An integrated approach for predicting the fate of reintroduced populations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

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dc.contributor.authorDrummond, Faline
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-17T02:03:26Z
dc.date.available2017-05-17T02:03:26Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractI provide a comprehensive account of the fate of a reintroduced population of North Island robins (Petroica longipes) at Tawharanui Regional Park, a predator-free peninsular site in the Auckland Region. All factors affecting the success of reintroductions do so through survival, reproduction, or dispersal. I use an integrated Bayesian approach to assess the impact these factors have on population persistence. I estimated population growth by combining vital rates (survival and reproduction) using 9 years of post-release monitoring data. There was no change to estimates when informative priors that accounted for site-tosite variation were included. I determined that despite low recruitment, the population will persist under current circumstances. I then focused on what was causing low recruitment by distinguishing juvenile survival from permanent natal dispersal. Habitat fragmentation prevented juvenile dispersal out of the park, and juvenile survival was low with most mortality occurring within four months of fledging. It is low juvenile survival that is causing low recruitment, indicating the habitat quality is marginal. Despite this, current habitat quality and connectivity is sufficient to maintain a population, but there may be implications for management if connectivity is increased in the future. Finally, I assessed whether it would be sensible to harvest this population as their location makes them a convenient source for future reintroductions. I projected population dynamics 10 years into the future and examined the implications of a one-off harvest on population persistence. Whilst there was negligible chance that the population would go extinct, a harvest at any level reduced the number of females in the population throughout the 10 years, with larger harvests causing a greater reduction. My results can be used within a decision analysis framework to facilitate the decision of whether Tawharanui would be a suitable source population for future reintroductions.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/11001
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectNorth Island robinen_US
dc.subjectReintroductionen_US
dc.subjectWildlife reintroductionen_US
dc.subjectMathematical modelsen_US
dc.subjectAucklanden_US
dc.subjectNew Zealanden_US
dc.subjectTawharanui Regional Parken_US
dc.subjectResearch Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES::Biology::Other biologyen_US
dc.titleAn integrated approach for predicting the fate of reintroduced populations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorDrummond, Falineen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineConservation Biologyen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)en_US
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