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Southwell D, Skroblin A, Moseby K, Southgate R, Indigo N, Backhouse B, Bellchambers K, Brandle R, Brenton P, Copley P, Dziminski MA, Galindez-Silva C, Lynch C, Newman P, Pedler R, Rogers D, Roshier DA, Ryan-Colton E, Tuft K, Ward M, Zurell D, Legge S. Designing a large-scale track-based monitoring program to detect changes in species distributions in arid Australia. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2762. [PMID: 36218186 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring trends in animal populations in arid regions is challenging due to remoteness and low population densities. However, detecting species' tracks or signs is an effective survey technique for monitoring population trends across large spatial and temporal scales. In this study, we developed a simulation framework to evaluate the performance of alternative track-based monitoring designs at detecting change in species distributions in arid Australia. We collated presence-absence records from 550 2-ha track-based plots for 11 vertebrates over 13 years and fitted ensemble species distribution models to predict occupancy in 2018. We simulated plausible changes in species' distributions over the next 15 years and, with estimates of detectability, simulated monitoring to evaluate the statistical power of three alternative monitoring scenarios: (1) where surveys were restricted to existing 2-ha plots, (2) where surveys were optimized to target all species equally, and (3) where surveys were optimized to target two species of conservation concern. Across all monitoring designs and scenarios, we found that power was higher when detecting increasing occupancy trends compared to decreasing trends owing to the relatively low levels of initial occupancy. Our results suggest that surveying 200 of the existing plots annually (with a small subset resurveyed twice within a year) will have at least an 80% chance of detecting 30% declines in occupancy for four of the five invasive species modeled and one of the six native species. This increased to 10 of the 11 species assuming larger (50%) declines. When plots were positioned to target all species equally, power improved slightly for most compared to the existing survey network. When plots were positioned to target two species of conservation concern (crest-tailed mulgara and dusky hopping mouse), power to detect 30% declines increased by 29% and 31% for these species, respectively, at the cost of reduced power for the remaining species. The effect of varying survey frequency depended on its trade-off with the number of sites sampled and requires further consideration. Nonetheless, our research suggests that track-based surveying is an effective and logistically feasible approach to monitoring broad-scale occupancy trends in desert species with both widespread and restricted distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Southwell
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anja Skroblin
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine Moseby
- University of NSW School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard Southgate
- Envisage Environmental Services, Kingscote, South Australia, Australia
| | - Naomi Indigo
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Brett Backhouse
- Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Robert Brandle
- Department for Environment and Water, South Australian Government, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board, Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Brenton
- Atlas of Living Australia, CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, Docklands, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Copley
- Department for Environment and Water, South Australian Government, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Martin A Dziminski
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Kensington, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Carolina Galindez-Silva
- Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Management, Alice Springs, Northwest Territories, Australia
| | - Catherine Lynch
- South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board, Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peggy Newman
- Atlas of Living Australia, CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, Docklands, Victoria, Australia
| | - Reece Pedler
- University of NSW School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Rogers
- Department for Environment and Water, South Australian Government, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David A Roshier
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ellen Ryan-Colton
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs, Northwest Territories, Australia
| | | | - Matt Ward
- Department for Environment and Water, South Australian Government, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Damaris Zurell
- Geography Department, Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sarah Legge
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs, Northwest Territories, Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Pant G, Maraseni T, Apan A, Allen BL. Predicted declines in suitable habitat for greater one-horned rhinoceros ( Rhinoceros unicornis) under future climate and land use change scenarios. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:18288-18304. [PMID: 35003673 PMCID: PMC8717310 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapidly changing climate is likely to modify the spatial distribution of both flora and fauna. Land use change continues to alter the availability and quality of habitat and further intensifies the effects of climate change on wildlife species. We used an ensemble modeling approach to predict changes in habitat suitability for an iconic wildlife species, greater one-horned rhinoceros due to the combined effects of climate and land use changes. We compiled an extensive database on current rhinoceros distribution and selected nine ecologically meaningful environmental variables for developing ensemble models of habitat suitability using ten different species distribution modeling algorithms in the BIOMOD2 R package; and we did this under current climatic conditions and then projected them onto two possible climate change scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5) and two different time frames (2050 and 2070). Out of ten algorithms, random forest performed the best, and five environmental variables-distance from grasslands, mean temperature of driest quarter, distance from wetlands, annual precipitation, and slope, contributed the most in the model. The ensemble model estimated the current suitable habitat of rhinoceros to be 2610 km2, about 1.77% of the total area of Nepal. The future habitat suitability under the lowest and highest emission scenarios was estimated to be: (1) 2325 and 1904 km2 in 2050; and (2) 2287 and 1686 km2 in 2070, respectively. Our results suggest that over one-third of the current rhinoceros habitat would become unsuitable within a period of 50 years, with the predicted declines being influenced to a greater degree by climatic changes than land use changes. We have recommended several measures to moderate these impacts, including relocation of the proposed Nijgad International Airport given that a considerable portion of potential rhinoceros habitat will be lost if the airport is constructed on the currently proposed site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Pant
- Ministry of Forests and EnvironmentSinghadurbarKathmanduNepal
- Institute for Life Sciences and the EnvironmentUniversity of Southern QueenslandToowoombaQldAustralia
| | - Tek Maraseni
- Institute for Life Sciences and the EnvironmentUniversity of Southern QueenslandToowoombaQldAustralia
- University of Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQldAustralia
| | - Armando Apan
- Institute for Life Sciences and the EnvironmentUniversity of Southern QueenslandToowoombaQldAustralia
- Institute of Environmental Science and MeteorologyUniversity of the Philippines DilimanQuezon CityPhilippines
| | - Benjamin L. Allen
- Institute for Life Sciences and the EnvironmentUniversity of Southern QueenslandToowoombaQldAustralia
- Centre for African Conservation EcologyNelson Mandela UniversityPort ElizabethSouth Africa
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3
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The fox who cried wolf: A keywords and literature trend analysis on the phenomenon of mesopredator release. ECOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecocom.2021.100963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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4
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Fleming PA, Crawford HM, Stobo‐Wilson AM, Dawson SJ, Dickman CR, Dundas SJ, Gentle MN, Newsome TM, O’Connor J, Palmer R, Riley J, Ritchie EG, Speed J, Saunders G, Stuart JD, Thompson E, Turpin JM, Woinarski JC. Diet of the introduced red fox
Vulpes vulpes
in Australia: analysis of temporal and spatial patterns. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A. Fleming
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University 90 South Street Murdoch, Perth WA6150Australia
| | - Heather M. Crawford
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University 90 South Street Murdoch, Perth WA6150Australia
| | - Alyson M. Stobo‐Wilson
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Charles Darwin University Casuarina NT0909Australia
| | - Stuart J. Dawson
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University 90 South Street Murdoch, Perth WA6150Australia
| | - Christopher R. Dickman
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Desert Ecology Research Group School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW2006Australia
| | - Shannon J. Dundas
- NSW Department of Primary Industries 1447 Forest Rd Orange NSW2800Australia
| | - Matthew N. Gentle
- Pest Animal Research Centre Invasive Plants and Animals Biosecurity Queensland Toowoomba Qld4350Australia
| | - Thomas M. Newsome
- Global Ecology Lab School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW2006Australia
| | - Julie O’Connor
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council 1 Omrah Avenue Caloundra Qld4551Australia
| | - Russell Palmer
- Science and Conservation Division Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Bentley WA6983Australia
| | - Joanna Riley
- School of Biological Sciences University of Bristol BristolBS8 1THUK
| | - Euan G. Ritchie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Vic3125Australia
| | - James Speed
- Pest Animal Research Centre Invasive Plants and Animals Biosecurity Queensland Toowoomba Qld4350Australia
| | - Glen Saunders
- NSW Department of Primary Industries 1447 Forest Rd Orange NSW2800Australia
| | - John‐Michael D. Stuart
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University 90 South Street Murdoch, Perth WA6150Australia
| | - Eilysh Thompson
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Vic3125Australia
| | - Jeff M. Turpin
- School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale NSW2351Australia
| | - John C.Z. Woinarski
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Charles Darwin University Casuarina NT0909Australia
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Nicolai N. Rodents' responses to manipulated plant litter and seed densities: implications for restoration. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9465. [PMID: 32704449 PMCID: PMC7346862 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent populations in arid grasslands do not always track seed production, possibly due to high levels of plant litter. When natural disturbances are suppressed, litter accumulates becoming physically complex, causing rodents to harvest fewer seeds per equivalent time foraging. It also alters security from predation. Restoring natural disturbances may be an important element in conserving rodent communities. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of two levels of plant litter cover and seed densities on nocturnal rodent population characteristics in a semiarid grassland. Specifically, I hypothesized that kangaroo rats, pocket mice, grasshopper mice, and total rodents would be higher in the sparse plant litter treatment than dense litter, whereas deer mice would be lower in sparse plots. I further hypothesized that kangaroo rats and deer mice would be higher in the seed augmented treatment compared to the unseeded treatment. A prescribed fire removed litter in four of eight plots prior to sowing native seeds 1 year postfire into two burned and two unburned plots. Rodents were live-trapped during spring and fall 1 year. Sparse litter treatment had higher total rodent abundance, biomass, and frequency of offspring compared to dense plots indicating use of stored seeds. Banner-tailed kangaroo rats had higher abundance, implying reduced predation risk. Pocket mice body mass was greater in dense plots. After winter, seeded plots had higher kangaroo rat body mass and grasshopper mice abundance than unseeded, reflecting the use of stored seeds. These short term results demonstrate litter's physical complexity may be equivalent to seed pulses on the responses of nocturnal rodents. Managers might positively influence grassland rodents by providing a mosaic of varying levels of plant litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Nicolai
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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6
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Stobo‐Wilson AM, Stokeld D, Einoder LD, Davies HF, Fisher A, Hill BM, Mahney T, Murphy BP, Stevens A, Woinarski JCZ, Rangers B, Warddeken Rangers, Gillespie GR. Habitat structural complexity explains patterns of feral cat and dingo occurrence in monsoonal Australia. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alyson M. Stobo‐Wilson
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Danielle Stokeld
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Luke D. Einoder
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Hugh F. Davies
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - Alaric Fisher
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Brydie M. Hill
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Terry Mahney
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Brett P. Murphy
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - Alys Stevens
- Warddeken Land Management Limited Darwin NT Australia
| | - John C. Z. Woinarski
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | | | | | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
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Pant G, Maraseni T, Apan A, Allen BL. Trends and current state of research on greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): A systematic review of the literature over a period of 33 years (1985-2018). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:136349. [PMID: 32050371 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is one of the most iconic wildlife species in the world. Once reduced to fewer than 500 during the 1960s, its global population has been recovering and is now over 3500, thanks to effective conservation programs in India and Nepal, the only two countries in the world where this species is found. It is one of the greatest success stories in biodiversity conservation given that hundreds of other species have disappeared, and thousands of species are on the verge of extinction. However, poaching is not the only threat for the long-term survival of rhinoceros. Loss and degradation of grassland habitat and the drying-up of wetlands are emerging threats predicted to worsen in the future, but the published information on rhinoceros has never been synthesized. In order to better understand the trends and current status of rhinoceros research and identify research gaps inhibiting its long-term conservation, we analyzed the themes discussed in 215 articles covering a period of 33 years between 1985 and 2018. Our findings suggest that studies on both free-ranging and captive rhinoceros are skewed towards biological aspects of the species including morphology, anatomy, physiology, and behaviour. There are no studies addressing the likely effects of climate change on the species, and limited information is available on rhinoceros genetics, diseases, habitat dynamics and the impacts of tourism and other infrastructure development in and around rhinoceros habitat. These issues will need addressing to maintain the conservation success of greater one-horned rhinoceros into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Pant
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; Ministry of Forests and Environment, Singhadurbar, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
| | - Tek Maraseni
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia.
| | - Armando Apan
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Allen
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6034, South Africa
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8
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Tatler J, Prowse TAA, Roshier DA, Allen BL, Cassey P. Resource pulses affect prey selection and reduce dietary diversity of dingoes in arid Australia. Mamm Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jack Tatler
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Thomas A. A. Prowse
- School of Mathematical SciencesUniversity of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - David A. Roshier
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy PO Box 8070 Subiaco East WA 6008 Australia
- Australia Centre for Ecosystem ScienceUniversity of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Benjamin L. Allen
- Institute for Life Sciences and the EnvironmentUniversity of Southern Queensland Toowoomba Queensland 4350 Australia
| | - Phillip Cassey
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
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9
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O’Connell MA, Hallett JG. Community ecology of mammals: deserts, islands, and anthropogenic impacts. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - James G Hallett
- Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, USA
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10
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McDonald PJ, Brim-Box J, Nano CEM, Macdonald DW, Dickman CR. Diet of dingoes and cats in central Australia: does trophic competition underpin a rare mammal refuge? J Mammal 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J McDonald
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Jayne Brim-Box
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Catherine E M Nano
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - David W Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Chris R Dickman
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Behrendorff L, Leung LKP, Allen BL. Utilisation of stranded marine fauna washed ashore on K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia, by dingoes. AUST J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/zo18022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Stranded marine fauna have been identified as a potentially significant food resource for terrestrial carnivores, but how such subsidisation influences terrestrial species ecology is not well understood. We describe the dietary and behavioural responses of dingoes (Canis familiaris) to the occurrence of large-animal marine strandings (e.g. dead cetaceans, marine turtles and pinnipeds) between 2006 and 2016 on K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia, to better understand the trophic links between marine and terrestrial systems. A total of 309 strandings were recorded during this period (~3.1 strandings per month), yielding an annual average of 30.3 tons of available carrion to the 100–200 dingoes present on the island. Carcass monitoring with camera traps showed that dingoes used carcasses almost daily after a short period of decomposition. Whole packs of up to seven dingoes of all age classes at a time were observed visiting carcasses for multiple successive days. These data demonstrate that large-animal marine subsidies can be a common, substantial and important food source for dingoes, and that the estimated daily dietary needs of roughly 5–10% of the island’s dingo population were supported by this food source. Our data suggest that marine subsidisation can influence terrestrial carnivore diet, behaviour and abundance, which may produce cascading indirect effects for terrestrial ecosystems in contexts where subsidised carnivores interact strongly with other species.
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