Study

A helping hand: artificial nest site provisioning increases breeding success of a tropical seabird

  • Published source details Hart L.A., Gane J., Olivier I., Downs C.T. & Brown M. (2016) A helping hand: artificial nest site provisioning increases breeding success of a tropical seabird. African Journal of Marine Science, 38, 233-239.

Summary

Provide artificial nesting sites for ground and tree-nesting seabirds

A replicated, site comparison study in 2013–2014 on Cousine Island, Seychelles (Hart et al. 2016) found that breeding success of white terns Gygis alba was higher in artificial coconut-shell nests than natural nests. Fledglings were produced from 60% of artificial nests, vs only 32% of natural nests. Artificial nests also had higher hatching success (65% of eggs hatched) and fledging success (92% of chicks fledged) compared to natural nests (hatching: 52%; fledging: 61%; statistical significance not assessed). Artificial nests were cleaned, smoothed coconut husks nailed to tree branches. Twenty artificial nests and 113 natural white tern nests were monitored weekly between March 2013 and December 2014. This study was on the same island as (Fujita et al. 2009), but it is not clear if the same nests were monitored.

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust