John D. Holland

Elephant (Loxodonta africana) Home Ranges in Sabi Sand Reserve and Kruger National Park: A Five-Year Satellite Tracking Study

During a five-year GPS satellite tracking study in Sabi Sand Reserve (SSR) and Kruger National Park (KNP) we monitored the daily movements of an elephant cow (Loxodonta africana) from September 2003 to August 2008. The study animal was confirmed to be part of a group of seven elephants therefore her position is representative of the matriarchal group. We found that the study animal did not use habitat randomly and confirmed strong seasonal fidelity to its summer and winter five-year home ranges. The cows summer home range was in KNP in an area more than four times that of her SSR winter home range. She exhibited clear park habitation with up to three visits per year travelling via a well-defined northern or southern corridor. There was a positive correlation between the daily distance the elephant walked and minimum daily temperature and the elephant was significantly closer to rivers and artificial waterholes than would be expected if it were moving randomly in KNP and SSR. Transect lines established through the home ranges were surveyed to further understand the fine scale of the landscape and vegetation representative of the home ranges.

Wildlife tracking technology options and cost considerations

Context Continued demand for long-distance remote wildlife tracking has resulted in the development of a variety of satellite tracking technologies. Choosing an appropriate satellite tracking system for a project involves financial, technical and operational tradeoffs associated with different systems. Aim The aim of the present research was to assess the technology options and associated costs to help wildlife researchers select the best tracking solution for their needs. Methods A technology-choice decision guide was developed to assist wildlife scientists select an optimal tracking technology. We undertook four satellite tracking case studies involving avian, aquatic and terrestrial species living in diverse environments around the world and use these case studies to validate and test the technology-choice decision guide and to calculate the cost effectiveness of alternative tracking methods. Technologies used in marine tracking were out of the scope of the present paper. Key results Choosing the tracking method best suited for a project requires (1) clearly specifying the data required to meet project objectives, (2) understanding the constraints imposed by the study species and its environment, and (3) calculating the net cost per datum of the various tracking methods available. Key conclusions We suggest that, in most circumstances, global positioning system (GPS) tracking is preferable to other options. However, where weight and environmental limitations prevent the use of GPS, alternatives such as Argos satellite Doppler-based positions (Argos) or very high frequency (VHF) can function adequately. Implications The present paper provides simplified criteria for selecting the best wildlife satellite tracking technology for different situations.

Breeding Season Diet and Prey Selection of the New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) in a Plantation Forest

Abstract We studied the diet of the endemic New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) in a pine plantation forest by identifying species occurring in pellets and prey remains collected from 37 nest sites during the 2003 and 2004 breeding seasons. We assessed bird species abundance along transects in different-aged pine stands and along stand edges. Diet and prey abundance were compared to determine whether birds were taken disproportionately or in proportion to their abundance in the environment. Birds composed the greatest proportion of the diet, 84% by frequency and 74% by biomass. Common Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) were taken most frequently, but Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) contributed more by biomass, although rabbits were not recorded at every nest site. Bird density increased significantly with stand age but was highest along stand edges. Chaffinches were the most abundant species and taken in proportion to their availability. Species that occurred in open habitat (e.g., Yellowhammers [Emberiza citrinella]) or were of medium size (e.g., blackbirds) were taken more than expected based on their availability. Very small species (e.g., Grey Gerygone [Gerygone igata]) were taken in lower proportions than expected from their abundance. Proportions of bird species preyed upon were correlated most closely with bird species abundance in young pine stands (P  =  0.02, r2  =  0.52). In a pine plantation habitat, New Zealand Falcons took primarily the more abundant species, those intermediate in size (16–160 g), and those frequenting open habitat.

End-of-life vehicle disposal: Policy proposals to resolve an environmental issue in New Zealand

Abstract The disposal of vehicles at the end of their useful life is a rapidly growing waste management problem in New Zealand. Vehicles abandoned on public and private property impose environmental costs on society, as do some practices within the automobile recycling industry. The increasing number of vehicles entering the country will exacerbate these environmental costs. In this paper, New Zealands abandoned vehicle problem is quantified and contributing factors identified. The end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management approaches of the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and the UK are examined, and their effectiveness assessed. Policies, such as extended producer responsibility and recycling targets are discussed in the context of an economy without domestic producers and with limited opportunities for economies of scale. Policy recommendations for New Zealand target four areas: legislation and institutional practices relating to vehicle licensing and disposal; entry of vehicles into the recycling system; information sharing; and dismantling operations. Key recommendations are the free acceptance of ELVs for recycling, an up-front disposal charge to cover the cost of de-pollution, licensing and monitoring of automotive dismantlers from within the industry, and the enforcement of vehicle licensing and disposal legislation in order to close the data gaps and overcome free-rider problems.

Home Range and Habitat Use of the New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) within a Plantation Forest: A Satellite Tracking Study

We tracked two adult and three juvenile New Zealand falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae) in Kaingaroa Forest pine plantation from 2002 to 2008 using Argos satellite technology. The home ranges for both adults and juveniles varied, ranging between 44 and 587 km2. The falcons occasionally utilised areas outside the forest and used stands of all ages within the forest, generally in proportion to their availability. For the most part, the juveniles remained within ca. 8 km of their nests and dispersed at 58, 69, and 68 days after fledging. Falcon movement information was obtained from an average of four location points per tracking day per falcon at a putative accuracy of 350 m. The transmitters, including their solar charge capability, performed well in the forest environment. The use of all stand ages highlights the importance of forestry practises that maintain a mosaic of different aged pine stands.

Nest-site selection of New Zealand Falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae) in plantation forests and the implications of this to forestry management

Abstract This study investigates the factors that determine nest-site selection by New Zealand Falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae) in a plantation pine forest. Selection was examined by measuring habitat and forestry management variables at actual nesting sites and randomly selected sites in the forest. Nesting sites were located on the ground in pine stands up to 5 years old, with unplanted and 1-year-old stands of pine selected preferentially for nesting. Overall, 54% of pairs nested in the same stand of pines in a subsequent year, whereas 44% moved to a stand of the same age or younger and 2% moved to older stands. Falcons chose nesting sites close to older pine trees and with cover over the scrape. New Zealand Falcons benefit from clear-fell harvesting that creates a mosaic of stand ages across a plantation. This mosaic provides both suitable nesting sites and an abundance of prey. This threatened species benefits from felling plantation forests in fairly small, discrete stands.

Provisions for community participation in heritage management: case of the Zambezi Source National Monument, Zambia

ABSTRACT Effective community participation is a topical issue in protected areas and heritage management. Community participation initiatives are considered to have great capacity to enhance conservation and provide community benefits. However, many previous studies have indicated that in spite of the acclaimed potential, there are minimal levels of community participation in practice. Legislation, policy and institutional provisions can play an important role in enhancing community participation by serving as foundations upon which practices are built. This study aims to examine the provisions for community participation in heritage management at the Zambezi Source National Monument (ZSNM) in Zambia. The results based on content analysis of the key ZSNM-related documents show that there are no provisions for community participation in the Zambia Heritage Act. While the Zambia Heritage Policy and the ZSNM Management Plan have some provisions for community participation, they are largely not harmonised or consistent with each other. Furthermore, when compared with the conceptual framework adapted for this study, the majority of the provisions within the key ZSNM-related documents do not indicate intentions to facilitate effective community participation.

Home range and habitat use of New Zealand Falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae) in an exotic plantation forest during the breeding season.

Abstract The New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) is a threatened endemic species whose numbers have been reduced by habitat loss and the introduction of exotic predators. The species has recently been discovered breeding in exotic plantation forests. Understanding how New Zealand Falcons use plantation forests is critical to its effective management in this habitat. To determine patterns of habitat selection and inform habitat management, we studied the home-range size and habitat use of 13 adult New Zealand Falcons in Kaingaroa pine plantation. This plantation comprises 180,000 ha of nonnative pine trees that are planted and harvested in discrete ‘stands’ that create a mosaic of pine stand ages across the landscape. We radio-tracked eight males and five females for 12 wk during the 2004 and 2005 breeding seasons. Mean home-range sizes were 9.2 ± 4.2 km2 for males and 6.2 ± 3.2 km2 for females (mean ± SD). To investigate habitat use, pine stands were categorized by tree age and further classified into stand edge and stand interior. Both sexes strongly favored the edges between pine stands where stands less than 4 yr old bordered those greater than 19 yr old. Females also preferentially used the interior of pine stands less than 4 yr old, whereas males were more often found along the edges of these young stands. We conclude that if forestry managers wish to enhance the suitability of their estates for the New Zealand Falcon, they should provide a mosaic of different aged stands, while ensuring that stands less than 4 yr old bordering stands greater than 19 yr old are consistently available. RANGO DE HOGAR Y USO DE HÁBITAT DE FALCO NOVAESEELANDIAE EN UNA PLANTACIÓN FORESTAL EXÓTICA DURANTE LA ESTACIÓN REPRODUCTIVA Falco novaeseelandiae es una especie endémica amenazada cuyos números poblacionales se han visto reducidos por la pérdida de hábitat y la introducción de depredadores exóticos. Recientemente se ha descubierto a la especie reproduciéndose en plantaciones forestales exóticas. Entender cómo F. novaeseelandiae utiliza los bosques implantados es crítico para su manejo efectivo en este tipo de hábitat. Para determinar los patrones de selección de hábitat y conducir el manejo de hábitat, estudiamos el tamaño del rango de hogar y el uso de hábitat de 13 individuos adultos de F. novaeseelandiae en la plantación de pinos de Kaingaroa. Esta plantación comprende 180,000 ha de pinos exóticos implantados y que son explotados en rodales discretos que crean un mosaico de rodales de pinos de distinta edad a través del paisaje. Localizamos con radio transmisores ocho machos y cinco hembras durante 12 semanas en las épocas reproductivas de 2004 y 2005. Los tamaños medios de rango de hogar fueron de 9.2 ± 4.2 km2 para los machos y de 6.2 ± 3.2 km2 para las hembras (media ± DE). Para investigar el uso de hábitat, los rodales de pino fueron categorizados por edad de árbol y clasificados en borde de rodal e interior de rodal. Ambos sexos mostraron una marcada preferencia por los bordes entre rodales de pino, donde los rodales de menos de cuatro años de edad bordearon aquellos de más de 19 años de edad. Las hembras también utilizaron preferentemente el interior de los rodales de pino de menos de cuatro años de edad, mientras que los machos fueron encontrados más a menudo a lo largo de los bordes de estos rodales jóvenes. Concluimos que si los encargados de la forestación desean mejorar la aptitud de sus plantaciones para F. novaeseelandiae, deberían mantener un mosaico de rodales de edades diferentes, asegurando que los rodales de menos de cuatro años de edad estén bordeando los rodales de más de 19 años de edad.