Signage reduces the impact of human disturbance on little tern nesting success in Portugal

Medeiros, Renata; Ramos, Jaime A.; Paiva, Vítor H.; Almeida, Ana Margarida Pisco; Pedro, Patrícia; Antunes, Sandra

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.10.001

Cited by 31 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Little Terns breed colonially on beaches of lagoons, estuaries, salt pans, and coastal lakes in Europe, Africa, southern and eastern Asia, and Australia. Populations of this species have generally declined (Oro et al 2004, Amano and Yamaura 2007), primarily as a result of habitat degradation and destruction on breeding grounds, which can affect the nesting birds directly, or indirectly through increases in populations of predatory species in disturbed areas (e.g., Catry et al 2004, Medeiros et al 2007, Fujita et al 2009). Attempts have been made to provide artificial breeding sites for Little Terns, but with mixed success.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Island shape, size, and isolation affect nest-site selection by Little Terns

Eason

Rabea

Attum

2012

Journal of Field Ornithology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Populations of many seabirds and other species that nest along coasts are declining due to habitat degradation and loss. An improved understanding of the species‐specific factors that determine nest density across a landscape is therefore critical for conservation efforts. We examined factors that affected the density (number per hectare) and abundance (number at a sampling site) of nests of Little Terns (Sternula albifrons) on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Terns preferred to nest on islands rather than the mainland, with islands constituting 64% of the area surveyed, but containing 99% of the 439 tern nests we found. Nest densities were highest on islands that were small, located at moderate distances from the mainland, and irregularly shaped or elongated. Most nests (69%) were on islands with areas < 3 ha, although these islands represented < 5% of total island area, and islands with the highest nest densities were 80–300 m from the mainland. Terrestrial predators were more likely to occur on larger islands, visiting three of the largest four islands. Most tern nests were within 1 m of shorelines, causing island perimeter to be a strong influence on nest density. Island shape was the only factor that significantly affected nest abundance, with more nests on islands with relatively long perimeters for their size. Our results suggest that protection or creation of relatively small, slender islands at moderate distances from shore may be an effective means of increasing the number of breeding sites for Little Terns. Although not generally considered a potential determinant of nest site preferences for seabirds, island shape is likely to be important for species that prefer sites adjacent to water, including species that nest on beaches and seaside cliffs.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Island shape, size, and isolation affect nest-site selection by Little Terns

Eason

Rabea

Attum

2012

Journal of Field Ornithology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Breeding habitat selection of coastal tern species is well known (Burger & Lesser 1978, Kotliar & Burger 1986, Smith & Renken 1991, Ramos & del Nevo 1995, Ramos 1998, Krogh & Schweitzer 1999, Medeiros et al . 2007), but there is much less information on foraging habitat selection.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Foraging habitat selection by Little Terns Sternula albifrons in an estuarine lagoon system of southern Portugal

Paiva

Ramos

Martins

et al. 2007

Ibis

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We assessed the effects of environmental variables on the distribution and feeding behaviour of adult Little Terns Sternula albifrons in Ria Formosa Natural Park, Algarve, southern Portugal, in different foraging habitats (main lagoon, salinas and sea) during the breeding seasons, April-July, of 2003-05. Foraging density was higher in the lagoon than in the sea, and at low tide. The number of foraging individuals at sea was independent of tide. Individual Little Terns foraged further from the nearest breeding colony in April and May (courtship feeding and incubation) than in June and July (chick-rearing). During intermediate tidal phases, individuals foraged further from the nearest colony, and followed main lagoon channels, perhaps because stronger currents increased prey availability. Diving activity and foraging success were higher in 2003 than 2004 or 2005, perhaps because of greater availability of marine prey in 2003. Diving rate was higher in July (when independent juveniles began learning how to forage) but diving success was higher in June (chick-rearing) than in other months. The variables selected by the final logistic models reflected four basic needs for the selection of feeding habitats by Little Terns: (1) association between foraging individuals, (2) areas with abundant feeding resources, (3) entrance channels and main lagoon channels with strong currents, and (4) the proximity to areas with alternative feeding resources, the salinas. Areas subjected to strong human pressure were avoided by foraging Little Terns.

show abstract

“…Management actions often include defining buffer areas with restricted public access, signposting, concentrating service infrastructures (parking lots, visitor centres, restaurants, picnic areas and others), and establishing trails to prevent visitors from uncontrolled dispersal (Finney et al, 2005;Geneletti and van Duren, 2008;Medeiros et al, 2007). However, managers face the dilemma how to limit the number of visitors to a natural area, because severe restriction may be unpopular and thereby compromise public support to conservation policies, while uncontrolled leisure could deteriorate wildlife habitat (Butler, 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%