Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

National changes in occupancy of New Zealand-breeding Charadriiformes, 1969–1979 to 1999–2004 Journal Paper

Author
Walker, S.; Monks, A.; Innes, J.
Year
2020
Journal / Source
Notornis
Volume
67
Number
4
Pages
677-691
Keywords
bird atlas, Charadriiformes, endemism level, internal migrants, spatial occupancy change
Summary
We analysed standardised estimates of local occupancy probability of 13 species of native wading birds, terns and gulls (order Charadriiformes) derived from the New Zealand Ornithological Society’s national Atlas of Bird Distribution collated in 1969–1979 and 1999–2004. We show systematic patterns in changes with taxonomic level of endemism, breeding habitat (coastal or inland), and location (distance from the coast, road density, and degree of land development for agriculture and forestry). The main changes were decreases in endemic inland breeding species within their inland South Island breeding ranges, and increases in most coastal-breeding species and some inland-breeding species around much of the coast, especially near urban centres in the North Island. Our results are consistent with both intensive land use and predation contributing to widespread declines of inland-breeding species across inland South Island. Potential causes of occupancy changes around the coast are less clear, and we offer some suggestions.