragmented habitat, failure to maintain an adequate corridor network could be one of the most important factors contributing to a species' decline.

Spatial ecology of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus) in the southern forests of Western Australia: implications for the maintenance, or restoration, of functional metapopulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Karlene Bain ◽  
Adrian Francis Wayne ◽  
Roberta Bencini
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Habitat Patches ◽  
Preferred Habitat

We used radio-telemetry to investigate the home-range size and movement patterns of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus) in the southern forests of Western Australia to assess the ability of animals to move between increasingly segregated habitat patches and to identify implications for metapopulation function. We found that quokkas in this region have a much larger home range (71 ± 5.8 ha) and move larger distances (up to 10 km per night) than previously reported for this species in other regions. Temporal and sex variations in home-range size, overlap and movement patterns provided insights into the social structure, reproductive strategies and resource availability for the species in this part of its range. Quokkas moved up to 14 km between habitat patches, where these patches were connected by dense riparian vegetation. While riparian vegetation was used exclusively for movement between habitat patches, quokkas spent only 40% of their time in this ecotype. The current management paradigm of protecting linear riparian vegetation as habitat for quokkas is important for maintaining habitat connectivity, but is unlikely to meet broader habitat and spatial requirements. Management of preferred habitat as well as riparian corridors is necessary for the maintenance of a functional metapopulation.

The ghost bat in the Pilbara: 100 years on.

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
KN Armstrong ◽  
SD Anstee
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
New Records ◽  
Iron Formation ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Third ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Preferred Habitat

This paper summarises the roost habitat and distribution of the ghost bat, Macroderma gigas (Dobson, 1880), in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with particular emphasis on natural habitats. The preferred habitat of M. gigas in the Hamersley Ranges appears to be caves beneath bluffs of low rounded hills composed of Marra Mamba geology. Habitats were also found in the larger hills of Brockman Iron Formation in the Hamersley Range, and other formations beneath bluffs composed of Gorge Creek Group geology to the north east. Granite rockpiles are also used in the eastern Pilbara. A summary of Pilbara records from numerous sources is presented, including anecdotal accounts and other new records. This includes a newly discovered maternity site from the Hamersley Ranges, only the third reported from natural cave formations in the region. Threats to M. gigas in the region are highlighted and include disturbances associated with mining and entanglement in barbed wire fences.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Songbird Nest Survival in Riparian Forests in a Midwestern Agricultural Landscape

The Auk ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 726-737
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Peak ◽  
Frank R. Thompson ◽  
Terry L. Shaffer
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Nest Success ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Habitat Patch ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Northern Cardinal ◽  
Gray Catbird

Abstract We investigated factors affecting nest success of songbirds in riparian forest and buffers in northeastern Missouri. We used an information-theoretic approach to determine support for hypotheses concerning effects of nest-site, habitat-patch, edge, and temporal factors on nest success of songbirds in three narrow (55–95 m) and three wide (400–530 m) riparian forests with adjacent grassland-shrub buffer strips and in three narrow and three wide riparian forests without adjacent grassland-shrub buffer strips. We predicted that temporal effects would have the most support and that habitat-patch and edge effects would have little support, because nest predation would be great across all sites in the highly fragmented, predominantly agricultural landscape. Interval nest success was 0.404, 0.227, 0.070, and 0.186, respectively, for Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), and forest interior species pooled (Acadian Flycatcher [Empidonax virescens], Wood Thrush [Hylocichla mustelina], Ovenbird [Seiurus aurocapillus], and Kentucky Warbler [Oporornis formosus]). The effect of nest stage on nest success had the most support; daily nest success for Gray Catbird and Indigo Bunting were lowest in the laying stage. We found strong support for greater nest success of Gray Catbird in riparian forests with adjacent buffer strips than in riparian forests without adjacent buffer strips. Patch width also occurred in the most-supported model for Gray Catbird, but with very limited support. The null model received the most support for Northern Cardinal. Riparian forests provided breeding habitat for area-sensitive forest species and grassland-shrub nesting species. Buffer strips provided additional breeding habitat for grassland-shrub nesting species. Interval nest success for Indigo Bunting and area-sensitive forest species pooled, however, fell well below the level that is likely necessary to balance juvenile and adult mortality, which suggests that when riparian forests are located within agricultural landscapes, the potential even for wide riparian forests with adjacent buffer strips to provide high-quality breeding habitat is severely diminished for some species.

Factors affecting nestling condition and timing of egg-laying in the endangered Carnaby’s cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus latirostris

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Denis A. Saunders ◽  
Rick Dawson ◽  
Peter R. Mawson ◽  
A. O. Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Failure Data ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Nestling Condition ◽  
Breeding Failure

Carnaby’s cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus latirostris, is endemic to south-western Australia. It has undergone a major decline in range and abundance as a result of extensive removal of breeding and foraging habitat. It is now classified as endangered by the State of Western Australia, the Australian government, and internationally. In order to plan effective conservation management for the species it is important to assess the success of breeding populations throughout its range. In this paper we examine the efficacy of using the relationship between growth in the length of a nestling’s folded left wing and body mass to assess nestling condition, and examine known breeding failure in relation to nestling condition in two breeding populations: one at Coomallo Creek (studied from 1970–2017), and the other at Manmanning (1969–76). Results demonstrated that the lighter the nestlings, the higher the rate of breeding failure. Data from the Coomallo Creek population were used to prepare a table of nestling folded left wing length and body mass as a benchmark for assessing nestling condition in 10 other breeding populations, based on data collected from 1970 to the present. Following extensive clearing that removed foraging and breeding habitat, two of the 10 populations produced nestlings that were significantly lighter than the benchmark, and both populations subsequently declined to extinction. The commencement of egg-laying each season at Coomallo Creek was strongly influenced by total rainfall in the first half of autumn. The length of the egg-laying period between 1970–76 and 2009–17 increased by 5.2 weeks (40%). This increase was related to changes in rainfall and temperature over more than four decades. Despite the lengthening of the egg-laying period, nestling condition was unaffected, suggesting that, at least in the short term, the Carnaby’s cockatoo population at Coomallo Creek is coping with the effects of climate change.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity and biogeographic history inform future conservation management strategies for the rare sunset frog (Spicospina flammocaerulea)

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Edwards ◽  
J. D. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Population History ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Biogeographic History ◽  
History Of

Outlining the distribution of genetic variation, patterns of gene flow and clarifying the biogeographic processes underlying population history are critical components of a comprehensive conservation strategy for endangered or vulnerable species. We provide this information for the vulnerable sunset frog (Spicospina flammocaerulea) using a comprehensive genetic dataset (ND2) with samples from 17 of 22 geographic localities where this species has been found. From genetic, biogeographic and coalescent-based analyses, we document the existing genetic variation, likely movement patterns and explore the biogeographic history of S. flammocaerulea. While catchment-based genetic variation is well documented in other high-rainfall taxa in south-western Australia, a much more complex scenario including dispersal across ridge lines between catchments better explains the distribution of genetic variation and observed patterns of gene flow in S. flammocaerulea. The population history of S. flammocaerulea is strongly indicative of recent population contraction and expansion, which may be related to late Pleistocene climate fluctuations. This suggests that this species can adapt or move in response to fluctuating climates provided suitable habitats or expansion areas are available. However, like many other endemic taxa with limited geographic ranges in south-western Australia, the potential to shift distributions is hampered by being land-locked within an agricultural landscape, limiting management options in the face of climate change.

scholarly journals Satellite tracking of rehabilitated wild Baudin’s cockatoos, Calyptorhynchus baudinii: a feasibility trial to track forest black cockatoos

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lian Yeap ◽  
Jill M. Shephard ◽  
Anna Le Souef ◽  
Carly Holyoake ◽  
Christine Groom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Satellite Tracking ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
The South ◽  
Recovery Plan ◽  
South West ◽  
Satellite Transmitters

Baudin’s cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus baudinii, is a threatened forest black cockatoo species, endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. In this study we fitted tail-mounted satellite transmitters to two female Baudin’s cockatoos that had undergone treatment and rehabilitation at Perth Zoo and Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre to investigate the feasibility of satellite tracking this species. Both birds were released in Kelmscott, Perth, into an area frequently visited by a flock of wild Baudin’s cockatoos. Both telemetry units provided reliable datasets, with one bird moving ~250 km south from the release site. The success of this trial opens the way to address key objectives in the Forest Black Cockatoo Recovery Plan, including: postrelease survival of rehabilitated birds, flock movement, habitat use, and the identification of critical feeding and breeding habitat. Most importantly, it demonstrates that satellite transmitters can be successfully used to locate and track forest black cockatoo species, which are otherwise difficult to monitor.

Breeding Habitat and Landscape Correlates of Frog Diversity and Abundance in a Tropical Agricultural Landscape

Wetlands ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1079-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
James P. Gibbs ◽  
Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Breeding Habitat
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