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Journal article
Accelerometry reveals limits to use of an energy‐saving anthropogenic food source by a threatened species: A case of Carnaby's cockatoos (Zanda latirostris) and canola
Ecology and evolution, Vol.13(10), e10598
2023
Abstract
The use of anthropogenic resources is becoming increasingly common as species adapt to human‐induced environmental changes, but their use can expose species to new risks. Understanding how animals exploit these resources is important for guiding conservation management, particularly where species are threatened. The introduction of canola cropping to breeding areas of endangered Carnaby's cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) has been attributed to an increase in the birds' reproductive success; however, the seed may be protein‐limiting for nestling growth and its use by cockatoos has been implicated in the emergence of a new disease. We used high‐resolution accelerometer‐capable GPS tags to track eight birds. Accelerometer data were used to calculate overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), a proxy for energy expenditure, and to identify and quantify canola and native vegetation foraging behaviours. We used linear mixed models to determine which factors affected patterns of resource use and to determine whether, and to what extent, canola use was associated with reduced energetic and movement costs. We then compared the energetic content of canola seed and native food sources to inform patterns of behaviour and habitat use revealed by our tracking data. Use of canola was associated with reduced movement costs and energy expenditure. However, there was an apparent reluctance to increase foraging on canola above a threshold of time, even when conditions reduced time available to utilise native food sources. While anthropogenic resources may appear to improve population trends in some cases, careful investigations of patterns of resource use are necessary to guide appropriate conservation management efforts. For Carnaby's cockatoos, conservation efforts should focus on retention, protection and expansion of native food sources.
We used accelerometer‐capable GPS tracking to investigate the use of a novel food source by endangered Carnaby's cockatoos (Zanda latirostris) during nestling provisioning. We found the importance of canola relative to native food sources increased with increased maximum daily temperature; however, there was a threshold for time spent in canola, even when conditions required time spent foraging on native food sources be reduced. Our findings highlight the care that conservation managers should take to investigate patterns of novel resource use, even where they appear to improve conservation outcomes for threatened species.
Details
- Title
- Accelerometry reveals limits to use of an energy‐saving anthropogenic food source by a threatened species: A case of Carnaby's cockatoos (Zanda latirostris) and canola
- Authors/Creators
- Karen J. Riley - Murdoch UniversityKristin Warren - Murdoch UniversityNicola Armstrong - Murdoch UniversityLian Yeap - Murdoch UniversityRick Dawson - Independent ResearcherPeter R. Mawson - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsDenis A. Saunders - IP AustraliaChristine E. Cooper - Curtin UniversityJill M. Shephard - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Ecology and evolution, Vol.13(10), e10598
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Grant note
- 15853 / Newmont Boddington Gold and South32
- Identifiers
- 991005609445207891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.33 Avian Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology