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Blight LK, Bertram DF, O'Hara PD. Visual surveys provide baseline data on small vessel traffic and waterbirds in a coastal protected area. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283791. [PMID: 37053152 PMCID: PMC10101382 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The coastal waters of southern British Columbia, Canada, encompass habitat of international conservation significance to coastal and marine birds, including sizeable areas designated in the early 1900s as Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS) to protect overwintering waterfowl from hunting near urban centres. Two of these, Shoal Harbour (SHMBS) and Victoria Harbour (VHMBS), have seen significant marine infrastructure development in recent decades and experience considerable vessel traffic. Vessel-related stressors are known to affect waterbirds, but traffic characteristics in coastal urban areas are poorly understood for the smaller vessels not tracked by Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). We conducted a pilot study using shore-based observers to develop small-vessel baselines for the winter months, when regional waterbird numbers are highest. During our surveys we recorded considerable inter-site variability in vessel traffic characteristics, with one site (SHMBS) a source of nearly twice as many vessel transits as the other (VHMBS). Most recorded vessels were small watercraft (mean length 26 ± 17', mode 18'), and vessels at the high-traffic site were both shorter and faster on average. One in six vessels were classified as 'noisy', of interest given that noise is an important component of vessel disturbance of waterbirds and other marine animals. Few vessels (7% of all recorded) were of the type required to carry AIS transponders, which highlights the monitoring gap created by using AIS-based approaches alone in nearshore waters, and allows for correction of AIS-derived vessel counts. Waterbird community composition also varied by locality, with one site dominated by gulls (Laridae), cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), and seaducks (Tribe Mergini), and the other by gulls, cormorants, and alcids (Alcidae). Our results demonstrate that fine-scale local variability must be taken into account when managing for vessel traffic disturbance of waterbirds, particularly at sites of high human population density and increasing coastal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise K Blight
- Procellaria Research & Consulting, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Douglas F Bertram
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Patrick D O'Hara
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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De la Cruz A, Bastos R, Silva E, Cabral JA, Santos M. What to expect from alternative management strategies to conserve seabirds? Hints from a dynamic modelling framework applied to an endangered population. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. De la Cruz
- Marine Research University Institute (INMAR) Campus of International Excellence of the Sea (CEIMAR) University of Cádiz Cádiz Spain
| | - R. Bastos
- Laboratory of Applied Ecology CITAB – Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro‐Environment and Biological Services Institute for Innovation Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri‐food Production (Inov4Agro) University of Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
| | - E. Silva
- Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) Lisboa Portugal
| | - J. A. Cabral
- Laboratory of Applied Ecology CITAB – Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro‐Environment and Biological Services Institute for Innovation Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri‐food Production (Inov4Agro) University of Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
| | - M. Santos
- Laboratory of Applied Ecology CITAB – Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro‐Environment and Biological Services Institute for Innovation Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri‐food Production (Inov4Agro) University of Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
- Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of Maranhão, R. Dep. Gastão Vieira Buriticupu MA Brazil
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Salton M, Carr M, Tarjan LM, Clarke J, Kirkwood R, Slip D, Harcourt R. Protected area use by two sympatric marine predators repopulating their historical range. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As large carnivores recover from over-exploitation, managers often lack evidence-based information on species habitat requirements and the efficacy of management practices, particularly where species repopulate areas from which they have long been extirpated. We investigated the movement and habitat use by 2 semi-aquatic carnivores (Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus and New Zealand fur seals A. forsteri) at the northern end of their distributions in Australia, where after a long absence both are recolonising their historic range. We also assessed male fur seal habitat use overlap with terrestrial and marine protected areas (PAs). While at the margin of the range during winter and early spring, the males remained inshore close to terrestrial sites and where interactions with humans often occur. From early spring, the males from the range margin showed uniform movement toward colonies in the core of the species’ range prior to their breeding seasons. This contrasts with males tracked from the core of the species’ range that returned periodically to colonies during the year, and highlights the importance of range-wide monitoring of a species to inform conservation planning. Habitat use by some males included over 90% of a marine PA at the margin of the species’ range. Most terrestrial haul-outs used were within terrestrial PAs, while sites not protected were on the margin of the range. Despite wide-ranging habits, their dependence on coastal sites, where human access and activities can be regulated and more readily enforced, suggests that terrestrial and marine PAs will continue to play an important role in managing the recovery of these fur seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Salton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
| | - M Carr
- Department of Primary Industries, Jervis Bay Marine Park, New South Wales 2540, Australia
- Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia
| | - LM Tarjan
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
- San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, 524 Valley Way, Milpitas, California 95035, USA
| | - J Clarke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - R Kirkwood
- Research Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Cowes, Victoria 3922, Australia
- SARDI Aquatic Sciences, West Beach, South Australia 5024, Australia
| | - D Slip
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia
| | - R Harcourt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Kolk H, Allen AM, Ens BJ, Oosterbeek K, Jongejans E, Pol M. Spatiotemporal variation in disturbance impacts derived from simultaneous tracking of aircraft and shorebirds. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Henk‐Jan Kolk
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
- Centre for Avian Population Studies Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Andrew M. Allen
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Centre for Avian Population Studies Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Bruno J. Ens
- Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology Den Burg The Netherlands
- Centre for Avian Population Studies Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Kees Oosterbeek
- Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology Den Burg The Netherlands
- Centre for Avian Population Studies Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Eelke Jongejans
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Centre for Avian Population Studies Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Pol
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
- Centre for Avian Population Studies Wageningen The Netherlands
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Scholten BD, Beard AR, Choi H, Baker DM, Caulfield ME, Proppe DS. Short-term exposure to unmanned aerial vehicles does not alter stress responses in breeding tree swallows. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa080. [PMID: 32864138 PMCID: PMC7447841 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that visual and acoustic anthropogenic disturbances can cause physiological stress in animals. Human-induced stress may be particularly problematic for birds as new technologies, such as drones, increasingly invade their low-altitude air space. Although professional and recreational drone usage is increasing rapidly, there is little information on how drones affect avian behavior and physiology. We examined the effects of drone activity on behavior and physiology in adult, box-nesting tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Specifically, we monitored bird behavior during drone flights and in response to a control object and measured telomere lengths and corticosterone levels as indicators of longer-term physiological stress. We predicted that drone-exposed tree swallows would habituate behaviorally after multiple flights, but that telomeres would shorten more quickly and that baseline corticosterone levels would be altered. One significant and two strong, non-significant trends in behavioral assays indicated that adult swallows acted more aggressively towards drone presence compared to a control object, but were slower to approach the drone initially. Swallows were also more reluctant to use nest boxes during drone activity. Tree swallows habituated to drone presence as expected, although the rate of habituation often did not differ between drone-exposed and control groups. Contrary to our prediction, drone activity did not affect telomere length, corticosterone levels, body mass or fledging rates. Overall, our results indicate that a small number of short, targeted, drone flights do not impact tree swallow health or productivity differently than a non-invasive control object. Minor behavioral differences suggest that increasing the frequency of drone use could impact this species. We provide some of the first results addressing how drone activity alters behavioral, physiological and molecular responses to stress in songbirds. A better understanding of these impacts will allow ecologists to make more informed decisions on the use and regulation of new drone technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abigail R Beard
- Biology Department, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
| | - Hyeryeong Choi
- Biology Department, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
| | - Dena M Baker
- Biology Department, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
| | | | - Darren S Proppe
- Biology Department, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
- Research Director, Wild Basin Creative Research Center, Saint Edward’s University, Austin, TX 78704, USA
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Burger C, Schubert A, Heinänen S, Dorsch M, Kleinschmidt B, Žydelis R, Morkūnas J, Quillfeldt P, Nehls G. A novel approach for assessing effects of ship traffic on distributions and movements of seabirds. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 251:109511. [PMID: 31539703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine habitats are nowadays strongly affected by human activities, while for many species the consequences of these impacts are still unclear. The red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) has been reported to be sensitive to ship traffic and other anthropogenic pressures and is consequently of high conservation concern. We studied red-throated divers in the German Bight (North Sea) using satellite telemetry and digital aerial surveys with the aim of assessing effects of ship traffic on the distribution and movements of this species during the non-breeding season. Data from the automatic identification system of ships (AIS) were intersected with bird data and allowed detailed spatial and temporal analyses. During the study period, ship traffic was present throughout the main distribution area of divers. Depending on impact radius, only small areas existed in which ship traffic was present on less than 20% of the days. Ship traffic was dominated by fishing vessels and cargo ships, but also wind farm-related ships were frequently recorded. Red-throated divers were more abundant in areas with no or little concurrent ship traffic. Analysis of aerial survey data revealed strong effects of ship speed on divers: in areas with vessels sailing at high speed only a slow resettlement of the area was observed after the disturbance, while in areas with vessels sailing at medium speed the resettlement was more rapid during the observed time period of 7 hours. Data from satellite-tracking of divers suggest that large relocation distances of individuals are related to disturbance by ships which often trigger birds to take flight. Effective measures to reduce disturbance could include channeled traffic in sensitive areas, as well as speed limits for ships traveling within the protected marine area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Heinänen
- DHI, Hørsholm, 2970, Denmark; Novia University of Applied Sciences, Ekenäs, 10600, Finland
| | | | - Birgit Kleinschmidt
- BioConsult SH GmbH & Co.KG, Husum, 25813, Germany; Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Ramūnas Žydelis
- DHI, Hørsholm, 2970, Denmark; Ornitela UAB, Vilnius, 03228, Lithuania
| | - Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, 92294, Lithuania
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Georg Nehls
- BioConsult SH GmbH & Co.KG, Husum, 25813, Germany
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Niu L, Cheng Z. Impact of tourism disturbance on forest vegetation in Wutai Mountain, China. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:81. [PMID: 30656422 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tourism is one of the primary disturbances to forest vegetation worldwide. To understand the impacts of tourism, it is important to first identify the ecological characteristics of damaged forest vegetation. Here, we investigate different ecological patterns in disturbed and undisturbed regions of Wutai Mountain, China. Comparisons between disturbed and undisturbed forest community were conducted using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). The TWINSPAN analysis identified 13 association types from 76 total samples collected. The DCA correlation analysis showed that forest community was significantly affected by physiographical factors (such as elevation and slope) in the undisturbed region; however, that was correlated with not only physiographical factors but also intensity of tourism, and the effect of tourism disturbance was stronger than that of physiographical factors in the disturbed regions. In addition, some indicator species were discovered. Our findings provide valuable information about conservation and management of sustainable tourism in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Niu
- School of Environment Economics, Shanxi University of Finance & Economics, Taiyuan, 030006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhanhong Cheng
- School of Tourism Management, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan, 030031, People's Republic of China.
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