Nicoll, MAC;
Jones, CG;
Groombridge, JG;
Henshaw, S;
Ruhomaun, K;
Tatayah, V;
Zuel, N;
(2021)
Contrasting recovery trajectories of four reintroduced populations of the Endangered Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus).
IBIS: The International Journal of Avian Science
, 163
(4)
pp. 1294-1309.
10.1111/ibi.12987.
Preview |
Text
Nicoll_et al 2021 accepted version.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Conservation translocations are commonly used in recovery programmes for threatened species from a wide range of taxa but outcomes can vary considerably both within and between programmes, and the causes of success or failure are often unclear. Central to understanding translocation success is the implementation of an accompanying monitoring programme, enabling the drivers of population establishment and persistence to be explored within a population ecology framework. Here we review and assess the outcome of a translocation programme for the Endangered Mauritius Kestrel, which involved the initial translocation of captive-reared Kestrels into four isolated populations and long-term nest-site management and monitoring. We show that after 20 years these four populations have different recovery trajectories including local extinction, recent decline and comparative stability. We explore the demographic drivers behind these trajectories and how they have been influenced, and could potentially be manipulated, by conservation management actions. Metrics of breeding performance differed between populations and in part this was driven by nest-site selection, with Kestrels nesting more frequently, laying larger clutch sizes and rearing larger broods in nestboxes. We found no compelling evidence for inter-population variation in survival rates. Simulating population trajectories under a range of conservation management scenarios, including further conservation translocations or a scaling up of nest-site management, suggested that the latter would be a more effective, practical long-term solution for the population currently in decline. Our findings provide valuable insights into the merits of monitoring, population demographic reviews and the challenges associated with identifying and mitigation for the drivers of rarity in threatened species.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Contrasting recovery trajectories of four reintroduced populations of the Endangered Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus) |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1111/ibi.12987 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12987 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | artificial nest-site, captive breeding, conservation management, island endemic, nestbox, raptor, threatened species, tropical bird |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10131588 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
