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Featured researches published by Kevin W. Brinck.


Wildlife Society Bulletin | 2006

Long-Term Population Monitoring: Lessons Learned From an Endangered Passerine in Hawai‘i

Luanne Johnson; Richard J. Camp; Kevin W. Brinck; Paul C. Banko

Abstract Obtaining reliable population estimates is crucial to monitoring endangered species and developing recovery strategies. The palila (Loxioides bailleui) is an endangered seed-eating Hawaiian honeycreeper restricted to the subalpine forests of Mauna Kea, a volcano on the island of Hawai‘i, USA. The species is vulnerable to extinction primarily because >90% of the population is concentrated in <30 km2 of habitat on the western slope of this high, dormant volcano. Annual surveys of the palila population have been conducted for ecological, legal, and other purposes since 1980. Because refinements to sampling protocols and analytical methods have evolved, we examined means of adapting the monitoring program to produce comparable estimates of abundance over the past 25-year period and into the future. We conducted variable circular plot surveys during the nonbreeding season (Jan–Mar) and this used data to obtain estimates of effective detection radius and annual density with Distance 4.0, Release 2. For comparability over the time-series, we excluded from analysis the data from new transects. We partitioned the 25-year data set (1980–1996 and 1997–2004) into 2 separate analyses because, beginning in 1997, observers received more training to reduce their tendency to estimate distances to 5-m intervals. We used geographic strata in the analysis of recent surveys because changes in habitat may have invalidated the density-based strata used previously. By adding observer and year and observer and time of day as co-variables, we improved the model fit to the 2 data sets, respectively. Annual estimates were confounded by changes in sampling methodology and analytical procedures over time. However, the addition of new transects, increased training for observers, and use of exact distance estimates instead of rounding also improved model fit. Habitat characteristics and behavior of palila that potentially influenced detection probability, sampling, analysis, and interpretation were regeneration of trees in response to reduced numbers of introduced browsing mammals, seasonally variable rates of vocalization, non-territoriality, and resource-tracking along an elevation gradient. We believe our adaptive approach to analysis and interpretation of 25 years of annual variable circular plot data could help guide similar long-term monitoring efforts.


Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research | 2014

Evaluating the Long-Term Management of Introduced Ungulates to Protect the Palila, an Endangered Bird, and Its Critical Habitat in Subalpine Forest of Mauna Kea, Hawai‘i

Paul C. Banko; Steven C. Hess; Paul G. Scowcroft; Chris Farmer; James D. Jacobi; Robert M. Stephens; Richard J. Camp; David L. Leonard; Kevin W. Brinck; J. O. Juvik; S. P. Juvik

Abstract Under the multiple-use paradigm, conflicts may arise when protection of an endangered species must compete with other management objectives. To resolve such a conflict in the Critical Habitat of the endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, palila (Loxioides bailleui), federal courts ordered the eradication of introduced ungulates responsible for damaging the māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) forest on which palila depend. During 1980–2011, a total of 18,130 sheep (Ovis aries and O. gmelini musimon) and 310 goats (Capra hircus) were removed from Palila Critical Habitat (PCH) primarily by public hunters (54%) and secondarily by aerial shooting. Nevertheless, our analysis indicates that ungulates have increased over time. Palila numbers have declined sharply since 2003 due to long-term habitat degradation by ungulates and drought. Although culling ungulate populations has allowed some habitat improvement, their complete removal is necessary for palila to recover, especially given the potential for continued drought. Introduced predators are being controlled to reduce palila mortality, māmane and other native trees are being planted to restore some areas, and fencing is being constructed to prevent ungulate immigration. Funds are recently available for more effective eradication efforts, which are urgently needed to eliminate browsing damage in PCH and protect the palila from extinction.


The Condor | 2016

State-space modeling of population sizes and trends in Nihoa Finch and Millerbird

P. Marcos Gorresen; Kevin W. Brinck; Richard J. Camp; Chris Farmer; Sheldon Plentovich; Paul C. Banko

ABSTRACT Both of the 2 passerines endemic to Nihoa Island, Hawai‘i, USA—the Nihoa Millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris kingi) and Nihoa Finch (Telespiza ultima)—are listed as endangered by federal and state agencies. Their abundances have been estimated by irregularly implemented fixed-width strip-transect sampling from 1967 to 2012, from which area-based extrapolation of the raw counts produced highly variable abundance estimates for both species. To evaluate an alternative survey method and improve abundance estimates, we conducted variable-distance point-transect sampling between 2010 and 2014. We compared our results to those obtained from strip-transect samples. In addition, we applied state-space models to derive improved estimates of population size and trends from the legacy time series of strip-transect counts. Both species were fairly evenly distributed across Nihoa and occurred in all or nearly all available habitat. Population trends for Nihoa Millerbird were inconclusive because of high within-year variance. Trends for Nihoa Finch were positive, particularly since the early 1990s. Distance-based analysis of point-transect counts produced mean estimates of abundance similar to those from strip-transects but was generally more precise. However, both survey methods produced biologically unrealistic variability between years. State-space modeling of the long-term time series of abundances obtained from strip-transect counts effectively reduced uncertainty in both within- and between-year estimates of population size, and allowed short-term changes in abundance trajectories to be smoothed into a long-term trend.


Biological Invasions | 2008

Alien dominance of the parasitoid wasp community along an elevation gradient on Hawai’i Island

Robert W. Peck; Paul C. Banko; Marla Schwarzfeld; Melody Euaparadorn; Kevin W. Brinck


Biological Conservation | 2013

Response of palila and other subalpine Hawaiian forest bird species to prolonged drought and habitat degradation by feral ungulates

Paul C. Banko; Richard J. Camp; Chris Farmer; Kevin W. Brinck; David L. Leonard; Robert M. Stephens


Pacific Conservation Biology | 2008

Home Range and Movements of Feral Cats on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i

Daniel M. Goltz; Steven C. Hess; Kevin W. Brinck; Paul C. Banko; Raymond M. Danner


Archive | 2016

A landscape-based assessment of climate change vulnerability for all native plants.

Lucas B. Fortini; Jonathan P. Price; James D. Jacobi; Adam E. Vorsino; Jeff Burgett; Kevin W. Brinck; Fred Amidon; Steve Miller; Sam `Ohukani`ohi`a Gon; Gregory Koob; Eben H. Paxton


Archive | 2016

A five-year study of Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) occupancy on the island of Hawai`i

Marcos P. Gorressen; Frank J. Bonaccorso; Corinna A. Pinzari; Christopher M. Todd; Kristina Montoya-Aiona; Kevin W. Brinck


Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management | 2015

Long-term monitoring of endangered Laysan ducks: Index validation and population estimates 1998–2012

Michelle H. Reynolds; Karen N. Courtot; Kevin W. Brinck; Cynthia L. Rehkemper; Jeff S. Hatfield


Archive | 2014

Status of forest birds on Rota, Mariana Islands.

Richard J. Camp; Kevin W. Brinck; P. Marcos Gorressen; Fred Amidon; Paul Radley; S. Paul Berkowitz; Paul C. Banko

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Richard J. Camp

United States Geological Survey

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Paul C. Banko

United States Geological Survey

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Chris Farmer

American Bird Conservancy

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James D. Jacobi

United States Geological Survey

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Frank J. Bonaccorso

United States Geological Survey

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P. Marcos Gorresen

United States Geological Survey

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Steven C. Hess

United States Geological Survey

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Christina R. Leopold

United States Geological Survey

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Daniel M. Goltz

United States Geological Survey

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David L. Leonard

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

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