Journal Article

Humans alter habitat selection of birds on ocean-exposed sandy beaches

Meager, Justin J., Schlacher, Thomas A., Nielsen, Tara

2012

Overview

Aim: Resource-selection functions (RSFs) can quantify and predict the density of animal populations across heterogeneous landscapes and are important conservation tools in areas subject to human disturbance. Sandy beach ecosystems have comparatively low habitat heterogeneity and structural relief in the intertidal zone, but intense human use. We aimed to develop predictive RSFs for birds on ocean-exposed sandy beaches at two spatial scales, 25 ha (local scale) and 250 ha (landscape scale), and to test whether habitat selection of birds that commonly use the surf-beach-dune interface is influenced by the rates of human activities. Location: Moreton and North Stradbroke Island, eastern Australia. Methods: Avifauna and human activities were mapped on three sandy beaches covering 79 km of coastline for 15 months. Habitat characteristics of the surfbeach-dune interface were derived from remote sensing and ground surveys. RSFs were developed for 12 species of birds at two spatial scales: 25 ha (local scale) and 250 ha (landscape scale). Results: At local (25 ha) and landscape scales (250 ha), dune dimensions and the extent and type of vegetation structure were important predictors of bird density. Adding the frequency of human activities improved the predictive power of RSFs, suggesting that habitat selection of birds on beaches is modified by human use of these environments. Human activities occurred mostly in the mid-to lower intertidal zone of the beach, overlapping closely with the preferred habitats of Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae), Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris), Red-capped Plovers (Charadrius ruficapillus) and endangered Little Terns (Sternuta albifrons). Main conclusions: In addition to demonstrating the appropriateness of RSFs to the surf-beach-dune interface, our results stress the need for systematic conservation planning for these ecosystems, where ecological values have traditionally been subsidiary to the maintenance of sand budgets and erosion control.

• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd,Blackwell Publishing,Blackwell,John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subject: Animal populations / Animal, plant and microbial ecology / anthropogenic activities / Applied ecology / Australia / Aves / Avifauna / Beaches / BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH / Biological and medical sciences / Birds / Charadrius / Charadrius ruficapillus / Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae / coasts / Conservation / Dispersal / Dogs / Dunes / Environmental conservation / Erosion control / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / General aspects / Habitat conservation / habitat preferences / Habitat selection / Habitats / Haematopus / Haematopus longirostris / Heterogeneity / human impacts / Humans / Intertidal zone / Landscape / landscapes / Larus novaehollandiae / littoral zone / Remote sensing / sand / Shellfish / shorebirds / spatial scale / Sternula / Surf / vegetation structure / Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution / Wildlife habitats