Breeding success and conservation of little penguins Eudyptula minor in Boronia Beach colony, southeast Tasmania
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Offshore islands are main sites for breeding for little penguins Eudyptula minor, but several colonies exists on mainland New Zealand and Australia, including Tasmania.A mainland colony of little penguins at Boronia Beach, southeast Tasmania, was monitored over three consecutive breeding seasons ( from 2011/2012 to 2013/2014) by the Derwent Estuary Penguin Program.Information on nest types and habitat for this study was collected from February to May 2014.The number of breeding pairs in the colony ranged from 32 to 53 per annum, showing a declining trend.The mean breeding success of 0.62 at Boronia Beach was within the range and above the average reported at other little penguin colonies in Australia and New Zealand.Variation in both annual and seasonal breeding success was, however, observed throughout study period.In addition, 26 to 46 nests per annum were used for occupancy other than breeding, such as moulting and resting.Of the 140 nests included in the study, natural nests located in cliff caves in proximity to the shoreline reached the highest rate of occupancy as well as breeding success.This research provides a basis for further conservation efforts at Boronia Beach little penguin colony.Understanding the health and threats facing the survival and success of the colony is of pivotal importance in effective conservation of little penguins and their habitat at Boronia Beach and in other mainland colonies in Australia and New Zealand impacted by increasing human disturbance and predation by introduced mammals.
Source: BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway))
Author: Maria Aurora Kalmari
Language: English
Topic: Avian ecology and behavior
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2518328993