Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling Approach
ABSTRACT Invasive predators pose a serious threat to native biodiversity, with trapping being one of several methods developed to manage and monitor their populations. Many individuals in these predator populations have been found to display trap‐shyness, which hinders eradication and results in ina...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70604 |
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| author | Giorgia Vattiato Patrick M. Garvey Rachelle N. Binny Michael J. Plank Andrew M. Gormley Graham J. Hickling |
| author_facet | Giorgia Vattiato Patrick M. Garvey Rachelle N. Binny Michael J. Plank Andrew M. Gormley Graham J. Hickling |
| author_sort | Giorgia Vattiato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Invasive predators pose a serious threat to native biodiversity, with trapping being one of several methods developed to manage and monitor their populations. Many individuals in these predator populations have been found to display trap‐shyness, which hinders eradication and results in inaccurate estimates of population size. Lures are used to help overcome trap‐shyness by increasing the probability of interaction with the device, but the extent of trap‐shyness in wild populations, and the best timing for the introduction of a new lure or combination of lures, are uncertain. A key challenge for wildlife managers is maximising the efficacy of invasive predator control, particularly in relation to baiting and trapping, so that pests are extirpated, or survivors are reduced to a minimum. We first use a Bayesian estimation method to quantify trap‐shyness in a population of brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) in a New Zealand forest; the resulting estimated parameters are then used to calibrate a stochastic, individual‐based model simulating the outcomes of different luring scenarios. We show that the brushtail possum population analysed was likely split into a smaller, very trappable group and a larger trap‐shy group, with a low mean nightly probability of interaction with traps of 0.28 [0.14–0.56]. Furthermore, our results show that under the assumption of independent attraction levels towards different lures, using a combination of lures simultaneously can result in a greater and faster population knock‐down than using a single lure, or than to switch from one lure to another. The model presented can be used to infer wildlife population trappability from capture data, and our simulation results highlight the potential of improved luring strategies to capture individuals in post‐control residual populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-be00ee1c7fe94dcfb232e01bef1abad9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-be00ee1c7fe94dcfb232e01bef1abad92024-12-27T11:24:39ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582024-12-011412n/an/a10.1002/ece3.70604Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling ApproachGiorgia Vattiato0Patrick M. Garvey1Rachelle N. Binny2Michael J. Plank3Andrew M. Gormley4Graham J. Hickling5Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Lincoln New ZealandManaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Lincoln New ZealandManaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Lincoln New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury Christchurch New ZealandManaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Lincoln New ZealandManaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Lincoln New ZealandABSTRACT Invasive predators pose a serious threat to native biodiversity, with trapping being one of several methods developed to manage and monitor their populations. Many individuals in these predator populations have been found to display trap‐shyness, which hinders eradication and results in inaccurate estimates of population size. Lures are used to help overcome trap‐shyness by increasing the probability of interaction with the device, but the extent of trap‐shyness in wild populations, and the best timing for the introduction of a new lure or combination of lures, are uncertain. A key challenge for wildlife managers is maximising the efficacy of invasive predator control, particularly in relation to baiting and trapping, so that pests are extirpated, or survivors are reduced to a minimum. We first use a Bayesian estimation method to quantify trap‐shyness in a population of brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) in a New Zealand forest; the resulting estimated parameters are then used to calibrate a stochastic, individual‐based model simulating the outcomes of different luring scenarios. We show that the brushtail possum population analysed was likely split into a smaller, very trappable group and a larger trap‐shy group, with a low mean nightly probability of interaction with traps of 0.28 [0.14–0.56]. Furthermore, our results show that under the assumption of independent attraction levels towards different lures, using a combination of lures simultaneously can result in a greater and faster population knock‐down than using a single lure, or than to switch from one lure to another. The model presented can be used to infer wildlife population trappability from capture data, and our simulation results highlight the potential of improved luring strategies to capture individuals in post‐control residual populations.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70604invasive specieskill‐trapslure changepest eradicationtrap‐shyness |
| spellingShingle | Giorgia Vattiato Patrick M. Garvey Rachelle N. Binny Michael J. Plank Andrew M. Gormley Graham J. Hickling Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling Approach Ecology and Evolution invasive species kill‐traps lure change pest eradication trap‐shyness |
| title | Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling Approach |
| title_full | Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling Approach |
| title_fullStr | Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling Approach |
| title_short | Optimising Control Device Luring Strategies for Invasive Predator Control: A Modelling Approach |
| title_sort | optimising control device luring strategies for invasive predator control a modelling approach |
| topic | invasive species kill‐traps lure change pest eradication trap‐shyness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70604 |
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