Avian responses to an emergent, wetland weed

Emma H. Carlos; Michael A. Weston; Maria Gibson

doi:10.1111/aec.12430

journal article Nov 29, 2016

Avian responses to an emergent, wetland weed

Emma H. Carlos

Michael A. Weston

Maria Gibson

Austral Ecology Vol. 42 No. 3 pp. 277-287 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/aec.12430

Abstract

AbstractAfrican boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum Solanaceae) is a Weed of National Significance in Australia. It is particularly problematic in Victoria and is thought to not only threaten native wildlife but also provide important habitat, particularly to birds, when there is no native alternative. In a wetland ecosystem such as a saltmarsh, boxthorn has the potential to increase structural complexity because it can stand as an emergent above surrounding vegetation. We compared bird assemblages and behaviour in saltmarsh vegetation with and without boxthorn in a coastal wetland in south‐east Australia. Species assemblage, but not richness, changed with the presence of boxthorn. The presence of singing honeyeaters (Lichenostomus virescens) and white‐fronted chats (Epthianura albifrons), the two most common native bird species (based on numerical and spatial dominance), appeared to drive these differences; singing honeyeaters preferred boxthorn while white‐fronted chats avoided it. The presence of boxthorn increased the seasonal availability of fruit and flowers, which was reflected by a high frequency of foraging for fruit and nectar where boxthorn was present. In saltmarshes without boxthorn, there was a higher frequency of foraging for insects. Some, but not all, species responded to increased structural complexity and fruit/floral resources provided by boxthorn. Consequently, management by reducing boxthorn is likely to alter bird communities and the usage of sites by some native species, thus management success should consider fine‐scale biodiversity objectives, such as managing for particular types or species of birds.

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References

Details

Published: Nov 29, 2016
Vol/Issue: 42(3)
Pages: 277-287
License: View

Authors

E

Emma H. Carlos

Centre for Integrative ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Geelong Australia (Burwood Campus); Reef Catchments, Suite 1 85 Gordon Street Mackay Queensland 4740 Australia

M

Michael A. Weston

Centre for Integrative ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Geelong Australia (Burwood Campus)

M

Maria Gibson

Centre for Integrative ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Geelong Australia (Burwood Campus)

Funding

Deakin University Award: A49‐2008

Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment

Cite This Article

Emma H. Carlos, Michael A. Weston, Maria Gibson (2016). Avian responses to an emergent, wetland weed. Austral Ecology, 42(3), 277-287. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12430

Avian responses to an emergent, wetland weed

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