Sensory‐based conservation of seabirds: a review of management strategies and animal behaviours that facilitate success

Abstract

Sensory-based conservation harnesses species' natural communication and signalling behaviours to mitigate threats to wild populations. To evaluate this emerging field, we assess how sensory-based manipulations, sensory mode, and target taxa affect success. To facilitate broader, cross-species application of successful techniques, we test which behavioural and life-history traits correlate with positive conservation outcomes. We focus on seabirds, one of the world's most rapidly declining groups, whose philopatry, activity patterns, foraging, mate choice, and parental care behaviours all involve reliance on, and therefore strong selection for, sophisticated sensory physiology and accurate assessment of intra- and inter-species signals and cues in several sensory modes. We review the use of auditory, olfactory, and visual methods, especially for attracting seabirds to newly restored habitat or deterring birds from fishing boats and equipment. We found that more sensory-based conservation has been attempted with Procellariiformes (tube-nosed seabirds) and Charadriiformes (e.g. terns and gulls) than other orders, and that successful outcomes are more likely for Procellariiformes. Evolutionary and behavioural traits are likely to facilitate sensory-based techniques, such as social attraction to suitable habitat, across seabird species. More broadly, successful application of sensory-based conservation to other at-risk animal groups is likely to be associated with these behavioural and life-history traits: coloniality, philopatry, nocturnal, migratory, long-distance foraging, parental care, and pair bonds/monogamy.

What is the effectiveness of using conspecific or heterospecific acoustic playbacks for the attraction of animals for wildlife management? A systematic review protocol

“…Broadcasting recordings of animal vocalizations, called acoustic playbacks, is a common method in studies of animal behavior, particularly in communication (e.g., to study signal form, function, and evolution), in social ecology (e.g., to study social relationships) [8], and as mentioned above, in habitat selection (e.g., to study cues used to select breeding grounds). Because behavior is the key pathway through which animals interact with their environment, conservation practitioners have begun to ask whether and how sounds could be used to manage wildlife [9,10]. The animal behavior literature illustrates an attractive function of conspecific and heterospecific sounds (although in some cases, as in predator vocalizations, sounds may act as repellents [11]), and acoustic playbacks might offer a promising method to encourage animals to settle in desired locations; for instance, away from humans and/or in newly created or restored natural habitats.…”

Social attractants, a conservation tool for black‐fronted terns

“…Our limited observations suggest that immature black‐fronted terns may be attracted to the social attractants, potentially at greater rates than adults. Other studies have also found young nonbreeding birds to be particularly attracted to artificial cues (Schlossberg and Ward , Friesen et al ). This trend is often explained as examples of young birds prospecting for their first breeding site.…”

Acoustic enrichment can enhance fish community development on degraded coral reef habitat

“…Acoustic enrichment shows potential as a sensory-based conservation tool for contributing to the restoration of coral reef ecosystems. Trials of sound playback in terrestrial contexts have previously revealed its potential to alter animal behaviour and increase settlement rates of acoustically specialised taxa 26–28 . We show that a similar technique exhibits promise as a novel conservation tool for the management of degraded coral reefs.…”