Bird Disturbance: Improving the Quality and Utility of Disturbance Research

Hill, David M.; Hockin, David C.; Price, David; Tucker, Graham; Morris, Rhonwen; Treweek, Joanna R.

doi:10.2307/2404876

Cited by 152 publications

(99 citation statements)

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“…An effective EIA may therefore require information about population structure, so that decision-makers can evaluate the biological significance of potential impacts-e.g., will the development affect the viability of a distinct population (or population unit) or is the species continuously distributed across the impact area and its surrounds such that little or no population structure is present? A metapopulation framework is often applied to examine interactions between spatially distinct local populations (Levins, 1969;Hill et al, 1997;Moilanen and Nieminen, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying the Relevant Local Population for Environmental Impact Assessments of Mobile Marine Fauna

2017

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying the Relevant Local Population for Environmental Impact Assessments of Mobile Marine Fauna

2017

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“…Theory and empirical data suggest that human disturbance acts on habitat selection of birds at both local and landscape spatial scales (Thompson & McGarigal, 2002), as was the case in our study. While local human-bird encounters influence flushing behaviour and decisions such as where to forage and when to abandon nests (Burger, 1994;Hill et al, 1997;Lafferty, 2001), birds are likely to avoid habitats at the landscape level if human activities are sustained over an area (Stalmaster & Newman, 1978;McGarigal et al, 1991;Pfister et al, 1992;Mallord et al, 2007). The spatial configuration of habitats within landscapes, such as the size of habitat patches and the proximity of alternative habitats, can also modify the responses of birds to human disturbance (McGarigal et al, 1991; reviewed by Knight & Gutzwiller, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Humans alter habitat selection of birds on ocean‐exposed sandy beaches

Meager

Schlacher

Nielsen

2012

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Resource‐selection functions (RSFs) can quantify and predict the density of animal populations across heterogeneous landscapes and are important conservation tools in areas subject to human disturbance. Sandy beach ecosystems have comparatively low habitat heterogeneity and structural relief in the intertidal zone, but intense human use. We aimed to develop predictive RSFs for birds on ocean‐exposed sandy beaches at two spatial scales, 25 ha (local scale) and 250 ha (landscape scale), and to test whether habitat selection of birds that commonly use the surf–beach–dune interface is influenced by the rates of human activities. Location Moreton and North Stradbroke Island, eastern Australia. Methods Avifauna and human activities were mapped on three sandy beaches covering 79 km of coastline for 15 months. Habitat characteristics of the surf–beach–dune interface were derived from remote sensing and ground surveys. RSFs were developed for 12 species of birds at two spatial scales: 25 ha (local scale) and 250 ha (landscape scale). Results At local (25 ha) and landscape scales (250 ha), dune dimensions and the extent and type of vegetation structure were important predictors of bird density. Adding the frequency of human activities improved the predictive power of RSFs, suggesting that habitat selection of birds on beaches is modified by human use of these environments. Human activities occurred mostly in the mid‐ to lower intertidal zone of the beach, overlapping closely with the preferred habitats of Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae), Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris), Red‐capped Plovers (Charadrius ruficapillus) and endangered Little Terns (Sternula albifrons). Main conclusions In addition to demonstrating the appropriateness of RSFs to the surf–beach–dune interface, our results stress the need for systematic conservation planning for these ecosystems, where ecological values have traditionally been subsidiary to the maintenance of sand budgets and erosion control.

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“…It is predicted that this trade-off could result in a negative impact on population size for some species (Hill et al 1997). Human recreational disturbance can take many forms, including walking, especially dog walking, and use of off-road vehicles (e.g., mountain bikes, motor bikes).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of human disturbance on long-term habitat use and breeding success of the European Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus

Lowe¹,

Rogers²,

Durrant³

2014

ACE

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ABSTRACT. Land managers often respond to declining numbers of target species by creating additional areas of habitat. If these habitats are also subject to human disturbance, then their efforts may be wasted. The European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a ground-nesting bird that is listed as a species of European Conservation Concern. It appears to be susceptible to human disturbance during the breeding season. We examined habitat use and reproductive success over 10 years in a breeding population on 1335 ha of managed land in Nottinghamshire, England. The study site was divided into a heavily disturbed section and a less disturbed section of equal habitat availability, forming a natural long-term experiment.The site is open to the public, and visitor numbers approximately doubled during the study. We found that overall Nightjar density was significantly lower and there were significantly fewer breeding pairs in the heavily disturbed habitat compared with the less disturbed habitat. However, average breeding success per pair, in terms of eggs and fledglings produced, was not significantly different between the two sections across years. Our findings suggest that human recreational disturbance may drastically alter settlement patterns and nest site selection of arriving females in some migratory groundnesting species and may reduce the utility of apparently suitable patches of remnant and created habitat. Land managers should bear this in mind when creating new areas of habitat that will also be accessible to the public. Our study also highlights the value of longterm population monitoring, which can detect trends that short-term studies may miss. Effet des perturbations d'origine anthropique sur l'utilisation de l'habitat et le succès de reproduction à long terme de l'Engoulevent d'Europe, Caprimulgus europaeusRÉSUMÉ. Afin de contrer le déclin d'espèces prioritaires, les gestionnaires de territoires ont souvent recours à la création de nouveaux habitats. Si ces milieux créés font l'objet de perturbations d'origine anthropique, les mesures de conservation entreprises par les gestionnaires peuvent alors être vouées à l'échec. L'Engoulevent d'Europe (Caprimulgus europaeus), un oiseau qui niche au sol, a été désigné « préoccupant » en Europe. On pense que cette espèce est sensible à la perturbation humaine au moment de la nidification. Nous avons examiné l'utilisation de l'habitat et le succès de reproduction d'une population nicheuse durant dix ans sur un territoire aménagé de 1335 ha dans le Nottinghamshire, en Angleterre. Le site d'étude présentait deux sections dans lesquelles la disponibilité de l'habitat était égale, l'une qui était fortement perturbée, l'autre moins perturbée, l'ensemble formant un contexte d'expérimentation naturelle à long terme. Ce site est ouvert au public et le nombre de visiteurs a pratiquement doublé au cours de l'étude. Nous avons trouvé que la densité d'engoulevents était significativement plus faible et qu'il y avait significativement moins de couples nicheurs dans les milieux ...

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Bird Disturbance: Improving the Quality and Utility of Disturbance Research

Cited by 152 publications

References 0 publications

Identifying the Relevant Local Population for Environmental Impact Assessments of Mobile Marine Fauna

Identifying the Relevant Local Population for Environmental Impact Assessments of Mobile Marine Fauna

Humans alter habitat selection of birds on ocean‐exposed sandy beaches

Effect of human disturbance on long-term habitat use and breeding success of the European Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus

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