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Artificial nest predation rates vary among habitats in the Australian monsoon tropics

Noske, Richard A., Fischer, Sarah E. and Brook, Barry W. (2008). Artificial nest predation rates vary among habitats in the Australian monsoon tropics. Ecological Research,23(3):519-527.

Document type: Journal Article

IRMA ID 80270966xPUB30
Title Artificial nest predation rates vary among habitats in the Australian monsoon tropics
Author Noske, Richard A.
Fischer, Sarah E.
Brook, Barry W.
Journal Name Ecological Research
Publication Date 2008
Volume Number 23
Issue Number 3
ISSN 1440-1703   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-43549112087
Start Page 519
End Page 527
Total Pages 9
Publisher Springer Japan
Field of Research 0602 - Ecology
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Rates of nest predation have frequently been shown to differ between fragmented and unfragmented habitats, but have rarely been compared among natural habitats in the same geographic region. In this study, artificial nests of two types (open cup and domed) were placed in four habitats (mangroves, monsoon rainforests, eucalypt woodlands and paperbark swamps) over 12 months in three localities near Darwin in the Australian monsoon tropics to determine the effects of habitat, season and nest type on the rate of nest predation. A quail egg and a similarly coloured plasticine egg were placed in each nest. Habitat had a strong effect on nest predation rates, with nests in mangroves experiencing predation rates more than four times higher than those in eucalypt woodlands and paperbark swamps. Despite the strong rainfall seasonality of the region, there was no consistent seasonal variation in nest predation rates. Nest type also had little influence on predation rates, except in paperbark swamps where open cup nests suffered a higher predation rate than domed nests. The study indicates that generalised nest predation rates for tropical regions, even for small areas (e.g. <17 km radius), might overlook substantial variation between habitats. Such variation confounds purported differences in nest predation rates between tropical and temperate regions.
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11284-007-0403-y   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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