Project Title
The effect of human disturbance on the physiology, behaviour and demography of Australian native birds
Abstract
Wildlife tourism can be a very profitable business and has great conservation potential as a sustainable, economic alternative to consumptive exploitation of wild vertebrates, provided that regulation imposed by managers is suitably informed and that operators and tourists adhere to a code of behaviour that minimises habitat damage and disturbance of the animals. Unfortunately, there are many examples where one or both of these preconditions have not been met, resulting in serious negative impacts on the environment, survival of the animals and, ironically, the viability of the tourist operation. Thus there is increasing recognition of the need for more research into the impacts of recreational disturbance on wildlife to provide a foundation for developing better regulatory practices and tourist behaviour codes.
Disturbance by humans can induce ‘fear’ in many vertebrates, resulting in amplified stress levels and an increased occurrence of anti-predator behaviours. Members of wildlife species are thought to regulate their physiological and behavioural responses, including extreme wariness of humans, in a way that maximises their survival and reproductive fitness. The propensity to ‘fight or flee from’ approaching humans is believed to be an anti-predator type of response; however, it is unclear whether all wildlife perceive humans as ‘pseudo-predators’.
In a number of field-based and captive animal experiments, I aim/ed to determine whether the mere presence of humans can increase ‘fear’ in a number of Australian native birds, including budgerigars, silver gulls and little penguins. I have been using survey techniques to determine whether humans can alter avian species assemblage composition; this is the second study of its kind in the world and the first in Australia. Blood cell differentials and a number of behavioural measures have been/will be used, particularly the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, to determine the extent and nature of any impact of human disturbance on a number of native bird species.
Supervisor
- Associate Professor Alan Lill
