Grundy, JPB, Franco, AMA and Sullivan, MJP (2014) Testing multiple pathways for impacts of the non-native Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus on native birds in Iberia in the early phase of invasion. IBIS: The International Journal of Avian Science, 156 (2). 355 - 365. ISSN 0019-1019
Abstract
Not all non-native species have strong negative impacts on native species. It is desirable to assess whether a non-native species will have a negative impact at an early stage in the invasion process, when management options such as eradication are still available. Although it may be difficult to detect early impacts of non-native species, it is necessary to ensure that management decisions can be based on case-specific scientific evidence. We assess the impacts of a non-native bird, the Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus, at an early stage in its invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. To do this we identify potential pathways by which competition for shared resources by Black-headed Weavers could lead to population declines in two ecologically similar native species, and generate hypotheses to test for evidence of competition along these pathways. Black-headed Weavers could potentially impact native species by displacing them from nesting habitat, or by reducing habitat quality. We found no evidence for either potential competition pathway, suggesting that Black-headed Weavers do not currently compete with the two native species. However, it is possible that mechanisms that currently allow coexistence may not operate once Black-headed Weavers reach higher population densities or different habitats.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014, Wiley. This is an author produced version of a paper published in IBIS: The International Journal of Avian Science. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Acrocephalus warblers; coexistence; competition; invasive species; risk assessment |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 10 Mar 2015 13:19 |
Last Modified: | 25 Apr 2015 04:29 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12144 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/ibi.12144 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:83291 |