Using pest monitoring data to inform the location and intensity of invasive-species control in New Zealand

Ruffell, Jay; Innes, John; Bishop, Craig D.; Landers, Todd J.; Khin, Jade; Didham, Raphaël K.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2015.08.022

Cited by 20 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Our results indicate that possum predation on large birds may be a significant problem because low-intensity control of mammals, which is generally effective at controlling possums, but not mustelids and rodents (Ruffell et al 2015), was associated with significant population increases for the 3 largest bird species in our analyses (Kaka, Kokako, and Pigeon [all >200 g]). Our findings also suggest that larger bird species are likely driving the positive response to possum control observed for native birds (Byrom et al 2016).…”

Section: Birds That Benefitmentioning

confidence: 74%

Responses of New Zealand forest birds to management of introduced mammals

Fea

Linklater

Hartley

2020

Conservation Biology

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Over the past 1000 years New Zealand has lost 40-50% of its bird species, and over half of these extinctions are attributable to predation by introduced mammals. Populations of many extant forest bird species continue to be depredated by mammals, especially rats, possums, and mustelids. The management history of New Zealand's forests over the past 50 years presents a unique opportunity because a varied program of mammalian predator control has created a replicated management experiment. We conducted a meta-analysis of population-level responses of forest birds to different levels of mammal control recorded across New Zealand. We collected data from 32 uniquely treated sites and 20 extant bird species representing a total of 247 population responses to 3 intensities of invasive mammal control (zero, low, and high). The treatments varied from eradication of invasive mammals via ground-based techniques to periodic suppression of mammals via aerially sown toxin. We modeled population-level responses of birds according to key life history attributes to determine the biological processes that influence species' responses to management. Large endemic species, such as the Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) and New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), responded positively at the population level to mammal control in 61 of 77 cases for species ࣙ20 g compared with 31 positive responses from 78 cases for species <20 g. The Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) and Grey Warbler (Gerygone igata), both shallow endemic species, and 4 nonendemic species (Blackbird [Turdus merula], Chaffinch [Fringilla coelebs], Dunnock [Prunella modularis], and Silvereye [Zosterops lateralis]) that arrived in New Zealand in the last 200 years tended to have slight negative or neutral responses to mammal control (59 of 77 cases). Our results suggest that large, deeply endemic forest birds, especially cavity nesters, are most at risk of further decline in the absence of mammal control and, conversely suggest that 6 species apparently tolerate the presence of invasive mammals and may be sensitive to competition from larger endemic birds.

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Section: Birds That Benefitmentioning

confidence: 74%

Responses of New Zealand forest birds to management of introduced mammals

Fea

Linklater

Hartley

2020

Conservation Biology

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“…The most efficient approach to reducing numbers of invasive mammals is to simultaneously control multiple species (Pech & Maitland 2016). Conservation managers rely on monitoring tools that record population changes in multiple species over time to measure the success of invasive species management (Ruffell et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of remote cameras for monitoring multiple invasive mammals in New Zealand

Hartley¹,

Wittmer²

2018

NZ J Ecol

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Numerous conservation projects in New Zealand aim to reduce populations of invasive mammalian predators to facilitate the recovery of native species. However, results of control efforts are often uncertain due to insufficient monitoring. Remote cameras have the potential to monitor multiple species of invasive mammals. To determine the efficiency of cameras as a multi-species monitoring tool, we compared the detection rates of remote cameras and tracking tunnels over 4 non-consecutive days across 40 sites in Wellington. On average, cameras detected significantly more hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and rats (Rattus spp.) than tracking tunnels, and their images could be used to identify rats to the species level in 50% of detections. Cameras also detected more possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) but missed recording mice (Mus musculus) on some occasions where tracking tunnels detected them, and vice-versa. We conclude that remote cameras are well-suited for simultaneously monitoring multiple species of invasive mammals in New Zealand.

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“…However, fur trappers typically move on before possum densities are reduced to the levels required to benefit native biodiversity (Brockie 1982;Jones et al 2012). The operations that we identified fell into the following five broad categories (reproduced from Ruffell et al 2015).…”

Section: Categorising Pest Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…within a 1 km radius) using the GIS maps produced by Ruffell et al (2015). In that study, we mapped all major pest control operations in our study region based on information from all organisations involved in largescale mammalian-pest control in the Northland, Auckland, and Waikato regions (the Department of Conservation (DOC), TBfree New Zealand, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, regional and local councils, and local community groups).…”

Section: Categorising Pest Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conserving biodiversity in New Zealand’s lowland landscapes: does forest cover or pest control have a greater effect on native birds?

Ruffell

Didham²

2016

NZ J Ecol

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Effective biodiversity conservation in lowland New Zealand requires an understanding of the relative benefits of managing impacts of native forest loss versus controlling invasive species. We used bird count data from 195 locations across mainland northern New Zealand to examine how the abundance and richness of native forest birds varied across wide gradients of native forest cover (c. 0-100%) and intensity of invasivespecies control ('eradication', 'high-intensity rat and possum', 'low-intensity rat and possum', 'periodic possum' and 'none'). Most response variables were significantly affected by forest cover, and this effect was typically non-linear: response variables declined rapidly below c. 5-10% forest cover, but were relatively invariant to forest cover above this point. Pest control was found to affect surprisingly few species, with only kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) and tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) being more abundant at pest controlled than uncontrolled sites for any pest control category. Species richness and 'total abundance' (abundance of all species combined) also increased at pest controlled sites, but effects were largely driven by responses of tui and kereru. Effects of eradication were far larger than effects of other pest control categories, while it was unclear whether 'low-intensity rat and possum' or 'periodic possum' control had any effects at all. Our results suggest that both managing levels of forest cover and controlling invasive mammals can benefit native forest birds, but the occurrence and magnitude of these benefits will be context-dependent. Managing forest cover may be relatively unimportant in landscapes with >5-10% forest cover, while benefits of pest control may be limited unless intensive methods are used. Moreover, even intensive pest control may only benefit a small subset of species unless coupled with reintroduction of locally-extinct species. Combining these results with knowledge of the financial, ethical, and social constraints of different management options should provide a solid foundation for effective conservation decision-making in lowland environments.

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Using pest monitoring data to inform the location and intensity of invasive-species control in New Zealand

Cited by 20 publications

References 42 publications

Responses of New Zealand forest birds to management of introduced mammals

Responses of New Zealand forest birds to management of introduced mammals

Evaluation of remote cameras for monitoring multiple invasive mammals in New Zealand

Conserving biodiversity in New Zealand’s lowland landscapes: does forest cover or pest control have a greater effect on native birds?

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