Changes in passerine populations during ongoing predator control at a community-based conservation project: a case study to evaluate presence-absence surveys | Notornis and Birds New Zealand

Notornis

Gaze, P¹  Masuda, BM¹  McLean, M¹ 

关键词: bird monitoring;    community groups;    ecosystem restoration;    Friends of Flora;    New Zealand;    population index;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc.

【 摘 要 】

The monitoring of endemic birds during the control of introduced mammalian predators is a common practice at community-based conservation projects in New Zealand. We describe long-term trends of endemic passerines monitored using the presence-absence technique during the control of stoats (Mustela erminea) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in the Flora Valley, near Nelson, New Zealand. Data collected over an 8 year period by Friends of Flora, a community-based organisation, suggests that bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) significantly increased, while South Island robin (Petroica australis), tomtit (P. macrocephala) and rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) populations showed little or no change, and grey warblers (Gerygone igata) significantly decreased. All species showed a greater increase during the first 4 years of the survey compared to the second 4 years, which suggests that meso-predator release of rats may have occurred from ~4 years after the start of the surveys. The presence-absence technique is simpler to conduct than the more commonly used 5-minute bird count method, and thus may be better suited for use by the community sector in similar situations.

【 授权许可】

Unknown