University of Chester MRes Wildlife Behaviour and Conservation Projects 2017/8

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1 University of Chester MRes Wildlife Behaviour and Conservation Projects 2017/8 International Field Projects Study of Desert Birds on Lanzarote: An Example of how Geodiversity Underpins Biodiversity Prof Cynthia Burek and Dr Matt Geary University of Chester Project partners Lanzarote Island Council and Desert Watch Lanzarote in the Canary Islands is both a UNESCO Global Biosphere and a UNESCO Global Geopark. These designations give a unique opportunity to undertake research on how endemic birds such as Cream coloured coursers, Stone curlews and Hoopoes interact with their environment. The research would follow up an undergraduate research project conducted in Observation of the bird behaviour in relation to the substrate and geodiversity is the objective of this research so that we can better understand how to conserve both the biodiversity and the geodiversity of the area. Skills undertaken would be ethograms, video monitoring, plant surveying and sand and rock analysis for the habitat and environmental issue. Public awareness raising (both of tourists and the local population) is also part of this project. So science communication skills will be developed. Patience is also a requirement. This is a unique opportunity to help a world recognised UNESCO island understand their biodiversity and geodiversity and enhance their conservation efforts. No knowledge of Spanish is necessary (but perhaps an advantage) and driving experience is beneficial. Contact c.burek@chester.ac.uk Habitat Usage of Re-introduced Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica Dr Matt Hartley and Dr Matt Geary University of Chester Dr Ana-Maria Torres ASOMACAO Friends of the Scarlet Macaw In Costa Rica the Scarlet Macaw has experienced significant decline in numbers and range. Captive rearing and reintroduction has been used as a conservation tool. This project will study home range, habitat usage and habitat preferences of previously released macaws and also macaws at the point of release. The feasibility of radio-tracking macaws will be investigated. Analyses will be based on repeated transect/point count surveys. Local abundance will be estimated using distance sampling. Habitat relationships will be investigated using occupancy models. This will allow us to predict areas of use by parrots both due to explicit habitat features and as wider areas of use which serve to aid movement of parrots through the landscape. This information will be utilised to support planning of further conservation interventions. (Field work period 3-7 months) Additional Contribution to Field Research Costs maximum Contact m.hartley@chester.ac.uk

2 Zoo-Based Projects Social Networks and Welfare in captive Livingstone s Fruitbats Pteropus livingstonii Dr Christina Stanley, Dr Robert Coleman & Prof Tessa Smith, University of Chester Dr Eluned Price, Durrell Wildlife Park A captive breeding programme was set up in 1992 for the Livingstone s fruitbat; there is currently a stable population of around 61 individuals in captivity across four institutions, with over 40 of these residing at Durrell Wildlife Park, where the programme originated. As this species is highly threatened by changes in land use and vulnerability to tropical cyclones in its natural habitat, the captive population could be an extremely important resource for future conservation efforts such as reintroductions. However, relatively little is known regarding social dynamics in this Endangered species. A better understanding of dominance hierarchies and social networks in captive populations, as well as their links to enclosure use and individual welfare, is essential to ensure breeding success rates are maximised. This project will combine behavioural observations at Durrell Wildlife Park with faecal cortisol analysis in the laboratories at Chester to understand how individual social experience, quantified by social network position, relates to enclosure use and hormonal welfare measures. The successful student should have experience of both behavioural observations and laboratory work and be prepared to spend around three months on Jersey collecting behavioural data. Additional contribution to research costs: 1000 For further details, please contact christina.stanley@chester.ac.uk

3 UK Based Native Species Field Projects Conservation Genetics of the Natterjack Toad Dr. Anna Muir and Dr. Matt Geary - University of Chester Project partner: Cheshire Wildlife Trust Small, isolated populations are at high risk of local extinction due to loss of genetic variability and associated reduction in fitness. Therefore, knowledge of population size and genetic diversity in isolated populations is vital in order to prioritise conservation actions and recover populations that are at risk. The natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) is endangered and legally protected in Britain and exists in less than 40 locations, making it of high conservation concern. One native natterjack toad site lies on the edge of the Dee Estuary at Cheshire Wildlife Trust s Red Rocks Nature Reserve. The historical population declined to extinction in the early 90s and was reintroduced from a source population in North Merseyside. However, due to the lack of suitable surrounding coastal dune habitat, the natterjack toad population at Red Rocks is now thought to be completely isolated and concerns have been raised that population numbers are low. Therefore, knowledge of population size and genetic diversity of the natterjack toads at this site are vital to avoid a second local extinction event. This project will involve collection of non-invasive samples in the field and will use conservation genetic techniques, including microsatellite markers and genetic capture-recapture, to: 1) quantify the number of individuals within the population; and 2) assess the genetic diversity of the population. The results of this study will be used to form conservation recommendations with Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The ideal candidate will have previous experience of laboratory work (including DNA extraction and PCR) and access to a vehicle for fieldwork. For further details please contact a.muir@chester.ac.uk or m.geary@chester.ac.uk Newt Occupancy Black Isle Dr Matt Geary and Dr. Lottie Hosie University of Chester Project partner Scottish Natural Heritage The Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus; GCN) is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species which is protected by both UK and European legislation. Their biphasic lifestyle makes considerable use of terrestrial habitat surrounding their breeding ponds, but we know very little about this aspect of their lives. In contrast there is often extensive data, collected by enthusiastic volunteer surveyors, showing pond occupancy by the species during the breeding season. Combining such field data and modelling approaches can usefully inform management of GCN populations. One particularly promising area of research is the use of occupancy modelling methods to investigate relationships between amphibian presence /abundance and variables related to habitats and management practices (e.g. Peterman et al, 2013). Not only can these models allow us to improve our understanding of GCN ecology but they can also be used to provide evidence for beneficial management actions for GCN conservation. Output from occupancy models can also help improve efficiency and accuracy of volunteer GCN surveys and the value of this will be assessed. The project will concentrate on a population of GCN on the Black Isle, Scottish Highlands which, due to their relative isolation, provides an interesting situation to investigate pond-specific preferences and relationships with habitat features.

4 Pond Colonisation on Black Isle Dr Matt Geary and Dr. Lottie Hosie University of Chester Project partner Scottish Natural Heritage Ponds are a specialist habitat which have been lost across large areas of Great Britain during the last century. This has lead to the creation of ponds as an example of conservation management in many areas. The ultimate objective of such pond creation efforts may be to benefit particular target species such as great crested newt (_Triturus cristatus_), however, they also provide habitat, both transient and permanent for a range of other species. This project will used biodiversity assessments of newly created ponds on the Black Isle, Scottish Highlands, spanning a range of ages. The project wil investigate changes in species richness and diversity over time as well as habitat features associated with particular taxa. This project would suit a student who is keen to work in the field. It will require good networking skills and the ability to work independently. Desk Based Studies Conservation of Endangered Ibis Species in Cambodia s Dry Forests Dr Matt Geary and Dr Matt Hartley Project Partner Wildlife Conservation Society Northern Cambodia is home to important populations of the critically endangered Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea) and White-shouldered Ibis(Pseudibis davisoni). These species are the focus of a nest protection and monitoring programme run by the Wildlife Conservation Society. They is also regularly caught on a network of camera traps used to monitor rare ungulate species in the region. This project will use these two data sources in combination along with data on habitats, landscape features and land use change to investigate, population trends, habitat preferences and breeding ecology of this threatened species. In particular the project will investigate drivers of population change and the importance specific features of forest pools for these species. The region is also home to several other threatened bird species which and the project may expand to include some of these where possible. This project is desk-based and would suit a student with good analytical and GIS skills who is interested in bird conservation. Please note this project does NOT include afield work element. Using Atlas Data to estimate Bird Density and Occupancy Dr Matt Geary and Dr. Achaz von Hardenberg - University of Chester Bird atlases represent a huge undertaking which relies largely on the efforts of deeply committed amateurs around the country. These atlases, plus the survey work which informs them, represents an extremely useful source of information about bird distributions. This project aims to use the North Wales Bird Atlas as the basis for adding value to the bird atlas as a scientific resource. The project will make use of both the atlas data itself along with data from the various surveys which contributed to the atlas. The project will use modern statistical modelling approaches to estimate population density of key species in North Wales with regards to habitat as well as occupancy across the region. This project would suit a student with an interest in ornithology and innovative quantitative ecology methods.

5 The Global Conservation Status and Threats to Rails (Rallidae) Dr Matt Geary University of Chester Dr Alex Bond (RSPB) and Dr Auriel Fournier (Mississippi State University) Rails, coots, and gallinules (family Rallidae) are an understudied group of nearly 150 globally distributed species. Despite Rallidae's global distribution, many species are secretive and poorly studied, and while many species have large geographic ranges, many are single-island endemics, resulting in very different potential threats to each group's populations. Over 30 species have gone extinct in the last 500 years, and 35 are globally threatened on the IUCN Red List. This project will evaluate the global conservation status of Rallidae, and synthesize the threats to populations, following similar work done for seabirds (Croxall et al Bird Conservation International 22:1-34), including synthesizing their Red List Index, geographic areas of high endemism, common conservation themes among species, while highlighting research gaps and priorities. The student will also work closely with Dr Alex Bond (RSPB Centre for Conservation Science; and Dr Auriel Fournier (Mississippi State University; and with staff of Birdlife International, the Red List Authority for birds.