Agricultural Coconut Forest as Habitat for the Critically Endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher (Todiramphus Gambieri Gertrudae)

Abstract

The effects of anthropogenic habitat modification are evident on tropical Pacific islands where forests have been extensively converted to plantations of Coconut Palm {Cocos nucífera). We evaluated resource selection in the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher {Todiramphus gambieri gertrudae), which is confined to a single population on the low-elevation island of Niau Atoll in French Polynesia. Our analyses indicate that resources associated with foraging underlie space use and habitat selection of Tuamotu Kingfishers at multiple spatial scales. At the island scale, the occurrence of the species was best predicted by habitat features associated with foraging opportunities, including agricultural coconut forest with open understory, hunting perches, and exposed ground. Conversely, the species' distribution was negatively associated with undisturbed vegetation, including primary feo forest and fallow coconut plantation. At the home-range scale, utilization distributions of radiomarked Tuamotu Kingfishers also indicated that birds selected agricultural coconut forest and least preferred native feo forest. Observations further indicated that foraging birds selected coconut plantations managed with prescribed burning for hunting. The Tuamotu Kingfisher is a rare example of a threatened tropical species that likely benefits from agricultural management, and our findings provide support for conservation strategies based on establishing rescue populations on other islands with coconut plantations. We suggest that incorporating agricultural coconut forests into conservation planning could help prevent the extinction of several kingfisher species that historically relied on the natural broadleaf habitats that are now almost entirely absent from insular Pacific Oceania. Les plantations de cocotiers comme habitat d'une espèce en danger critique d'extinction, Todiramphus gambieri gertrudaeRÉSUMÉ.-Les effets de la modification anthropique de l'habitat sont évidents sur les iles tropicales du Pacifique où les forêts ont été extensivement converties en plantations de Cocos nucifera. Nous avons évalué la sélection des ressources chez Todiramphus gambieri gertrudae, une espèce en danger critique d'extinction limitée à une seule population sur l'ile à basse altitude de Niau Atoll, en Polynésie française. Nos analyses indiquent que les ressources associées à la quête de nourriture sont à la base de l'utilisation de l'espace et de la sélection de l'habitat par cette espèce à plusieurs échelles spatiales. À l'échelle de l'ile, les caractéristiques de l'habitat associées à des opportunités d'alimentation, telles que les plantations de cocotiers avec un sous-étage ouvert, des perchoirs de chasse et un sol exposé, sont les facteurs qui permettent le mieux de prédire la présence de l'espèce. À l'inverse, la répartition de l'espèce était négativement associée à une végétation non perturbée, telle que les forêts primaires et les plantations de cocotiers en jachère. À l'échelle du domaine vital, la répartition des individus munis d'émet...

Stuck amongst introduced species: Trophic ecology reveals complex relationships between the critically endangered Niau kingfisher and introduced predators, competitors and prey

“…This endemic bird is confined to Niau and preferentially nests and forages within coconut groves located on the east side of the island, especially in semi-open and exploited groves ( Gouni et al 2006;Coulombe et al 2011;Thibault and Cibois 2017) (Figure 1). Between 1970 and 1990, the Niau kingfisher was reported as common (Seitre and Seitre 1992), with a population estimated at 400-600 individuals (Holyoak and Thibault 1984).…”

“…Recently, a demographic study (Kesler et al 2012) suggested that Niau kingfisher population dynamics could be limited by strong predation by cats and rats at critical demographic stages. Competition for food resources with introduced predators has also been suspected of impacting bird survival (Gouni and Sanford 2003;Coulombe et al 2011). However, insufficient data is available from which to construct a robust conservation strategy.…”

Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species

“…Synanthropic species cohabit with humans and benefit from anthropogenic landscapes. Examples of highly endangered synanthropic species are exceptionally scarce, with only two species heretofore recognized among birds—Sociable Lapwings ( Vanellus gregarious ; Kamp 2009) and Tuamotu Kingfishers ( Todiramphus gambieri gertrudae ; Coulombe et al 2011). Although saving synanthropic species seems intuitively straightforward, they can present unique challenges for conservation management because of potentially rapid cultural and evolutionary changes associated with landscape modification (Johnston 2001, Boardman 2006), reduced food availability (Tallamy 2004), other anthropogenic threats that counter the benefits of synanthropy (e.g., pesticide use, vehicle and window collisions, introduced predators), and partial continued dependence on natural habitats.…”

Diverse habitat use during two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): community structure, foraging, and social interactions

“…Not all avian species will decline with human disturbance, and some may even benefit from resource subsidies and increases in open and edge habitats, including those within anthropogenic areas (Werner, Hejl & Brush, 2007; Kamp et al, 2009; Coulombe, Kesler & Gouni, 2011). The Bahama Oriole uses anthropogenic areas during the breeding season, where it selects nest sites in the tallest available palm trees (Price, Lee & Hayes, 2011).…”