Helping or hindering? Evaluating artificial nests as a climate adaptation tool in a range edge population
Abstract: Populations at range edges may be unique genetically and be the first to show impacts of climate change. Penguin Island, Western Australia, is home to a genetically distinct population of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) at the extreme north-western limit of the species range. Recent stud...
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | unknown |
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Underline Science Inc.
2021
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.48448/q1s2-mx13 https://underline.io/lecture/34523-helping-or-hinderingquestion-evaluating-artificial-nests-as-a-climate-adaptation-tool-in-a-range-edge-population |
| Summary: | Abstract: Populations at range edges may be unique genetically and be the first to show impacts of climate change. Penguin Island, Western Australia, is home to a genetically distinct population of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) at the extreme north-western limit of the species range. Recent studies suggest that this population is likely to be negatively impacted by anticipated changes in marine climate and prey availability yet correspondingly little is known regarding climate change impacts on nesting habitat. Conservation interventions at the population scale may rely on the intensive management and restoration of terrestrial habitat to facilitate population resilience and buffer the adverse effects of climate change. Thus, among the critical elements of successful conservation planning for long term species persistence is a comprehensive understanding of habitat use, microhabitat conditions and climate change impacts at range edges. We characterised little penguin nesting habitat and quantified relationships between nest attributes, microclimate and nest use. Subsequently, we implemented a manipulative study testing two artificial nest designs and four shading treatments to determine how to most effectively emulate the microclimate of natural cavities. Artificial nest boxes experienced consistently higher daily maximum temperature (~2 ˚C) and maintained temperatures above little penguins' upper thermoneutral limits for around one hour longer than natural nests. Ambient weather conditions and fine scale biotic and abiotic nest characteristics influenced the maximum daily nest temperature and hours of exposure to upper thermoneutral limits. Experimental manipulation of boxes and shading revealed nest design and shading methods were effective at reducing nest temperature. Compared to exposed boxes, artificial shading and shading vegetation had the greatest buffering effect, significantly lowering maximum nest temperature by around 4.5 ˚C and reducing the time of exposure to upper thermoneutral limits by one hour. Further, shaded treatments had thermal profiles either comparable to, or up to 2 ˚C cooler than, natural nests. This study provides insight into how predicted changes in climate may impact species living at their thermal limit and highlights the conservation implications of informed habitat management and artificial nest design. Our results inform land-based efforts to buffer climate change effects on range-edge populations. Authors: Erin Clitheroe¹, Joe Fontaine¹, Belinda Cannell² ¹Murdoch University, ²The University of Western Australia |
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