Context . A puzzling aspect of microtine population fluctuations is the damping out or collapsing of cycles over the last three decades, particularly in northern Europe. Occasional population fluctuations of Microtus may also have been damped out in temperate and boreal forests of the Pacific North-west of North America. One cause might be the presence of cattle (Bos taurus) grazing in forest habitats that offer summer forage.

Aims . We tested hypotheses (H) that abundance, population fluctuations, and demographic parameters of reproduction, recruitment and survival, of Microtus pennsylvanicus would be driven by understory plant productivity. Two predictions follow from this hypothesis: (H₁) enhanced abundance and demography in fertilised stands, and (H₂) reduced abundance and demography in stands with cattle grazing.

Methods . Study areas were located in ‘grazed’ and ‘ungrazed’ young forests in south-central British Columbia, Canada. Each study area had four replicate units of unfertilised and repeatedly fertilised stands. Herbaceous vegetation and meadow vole (M. pennsylvanicus) populations were sampled from 1993 to 2002.

Key results . Mean abundance of total herbs, grasses, and fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) increased dramatically (8 to 34 times higher) with fertilisation in the ungrazed stands. Mean abundance of meadow voles was 3.1 to 8.5 times higher in the nutrient-enriched herbaceous vegetation in the ungrazed fertilised than grazed fertilised stands. Demographic variables also followed this pattern of abundance. Except for two years, mean abundance of meadow voles was similar between fertilised and unfertilised stands at the grazed area, with some degree of fluctuations generated in grazed stands. Thus, H₁ and H₂ were at least partly supported for M. pennsylvanicus in fertilised stands.

Conclusions . In high-quality habitats where cover and other attributes of vegetation are substantial enough to generate population increases and fluctuations of Microtus, grazing of vegetation by cattle or other livestock may indeed lead to potential collapse of fluctuations. Degree of grazing pressure would be crucial, but considering the widespread nature of grazing in the continuum of post-harvest forested sites in the Pacific North-west of North America, moderate to heavy grazing pressure is common.

Implications . Reductions in populations of microtines have serious consequences for predator communities and other ecological functions.

Context . Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) is an introduced pasture grass that has spread over large areas of semiarid Australia with potentially significant negative consequences for biodiversity. Previous studies suggest that the response of bird communities to the changes in habitat associated with buffel grass invasion is complex.

Aims . This study compares the behaviour of birds between sub-sites with predominantly native vegetation where buffel grass had been removed and control sub-sites with buffel grass, which were left unmanaged, at two locations in central Australia. Our objective was to evaluate whether removing buffel grass at small scales had measurable benefits for local bird species and to better understand how the presence of buffel grass affects bird behaviour.

Methods . We assessed differences in microhabitat use and behaviour of all species combined and when separated into above ground, flexible and ground foraging guilds. We also tested for direct correlations between different cover types and the microhabitat use and behaviour of birds within guilds, with some further analyses of three common species individually.

Key results . Management of buffel grass was associated with changes in the microhabitat use and behaviour of birds when all species were combined and for all foraging guilds. Buffel grass cover was negatively correlated with the proportional time birds spent on the ground and with proportional time spent foraging. However, of the three species examined individually only the behaviour of white-winged trillers (Lalage tricolor) was consistently correlated with ground vegetation cover. Our observations also suggest birds spent less time overall at sites with high buffel grass.

Conclusions . Managing buffel grass in small areas creates islands of habitat that provide important opportunities for foraging at a localised scale. Buffel grass and other ground cover affects the behaviour of birds collectively, but individual species responses vary.

Implications . Management of buffel grass in small areas with high conservation value should be considered. Our study will help to inform land managers of the benefits of controlling buffel grass on a localised scale.

Context . Effective design of conservation management programs for long-term population control requires an accurate definition of the spatial extent of populations, along with a proper understanding of the ways that landscape patchiness influences demography and dispersal within these populations.

Aims . In the present study, genetic techniques are used to describe the population genetic structure and connectivity of invasive stoats (Mustela erminea) across the Auckland region, New Zealand, so as to assist planning for mainland stoat control, and define potential future eradication units.

Methods . A sample of stoats from across the region (n = 120), was genotyped at 17 microsatellite loci, and a combination of clustering, genetic population assignment and various migration estimation methods were applied to these data.

Key results . Moderate population structure was observed (F_ST = 0.03–0.21), with five geographic populations defined by genetic clustering. Almost all individuals were correctly assigned to the location of origin, and recent migration rates among forest patches were found to be low.

Conclusions . It is possible to define the origin of stoats at this regional scale using genetic measures. From this, we show that the stoat incursion on Rangitoto Island that occurred post-eradication in 2010 probably came from East Auckland (P < 0.0001), whereas the 2014 stoat incursion on Motutapu Island probably originated from a population linked to the Waitakeres. Also, the Waiheke Island stoat population has minimal connection to all other populations and it is therefore a potential eradication unit.

Implications . The low migration rates among forest patches indicated that if thorough control is imposed on a discrete forest patch, reinvasion from other forest patches will be relatively low. Importantly, for stoat control in the region, the isolation of the Waiheke Island stoat population means that eradication here is likely to be feasible with low reinvasion pressure.

Context . Feral cats (Felis catus) threaten biodiversity in many parts of the world, including Australia. Low-level culling is often used to reduce their impact, but in open cat populations the effectiveness of culling is uncertain. This is partly because options for assessing this management action have been restricted to estimating cat activity rather than abundance.

Aims . We measured the response, including relative abundance, of feral cats to a 13-month pulse of low-level culling in two open sites in southern Tasmania.

Methods . To do this we used remote cameras and our analysis included identification of individual feral cats. We compared estimates of relative abundance obtained via capture–mark–recapture and minimum numbers known to be alive, and estimates of activity obtained using probability of detection and general index methods, pre- and post-culling. We also compared trends in cat activity and abundance over the same time period at two further sites where culling was not conducted.

Key results . Contrary to expectation, the relative abundance and activity of feral cats increased in the cull-sites, even though the numbers of cats captured per unit effort during the culling period declined. Increases in minimum numbers of cats known to be alive ranged from 75% to 211% during the culling period, compared with pre- and post-cull estimates, and probably occurred due to influxes of new individuals after dominant resident cats were removed.

Conclusions . Our results showed that low-level ad hoc culling of feral cats can have unwanted and unexpected outcomes, and confirmed the importance of monitoring if such management actions are implemented.

Implications . If culling is used to reduce cat impacts in open populations, it should be as part of a multi-faceted approach and may need to be strategic, systematic and ongoing if it is to be effective.

Context . Numerous studies show that artificial light disrupts the sea-finding ability of marine turtle hatchlings. Yet very little has been published regarding sea-finding for flatback turtles. Given the current industrialisation of Australia’s coastline, and the large potential for disruption posed by industrial light, this study is a timely investigation into sea-finding behaviour of flatback turtle hatchlings.

Aims . We investigate sea-finding by flatback turtle hatchlings in relation to ambient light present in areas of planned or ongoing industrial development, and evaluate the fan and arena-based methods that are frequently used for quantifying hatchling dispersion.

Methods . Using a combination of methods, we assessed the angular range and directional preference of sea-finding hatchlings at two key flatback turtle rookeries, Peak and Curtis Islands, during January–February 2012 and 2013, and at Curtis Island in January 2014. Relative light levels at each site were measured using an Optec SSP-3 stellar photometer, and moon phase, moon stage and cloud cover were also recorded.

Key results . We found no evidence of impaired hatchling orientation, and observed very low levels of light at Peak Island. However, at Curtis Island, hatchlings displayed reduced sea-finding ability, with light horizons from the direction of nearby industry significantly brighter than from other directions. The sea-finding disruption observed at Curtis Island was less pronounced in the presence of moonlight.

Conclusions . The reduced sea-finding ability of Curtis Island hatchlings was likely due to both altered light horizons from nearby industry, as well as beach topography. Both methods of assessing hatchling orientation have benefits and limitations. We suggest that fan-based methods, combined with strategically placed arenas, would provide the best data for accurately assessing hatchling sea-finding.

Implications . Sky glow produced by large-scale industrial development appears detrimental to sea-finding by flatback turtle hatchlings. As development continues around Australia’s coastline, we strongly recommend continued monitoring of lighting impacts at adjacent turtle nesting beaches. We also advise rigorous management of industrial lighting, which considers cumulative light levels in regions of multiple light producers, as well as moon phase, moon-stage, cloud cover and time of hatchling emergence. All these factors affect the likelihood of disrupted hatchling sea-finding behaviour at nesting beaches exposed to artificial light-glow, industrial or otherwise.

Feral cats (Felis catus) have a wide global distribution and cause significant damage to native fauna. Reducing their impacts requires an understanding of how they use habitat and which parts of the landscape should be the focus of management. We reviewed 27 experimental and observational studies conducted around the world over the last 35 years that aimed to examine habitat use by feral and unowned cats. Our aims were to: (1) summarise the current body of literature on habitat use by feral and unowned cats in the context of applicable ecological theory (i.e. habitat selection, foraging theory); (2) develop testable hypotheses to help fill important knowledge gaps in the current body of knowledge on this topic; and (3) build a conceptual framework that will guide the activities of researchers and managers in reducing feral cat impacts. We found that feral cats exploit a diverse range of habitats including arid deserts, shrublands and grasslands, fragmented agricultural landscapes, urban areas, glacial valleys, equatorial to sub-Antarctic islands and a range of forest and woodland types. Factors invoked to explain habitat use by cats included prey availability, predation/competition, shelter availability and human resource subsidies, but the strength of evidence used to support these assertions was low, with most studies being observational or correlative. We therefore provide a list of key directions that will assist conservation managers and researchers in better understanding and ameliorating the impact of feral cats at a scale appropriate for useful management and research. Future studies will benefit from employing an experimental approach and collecting data on the relative abundance and activity of prey and other predators. This might include landscape-scale experiments where the densities of predators, prey or competitors are manipulated and then the response in cat habitat use is measured. Effective management of feral cat populations could target high-use areas, such as linear features and structurally complex habitat. Since our review shows often-divergent outcomes in the use of the same habitat components and vegetation types worldwide, local knowledge and active monitoring of management actions is essential when deciding on control programs.

Context . Over the past two decades, an increase in the number of resident (non-migratory) Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in the United States has heightened the awareness of human–goose interactions.

Aims . Accordingly, baseline demographic estimates for goose populations are needed to help better understand the ecology of Canada geese in suburban areas.

Methods . As a basis for monitoring efforts, we estimated densities of adult resident Canada geese in a suburban environment by using a novel spatial mark–resight method. We resighted 763 neck- and leg-banded resident Canada geese two to three times per week in and around Greensboro, North Carolina, over an 18-month period (June 2008 – December 2009). We estimated the density, detection probabilities, proportion of male geese in the population, and the movements and home-range radii of the geese by season ((post-molt I 2008 (16 July – 31 October), post-molt II 2008/2009 (1 November – 31 January), breeding and nesting 2009 (1 February – 31 May), and post-molt I 2009). Additionally, we used estimates of the number of marked individuals to quantify apparent monthly survival.

Key results . Goose densities varied by season, ranging from 11.10 individuals per km² (s.e. = 0.23) in breeding/nesting to 16.02 individuals per km² (s.e. = 0.34) in post-molt II. The 95% bivariate normal home-range radii ranged from 2.60 to 3.86 km for males and from 1.90 to 3.15 km for females and female home ranges were smaller than those of male geese during the breeding/nesting and post-molt II seasons. Apparent monthly survival across the study was high, ranging from 0.972 (s.e. = 0.005) to 0.995 (s.e. = 0.002).

Conclusions . By using spatial mark–resight models, we determined that Canada goose density estimates varied seasonally. Nevertheless, the seasonal changes in density are reflective of the seasonal changes in behaviour and physiological requirements of geese.

Implications . Although defining the state–space of spatial mark–resight models requires careful consideration, the technique represents a promising new tool to estimate and monitor the density of free-ranging wildlife. Spatial mark–resight methods provide managers with statistically robust population estimates and allow insight into animal space use without the need to employ more costly methods (e.g. telemetry). Also, when repeated across seasons or other biologically important time periods, spatial mark–resight modelling techniques allow for inference about apparent survival.

Context . Dry forests usually have a marked seasonality in resource availability; as a consequence, wildlife is subjected to drastic changes in food availability during the year. The presence of high-quality sites that provide food during lean periods is crucial in these habitats, especially in human-modified landscapes where resources are limited and scattered.

Aims . We assessed whether seasonal fluctuations in the availability of fruit resources in two contrasting landscape matrices (continuous tropical semi-deciduous forest and pasture) affect the diet diversity for frugivorous bats, and whether the presence of cenotes (freshwater-filled sinkholes) in these matrices had any effect during the rainy and dry seasons.

Methods . For each matrix type, two sites with a cenote and two sites with no cenote were sampled. The highest richness of chiropterochorous plants and the longer availability of fruit in the forest surrounding cenotes than in forest with no cenote helped evaluate the importance of patch quality on diet diversity. Two dry and two wet seasons were sampled to assess the effect of the season on diet diversity.

Key results . After four seasons, 1398 frugivorous bats belonging to seven species had been captured, with Artibeus jamaicensis being the most abundant and important seed disperser. Thirteen plant species made up the diet of the frugivorous bats, with Ficus and Solanum being the most frequent genera. Diet diversity was greater in the pasture matrix than in the continuous forest. During the dry season, diet diversity was higher at sites with a cenote in both landscape matrices, but this interaction was not statistically significant.

Conclusions . Frugivorous bats are flexible and capable of tracking variations in food availability at different temporal and spatial scales. The latter allows these bats to use several vegetation types during the year to complement their diet in highly seasonal forests.

Implications . Owing to their foraging habits and the high number and variety of seeds that bats can disperse, they create strong connections between both fragmented and continuous landscapes. Management practices that conserve the areas with arboreal vegetation are essential to the movement of bats and the seeds they disperse across fragmented landscapes that later contribute to forest regeneration.