Can artificial habitat mitigate impacts of climate change? Quantifying nesting habitat microclimate and use by little penguins (Eudyptula minor)

• Main Author: Clitheroe, Erin
• Other Authors: Fontaine, Joe, Cannell, Belinda
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Penguin Island
• Online Access: https://researchportal.murdoch.edu.au/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Can-artificial-habitat-mitigate-impacts-of/991005544289407891; https://researchportal.murdoch.edu.au/view/delivery/61MUN_INST/12136367420007891/13137080290007891

Climate change continues to have significant effects on seabird species globally. Extensive work has linked variability in marine climate with changes in phenology, reproductive success and distribution for a wide range of taxa. Despite the reliance of seabirds on island and coastal habitats for breeding, comparatively few studies address the compounding effects terrestrial climate change may have on reproductive success and survival, particularly for populations breeding at the warm edges of a species’ range. Edge populations may be key for not only predicting species’ responses to expected change in climate but also for maintaining long term adaptive capacity of a species. For edge populations, conservation may rely on the intensive management and restoration of terrestrial habitat to facilitate population resilience and buffer the adverse effects of climate change. 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. This thesis investigated the use and microclimate conditions of nesting habitat used by a disjunct rear edge population of little penguins (Eudyptula minor), seeking to identify implications of terrestrial climate change for this species. To achieve this, I characterised little penguin nesting habitat on Penguin Island, Western Australia and quantified relationships between nest attributes, microclimate (temperature and humidity), nest use and reproductive success. I monitored 50 natural nests and 113 existing nest boxes fortnightly for nesting activity and reproductive success over three little penguin breeding cycles (2013 - 2016). Nest characteristic data were collected, and microclimate measurements recorded using temperature and humidity loggers. Subsequently, I implemented a manipulative study testing artificial nest design and shading treatments to determine how to most effectively emulate the microclimate of natural cavities. ...