Pub Date : 2023-03-31DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3521
T. McAllister, D. Hikuroa, C. Macinnis-Ng
: Indigenous Knowledge (IK) provides effective solutions to environmental threats and pressures. Using approaches that fully include Indigenous concepts, ideas, worldviews, knowledge, process, and practice helps the recovery of threatened species and endangered ecosystems, but it is essential that such work engages with Indigenous Peoples and that engagement is respectful, reciprocal, and meaningful. We support using mātauranga (Māori knowledge, culture, values, and worldview) alongside science, because incorporating socio-cultural perspectives and initiatives allows sustainability to be addressed in a more holistic way. This collaborative group of Māori and Pākehā researchers brings a range of perspectives and expertise to the challenge of working at the interface of IK and science, and practices of conservation and resource management. In developing a deeper understanding of kaitiakitanga, which is often translated as “guardianship”, “stewardship”, or the “principle and practices of intergenerational sustainability”, when working in partnership with Māori, Western-trained scientists can meaningfully acknowledge Māori values, knowledge, process, and practice in their work. This enhanced consideration of kaitiakitanga requires bringing together intricately linked concepts such as whakapapa, rangatiratanga, mana, mauri, tapu, noa, and manaakitanga. In this paper, we aim to guide Western-trained scientists and other practitioners in understanding kaitiakitanga so that they can meaningfully engage through an enhanced understanding of Māori worldviews, knowledge, process, and practice. We also aim to highlight the synergies and differences between kaitiakitanga and conservation and resource management, whilst providing examples of how kaitiakitanga can be used to enhance conservation for holistic sustainability outcomes. We emphasise the benefits and importance of working with Māori communities for long-term partnerships based on mutual trust and respect.
{"title":"Connecting Science to Indigenous Knowledge: kaitiakitanga, conservation, and resource management","authors":"T. McAllister, D. Hikuroa, C. Macinnis-Ng","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3521","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3521","url":null,"abstract":": Indigenous Knowledge (IK) provides effective solutions to environmental threats and pressures. Using approaches that fully include Indigenous concepts, ideas, worldviews, knowledge, process, and practice helps the recovery of threatened species and endangered ecosystems, but it is essential that such work engages with Indigenous Peoples and that engagement is respectful, reciprocal, and meaningful. We support using mātauranga (Māori knowledge, culture, values, and worldview) alongside science, because incorporating socio-cultural perspectives and initiatives allows sustainability to be addressed in a more holistic way. This collaborative group of Māori and Pākehā researchers brings a range of perspectives and expertise to the challenge of working at the interface of IK and science, and practices of conservation and resource management. In developing a deeper understanding of kaitiakitanga, which is often translated as “guardianship”, “stewardship”, or the “principle and practices of intergenerational sustainability”, when working in partnership with Māori, Western-trained scientists can meaningfully acknowledge Māori values, knowledge, process, and practice in their work. This enhanced consideration of kaitiakitanga requires bringing together intricately linked concepts such as whakapapa, rangatiratanga, mana, mauri, tapu, noa, and manaakitanga. In this paper, we aim to guide Western-trained scientists and other practitioners in understanding kaitiakitanga so that they can meaningfully engage through an enhanced understanding of Māori worldviews, knowledge, process, and practice. We also aim to highlight the synergies and differences between kaitiakitanga and conservation and resource management, whilst providing examples of how kaitiakitanga can be used to enhance conservation for holistic sustainability outcomes. We emphasise the benefits and importance of working with Māori communities for long-term partnerships based on mutual trust and respect.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42156283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-27DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.46.3520
J. McAulay, J. Monks
: Conservation programmes in New Zealand often suppress populations of a single invasive predator for the benefit of threatened avifauna. However, the establishment of whole guilds of invasive species has created complex competitor and predator-prey relationships, including some well-described trophic cascades. Trap networks designed to target stoats ( Mustela erminea ) are poorly optimised to supress a population of weasels ( M. nivalis ), and may contribute to periodic spikes in weasel numbers due to decreased interspecific competition and aggression. The consequences of stoat removal and possible weasel release have received little attention. In this small-scale pilot study, we used C 13 and N 15 stable isotopes to examine diet and relative trophic position of eight weasels and 20 stoats caught in an alpine ecosystem. We explored three dietary models as a framework with which to examine trophic patterns in feeding behaviour of the two mustelid species and potential impacts on native species. The models suggest that, in this specific scenario, weasels preyed at a higher trophic position than stoats and consumed a greater proportion (per capita) of vulnerable taxa like lizards and passerines. We cautiously highlight the potential for negative outcomes for some native taxa in scenarios in which weasels are released from competition with stoats.
{"title":"Interspecific variation in predation patterns of stoats and weasels in an alpine conservation programme","authors":"J. McAulay, J. Monks","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.46.3520","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.46.3520","url":null,"abstract":": Conservation programmes in New Zealand often suppress populations of a single invasive predator for the benefit of threatened avifauna. However, the establishment of whole guilds of invasive species has created complex competitor and predator-prey relationships, including some well-described trophic cascades. Trap networks designed to target stoats ( Mustela erminea ) are poorly optimised to supress a population of weasels ( M. nivalis ), and may contribute to periodic spikes in weasel numbers due to decreased interspecific competition and aggression. The consequences of stoat removal and possible weasel release have received little attention. In this small-scale pilot study, we used C 13 and N 15 stable isotopes to examine diet and relative trophic position of eight weasels and 20 stoats caught in an alpine ecosystem. We explored three dietary models as a framework with which to examine trophic patterns in feeding behaviour of the two mustelid species and potential impacts on native species. The models suggest that, in this specific scenario, weasels preyed at a higher trophic position than stoats and consumed a greater proportion (per capita) of vulnerable taxa like lizards and passerines. We cautiously highlight the potential for negative outcomes for some native taxa in scenarios in which weasels are released from competition with stoats.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44104143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-22DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3519
Aaron Bertoia, A. Cree, J. Monks
: The number and type of threats that a species is exposed to is often influenced by their activity patterns. For ectotherms, environmental conditions are likely to strongly influence activity, given that external heat is needed to reach body temperatures that promote physiological functions, including locomotion. As a result, one might expect ectotherms to avoid cold environments, such as the alpine zone, known for large temperature variations and prolonged winters. However, many endemic lizards, including diurnal skinks ( Oligosoma spp.), inhabit the alpine zone across Aotearoa, New Zealand. We used trail cameras to monitor the surface activity of skinks (likely to be predominantly McCann’s skinks, Oligosoma maccanni ) in the alpine zone of the southern South Island (c. 44 ° S; 1150 to 1600 m a.s.l.) from spring until autumn. We asked: (1) under which environmental conditions do skinks emerge? (2) which temperatures and other weather variables promote the highest levels of surface activity? and (3) what sort and duration of activity are typical? We observed more skink activity when temperatures at basking locations were warm, with 95% of skink observations occurring when temperatures recorded at copper models were between 13.2 and 43.2°C; these patterns follow trends observed in McCann’s skinks at lower elevation and in species of alpine skinks in Australia. Furthermore, skinks were most active when conditions were dry and sunny, with observations in mid-summer peaking in the late afternoon. When visible, skinks were very mobile, only remaining in the same position for 1–3 min. Our study increases understanding of a generalist skink in an alpine environment. During summer, activity of skinks is highly dependent on warm sunny conditions, and our study highlights trail cameras as an effective tool for monitoring behaviour (including potential predator exposure) in this remote environment.
一个物种所面临的威胁的数量和类型往往受其活动模式的影响。对于变温动物来说，环境条件可能会强烈影响活动，因为需要外部热量才能达到促进生理功能(包括运动)的体温。因此，人们可能会认为变温动物会避开寒冷的环境，比如高山地区，因为那里的温度变化很大，冬天很长。然而，许多特有的蜥蜴，包括昼行蜥蜴(Oligosoma spp.)，生活在新西兰奥特罗阿的高山地区。在南岛南部的高山带(c. 44°S; c. 44°S; c. 44°S;海拔1150 - 1600米)，从春季到秋季。我们的问题是:(1)石龙子是在什么环境条件下出现的?(2)哪些温度和其他天气变量促进地表活动的最高水平?(3)典型的活动类型和持续时间是什么?当温度较暖时，我们观察到更多的皮肤子活动，95%的皮肤子观察发生在铜模型记录的温度在13.2至43.2°C之间;这些模式遵循在低海拔的麦肯石龙子和澳大利亚高山石龙子物种中观察到的趋势。此外，石龙子在干燥和阳光充足的情况下最活跃，在仲夏的下午晚些时候达到顶峰。当可见时，石龙子非常灵活，只在同一个位置停留1-3分钟。我们的研究增加了对高山环境中通才石龙子的理解。在夏季，石龙子的活动高度依赖于温暖的阳光条件，我们的研究强调了跟踪摄像机是在这种偏远环境中监测行为(包括潜在捕食者暴露)的有效工具。
{"title":"Trail cameras enhance understanding of lizard behaviour in a remote alpine environment","authors":"Aaron Bertoia, A. Cree, J. Monks","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3519","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3519","url":null,"abstract":": The number and type of threats that a species is exposed to is often influenced by their activity patterns. For ectotherms, environmental conditions are likely to strongly influence activity, given that external heat is needed to reach body temperatures that promote physiological functions, including locomotion. As a result, one might expect ectotherms to avoid cold environments, such as the alpine zone, known for large temperature variations and prolonged winters. However, many endemic lizards, including diurnal skinks ( Oligosoma spp.), inhabit the alpine zone across Aotearoa, New Zealand. We used trail cameras to monitor the surface activity of skinks (likely to be predominantly McCann’s skinks, Oligosoma maccanni ) in the alpine zone of the southern South Island (c. 44 ° S; 1150 to 1600 m a.s.l.) from spring until autumn. We asked: (1) under which environmental conditions do skinks emerge? (2) which temperatures and other weather variables promote the highest levels of surface activity? and (3) what sort and duration of activity are typical? We observed more skink activity when temperatures at basking locations were warm, with 95% of skink observations occurring when temperatures recorded at copper models were between 13.2 and 43.2°C; these patterns follow trends observed in McCann’s skinks at lower elevation and in species of alpine skinks in Australia. Furthermore, skinks were most active when conditions were dry and sunny, with observations in mid-summer peaking in the late afternoon. When visible, skinks were very mobile, only remaining in the same position for 1–3 min. Our study increases understanding of a generalist skink in an alpine environment. During summer, activity of skinks is highly dependent on warm sunny conditions, and our study highlights trail cameras as an effective tool for monitoring behaviour (including potential predator exposure) in this remote environment.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48725519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-20DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3518
Natalie Ayriss, Michael Taylor
: Microbiome research is revealing the profound effects that microbial inhabitants can have on their animal hosts. Recent and rapid advances in sequencing technologies have allowed biologists to characterise the microbial constituents of a variety of host organisms, giving greater insights into these intimate relationships than ever before. For many animal species, microbiomes serve as an interface between host and environment, with associated microorganisms playing functional roles in nutrition, immunity, reproduction, and even behaviour. In this Review, we offer a brief overview of microbiome research methodology before summarising previous and ongoing research into the microbiomes of native New Zealand animals. Our unique endemic fauna, evolved during tens of millions of years of geographic isolation, offers exciting opportunities for microbiome research across a range of diverse taxa and we highlight key findings of relevant studies. Moreover, while recognising the crucial role that 16S rRNA gene sequencing plays in microbiome research, we conclude the Review with a look beyond 16S and consider what other technologies can bring to this field. We encourage further investigation into the functional roles of microbial species across a broader range of host-animal taxa across New Zealand, both in wild and captive states.
{"title":"Microbiomes of native Aotearoa New Zealand animals","authors":"Natalie Ayriss, Michael Taylor","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3518","url":null,"abstract":": Microbiome research is revealing the profound effects that microbial inhabitants can have on their animal hosts. Recent and rapid advances in sequencing technologies have allowed biologists to characterise the microbial constituents of a variety of host organisms, giving greater insights into these intimate relationships than ever before. For many animal species, microbiomes serve as an interface between host and environment, with associated microorganisms playing functional roles in nutrition, immunity, reproduction, and even behaviour. In this Review, we offer a brief overview of microbiome research methodology before summarising previous and ongoing research into the microbiomes of native New Zealand animals. Our unique endemic fauna, evolved during tens of millions of years of geographic isolation, offers exciting opportunities for microbiome research across a range of diverse taxa and we highlight key findings of relevant studies. Moreover, while recognising the crucial role that 16S rRNA gene sequencing plays in microbiome research, we conclude the Review with a look beyond 16S and consider what other technologies can bring to this field. We encourage further investigation into the functional roles of microbial species across a broader range of host-animal taxa across New Zealand, both in wild and captive states.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45885151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-14DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3517
E. Murphy, Tom Agnew, T. Sjoberg, C. Eason, D. MacMorran, James Ross
: A resetting toxin device (the “Spitfire”) has been designed that delivers a toxic paste to a rat’s ventral surface when it passes through a tunnel. The rat grooms off the paste and ingests the toxin. The system was assessed in cage trials and one field trial. The purpose of the cage trials was to investigate whether a range of toxins can be delivered by the Spitfire to rats ( Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus ), namely 0.55% sodium fluoroacetate (1080), 0.2% brodifacoum, 15% cholecalciferol, and 12.5% zinc phosphide. The trials with 1080, brodifacoum, and zinc phosphide were successful with > 85% of rats ingesting lethal doses. The trials with cholecalciferol were less successful with only 58% of rats dying. A one-month pilot field trial was undertaken using 1080 in the Spitfires. There was a knockdown in rat (and stoat Mustela erminea ) abundance, establishing proof of concept for the Spitfire delivery system with this toxin. The long-term, effective control of introduced rats will require a range of toxins with different modes of action. The Spitfire could be a useful additional control tool for rats and is currently being re-engineered to be made more reliable.
{"title":"Developing a new resetting tool for controlling rats","authors":"E. Murphy, Tom Agnew, T. Sjoberg, C. Eason, D. MacMorran, James Ross","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3517","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3517","url":null,"abstract":": A resetting toxin device (the “Spitfire”) has been designed that delivers a toxic paste to a rat’s ventral surface when it passes through a tunnel. The rat grooms off the paste and ingests the toxin. The system was assessed in cage trials and one field trial. The purpose of the cage trials was to investigate whether a range of toxins can be delivered by the Spitfire to rats ( Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus ), namely 0.55% sodium fluoroacetate (1080), 0.2% brodifacoum, 15% cholecalciferol, and 12.5% zinc phosphide. The trials with 1080, brodifacoum, and zinc phosphide were successful with > 85% of rats ingesting lethal doses. The trials with cholecalciferol were less successful with only 58% of rats dying. A one-month pilot field trial was undertaken using 1080 in the Spitfires. There was a knockdown in rat (and stoat Mustela erminea ) abundance, establishing proof of concept for the Spitfire delivery system with this toxin. The long-term, effective control of introduced rats will require a range of toxins with different modes of action. The Spitfire could be a useful additional control tool for rats and is currently being re-engineered to be made more reliable.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49081552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-03DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3516
Grace Marshall, S. Wyse, B. Manley, Adam Forbes
: The desire for ecosystem restoration and native forest expansion is growing internationally. Transitional forestry, where an exotic plantation forest is transitioned to a native forest, is a potential method of native forest restoration and carbon sequestration that is gaining interest in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, it is currently unknown whether this approach can produce a permanent native forest ecosystem and how representative of remnant native forest it could be. This article explores international research into the use of exotic plantations to facilitate native forest restoration, specifically the ecological processes affecting restoration, and management interventions which could be applied to improve the forest transition. We found that the composition of the landscape matrix is highly influential on native regeneration. Increasing native vegetation cover to at least 25% has a strong positive effect on native regeneration within exotic forests. Increased native vegetation cover also improves effective seed dispersal as there are more sources of seed, shorter distances for the seed to travel, and improved habitat size and connectivity for avian seed dispersers. Further research into which seeds are entering plantation forests, by what method, and the distance from the seed source would be highly useful in understanding the potential for exotic plantation forests to transition to a native forest, and what barriers may be preventing this from occurring. Canopy manipulation was also found to be a key tool in stimulating establishment and growth of native species within an exotic plantation, especially those later-successional species which rely on small-scale disturbance in their natural succession. Practical methods of gradual canopy removal while minimising disturbance is an area which requires further research. We found that pest management is likely to be critical for transitioning exotic plantation to native forest. Herbivores present a significant barrier to succession as they can prevent growth and survival of susceptible species of regenerating plants and have significant effects on species composition and forest structure due to preferential browsing. Rodents which consume seeds prevent plants from establishing, further limiting regeneration. Mammals which predate native birds also disrupt the forest ecosystem due to the importance of avian seed dispersal for many tree species. This review highlighted the need for further research into transitional forestry and the potential to revert an exotic plantation to a native forest. Research conducted must occur across a variety of macroclimates, forest types, soils, and landforms throughout Aotearoa to ensure advice represents regional differences and is as comprehensive as possible.
{"title":"International use of exotic plantations for native forest restoration and implications for Aotearoa New Zealand","authors":"Grace Marshall, S. Wyse, B. Manley, Adam Forbes","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3516","url":null,"abstract":": The desire for ecosystem restoration and native forest expansion is growing internationally. Transitional forestry, where an exotic plantation forest is transitioned to a native forest, is a potential method of native forest restoration and carbon sequestration that is gaining interest in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, it is currently unknown whether this approach can produce a permanent native forest ecosystem and how representative of remnant native forest it could be. This article explores international research into the use of exotic plantations to facilitate native forest restoration, specifically the ecological processes affecting restoration, and management interventions which could be applied to improve the forest transition. We found that the composition of the landscape matrix is highly influential on native regeneration. Increasing native vegetation cover to at least 25% has a strong positive effect on native regeneration within exotic forests. Increased native vegetation cover also improves effective seed dispersal as there are more sources of seed, shorter distances for the seed to travel, and improved habitat size and connectivity for avian seed dispersers. Further research into which seeds are entering plantation forests, by what method, and the distance from the seed source would be highly useful in understanding the potential for exotic plantation forests to transition to a native forest, and what barriers may be preventing this from occurring. Canopy manipulation was also found to be a key tool in stimulating establishment and growth of native species within an exotic plantation, especially those later-successional species which rely on small-scale disturbance in their natural succession. Practical methods of gradual canopy removal while minimising disturbance is an area which requires further research. We found that pest management is likely to be critical for transitioning exotic plantation to native forest. Herbivores present a significant barrier to succession as they can prevent growth and survival of susceptible species of regenerating plants and have significant effects on species composition and forest structure due to preferential browsing. Rodents which consume seeds prevent plants from establishing, further limiting regeneration. Mammals which predate native birds also disrupt the forest ecosystem due to the importance of avian seed dispersal for many tree species. This review highlighted the need for further research into transitional forestry and the potential to revert an exotic plantation to a native forest. Research conducted must occur across a variety of macroclimates, forest types, soils, and landforms throughout Aotearoa to ensure advice represents regional differences and is as comprehensive as possible.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49528684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-17DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3515
J. Leathwick, A. Byrom
: We review the recent rise to prominence in Aotearoa New Zealand of predation-focused conservation management, critically assessing the likelihood that this will deliver outcomes consistent with national biodiversity goals. Using a review of literature describing the impacts and control of three groups of introduced mammals (wild ungulates, brushtail possums, and predators), we identify shifts in management emphasis over a century of conservation decision-making in Aotearoa. Predators are now a major focus and wild ungulates are left largely uncontrolled, despite increasing populations and evidence for their negative impacts on a wide range of indigenous species and ecosystems. This imbalance in management effort, which appears to be influenced increasingly by socio-political pressures, is much less likely to deliver outcomes consistent with Aotearoa’s biodiversity goals than a systematic approach that addresses a full range of biodiversity threats. Overall, we interpret these shortcomings as reflecting long recognised issues with the governance and leadership of Aotearoa’s biodiversity system. Changes are required to provide adequate, stable funding, improve clarity around goals, leadership, responsibilities and accountabilities, strengthen planning and prioritisation of management actions, and coordinate management among various conservation actors. We also argue for (1) a stronger role for ecological sciences through independent research aimed at strengthening the evidence base for management actions, and (2) explicit inclusion of science expertise in conservation policy development and management decision making. While recent extensive, landscape-scale predator control has caught the imagination of many and has undoubtedly delivered some gains for a small subset of indigenous species, it also risks creating a false sense of achievement that diverts attention away from other serious gaps in progress towards achieving national biodiversity goals. We make 12 recommendations to address these shortcomings.
{"title":"The rise and rise of predator control: a panacea, or a distraction from conservation goals?","authors":"J. Leathwick, A. Byrom","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3515","url":null,"abstract":": We review the recent rise to prominence in Aotearoa New Zealand of predation-focused conservation management, critically assessing the likelihood that this will deliver outcomes consistent with national biodiversity goals. Using a review of literature describing the impacts and control of three groups of introduced mammals (wild ungulates, brushtail possums, and predators), we identify shifts in management emphasis over a century of conservation decision-making in Aotearoa. Predators are now a major focus and wild ungulates are left largely uncontrolled, despite increasing populations and evidence for their negative impacts on a wide range of indigenous species and ecosystems. This imbalance in management effort, which appears to be influenced increasingly by socio-political pressures, is much less likely to deliver outcomes consistent with Aotearoa’s biodiversity goals than a systematic approach that addresses a full range of biodiversity threats. Overall, we interpret these shortcomings as reflecting long recognised issues with the governance and leadership of Aotearoa’s biodiversity system. Changes are required to provide adequate, stable funding, improve clarity around goals, leadership, responsibilities and accountabilities, strengthen planning and prioritisation of management actions, and coordinate management among various conservation actors. We also argue for (1) a stronger role for ecological sciences through independent research aimed at strengthening the evidence base for management actions, and (2) explicit inclusion of science expertise in conservation policy development and management decision making. While recent extensive, landscape-scale predator control has caught the imagination of many and has undoubtedly delivered some gains for a small subset of indigenous species, it also risks creating a false sense of achievement that diverts attention away from other serious gaps in progress towards achieving national biodiversity goals. We make 12 recommendations to address these shortcomings.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42047669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-10DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3514
Ann‐Kathrin V. Schlesselmann, J. Innes, Neil Fitzgerald, A. Monks, S. Walker
: Predation by mammals has been identified as the primary limiting factor of Aotearoa New Zealand native birds. Consequently, the ranges of many native forest bird species have contracted to cooler and higher elevation tracts of forest that support fewer introduced mammals. However, lower elevation forests are likely to be intrinsically more productive and able to sustain larger bird populations if control of mammalian pests removes predation as a primary limiting factor. We wanted to determine whether higher elevation forests provide less food for rat-sensitive, sedentary native insectivorous bird species, resulting in their reduced reproductive potential at higher elevations. In spring and summer 2020/21, we sampled invertebrate prey while simultaneously monitoring nest survival and number of fledglings produced by tītitipounamu / rifleman ( Acanthisitta chloris ) and miromiro / tomtit ( Petroica macrocephala ) across three elevational bands on Mount Pirongia, where mammal predators were suppressed. Tracking and camera indices together indicated that introduced mammals were at low relative abundance at all elevations, allowing us to investigate other habitat effects. Biomass of ground-dwelling invertebrates decreased with increasing elevation during the bird breeding season, but was similar across elevational bands later in the season. In contrast, biomass of flying or folivore invertebrates was independent of elevation and only showed clear seasonal trends. In both tītitipounamu and miromiro, nest survival rates marginally decreased with increasing available invertebrate prey, while the number of fledglings of successful nests marginally increased. There was no strong relationship between elevation and nest survival or number of fledglings. These results indicate no clear trend in the reproductive potential of tītitipounamu and miromiro with elevation but do suggest that food supply needs to be considered as an aspect of habitat quality that is related to reproductive success.
{"title":"Invertebrate food supply and reproductive success of two native forest passerines along an elevational gradient","authors":"Ann‐Kathrin V. Schlesselmann, J. Innes, Neil Fitzgerald, A. Monks, S. Walker","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3514","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3514","url":null,"abstract":": Predation by mammals has been identified as the primary limiting factor of Aotearoa New Zealand native birds. Consequently, the ranges of many native forest bird species have contracted to cooler and higher elevation tracts of forest that support fewer introduced mammals. However, lower elevation forests are likely to be intrinsically more productive and able to sustain larger bird populations if control of mammalian pests removes predation as a primary limiting factor. We wanted to determine whether higher elevation forests provide less food for rat-sensitive, sedentary native insectivorous bird species, resulting in their reduced reproductive potential at higher elevations. In spring and summer 2020/21, we sampled invertebrate prey while simultaneously monitoring nest survival and number of fledglings produced by tītitipounamu / rifleman ( Acanthisitta chloris ) and miromiro / tomtit ( Petroica macrocephala ) across three elevational bands on Mount Pirongia, where mammal predators were suppressed. Tracking and camera indices together indicated that introduced mammals were at low relative abundance at all elevations, allowing us to investigate other habitat effects. Biomass of ground-dwelling invertebrates decreased with increasing elevation during the bird breeding season, but was similar across elevational bands later in the season. In contrast, biomass of flying or folivore invertebrates was independent of elevation and only showed clear seasonal trends. In both tītitipounamu and miromiro, nest survival rates marginally decreased with increasing available invertebrate prey, while the number of fledglings of successful nests marginally increased. There was no strong relationship between elevation and nest survival or number of fledglings. These results indicate no clear trend in the reproductive potential of tītitipounamu and miromiro with elevation but do suggest that food supply needs to be considered as an aspect of habitat quality that is related to reproductive success.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41623431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-26DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3513
N. Sandoval, Kay Denyer, Sasha Dowling, Dip Barot, Na Fan
: The National Wetland Trust constructed a 1400 m long pest exclusion fence around a 11 hectare site at Rotopiko and all mammals except mice have been eradicated from inside the fenced area. Since the completion of the pest proof fence, the number of roosting birds has increased dramatically. By removing mammalian pests, an unexpected sanctuary has been created for communal roosting birds such as starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) and sparrows ( Passer domesticus ). There is growing concern about the large amounts of bird faeces produced each day and the associated nutrient load particularly as the pest fence encircles a low nutrient peat lake. In this study two methods were developed for estimating the relative abundance of the large roosting congregation, based on (1) gridded plates for gathering guano and (2) the acoustic energy of the roost cacophony. The results showed that these methods were suitable for measuring the characteristics of the roosting community at multiple scales. For example, large variance in the abundance of roosting and diurnal birds, and minor changes in the roosting community according to seasonal fluctuations. The methods could support the management of the issue through being applied to assess and quantify the relative efficacy of preventive or control methods deployed to reduce the number of exotic birds. The findings of this study are site specific; however, the guano plates and sound recorders could be implemented to estimate large bird numbers at other sites facing a roosting bird problem.
{"title":"Testing the effectiveness of a novel approach to measure a large roosting congregation in a wetland ecosystem","authors":"N. Sandoval, Kay Denyer, Sasha Dowling, Dip Barot, Na Fan","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3513","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3513","url":null,"abstract":": The National Wetland Trust constructed a 1400 m long pest exclusion fence around a 11 hectare site at Rotopiko and all mammals except mice have been eradicated from inside the fenced area. Since the completion of the pest proof fence, the number of roosting birds has increased dramatically. By removing mammalian pests, an unexpected sanctuary has been created for communal roosting birds such as starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) and sparrows ( Passer domesticus ). There is growing concern about the large amounts of bird faeces produced each day and the associated nutrient load particularly as the pest fence encircles a low nutrient peat lake. In this study two methods were developed for estimating the relative abundance of the large roosting congregation, based on (1) gridded plates for gathering guano and (2) the acoustic energy of the roost cacophony. The results showed that these methods were suitable for measuring the characteristics of the roosting community at multiple scales. For example, large variance in the abundance of roosting and diurnal birds, and minor changes in the roosting community according to seasonal fluctuations. The methods could support the management of the issue through being applied to assess and quantify the relative efficacy of preventive or control methods deployed to reduce the number of exotic birds. The findings of this study are site specific; however, the guano plates and sound recorders could be implemented to estimate large bird numbers at other sites facing a roosting bird problem.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49444919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-18DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3511
T. Greene, Tertia Thurley, B. Basse
: To test the long-term efficacy of mammalian pest control, annual distance sampling estimates of the density of North Island kākā ( Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis ) within the southern Waipapa Ecological Area (WEA), Pureora Forest Park from 2008–2020 are compared to previously published estimates made at the same sites and time of year (October) between 2000–2007. Kākā density increased approximately four-fold from an average of c. 0.5 (95% CI 0.5–0.6) birds ha −1 between 2000 and 2007 to c. 2.3 (95% CI 1.9–2.8) birds ha −1 in 2020. The average of rate of increase between 2000 and 2018 was c. 6.9% per annum. Kākā recovery is likely to be a function of multiple mast events and long-term (> 20 years), large-scale, frequent, effective control of possums ( Trichosurus vulpecula ) and probably mustelids. It is recommended that the current pest control as well as kākā and pest monitoring continue.
为了检验哺乳动物病虫害防治的长期效果，将2008-2020年在普雷奥拉森林公园南怀帕帕生态区内(WEA)的北岛kākā (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis)密度的年度距离抽样估计值与2000-2007年在同一地点和同一时间(10月)发表的估计值进行了比较。Kākā密度从2000年至2007年的平均0.0.5 (95% CI 0.5 - 0.6)只/公顷增加到2020年的0.2.3 (95% CI 1.9-2.8)只/公顷，增加了约4倍。2000年至2018年的平均增长率为每年6.9%。Kākā恢复可能是多重事件和长期(大约20年)，大规模，频繁，有效控制负鼠(Trichosurus vulpecula)和可能的鼬鼠的功能。建议继续进行目前的虫害防治以及kākā和虫害监测。
{"title":"Recovery of North Island kākā (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis) within Pureora Forest Park, 2000–2020","authors":"T. Greene, Tertia Thurley, B. Basse","doi":"10.20417/nzjecol.47.3511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.47.3511","url":null,"abstract":": To test the long-term efficacy of mammalian pest control, annual distance sampling estimates of the density of North Island kākā ( Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis ) within the southern Waipapa Ecological Area (WEA), Pureora Forest Park from 2008–2020 are compared to previously published estimates made at the same sites and time of year (October) between 2000–2007. Kākā density increased approximately four-fold from an average of c. 0.5 (95% CI 0.5–0.6) birds ha −1 between 2000 and 2007 to c. 2.3 (95% CI 1.9–2.8) birds ha −1 in 2020. The average of rate of increase between 2000 and 2018 was c. 6.9% per annum. Kākā recovery is likely to be a function of multiple mast events and long-term (> 20 years), large-scale, frequent, effective control of possums ( Trichosurus vulpecula ) and probably mustelids. It is recommended that the current pest control as well as kākā and pest monitoring continue.","PeriodicalId":49755,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45570779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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