Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Little tern breeding success in artificial and natural habitats: modelling population growth under uncertain vital rates

  • Original article
  • Published:
Population Ecology

Abstract

As a consequence of habitat loss, breeding in man-made habitats has become increasingly common for many coastal breeding bird species. While artificial sites provide valuable substitutes, they may also be more attractive, and importantly, differ in quality from natural sites. Therefore, information on habitat specific breeding success and their potential for supporting stable populations are needed. We compared little tern (Sternula albifrons) breeding success (nest and hatching success) between natural habitat (sandy beaches) and artificial port habitat at Bothnian Bay, Finland from 2006 to 2011. We further reviewed published estimates on pre-fledging and adult survival for little terns and least terns (Sternula antillarum), and used these ranges to estimate plausible parameter spaces for population growth rates given our estimates of breeding success. Nest success was among the highest reported for little terns in the artificial habitat (82 %) while being lower in the natural habitat (58 %). This difference may have resulted from differences in colony sizes and levels of disturbance. Hatching success did not differ significantly, but the percentage of successful nests containing unhatched eggs was twice as high in the natural habitat. The parameter spaces for population growth rates indicated that the artificial habitat has good potential to sustain stable populations (66 % positive growth rate) while for the natural habitat this potential was lower (37 % positive growth rate). While our results suggest that artificial habitats can be very productive breeding sites for habitat deprived tern populations, management should concentrate on improving both habitats with emphasis on natural sites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aebischer NJ (1999) Multi-way comparisons and generalised linear models of nest success: extensions of the Mayfield method. Bird Study 46:S22–S31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akçakaya HR, Atwood JL, Breininger D, Collins CT, Duncan B (2003) Metapopulation dynamics of the California least tern. J Wildl Manage 67:829–842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bacon LM, Rotella JJ (1998) Breeding ecology of interior least terns on the unregulated Yellowstone River, Montana. J Field Ornithol 69:391–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey JP, Servello FA (2008) Chick survival, fledgling residency and evaluation of methods for estimating fledging success in least terns. Waterbirds 31:571–579

    Google Scholar 

  • BirdLife International (2012) IUCN red list for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 08 Dec 2012

  • Brooks GL, Sanders FJ, Gerard PD, Jodige PGR (2013) Daily survival rate for nests and chicks of least terns (Sternula antillarum) at natural nest sites in South Carolina. Waterbirds 36:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown MB, Burbach ME, Dinan J, Held RJ, Johnson RJ, Jorgensen JG, Lackey J, Marcus JF, Matkin GS, Thody CM (2010) Nebraska’s tern and plover conservation partnership—a model for sustainable conservation of threatened and endangered species. Wader study group Bull 118:22–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunton DH (1999) Optimal colony size for least terns: an inter-colony study of opposing selective pressures by predators. Condor 101:607–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnham KP, Anderson DR (2002) Model selection and multimodel inference: a practical information-theoretic approach. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Caswell H (2001) Matrix population models. Sinauer, Sunderland

    Google Scholar 

  • Catry T, Ramos JA, Catry I, Allen-Revez M, Grade N (2004) Are salinas a suitable alternative breeding habitat for little terns Sterna albifrons? Ibis 146:247–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chace JF, Walsh JJ (2006) Urban effects on native avifauna: a review. Landsc Urban Plan 74:46–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chamberlain DE, Cannon AR, Toms MP, Leech DI, Hatchwell BJ, Gaston KJ (2009) Avian productivity in urban landscapes: a review and meta-analysis. Ibis 151:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins CT, Wimer M, Massey BW, Kares LM, Gazzaniga K (1998) Banding of adult California least terns at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton between 1987 and 1997. Report prepared for the Natural Resources Management Branch, Southwestern Division Naval Facilities Eng. Command. San Diego, CA

  • Croxall JP, Butchart SHM, Lascelles B, Stattersfield AJ, Sullivan B, Symes A, Taylor P (2012) Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment. Bird Conserv Int 22:1–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dinsmore SJ, White GC, Knopf FL (2002) Advanced techniques for modeling avian nest survival. Ecology 83:3476–3488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dugger KM, Ryan MR, Renken RB (2000) Least tern chick survival on the Lower Mississippi River. J Field Ornithol 71:330–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott ML, Hurt R, Sydeman WJ (2007) Breeding biology and status of the California least tern Sterna antillarum browni at Alameda Point, San Francisco Bay, California. Waterbirds 30:317–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erwin RM, Allen DH, Jenkins D (2003) Created versus natural coastal islands: Atlantic waterbird populations, habitat choices, and management implications. Estuaries 26:949–955

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fujita G, Totsu K, Shibata E, Matsuoka Y, Morita H, Kitamura W, Kuramoto N, Masuda N, Higuchi H (2009) Habitat management of little terns in Japan’s highly developed landscape. Biol Conserv 142:1891–1898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gore JA, Kinnison MJ (1991) Hatching success in roof and ground colonies of least terns. Condor 93:759–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goutner V (1990) Habitat selection of little terns in the Evros Delta, Greece. Col Waterbirds 13:108–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holloway M (1993) The variable breeding success of the little tern Sterna albifrons in south-east India and protective measures needed for its conservation. Biol Conserv 65:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong SB, Woo YT, Higashi S (1998) Effects of clutch size and egg-laying order on the breeding success in the little tern Sterna albifrons on the Nakdong Estuary, Republic of Korea. Ibis 140:408–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hongell H (2002) On little tern’s breeding populations within the Baltic Sea region and its breeding biology in Kalajoki. Linnut vuosikirja 2002:18–125 (in Finnish with English summary)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenniges JJ, Plettner RG (2008) Least tern nesting at human created habitats in central Nebraska. Waterbirds 31:274–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jokimäki J, Huhta E (2000) Artificial nest predation and abundance of birds along an urban gradient. Condor 102:838–847

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirsch EM (1996) Habitat selection and productivity of least terns on the lower Platte River, Nebraska. Wildl Monogr 132:1–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Koivula K, Rönkä A (1998) Habitat deterioration and efficiency of antipredator strategy in meadow-breeding wader, Temminck’s stint (Calidris temminckii). Oecologia 116:348–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krogh MG, Schweitzer SH (1999) Least terns nesting on natural and artificial habitats in Georgia, USA. Waterbirds 22:290–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kruse CD, Higgins KF, Lee BAV (2001) Influence of predation on piping plover, Charadrius melodus, and least tern, Sterna antillarum, productivity along the Missouri River in South Dakota. Can Field Nat 115:480–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Leslie DM, Wood GK, Carter TS (2000) Productivity of endangered least terns (Sterna antillarum athalassos) below a hydropower and flood-control facility on the Arkansas River. Southwest Nat 45:483–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liebezeit JR, Smith PA, Lanctot RB, Schekkerman H, Tulp I, Kendall SJ, Tracy D, Rodrigues RJ, Meltofte H, Robinson JAR, Gratto-Trevor C, McCaffery BJ, Morse J, Zack SW (2007) Assessing the development of shorebird eggs using the flotation method: species-specific and generalized regression models. Condor 109:32–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lombard CD, Collazo JA, McNair DB (2010) Nest and chick survival and colony-site dynamics of least terns in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Condor 112:56–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massey BW, Atwood JL (1981) Second-wave nesting of the California least tern: age composition and reproductive success. Auk 98:596–605

    Google Scholar 

  • Massey BW, Fancher JM (1989) Renesting by California least terns. J Field Ornithol 60:350–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Massey BW, Bradley DW, Atwood JL (1992) Demography of a California least tern colony including effects of the 1982–1983 El Niño. Condor 94:976–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mavor RA, Heubeck M, Schmitt S, Parsons M (2008) Seabird numbers and breeding success in Britain and Ireland, 2006. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK Nature Conservation, No. 31, Peterborough

  • Mayfield HR (1961) Nesting success calculated from exposure. Wilson Bulletin 73:255–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayfield HR (1975) Suggestions for calculating nest success. Wilson Bulletin 87:456–466

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinnon L, Smith PA, Nol E, Martin JL, Doyle FI, Abraham KF, Gilchrist HG, Morrison RIG, Bêty J (2010) Lower predation risk for migratory birds at high latitudes. Science 327:326–327

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Medeiros R, Ramos JA, Paiva VH, Almeida A, Pedro P, Antunes S (2007) Signage reduces the impact of human disturbance on little tern nesting success in Portugal. Biol Conserv 135:99–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munro CA (1984) Roof-nesting oystercatchers. Bird Study 31:148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Little tern (Sterna albifrons) Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Hurstville. Available online http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/recoveryPlanFinalLittleTern.pdf

  • Paiva VH, Ramos JA, Catry T, Pedro P, Medeiros R, Palma J (2006) Influence of environmental factors and energetic value of food on little tern chick growth and food delivery. Bird Study 53:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paiva VH, Ramos JA, Martins J, Almeida A, Carvalho A (2008) Foraging habitat selection by little terns Sternula albifrons in an estuarine lagoon system of southern Portugal. Ibis 150:18–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pakanen VM, Rönkä N, Thomson RL, Koivula K (2014) Informed renesting decisions: the effect of nest predation risk. Oecologia 174:1159–1167

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pulliam HR (1988) Sources, sinks, and population regulation. Am Nat 132:652–661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassi P, Hyvärinen E, Juslén A, Mannerkoski I (eds) (2010) The 2010 red list of Finnish species. Ympäristöministeriö & Suomen ympäristökeskus, Helsinki

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratcliffe N, Pickerel G, Brindley E (2000) Population trends of little and sandwich terns Sterna albifrons and S. sandvicensis in Britain and Ireland from 1969 to 1998. Atl Seabirds 2:211–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratcliffe N, Houghton D, Mayo A, Smith T, Scott M (2006) The breeding biology of terns on the western isles in relation to mink eradication. Atl Seabirds 8:127–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratcliffe N, Schmitt S, Mayo A, Tratalos J, Drewitt A (2008) Colony habitat selection by Little terns Sternula albifrons in East Anglia: implications for coastal management. Seabirds 21:55–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Renken RB, Smith JW (1995) Annual adult survival of interior least terns. J Field Ornithol 66:112–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Rimmer DW, Deblinger RD (1992) Use of fencing to limit terrestrial predator movements into least tern colonies. Col Waterbirds 15:226–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rönkä A, Koivula K, Ojanen M, Pakanen V-M, Pohjoismäki M, Rannikko K, Rauhala P (2006) Increased nest predation in a declining and threatened Temminck’s stint Calidris temminckii population. Ibis 148:55–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Runge JP, Runge MC, Nichols JD (2006) The role of local populations within a landscape context: defining and classifying sources and sinks. Am Nat 167:925–938

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg P (1989) Studie av småtärna på Getterön. Meddelande från Getteröns fågelstation 26:27–41 (in Swedish)

  • Sandberg P (1990) Småtärnan på Getterön 1990. Meddelande från Getteröns fågelstation 27:11–15 (in Swedish)

  • Sandberg P (1991) Småtärnor på Getterön 1991. Meddelande från Getteröns fågelstation 28:12–16 (in Swedish)

  • Sandberg P (1992) Getteröns Småtärnor 1992. Meddelande från Getteröns fågelstation 29:40–44 (in Swedish)

  • Schippers P, Snep RPH, Schotman AGM, Jochem R, Stienen EWM, Slim PA (2009) Seabird metapopulations: searching for alternative breeding habitats. Popul Ecol 51:459–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlaepfer MA, Runge MC, Sherman PW (2002) Ecological and evolutionary traps. Trends Ecol Evol 17:474–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuetz J (2011) Reproductive declines in an endangered seabird: cause for concern or signs of conservation success? PLoS ONE 6(5):e19489. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019489

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schweitzer SH, Leslie DM Jr (2000) Stage-specific survival rates of the endangered least tern (Sterna antillarum) in northwestern Oklahoma. Proc Okla Acad Sci 80:53–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Sidle JG, Kirsch EM (1993) Least tern and piping plover nesting at sand pits in Nebraska. Col Waterbirds 16:139–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith JW, Renken RB (1993) Reproductive success of least terns in the Mississippi River Valley. Col Waterbirds 16:39–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith RK, Pullin AS, Stewart GB, Sutherland WJ (2010) Effectiveness of predator removal for enhancing bird populations. Conserv Biol 24:820–829

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spear KA, Schweitzer SH, Goodloe R, Harris DC (2007) Effects of management strategies on the reproductive success of least terns on dredge spoil in Georgia. Southeast Nat 6:27–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stienen EWM, Courtens W, Van de walle M, Van Waeyenberge J, Kuijken E (2005) Harbouring nature: port development and dynamic birds provide clues for conservation. In: Herrier JL, Mees J, Salman A, Seys J, Van Nieuwenhuyse H, Dobbelaere I (eds) Proceedings ‘Dunes and Estuaries 2005’: international conference on nature restoration practices in European coastal habitats, Koksijde, Belgium 19–23 Sept 2005. VLIZ Special Publication, vol 19, pp 381–392

  • Tavecchia G, Baccetti N, Serra L (2005) Colony specific variation inthe use of a moulting site in the migratory little tern Sterna albifrons. J Avian Biol 36:501–509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tavecchia G, Baccetti N, Serra L (2006) Modelling survival and movement probability of little tern Sterna albifrons at a post-breeding moulting site: the effect of the colony of origin. In: Boere G, Galbraith C, Stroud D (eds) Waterbirds around the world. The Stationary Office, Edinburgh, pp 560–561

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor IR, Roe EL (2004) Feeding ecology of little terns Sterna albifrons sinensis in south-eastern Australia and the effects of pilchard mass mortality on breeding success and population size. Mar Freshwater Res 55:799–808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson BC (1982) Distribution, colony characteristics, and population status of least terns breeding on the Texas coast. PhD Dissertation. Texas A&M University, Collage station, Texas, USA

  • Valkama J, Vepsäläinen V, Lehikoinen A (2011) The third finnish breeding bird atlas. Finnish Museum of Natural History and Ministry of Environment. http://atlas3.lintuatlas.fi/english (cited 18 April 2013) ISBN 978-952-10-7145-4

  • White GC, Burnham KP (1999) Program MARK: survival estimation from populations of marked animals. Bird Study 46:120–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittier JB, Leslie DM (2005) Efficacy of using radio transmitters to monitor Least tern chicks. Wilson Bulletin 117:85–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittier JB, Leslie DM (2009) Survival and movement of chicks of the least tern (Sterna antillarum) on an alkaline flat. Southwest Nat 54:176–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Jorma Pessa from the regional Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY-center) for co-operation with data collection. The data in Oulu was collected by VMP as part of the endangered species census organised and financed by the ELY-center. We thank also Matti Tynjälä from the environment office of Oulu and the Port of Oulu for cooperation in this study. We thank Robert L. Thomson and two anonymous referees for valuable comments on the manuscript. The study complies with national laws.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Oulu, P. O. Box 3000, 90014, Oulu, Finland

    Veli-Matti Pakanen, Sami Aikio & Kari Koivula

  2. Raahenkatu 46, 67200, Kokkola, Finland

    Harri Hongell

Authors
  1. Veli-Matti Pakanen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Harri Hongell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sami Aikio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kari Koivula
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Veli-Matti Pakanen.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (PDF 202 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pakanen, VM., Hongell, H., Aikio, S. et al. Little tern breeding success in artificial and natural habitats: modelling population growth under uncertain vital rates. Popul Ecol 56, 581–591 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-014-0446-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-014-0446-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation