Population constraints on the Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi: preliminary findings and proposals from south-west Grenada

Bolton, N. M., van Oosterhout, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5653-738X, Collar, N. J. and Bell, D. J. (2016) Population constraints on the Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi: preliminary findings and proposals from south-west Grenada. Bird Conservation International, 26 (02). pp. 205-213. ISSN 0959-2709

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Abstract

The Critically Endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi has a very small total population size (< 190 individuals) and faces multiple threats. Over eight weeks in 2012 at the Mount Hartman Estate, we investigated the dove’s habitat selection, established a mongoose index of occupancy and recorded dove use of water sources to help determine key research and conservation needs. Of 12 habitat variables measured, greater levels of canopy cover were the best predictor of dove presence. Tracking tunnels indicated that introduced small Indian mongooses Herpestes auropunctatus, widely known for negatively impacting Caribbean bird populations, have a high level of occupancy in dove habitat, providing baseline mongoose data. Trail cameras revealed that Grenada Doves make good use of water from man-made wells and mongooses scent-mark tunnels. We urge fuller habitat selection studies and water-provision experiments to validate this evidence; strong and immediate control of mongooses and other potential predators, particularly at the nest; and a census backed by a banding programme to establish a monitoring baseline to guide conservation actions.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment
Related URLs:	http://dx.doi.org/10/1017/S0959270915000...
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	24 Jul 2015 22:58
Last Modified:	31 May 2024 16:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/53772
DOI:	10.1017/S0959270915000064

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