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<DIV id=publishedOnlineDate>Article first published online: 4 JAN 2012</DIV>
<DIV id=doi>DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00873.x</DIV></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=articleTitle><SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=articleTitle><SPAN><FONT size=4>Humans alter habitat selection of
birds on ocean-exposed sandy beaches</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV id=cr1>Justin J. Meager<SUP><FONT size=1>*</FONT></SUP>, Thomas A.
Schlacher, Tara Nielsen</DIV>
<DIV id=publishedOnlineDate>Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University
of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia E-mail:
justin.meager@gmail.com</DIV>
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<DIV id=publicationHistoryDetails jQuery1328838955745="10">
<H4>Abstract</H4></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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<P><B>Aim </B> Resource-selection functions (RSFs) can quantify and predict the
density of animal populations across heterogeneous landscapes and are important
conservation tools in areas subject to human disturbance. Sandy beach ecosystems
have comparatively low habitat heterogeneity and structural relief in the
intertidal zone, but intense human use. We aimed to develop predictive RSFs for
birds on ocean-exposed sandy beaches at two spatial scales, 25 ha (local
scale) and 250 ha (landscape scale), and to test whether habitat selection
of birds that commonly use the surf–beach–dune interface is influenced by the
rates of human activities.</P></DIV>
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<P><B>Location </B> Moreton and North Stradbroke Island, eastern
Australia.</P></DIV>
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<P><B>Methods </B> Avifauna and human activities were mapped on three sandy
beaches covering 79 km of coastline for 15 months. Habitat
characteristics of the surf–beach–dune interface were derived from remote
sensing and ground surveys. RSFs were developed for 12 species of birds at two
spatial scales: 25 ha (local scale) and 250 ha (landscape
scale).</P></DIV>
<DIV class=para>
<P><B>Results </B> At local (25 ha) and landscape scales
(250 ha), dune dimensions and the extent and type of vegetation structure
were important predictors of bird density. Adding the frequency of human
activities improved the predictive power of RSFs, suggesting that habitat
selection of birds on beaches is modified by human use of these environments.
Human activities occurred mostly in the mid- to lower intertidal zone of the
beach, overlapping closely with the preferred habitats of Silver Gulls
(<EM>Larus novaehollandiae</EM>), Pied Oystercatchers (<EM>Haematopus
longirostris</EM>), Red-capped Plovers (<EM>Charadrius ruficapillus</EM>) and
endangered Little Terns (<EM>Sternula albifrons</EM>).</P></DIV>
<DIV class=para>
<P><B>Main conclusions </B> In addition to demonstrating the appropriateness of
RSFs to the surf–beach–dune interface, our results stress the need for
systematic conservation planning for these ecosystems, where ecological values
have traditionally been subsidiary to the maintenance of sand budgets and
erosion control.</P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV><BR>
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