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Island endemics and reproduction: Importance of nest attributes in the conservation of birds of the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile

Ingo Hahn

Abstract
Understanding the particular nesting ecology of island endemic species represents the first step for identifying suitable micro-habitats and establishing efficient management programs. This could become even more important when island bird assemblages are prone to be invaded by ecologically similar species that may eventually cause niche compression or the extirpation of species already present on the island. In this case study the nesting ecology of both native and introduced landbird species of the Juan Fernandez Islands are described and determined to what extent native species could be negatively affected by alien competitors. A total of 119 nests belonging to the 11 resident landbird species were analyzed. Landbirds exhibited a wide range of nesting habitat preferences on the different Islands, covering different vegetational types, altitude and ecosystems. By means of a cluster analysis I determined that competition between alien and endemic species apparently does not represent an important factor affecting resource use by endemic birds. Endemic landbirds preferred sites comparatively higher above the ground and with greater slope, as well as larger level of shelter, than alien species.

Keywords
Endemics, endangered species, island birds, nesting ecology, alien species, Juan Fernandez

Letzte Änderung 03.03.2011