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Abstract

The distribution of mobile species in dynamic systems can vary greatly over time and space. Estimating their population size and geographic range can be problematic and affect the accuracy of conservation assessments. Scarce data on mobile species and the resources they need can also limit the type of analytical approaches available to derive such estimates. We quantified change in availability and use of key ecological resources required for breeding for a critically endangered nomadic habitat specialist, the Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor). We compared estimates of occupied habitat derived from dynamic presence-background (i.e., presence-only data) climatic models with estimates derived from dynamic occupancy models that included a direct measure of food availability. We then compared estimates that incorporate fine-resolution spatial data on the availability of key ecological resources (i.e., functional habitats) with more common approaches that focus on broader climatic suitability or vegetation cover (due to the absence of fine-resolution data). The occupancy models produced significantly (P 2). Estimates accounting for the area of functional habitats were significantly smaller (2–58% [SD 16]) than estimates based only on the total area occupied. An increase or decrease in the area of one functional habitat (foraging or nesting) did not necessarily correspond to an increase or decrease in the other. Thus, an increase in the extent of occupied area may not equate to improved habitat quality or function. We argue these patterns are typical for mobile resource specialists but often go unnoticed because of limited data over relevant spatial and temporal scales and lack of spatial data on the availability of key resources. Understanding changes in the relative availability of functional habitats is crucial to informing conservation planning and accurately assessing extinction risk for mobile resource specialists.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Webb, MH and Terauds, A and Tulloch, A and Bell, PJ and Stojanovic, D and Heinsohn, R
Keywords:	dynamic resource availability, habitat specialist, Lathamus discolor, migration, rich patch exploiter, species-distribution modeling, threatened species
Journal or Publication Title:	Conservation Biology
Publisher:	Blackwell Publishing Inc
ISSN:	0888-8892
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12899
Copyright Information:	opyright 2017 Society for Conservation Biology
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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