Habitat Selection and Behaviour of a Reintroduced Passerine: Linking Experimental Restoration, Behaviour and Habitat Ecology

Abstract

Habitat restoration can play an important role in recovering functioning ecosystems and improving biodiversity. Restoration may be particularly important in improving habitat prior to species reintroductions. We reintroduced seven brown treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus) social groups into two nature reserves in the Australian Capital Territory in south-eastern Australia. This study provided a unique opportunity to understand the interactions between restoration ecology, behavioural ecology and habitat ecology. We examined how experimental restoration treatments (addition of coarse woody debris, variations in ground vegetation cover and nest box installation) influenced the behaviour and microhabitat use of radio-tracked individuals to evaluate the success of restoration treatments. The addition of coarse woody debris benefited the brown treecreeper through increasing the probability of foraging on a log or on the ground. This demonstrated the value of using behaviour as a bio-indicator for restoration success. Based on previous research, we predicted that variations in levels of ground vegetation cover would influence behaviour and substrate use, particularly that brown treecreepers would choose sites with sparse ground cover because this allows better access to food and better vigilance for predators. However, there was little effect of this treatment, which was likely influenced by the limited overall use of the ground layer. There was also little effect of nest boxes on behaviour or substrate use. These results somewhat confound our understanding of the species based on research from extant populations. Our results also have a significant impact regarding using existing knowledge on a species to inform how it will respond to reintroduction and habitat restoration. This study also places great emphasis on the value of applying an experimental framework to ecological restoration, particularly when reintroductions produce unexpected outcomes.

Adapting reintroduction tactics in successive trials increases the likelihood of establishment for an endangered carnivore in a fenced sanctuary

“…Our study focused on the establishment phase of a reintroduction, which occurs immediately after release and is often associated with elevated mortality [79]. This is often due to the behavioural and physiological responses elicited by exposure to a novel environment, which can increase vulnerability to starvation, predation and dispersal [80]. It is worth recognising that as a founding population transitions from the establishment phase to the regulation phase [1] they are at the mercy of long-term drivers including genetic viability and habitat suitability [8,81].…”

Post-release habitat utilisation by Francolinus bicalcaratus ayesha, a critically endangered subspecies endemic to Morocco: implications for optimising future release programmes

“…As stipulated in IUCN guidelines (1998), the SABGR was selected as a suitable site for Double-spurred Francolin reintroduction because: (1) there were no longer any Double-spurred Francolins in the Ma’amora forest (Thévenot 1991, Cherkaoui et al 2007, 2009); (2) it is within the historic range of the species (Thévenot et al 2003); and (3) it contains suitable habitats for the species (De la Perche 1992, Thévenot et al 2003). It is known that the success of such reintroduction programmes is often dependent upon the suitability of habitats in the immediate area of the release site (Ewen and Armstrong 2007, Bennett et al 2013).…”

Causes of reintroduction failure of the brown treecreeper: Implications for ecosystem restoration

“…The provision of logs has previously led to sustained increases in brown treecreeper density (Mac Nally ; Mac Nally & Horrocks ), increased invertebrate abundance (Barton et al . ) and increased the probability of the brown treecreeper foraging on the ground or on logs (Bennett et al . in press).…”

“…) and also benefit the brown treecreeper by significantly increasing the probability of foraging on the ground or on logs (Bennett et al . in press). Manipulations also included variations in ground vegetation cover (partially through the management of kangaroo grazing with kangaroo exclusion areas), and more specifically for the brown treecreeper reintroduction, the installation of 216 species‐specific nest boxes, which were designed using knowledge of the behaviour and natural nesting hollow dimensions of the brown treecreeper (Noske ).…”