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Effects of an island-wide rodent eradication programme on two threatened bird species

Effects of an island-wide rodent eradication programme on two threatened bird species ContextFor the past 50years, rodent eradications have been conducted worldwide to reverse the devastating impacts of introduced rodents on island species. However, few studies have quantitatively measured the effects of rodent eradications on native species.AimsThis study investigated the effects of a rodent eradication on Lord Howe Island on two native birds.MethodsTo mitigate the risk of Lord Howe currawongs being poisoned during baiting operations, 30–40% of the population were taken into captivity during baiting, while the remaining currawongs were left in the wild. We studied currawong survival, nesting density and breeding success pre- and post-eradication to test how the baiting, a period in captivity, and the removal of rodents affected currawongs. We also investigated breeding success of white terns as they were expected to benefit from the eradication due to predator reduction.Key resultsWe found that many currawongs left in the wild disappeared during the baiting period and nesting densities in one part of the island were significantly lower after the eradication. These currawongs likely died of poisoning as they were not resighted for 2years post-eradication. White tern breeding success did not increase after the rodent eradication, although their predators were largely eliminated.ConclusionsThe captive management of currawongs mitigated the adverse effects of the baiting. As those currawongs that survived had high breeding success, we predict that the population will soon recover to pre-eradication size.ImplicationsOur study reinforces the necessity of integrating ecological monitoring as part of future eradications on islands. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Pacific Conservation Biology CSIRO Publishing

Effects of an island-wide rodent eradication programme on two threatened bird species

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Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s). Published by CSIRO Publishing
ISSN
1038-2097
eISSN
2204-4604
DOI
10.1071/PC21068
Publisher site
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Abstract

ContextFor the past 50years, rodent eradications have been conducted worldwide to reverse the devastating impacts of introduced rodents on island species. However, few studies have quantitatively measured the effects of rodent eradications on native species.AimsThis study investigated the effects of a rodent eradication on Lord Howe Island on two native birds.MethodsTo mitigate the risk of Lord Howe currawongs being poisoned during baiting operations, 30–40% of the population were taken into captivity during baiting, while the remaining currawongs were left in the wild. We studied currawong survival, nesting density and breeding success pre- and post-eradication to test how the baiting, a period in captivity, and the removal of rodents affected currawongs. We also investigated breeding success of white terns as they were expected to benefit from the eradication due to predator reduction.Key resultsWe found that many currawongs left in the wild disappeared during the baiting period and nesting densities in one part of the island were significantly lower after the eradication. These currawongs likely died of poisoning as they were not resighted for 2years post-eradication. White tern breeding success did not increase after the rodent eradication, although their predators were largely eliminated.ConclusionsThe captive management of currawongs mitigated the adverse effects of the baiting. As those currawongs that survived had high breeding success, we predict that the population will soon recover to pre-eradication size.ImplicationsOur study reinforces the necessity of integrating ecological monitoring as part of future eradications on islands.

Journal

Pacific Conservation Biology – CSIRO Publishing

Published: May 17, 2022

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