Stomach content analysis of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) captured at a lizard reintroduction site

Supervisor(s): Dr Manuela Barry

Supervisor’s webpage: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=739050

Project Description

Field surveys of a recently reintroduced native lizard in a local mainland sanctuary in early 2020 have revealed that at least one of the two sub-populations may have been affected by recent incursion events of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)and possibly other mammalian predators. This project seeks to investigate the stomach contents of 40+ rats, stoats and cats that have been caught at or in the vicinity of the lizard release sites since mid-2019 to determine whether these mammals have consumed this lizard species or other resident wildlife. A second objective is to prepare a bubble map with recent known lizard ‘hotspots’ (based on tracking card data) to inform the ongoing conservation management and active research programme of the populations. This project provides an opportunity to apply zoological preparation techniques such as vertebrate dissection and identification of prey items in a conservation context.

Effect of conservation management on biodiversity—Ecosystem responses

Supervisor(s): Associate Professor Weihong Ji

Supervisor’s webpage: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-of-sciences/research/natural-mathematical-sciences/wildlife-ecology-research/tui-talk/tui-mating-systems_home.cfm?stref=231930

Project Description

Previous studies on outcome of conservation management such as mammal predator control and habitat restoration have been largely focused on particular species (i.e. population recovery, breeding success of endangered species) or particular groups (i.e. avian diversity). The benefit of a conservation management may not be fully demonstrated by such a narrow -focused monitoring programme. For example, any positive response of invertebrate abundance to mammal predator control may be masked by recovery of populations of their predators such as lizards and birds. Yet such recovery of trophic interactions would lead to recovery of ecosystem function and resilience, an ultimate conservation outcome.  Few studies investigated conservation outcomes at ecosystem level. This project is to establish a long-term monitoring programme to investigate the outcome of conservation management (i.e. mammal predator control, habitat restoration) implemented at Tara-Iti Golf Park, Mangawhai:

1. Efficacy of mammal predator control programme

• Monitoring predator activities using tracking tunnels and camera traps to evaluate the efficacy of predator control programme

  2.  Response of ecosystem components to predator control

• Invertebrate diversity and abundance through pitfall trapping
• Lizard abundance through artificial covering object and tracking tunnels (ACO) 
• Avian diversity and abundance through transect survey, distance sampling and acoustic monitoring techniques.   

Where do fish go? Analysis of a novel fish-tagging citizen-science programme

Supervisor(s): Dr Adam Smith

Supervisor’s webpage: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=348602

Project Description

Understanding the size, structure, and connectivity of exploited fish populations is fundamental to effective management. Tag-recapture studies can provide valuable data for fisheries, but they are costly, time-consuming, and usually limited to one-off studies of commercial species. In 2018, the Tindale Marine Research Charitable Trust began a tag-and-release citizen-science programme to overcome this investment hurdle by recruiting recreational fishers to act as voluntary taggers. So far, more than 373 anglers have tagged 2464 fish from 36 species and reported 61 recaptures of 11 species. These data have not yet been analysed in any detail. The purpose of this project is to provide an independent analysis and review of the tagging programme. The student will collate and summarise the tagging data, develop tools for analysing and presenting the data, and assess the utility of the programme for improving management of New Zealand’s inshore fish populations.

Using tropical and subtropical fishes to monitor climate change related biodiversity change in New Zealand       

Supervisor(s): Dr Libby Liggins

Supervisor’s webpage: http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=891512

Project Description

The occurrence of warmer-water marine species along our coastlines may provide early warning of community and ecosystem changes related to climate change.  Despite dramatic climate-induced changes to the marine biodiversity in several regions overseas, impacts on New Zealand’s marine biodiversity have been hard to detect. To help inform monitoring of climate change impacts, we have collated a database of sub/tropical fish occurrence data in New Zealand sourced from both peer reviewed literature and citizen scientists. In this project we will collate images and text related to these occurrences, so that we can train computers to undertake automated searches for new occurrences in future. This project would suit a person who likes working as part of a team, and is interested in climate change, marine biodiversity, and trans-disciplinary approaches.

Breeding behaviour of the Tara iti, New Zealand fairy tern (Sterna nereis davisae): chick rearing behaviour, parental care, vocalisations and behavioural responses to disturbance.

Supervisor(s): Professor Dianne Brunton

Supervisor’s webpage: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=659830

Project Description

Tara iti, the New Zealand fairy tern, (Sterna nereis davisae) is one of New Zealand’s rarest native bird species, with an estimated population size of less than 40 individuals and only 10-12 breeding pairs. Currently, the Tara iti population is confined to Northland, with four breeding areas – Waipu, Mangawhai, Pakiri and South Kaipara Harbour. Unfortunately, small populations are at high risk due to stochastic events and inbreeding depression, and intensive management is required to increase the population size to self-sustaining level. Tara iti are particularly susceptible to habitat degradation due to human activities (e.g. recreational, residential, development, pine plantations, and pastoral farming), predation by introduced predators (e.g. cats and hedgehogs) and environmental events (e.g. high tides, storms and floods). To support management practise and prioritizations, it is necessary to understand the factors relevant to nesting and chick rearing activities in the NZ population. This study aims to provide information that may inform successful conservation management of this species. We propose to quantify the breeding behaviour of Tara iti using comprehensive field observations during the breeding season for Tara iti nesting on the east coast of northern New Zealand. This will expand our current understanding of Tara iti behaviour and provide information to support conservation management of this species, including captive rearing practices.

One Health – Contaminants in New Zealand Marine Mammals    

Supervisor(s): Associate Professor Karen Stockin and Dr Emma Betty

Supervisor’s webpage: https://www.cetaceanecology.org/

Project Description

Ocean health is inextricably linked to human health. Connections between the health of humans, animals, and the environments in which they live are recognized within the One Health paradigm. Our interdisciplinary research examines cetacean health in the context of marine mammals as sentinel species. Such sentinels are used to gain early warnings about current or potential negative impacts on individual- and population-level animal health. Marine mammals are described as prime sentinels because many species have long life spans, are long-term coastal residents, feed at a high trophic level, and have large blubber stores that can serve as depots for anthropogenic chemicals and toxins. We seek a motivated summer student to examine both legacy (PCBs, DDTs and trace elements) and emerging contaminants (PFAs, BFRs and microplastics) in cetaceans examined post-mortem. The student will (1) partake in post-mortem examinations to enable tissue recovery (2) subsample and prep archive tissues for chemical analyses (3) collate and summarize contaminant data (4) undertake a focused literature review respective to species.