Demography of the Hawaiian Hawk
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SURVEY METHODOLOGY, ABUNDANCE, AND DEMOGRAPHY OF THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN HAWK: IS DELISTING WARRANTED? by John L. Klavitter A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science University of Washington 2000 Program Authorized to Offer Degree: College of Forest Resources Master's Thesis In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master's degree at the University of Washington, I agree that the library shall make its copies freely available for inspection. I further agree that extensive copying of this thesis is allowable only for scholarly purposes, consistent with "fair use" as prescribed in the U.S. Copyright Law. Any other reproduction for any purposes or by any means shall not be allowed without my written permission. Signature: John Klavitter Date: June 7, 2000 University of Washington Graduate School This is to certify that I have examined this copy of a master's thesis by John L. Klavitter and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions by the final examining committee have been made. Committee Members: _________________________________________________________ Dr. John Marzluff _________________________________________________________ Dr. Dave Manuwal _________________________________________________________ Dr. John Skalski Date: _______________________ University of Washington Abstract SURVEY METHODOLOGY, ABUNDANCE, AND DEMOGRAPHY OF THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN HAWK: IS DELISTING WARRANTED? by John L. Klavitter Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee: Associate Professor John M. Marzluff College of Forest Resources To provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with updated information on the Hawaiian hawk (‘io, Buteo solitarius) for reconsideration of its current status (endangered), I tested survey methodology, determined population size, distribution, habitat availability, survival, fecundity, and finite rate of increase (λ) of ‘io during 1998 and 1999 on the island of Hawai‘i. I estimated the total population at 1,457 (SE = 176.3) hawks. Birds were distributed broadly around the island, but highest densities were found in mature native forest with a grass understory (0.0057 ‘io/ha). I calculated that 58.7% of the island (614,405 ha) is useable habitat for ‘io. Of the useable habitat, 31.8% (195,350 ha) is currently protected by State and Federal forests, parks, and refuges. Based on an average density of 0.0024 ± 0.0008 ‘io/ha in those areas, I calculated that protected areas currently support 469 ‘io (95% CI = 244- 901). I determined that the maximum number of ‘io found on the island prior to human occupation was 1,313 (95% CI = 857-2,013). In all habitats combined, first year and adult survival was 0.50 (SE = 0.0981) and 0.94 (SE = 0.0404), respectively. In all habitats combined, fecundity was 0.23 (SE = 0.04) female young/breeding female. Overall finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.0324 (SE = 0.0428). Elasticity analyses showed adult survival as the most important parameter regulating finite growth of this population. Based on current ‘io populations that are equal or larger in size to populations prior to human contact, high adult survival, the protection of substantial areas of habitat, a mean finite rate of increase ~ 1, resistance to avian diseases found on the island, no evidence of negative impacts of contaminants, and the birds ability to use human-altered landscapes and exotic prey, the population appears viable. However, because of the short duration of this study, the relatively low population size, the variance around my estimates, and environmental stochasticity, I feel delisting is not warranted. I feel downlisting would be appropriate for this species. Regardless of a change in listing, population size and especially adult survivorship should be routinely monitored. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………………………………………..iii LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………vi THESIS INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………...1 CHAPTER 1: METHODS TO CORRECT FOR DENSITY INFLATION BIASES IN SURVEYS USING ATTRACTANT CALLS: A CASE STUDY OF HAWAIIAN HAWKS……………………………………………………………...4 Introduction………………………………………………………………………...4 Methods…………………………………………………………………………….5 Study Area……………………………………………………………………...5 Spot Map Estimates of Density…………………………………………………6 Point Count Estimates of Density………………………………………………7 Determining Hawk Response and Movement………………………………….9 Adjusting Point Count Estimates of Density………………………………….10 Results…………………………………………………………………………….13 Discussion………………………………………………………………………...14 Density of Hawaiian Hawks…………………………………………………..14 Adjusting Point Count Estimates of Density………………………………….15 CHAPTER 2: ABUNDANCE AND DEMOGRAPHY OF THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN HAWK: IS DELISTING WARRANTED?………………………...26 Introduction……………………………………………………………………….26 Methods…………………………………………………………………………...28 Study Area……………………...……………………………………………..28 Population Abundance and Distribution……………….………..…………….28 Estimating Survival……………………………………………………………33 Productivity……………………………………………………………………34 Estimating Finite Rate of Increase…………………………………………….35 Other Potentially Limiting Factors……………………………………………36 Results………………………….…………………………………………………37 i Population Abundance………..……………………………………………….37 Survival and Productivity……..………………………………………………39 Estimating Finite Rate of Increase…………………………………………….40 Other Potentially Limiting Factors……………………………………………41 Discussion………………………………………………………………………...41 Survey Approach……………...………………………………………………41 Abundance, Distribution, and Demography…………………………………..42 Other Potentially Limiting Factors……………………………………………45 MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS………………………………………………...46 LITERATURE CITED………………………………………………………………62 APPENDIX A: Survey Point Descriptions and Locations…………………………..76 APPENDIX B: ‘Io Survey Results…………………………………………………..90 APPENDIX C: Island Habitat Map………………………………………………….95 APPENDIX D: ‘Io Nest Locations…………………………………………………..97 APPENDIX E: Results From Environmental Contaminant Analyses……………...100 ii LIST OF FIGURES Number Page 1. Hawk pair locations (nest sites known and unknown), survey points, survey roads, and contour lines in the 4,085-ha Puu Waawaa study area. Estimated home ranges (dashed lines) are drawn around nest sites………………………...20 2. Hawk pair locations (nest sites known and unknown), an unpaired female location, survey points, survey roads, and contour lines in the 5,100-ha Kona Refuge study area. Estimated home ranges (dashed lines) are drawn around nest sites……………………………………………………………………….…21 3. Hawk movement (mean ± SE) in response to broadcasts of adult and fledgling Hawaiian hawk calls played various distances (min: 150 m, max: 2,008 m). Fifty tests were conducted on radio-tagged birds with 28 birds responding. No hawks responded beyond 1,000 m (n = 9). Numbers over points are number of tests performed in each distance category, and numbers under boxes are sample sizes of birds responding to calls. The letter "R" indicates that the distance was estimated by linear regression…………………………………..…22 4. Probability of hawk occurrence models. Labels above each ring are the distances from the survey point. Labels to the right of each ring are the probabilities associated with detecting a hawk within a distance category. (A) Model assumes equal probabilities of detecting birds within distance categories to 1,000 m. (B) Model assumes probability of detecting a hawk is a function of the area of each distance category. Distance category areas increase as you move away from the survey point……………………………....23 5. Probability density function for the secondary platform (upper curve) and primary platform (lower curve) (A). The Buckland and Turnock probability detection function resulting from integrating the primary and secondary platform probability density functions (B). The area under the curve is the corrected effective survey area, ν………………………………………………..24 6. Methods used to adjust point count densities (hawks/hectare) (mean ± SE) in Puu Waawaa study area (A) and the Kona Refuge study area (B). "Lack iii of response" - densities adjusted for lack of response. "No adjustment" - no adjustments to point count detection distances before analyzing with DISTANCE. "Attraction" - detection distances adjusted for movement. "Attraction & Lack of Response" - detection distances adjusted for movement and resultant density adjusted for lack of response. "View obstruction" - detection distances adjusted for movement stratifying by cover. "View obstruction and Lack of Response" - detection distances adjusted for movement stratified by cover and resultant density adjusted for lack of response. Horizontal reference lines represent "true" hawk densities determined by spot mapping (panel A: 0.0059, panel B: 0.0076)……………….25 7. Population estimates (mean ± 95% CI) obtained during four point count surveys as part of this study (Jan 98, June 98, Sept 98, and Jan 99), and an estimate by Hall et al. (1997) (Dec 93). Jan 98, June 98, and Dec 93 all followed the same survey routes and consisted of 399 points. June 98 and Sept 98 both followed the same survey route consisting of 677 points……………………………………………………………………………..57 8. Distribution and density of 'io on the island of Hawaii. The hatched area shows state sanctuaries/natural area reserves and national parks/wildlife refuges which overlap with areas with 'io density of 0.0007 or greater………....58 9. Island of Hawaii map showing the locations of 75 hawk pairs located during the 1998-99 field seasons (only the first nest found for each pair is shown).