Determining Predictors of Oʻahu ʻElepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) Nesting Success Between Rodent-Controlled and Uncontrolled Areas
| dc.contributor | Taylor, Philip E. | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Price, Melissa R. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Preston, Nicole | |
| dc.contributor.instructor | Litton, Creighton M. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-07-14T19:54:25Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-07-14T19:54:25Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022-05 | |
| dc.description | dissertation or thesis | |
| dc.description.course | Master’s in Environmental Management (MEM) Capstone Proposals | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10125/102311 | |
| dc.subject | Predatory animals--Control-- | |
| dc.subject | Environmental management--Decision making | |
| dc.subject | Nest building | |
| dc.subject | Passeriformes | |
| dc.subject | Wildlife recovery | |
| dc.subject | Endangered species--Management | |
| dc.subject | Endangered species--Habitat | |
| dc.subject | Animals--Habitat selection | |
| dc.subject | Birds--Habitat-- | |
| dc.subject | Monarchs (Birds) | |
| dc.title | Determining Predictors of Oʻahu ʻElepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) Nesting Success Between Rodent-Controlled and Uncontrolled Areas | |
| dc.type | text | |
| dcterms.abstract | The use of rodenticides and trapping to reduce invasive rodent populations is common when protecting endangered birds, but questions remain regarding whether the benefits of these practices extend to nearby areas without predator control. Nesting success of breeding populations of Oʻahu ʻElepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) has increased following rat control over the last decade. As a result of this success, populations have expanded with dispersing individuals now establishing breeding territories in nearby areas without rat control. This may leave ʻElepaio nests in these newly-occupied areas vulnerable to rat predation. In this study I will identify nestsite characteristics associated with nesting success for ʻElepaio in two adjacent areas, one with rat control and one without, to inform future rat control efforts. Rat tracking tunnels will be utilized to evaluate rodent presence, since even with rat control there is typically some level of continuing rat activity. At least fifteen nests at each site will be monitored and nest site characteristics including tree height, nest height, nest branch diameter, forest community composition, precipitation, temperature, humidity, rodent abundance, and fruiting presence will be documented. Nesting success and potential causes of nest failure will be determined using motion-activated game cameras placed near nests, as well as direct observations. Logistic exposure models will be used to investigate relationships between the survival probability of nests and nest-site characteristics. A t-test will be utilized to evaluate whether the number of chicks fledged differs between rodent controlled and uncontrolled sites. Outputs include a capstone report and a scientific manuscript, outcomes will aid stakeholders and managers identify strategic areas that can benefit from rodent control. Field work will occur from January- November 2022 and the capstone will be completed by May 2023. Resources will be supplied by the Price Lab and Army Natural Resource Program on Oʻahu (ANRPO). For conservation management programs like ANRPO, the ability to relate rodent abundance to ʻElepaio reproductive success allows for more accurate cost-benefit analysis and prioritization of limited management resources. Managing sites not just for rodents, but also for habitat characteristics that support nesting success, will be critical for the persistence of this species moving forward. | |
| dcterms.extent | 12 pages | |
| dcterms.rightsHolder | Preston, Nicole | |
| dcterms.spatial | Hawaii-Oahu |