Thesis
Distribution and seasonal movements of feral pigs in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia
Masters by Research, Murdoch University
2024
Abstract
Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) were first documented in the Kimberley Region almost a century ago, and were reported as occurring in small, isolated patches of habitat, at the mouths of the Fitzroy and Isdell rivers. In the time since, they have slowly increased in population size and geographical extent. Today, feral pigs are reported across important conservation areas in the central Kimberley, and their continued expansion triggered the current investigation. This thesis includes a literature review, two research chapters, a general discussion and appendices:
• Study 1 made use of 1,437 feral pig location records to model the potential distribution of feral pigs under current climatic conditions in the Kimberley Region. Modelling used MaxEnt to create a set of models which explicitly included or excluded measures of survey bias to examine the effect on distribution predictions. In this case compensating for survey bias increased Maxent’s ability to discriminate suitable from unsuitable habitat, with the preferred model predicting that pigs could increase their distribution by 27%.
• Study 2 analysed satellite telemetry data collected for 24 feral pigs across five sites in central and north Kimberley to investigate sex, body size and environmental influences on range area for feral pigs in the Kimberley. Male pigs had larger home ranges than females. Maximum temperature was a significant driver of male home range size, with smallest home ranges for the hottest months (around August), when feral pigs were most constrained to permanent water ways.
Seasonal variation in home range size can inform effective management of this species, identifying the time of year when feral pigs are most constrained to water and therefore have restricted movements. Findings of this study contribute to the existing understanding of feral pig distribution and behaviour in the Kimberley and should prove a useful tool for land managers.
Details
- Title
- Distribution and seasonal movements of feral pigs in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia
- Authors/Creators
- Andrew Morton
- Contributors
- Trish Fleming (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityJill Shephard (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityMargaret E Andrew (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Research
- Identifiers
- 991005807945907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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