Journal• ISSN: 0726-1888
Stilt
About: Stilt is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Wader & Eastern curlew. It has an ISSN identifier of 0726-1888. Over the lifetime, 20 publications have been published receiving 126 citations. The journal is also known as: Stilt.
Topics: Wader, Eastern curlew, Calidris tenuirostris, Sandpiper, Population
Papers
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used the same route and observers over long periods to identify trends in abundance of shorebirds in Corner Inlet, Australia, and found that the numbers in summer of all species combined have declined by 23% over the 30 year count period, from typically 35-40,000 in the earlier years to 25-30, 000 in recent times.
Abstract: Corner Inlet, Victoria, provides habitat for one of the largest and most diverse assemblages of shorebirds in southern Australia. Systematic counting commenced in 1981 and has continued, uninterrupted, to the present (2011). Standardised counts, along fixed boat routes, indicate that numbers in summer of all species combined have declined by 23% over the 30 year count period, from typically 35-40,000 in the earlier years to 25-30,000 in recent times. Ten species - Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres, Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, Red Knot Calidris canutus, Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidus acuminata, Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaulti, and Lesser Sand Plover C. mongolus - have declined, while Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus, has increased. Numbers of five other migratory species -Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Whimbrel Numenius phaepus, Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis, Sanderling C. alba and Double-banded Plover Charadrius bicinctus and one resident, species, Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris - have not shown any significant change. Estimated declines in the abundance of individual species ranged from 47% to 95%. In contrast there was a significant increase in Sooty Oystercatchers of between 1.5 fold (winter) and 3.5 fold (summer). Numbers counted varied widely between years, most likely due to a combination of annual variation in demographic parameters, and possibly detection rates. The cause of longterm changes in abundance at Corner Inlet is not certain, but habitat destruction in staging areas, notably the Yellow Sea regions of China and Korea, is suggested as the main contributor with related changes in adult survival rates a more likely mechanism than changes in breeding success. Interestingly, declines in several species were most pronounced over one or two years. This study emphasises the benefit of using the same route and observers over long periods to identify trends in abundance.
19 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: “Animal ecologists investigate the place and role of animals within a landscape, within sets of interconnected landscapes, within certain habitats in certain climate zones, in the world.
Abstract: .” With these words Van Zomeren gives a powerful summary of that which makes most animal ecologists tick. He also suggests why animal ecology, in addition to the beauty and elegance of the science itself, could be relevant in a societal context. Animal ecologists try to understand the habitat choice of animals, they investigate the place and role of animals within a landscape, within sets of interconnected landscapes, within certain habitats in certain climate zones, in the world. Animal ecologists try to discover the mechanisms underlying the distribution and abundance of animals.
16 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed the broadscale distribution of Eastern Curlew among tidal flats within Moreton Bay in order to identify important intertidal feeding habitat, and found a high and significant correlation between the site counts on different days within a month and different months within a season, across all sites.
Abstract: We assessed the broadscale distribution of Eastern Curlew among tidal flats within Moreton Bay in order to identify important
intertidal feeding habitat. Low tide surveys were conducted with the help of 60 volunteers who counted at 160 sites during summer
1998-99 and winter 1999. A site typically comprised a section of tidal flat from high water to low water, or a sandbank or banks.
Sites varied in size (0.68 - 474 ha), substrate, topography, and other features, and covered approximately 41.3% (9,500 ha) of the
intertidal habitat within Moreton Bay.
There was a high and significant correlation (P<0.0005), between the site counts on different days within a month and different
months within a season, across all sites. Winter count numbers totalled about 25% of summer counts, and the pattern of variation in
numbers across sites was generally similar to that seen in summer. The within-season constancy of Eastern Curlew numbers across
sites suggests that short surveys can give reliable results. Eastern Curlew densities (numbers.ha-1.site-1) also showed a strong
correlation between summer and winter counts, and sites supporting high abundances of Eastern Curlew also frequently supported
high densities. Key areas in terms of Eastern Curlew abundance and density were Lota, North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island,
Fisherman Islands, Hays Inlet, Deception Bay, and Pumicestone Passage.
13 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the spatial and temporal coverage of the Australian shorebird monitoring count data currently administered by BirdLife Australia, and comment on the subset of those data likely to be of immediate use for comprehensive trend analysis.
Abstract: Shorebirds are one of the most well-monitored taxa in Australia. In this paper, we review the spatial and temporal coverage of the Australian shorebird monitoring count data currently administered by BirdLife Australia, and comment on the subset of those data likely to be of immediate use for comprehensive trend analysis. Of the 253 shorebird areas known in Australia, seventeen in the southern half of Australia had consistent survey coverage over the last 30 years, with summer counts available in over 80% of those years, and with each area holding nationally significant numbers of some shorebird species. Similarly consistent data were available for eight additional shorebird areas, but these generally held fewer birds. Another 21 shorebird areas with nationally important numbers of shorebirds had 15 to 30 years of data with some variation in spatial coverage or changes in methods over time. Our review suggests that Australian shorebird monitoring data are of sufficiently high quality and spatial coverage to permit robust analysis of shorebird population trends across much of Australia.
12 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported evidence of long-term declines in migratory shorebird populations at two areas in north-east Tasmania, including George Town and Cape Portland, and identified threats to the foraging areas of both study sites.
Abstract: Evidence of long-term declines in migratory shorebird populations is reported at two areas in north-east Tasmania. In north-east Tasmania, both George Town Reserve and Cape Portland have featured in National Wader Counts since 1981, although observations go back to the early 1970's. Compared with the extreme north-west of Tasmania and with many mainland study sites, wader numbers in north-east Tasmania are never large, which makes for relatively easier counting. At George Town, count data indicate long-term population declines from 1974 to 2011 in Eastern Curlew, (Numenius madagascariensis), Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), and Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica). George Town has also seen a decrease in the number of migratory shorebird species recorded each year, a drop on average from nine to seven, while Cape Portland has seen a larger drop in migratory shorebird species richness from eleven to six. Cape Portland has also experienced long-term declines from 1981 to 2011 in Ruddy Turnstone and Curlew Sandpiper. The reduction in species richness in both areas relates to historically uncommon species no longer being recorded such as Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus), Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultia), Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes), Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) and Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola). Trends derived from these two north-east Tasmanian areas are similar to those being reported more widely in Australia, with growing numbers of migratory shorebirds showing evidence of long-term population declines. Threats to the foraging areas of both study sites, which have the potential to compromise their viability, are outlined. The volume of data available from these areas will allow for more detailed analyses in future.
11 citations
Related Journals (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |