Rice not collected by harvesters and natural seeds are important foods for waterfowl. Estimation of abundance of these seeds is necessary for calculating waterfowl habitat conservation needs in the Louisiana Chenier Plain (LCP) and Texas Mid-Coast (TMC). My objectives were to quantify dry mass of rice and other seeds from August-November 2010, and estimate waterbird abundances on farmed and idle ricelands in these regions from December 2010-March 2011. Rice abundance in farmed ricelands ranged from 159.7 kg/ha (CV = 66.6%) to 1,014.0 kg/ha (CV = 8.3%). Natural seed abundance in idle ricelands ranged from 99.7 kg/ha (CV = 32.9%) to 957.4 kg/ha (CV = 17.2%). Greatest waterbird densities occurred in shallowly flooded (i.e., ¡Ü30 cm) disked ricelands (mean = 7.35 waterbirds/ha, 90%; CI = 2.37-19.70). Ratoon, disked, and shallowly flooded ricelands are important habitat for non-breeding waterbirds but variable estimates of seed and waterbird abundances warrant continuation of this study.

The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a federally-listed shorebird that nests on barrier islands along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and is highly vulnerable to habitat change and predation. We have addressed these two threats by 1) developing and implementing a linked model system that predicts future change to piping plover habitat resulting from sea-level rise and beach management efforts by joining dynamic models of sea-level rise, shoreline change, island geomorphology and piping plover nest habitat suitability, and 2) quantifying occupancy and movement of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), a key shorebird predator at Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia. We constructed and tested a model that links changes in geomorphological characteristics to piping plover nesting habitat suitability. We then linked this model to larger scale shoreline change resulting from sea level rise and storms. Using this linked model to forecast future sea-level rise and beach management efforts, we found that modest sea-level rise rates (3 mm and 4.1 mm/yr; similar to current rates) may increase suitable piping plover nesting habitat area in 50-100 years and some beach management strategies (beach nourishment and artificial dune modifications) also influence habitat availability. Our development and implementation of this tool to predict change in piping plover habitat suitability provides a vital starting point for predicting how plover nesting habitat will change in a context of planned human modifications intended to address climate change-related threats. Our findings regarding red fox occupancy and movement complement the use of this model for planning future management actions by providing vital information on the effects of certain predator management activities and habitat use of a key mammalian predator, the red fox, for shorebirds along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Overall, we found that 1) red fox occupancy was strongly tied to eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) trap success, increasing sharply with increased eastern cottontail trap success, 2) red fox occupancy did not change in response to an intensive eradication program, and 3) red foxes in our study area generally moved little between camera stations spaced 300 m from each other, but may move large distances (> 6km) at times, likely to occupy new territory available after lethal control efforts. Our findings have important ramifications for the sustainability of long-term predator removal programs and our understanding of future habitat change on the red fox. For example how vegetation changes affect eastern cottontails, how resulting fluctuations in eastern cottontails affect red fox occupancy, and how consequential changes in red fox occupancy affect plover breeding productivity. Our predictive model combined with these predator findings will allow wildlife managers to better plan and implement effective management actions for piping plovers in response to the multiple stressors of SLR-induced habitat change and predation. / Ph. D.

La distribution d'espèces benthiques intertidales est contrainte par l'océanographie côtière. On connaît moins les effets sur l'écologie des prédateurs. Les côtes sud de l'Afrique sont caractérisées par des contrastes de production primaire et d'assemblages intertidaux dus aux deux courants majeurs qui les longent. Le prédateur apical de ces côtes est un oiseau limicole endémique, l'huîtrier noir africain (Haematopus moquini), qui présente un polymorphisme favorable à la spécialisation alimentaire. Ces travaux ont étudié l'effet des variations spatiales de structure de communautés benthiques sur l'écologie alimentaire de l'huîtrier à l'aide des isotopes stables. Les oiseaux répondent aux fluctuations qualitative et quantitative des communautés de proies à plusieurs échelles. A large échelle ils montrent de forts contrastes entre les côtes ouest et sud-ouest où le régime alimentaire est dominé par les moules, notamment l'espèce invasive Mytilus galloprovincialis et le sud-est où un mélange de moules et patelles est consommé. Localement les individus montrent des différences faibles d'alimentation liées à l'abondance relative des moules et patelles. Cela s'explique par le caractère généraliste de l'espèce et le relâchement de compétition intra-spécifique pour les ressources. La transition alimentaire d'H. moquini vers une consommation quasi-exclusive à l'ouest d'une moule introduite et la multitude de comportements alimentaires ailleurs indiquent un fort potentiel d'adaptation aux modifications de son habitat d'alimentation. En revanche la dégradation des plages par l'Homme augmente la compétition pour l'espace et affecterait aujourd'hui le succès reproducteur de l'espèce. / The distribution of intertidal benthic species is constrained by coastal oceanography. Less is known about the effects on the ecology of predators. Along the southern coasts of Africa the two main currents constraint both the patterns of primary production and the structure of benthic communities. The top predator on these coasts is an endemic shorebird, the African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), which exhibits a polymorphism favourable for food specialization. This study investigates the effect of spatial variations in benthic community structure on the feeding ecology of oystercatchers using stable isotopes. Birds respond to changes in quality and quantity of prey at multiple scales. At large scale they show strong contrasts between west and southwest coasts where the diet is dominated by mussels, including the invasive species Mytilus galloprovincialis, and south-east shores where a mixture of mussels and limpets is consumed. Locally individuals show weak dietary differences related to relative abundances of mussels and limpets. This reflects the generalist foraging behaviour of the species and the release of intra-specific competition for resources. The dietary shift of H. moquini on the west coast toward the invasive mussel and the multiplicity of foraging behaviours elsewhere reveal strong capacities to face changes in its foraging habitat. On the other hand the degradation of beaches by humans increases the competition for space and today affects the reproductive success of the species

Non-compliance with visitor regulations in national parks can have an impact on park conservation and the experience of other park visitors. Park management in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve located on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada is challenged by visitors’ non-compliant behaviour concerning regulations to keep dogs on the leash in the park. Dogs that run free (off-leash) on the beaches of the park disturb migratory shorebirds, and have the potential to habituate wolves to regard dogs as objects of prey. This study investigates why many visitors opt for non-compliance with regulations aimed at conservation. The goal of the study is to contribute new insights that may help park management find workable solutions to deliver the ‘dual mandate’ of managing protected areas both, for conservation and for nature-based tourism. The study is grounded within the context of Lefebvre’s (1991) notions of the production of space, and recent work in animal geography that addresses the changing role of our canine companions in modern society. The methodology combines qualitative and quantitative research applying Fishbein & Ajzen’s (2010) theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The research is presented using a journal format, which unavoidably implies some repetition of information but allows for the different sections to be read as stand-alone documents. The thesis starts with an introductory chapter. This is followed by a book chapter published in Domesticated Animals & Leisure (Carr, 2015 in press) that reports highlights from qualitative research exploring why park visitors appear reluctant to comply with on-leash rules. Results reveal the beach as a contested space, driven by a strong off-leash social norm. Chapter Three is a journal article format paper that reports on a quantitative survey based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to identify beliefs that underlie visitor behaviour. Results indicate that habit, with respect to dog leashing when at home and on previous visits to the park, appear to impact the ability of the model to predict future behaviour. Chapter Four is a second journal article format paper where it is suggested that ambivalence, the presence of conflicting behavioural beliefs, influences the relation between behavioural beliefs and attitudes in the TPB, resulting in non-compliance behaviour. A concluding chapter summarizes how results presented in the three main chapters contribute to the body of knowledge on animal geography, compliance and research using the TPB, as well as suggesting techniques that park staff should consider for managing visitor behaviour under situations of apparent non-compliance. / Graduate

The incessant growth of human populations, and the increase in recreational activities on seashores have altered the natural conditions of most coastal ecosystems, with a series of consequences for the distribution, abundance, and behavior of a range of organisms. While Atalaia beach in the city of Aracaju is highly urbanized, it is an important point in the migratory cycle of some species of migratory Nearctic shorebirds. The principal objective of the present study was to characterize the avian fauna of Atalaia beach, and to evaluate the influence of anthropogenic impacts on the spatial distribution and habitat use of migratory shorebirds. For this, a total of 81 surveys of a 5 km stretch of the beach were conducted on a monthly basis between October, 2008, and November, 2009. Data were also collected on the homogeneous availability organic matter of benthic macrofauna and the presence of beachgoers along the same stretch of shore. A total of 70 bird species were identified, of which the most abundant were the migratory shorebirds, with over 2500 individuals being recorded between October and March. The most common species were Arenaria interpres, Calidris alba, Calidris pusilla, and Charadrius semipalmatus, which together accounted for 79,09% of all birds recorded. These species were not distributed homogeneously across the survey area (H = 31.98; g.l. = 9; p = 0.002), nor did their abundance correlate with the availability of invertebrates (rs = 0.14; p = 0.71; n = 10). Unexpectedly, the sectors of the area with the highest concentrations of beachgoers also harbored the greatest abundance of birds (rs = 0.61; p = 0.059; n = 10). This appears to have been at least partly explained by the availability of leftover food within these areas, which represent an alternative dietary resource for the migratory shorebirds, and interferes in their behavior patterns. There is a clear need to better understand this phenomenon, and its potential consequences for the birds. / O contínuo crescimento das populações humanas, e o aumento das atividades recreativas ao longo do litoral alteram as condições naturais dos diversos ecossistemas costeiros, e consequentemente afetam a ocorrência, distribuição e comportamento de diversos organismos. Embora inserida no contexto urbano da cidade de Aracaju, a praia da Atalaia, apresenta-se como uma importante área no ciclo migratório de aves limícolas neárticas. O presente trabalho tem por principal objetivo trazer informações sobre a avifauna da praia da Atalaia, fazendo uma breve avaliação da influência antrópica sobre a distribuição espacial e uso de habitat das aves limícolas migratórias. Para isso, foram realizadas um total de 81 amostragens ao longo de 5 km de extensão de praia no período entre os meses de outubro de 2008 a novembro de 2009. Foram coletados dados sobre a homogeneidade espacial da macrofauna bêntica a partir da mensuração da matéria orgânica, bem como o número de pessoas foi contabilizado ao longo dessa faixa de praia. Foi identificado um total 70 espécies de aves, dentre estas as aves limícolas migratórias foram as mais abundantes, com registros de mais 2500 indivíduos entre os meses de outubro e março. As espécies mais comuns foram Arenaria interpres, Calidris alba, Calidris pusilla, e Charadrius semipalmatus que em conjunto totalizaram 79,09% do número total de indivíduos registrados. Essas espécies não apresentaram distribuição homogênea ao longo da faixa de praia amostrada (H = 31,98; g.l. = 9; p = 0,002), tampouco a abundância apresentou correlação os potenciais setores de disponibilidades de invertebrados (rs = 0,14; p = 0,71; n = 10). Inesperadamente, os setores de praia com maiores concentrações de pessoas também registraram as maiores abundâncias de aves (rs = 0,61; p = 0,059; n = 10). Tal fato parece estar associado com a oferta de restos de comidas e de lixo existentes nessas áreas, o que pode constituir um recurso alimentar alternativo para as aves migratórias, e consequentemente, influenciando os padrões de ocorrência e comportamentais dessas espécies. Faz-se necessário ampliar os estudos e pesquisas para um melhor entendimento dessa situação, e principalmente avaliar quais as potenciais consequências dessas substâncias para as aves e o ciclo migratório.

During incubation, most birds require the presence of at least one parent to ensure suitable incubation conditions for embryo development. The main factors that affect the development of the embryo are temperature, humidity and egg turning. In this work, incubation conditions were investigated in two biparental Lapwing species (genus Vanellus), the Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), which faces the risk of egg cooling in temperate areas, and the Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus), which faces the risk of egg overheating in the subtropics. A laboratory experiment testing the thermal properties of the Red-wattled Lapwing nest lining showed that it selects lining material that slows down temperature growth during egg heating, thus ensuring suitable thermal conditions during parental absence at high ambient temperatures. Temperature and egg turning during incubation were recorded by an artificial egg with a built-in sensors placed in the nests of both target species; data collected by the sensors were stored by a base-station located nearby. The average egg temperature was 32.5 řC for the Northern Lapwing, and 35.0 řC for the Red-wattled Lapwing. Egg temperature in both species fluctuated significantly, affected by many factors. Egg temperature increased with increasing ambient temperature, it...

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The variability of egg-size within a bird species reflects different reproductive investments and, besides the intrinsic constraints and particular female quality, it can be affected by environmental factors, too. Moreover, the egg-size predetermines the chick performance. The knowledge of factors influencing precocial chick survival is crucial for better understanding of life-history strategies as well as for endangered species conservation. The Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) represents a suitable model species for investigation of climate variables effects on egg-size and also to study factors influencing chick survival. Eggs in a total of 714 nests were measured during 13 breeding seasons over period 1988-2014 in South Bohemia and 293 lapwing chicks from 100 broods in 37 localities were monitored in 2013-2014. The mean egg-size through the whole season is positively affected by March precipitation, March clutches also negatively by minus temperatures in March. The higher intensity of rainfall there is during March, the bigger eggs are laid in March and the steeper is slope of decline in mean egg-size during season. This decline is more profound with lower rainfall in April. The effect of habitat is not significant. The body mass and condition of hatchlings is positively correlated with the...

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