Collect, connect, upscale : towards coordinated monitoring of migratory shorebirds in the asia-pacific
- Fuller, Richard, Jackson, Micha, Amano, Tatsuya, Choi, Chi-Yeung, Hansen, Birgita
- Authors: Fuller, Richard , Jackson, Micha , Amano, Tatsuya , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Zoologist Vol. 41, no. 2 (2021), p. 205-213
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Monitoring migratory species can be extremely challenging. For example, millions of migratory shorebirds migrate from breeding grounds in northern China, Mongolia and Russia to East Asia and Australasia each year, traversing more than 20 countries while on migration. Studies within individual nations have identified rapid declines in many species, yet progress toward a fully unified scheme for continuous tracking of population change at the scale of the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway has been slow. To reflect on lessons learned and consider how further progress might be made, we review some of the factors that have limited the full emergence of shorebird monitoring in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway, including fragmentation among multiple databases, low data readiness, inadequate metadata and gaps in survey coverage. We conclude that while technical solutions for many of these issues do exist, the biggest challenge is to navigate the significant organisational, socio-cultural and resourcing contexts of those people doing the monitoring. Technical solutions alone will not create a cohesive network of people whose local efforts are pooled to create robust flyway-scale monitoring. © 2021 Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. All rights reserved. *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen” is provided in this record**
- Authors: Fuller, Richard , Jackson, Micha , Amano, Tatsuya , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Zoologist Vol. 41, no. 2 (2021), p. 205-213
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Monitoring migratory species can be extremely challenging. For example, millions of migratory shorebirds migrate from breeding grounds in northern China, Mongolia and Russia to East Asia and Australasia each year, traversing more than 20 countries while on migration. Studies within individual nations have identified rapid declines in many species, yet progress toward a fully unified scheme for continuous tracking of population change at the scale of the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway has been slow. To reflect on lessons learned and consider how further progress might be made, we review some of the factors that have limited the full emergence of shorebird monitoring in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway, including fragmentation among multiple databases, low data readiness, inadequate metadata and gaps in survey coverage. We conclude that while technical solutions for many of these issues do exist, the biggest challenge is to navigate the significant organisational, socio-cultural and resourcing contexts of those people doing the monitoring. Technical solutions alone will not create a cohesive network of people whose local efforts are pooled to create robust flyway-scale monitoring. © 2021 Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. All rights reserved. *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen” is provided in this record**
Favourable inland wetland conditions increase apparent survival of migratory shorebirds in Australia
- Clemens, Robert, Rogers, Danny, Minton, Clive, Rogers, Ken, Hansen, Birgita
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Minton, Clive , Rogers, Ken , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 121, no. 3 (2021), p. 211-222
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many migratory shorebird species using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly. While the loss of staging habitats in East Asia is considered the primary cause, stressors to fitness often occur throughout the geographic range of declining species, and threats in the non-breeding grounds have been comparatively poorly studied. Three species of migratory shorebird, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (C. acuminata) and Red-necked Stint (C. ruficollis), use Australia’s dynamic temporary wetland systems opportunistically, yet these large wetland systems have become increasingly degraded, with reduced frequency and extent of flooding. Here, we test whether variables related to wetland availability in Australia’s interior can explain annual variation in apparent survival, abundance or immature to adult ratios at three well-monitored coastal shorebird areas in southern Australia (total area > 1315 km2). We show that coastal annual bird abundance and ratios of immatures at the coast were higher when inland Australia was relatively hot and dry. Also, a small but significant amount of variation in annual apparent survival can be explained by annual variation in inland conditions, with higher survival rates in years when inland conditions were relatively wet and cool. For the endangered Curlew Sandpiper, the impacts of Australian environmental conditions may be exacerbating the impacts of conditions experienced in other parts of its range on fitness and survival. While the effects we document here are relatively weak, they do suggest that management of inland wetlands for these shorebirds may positively affect survival rates of these sharply declining species. © 2021 BirdLife Australia. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen" is provided in this record**
Favourable inland wetland conditions increase apparent survival of migratory shorebirds in Australia
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Minton, Clive , Rogers, Ken , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 121, no. 3 (2021), p. 211-222
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many migratory shorebird species using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly. While the loss of staging habitats in East Asia is considered the primary cause, stressors to fitness often occur throughout the geographic range of declining species, and threats in the non-breeding grounds have been comparatively poorly studied. Three species of migratory shorebird, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (C. acuminata) and Red-necked Stint (C. ruficollis), use Australia’s dynamic temporary wetland systems opportunistically, yet these large wetland systems have become increasingly degraded, with reduced frequency and extent of flooding. Here, we test whether variables related to wetland availability in Australia’s interior can explain annual variation in apparent survival, abundance or immature to adult ratios at three well-monitored coastal shorebird areas in southern Australia (total area > 1315 km2). We show that coastal annual bird abundance and ratios of immatures at the coast were higher when inland Australia was relatively hot and dry. Also, a small but significant amount of variation in annual apparent survival can be explained by annual variation in inland conditions, with higher survival rates in years when inland conditions were relatively wet and cool. For the endangered Curlew Sandpiper, the impacts of Australian environmental conditions may be exacerbating the impacts of conditions experienced in other parts of its range on fitness and survival. While the effects we document here are relatively weak, they do suggest that management of inland wetlands for these shorebirds may positively affect survival rates of these sharply declining species. © 2021 BirdLife Australia. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen" is provided in this record**
Salmonella enterica serovar hvittingfoss in bar-tailed godwits (limosa lapponica) from Roebuck Bay, Northwestern Australia
- Smith, Hannah, Bean, David, Hawkey, Jane, Clarke, Rohan, Greenhill, Andrew
- Authors: Smith, Hannah , Bean, David , Hawkey, Jane , Clarke, Rohan , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Vol. 86, no. 19 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss is an important foodborne serotype of Salmonella, being detected in many countries where surveillance is conducted. Outbreaks can occur, and there was a recent multistate foodborne outbreak in Australia. S. Hvittingfoss can be found in animal populations, though a definitive animal host has not been established. Six species of birds were sampled at Roebuck Bay, a designated Ramsar site in northwestern Australia, resulting in 326 cloacal swabs for bacterial culture. Among a single flock of 63 bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica menzbieri) caught at Wader Spit, Roebuck Bay, in 2018, 17 (27%) were culture positive for Salmonella. All other birds were negative for Salmonella. The isolates were identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between isolates collected from godwits and the S. Hvittingfoss strain responsible for a 2016 multistate foodborne outbreak originating from tainted cantaloupes (rock melons) in Australia. While it is not possible to determine how this strain of S. Hvittingfoss was introduced into the bar-tailed godwits, these findings show that wild Australian birds are capable of carrying Salmonella strains of public health importance. IMPORTANCE Salmonella is a zoonotic pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and other disease presentations in both humans and animals. Serovars of S. enterica commonly cause foodborne disease in Australia and globally. In 2016-2017, S. Hvittingfoss was responsible for an outbreak that resulted in 110 clinically confirmed human cases throughout Australia. The origin of the contamination that led to the outbreak was never definitively established. Here, we identify a migratory shorebird, the bar-tailed godwit, as an animal reservoir of S. Hvittingfoss. These birds were sampled in northwestern Australia during their nonbreeding period. The presence of a genetically similar S. Hvittingfoss strain circulating in a wild bird population, 2 years after the 2016-2017 outbreak and ~1,500 km from the suspected source of the outbreak, demonstrates a potentially unidentified environmental reservoir of S. Hvittingfoss. While the birds cannot be implicated in the outbreak that occurred 2 years prior, this study does demonstrate the potential role for wild birds in the transmission of this important foodborne pathogen. © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.
- Authors: Smith, Hannah , Bean, David , Hawkey, Jane , Clarke, Rohan , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Vol. 86, no. 19 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss is an important foodborne serotype of Salmonella, being detected in many countries where surveillance is conducted. Outbreaks can occur, and there was a recent multistate foodborne outbreak in Australia. S. Hvittingfoss can be found in animal populations, though a definitive animal host has not been established. Six species of birds were sampled at Roebuck Bay, a designated Ramsar site in northwestern Australia, resulting in 326 cloacal swabs for bacterial culture. Among a single flock of 63 bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica menzbieri) caught at Wader Spit, Roebuck Bay, in 2018, 17 (27%) were culture positive for Salmonella. All other birds were negative for Salmonella. The isolates were identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between isolates collected from godwits and the S. Hvittingfoss strain responsible for a 2016 multistate foodborne outbreak originating from tainted cantaloupes (rock melons) in Australia. While it is not possible to determine how this strain of S. Hvittingfoss was introduced into the bar-tailed godwits, these findings show that wild Australian birds are capable of carrying Salmonella strains of public health importance. IMPORTANCE Salmonella is a zoonotic pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and other disease presentations in both humans and animals. Serovars of S. enterica commonly cause foodborne disease in Australia and globally. In 2016-2017, S. Hvittingfoss was responsible for an outbreak that resulted in 110 clinically confirmed human cases throughout Australia. The origin of the contamination that led to the outbreak was never definitively established. Here, we identify a migratory shorebird, the bar-tailed godwit, as an animal reservoir of S. Hvittingfoss. These birds were sampled in northwestern Australia during their nonbreeding period. The presence of a genetically similar S. Hvittingfoss strain circulating in a wild bird population, 2 years after the 2016-2017 outbreak and ~1,500 km from the suspected source of the outbreak, demonstrates a potentially unidentified environmental reservoir of S. Hvittingfoss. While the birds cannot be implicated in the outbreak that occurred 2 years prior, this study does demonstrate the potential role for wild birds in the transmission of this important foodborne pathogen. © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.
Wild Australian shorebirds as reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance
- Authors: Smith, Hannah
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Many existing and emerging diseases of humans are of zoonotic origin. In addition, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a serious risk for hospitals, agriculture, and the community. Habitat loss and degradation are forcing many wild animal populations into closer contact with human populations, presenting opportunities for the introduction and transmission of bacterial diseases. In Australia, many shorebird species undertake yearly migrations to and from breeding grounds in the high Artic, and during their migrations they pass over one-third of the human population. To determine if shorebirds are reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria the research presented in this thesis investigated the presence of three common enteric bacterial pathogens in twelve species of wild Australian shorebird; followed by AMR profiles of isolates, and genetic characterisation of selected isolates. In total, 1022 individual birds were sampled across three Australian states and tested for the presence of three potentially zoonotic pathogens; Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Salmonella spp. Two-hundred and six E. coli, 266 Enterococcus, and 20 Salmonella isolates were recovered, with AMR observed in 42% of E. coli isolates, 85% of Enterococcus isolates, and 10% of Salmonella isolates. Sedentary birds were more likely to carry AMR bacteria than migratory birds. A selection of E. coli isolates (n=16) underwent whole genome sequencing, and analysis of their genomes indicated a high level of genetic diversity with each isolate having a unique serotype. A total of 33 recognised virulence genes and eight AMR genes were detected. An important food-borne pathogen, Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss, was also recovered from one species of bird. This study shows that wild shorebirds can carry pathogenic enteric bacteria. While migratory birds may be less likely to harbour AMR bacteria relative to sedentary birds, they pose the potential to act as vectors for enteric and foodborne pathogens.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Smith, Hannah
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Many existing and emerging diseases of humans are of zoonotic origin. In addition, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a serious risk for hospitals, agriculture, and the community. Habitat loss and degradation are forcing many wild animal populations into closer contact with human populations, presenting opportunities for the introduction and transmission of bacterial diseases. In Australia, many shorebird species undertake yearly migrations to and from breeding grounds in the high Artic, and during their migrations they pass over one-third of the human population. To determine if shorebirds are reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria the research presented in this thesis investigated the presence of three common enteric bacterial pathogens in twelve species of wild Australian shorebird; followed by AMR profiles of isolates, and genetic characterisation of selected isolates. In total, 1022 individual birds were sampled across three Australian states and tested for the presence of three potentially zoonotic pathogens; Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Salmonella spp. Two-hundred and six E. coli, 266 Enterococcus, and 20 Salmonella isolates were recovered, with AMR observed in 42% of E. coli isolates, 85% of Enterococcus isolates, and 10% of Salmonella isolates. Sedentary birds were more likely to carry AMR bacteria than migratory birds. A selection of E. coli isolates (n=16) underwent whole genome sequencing, and analysis of their genomes indicated a high level of genetic diversity with each isolate having a unique serotype. A total of 33 recognised virulence genes and eight AMR genes were detected. An important food-borne pathogen, Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss, was also recovered from one species of bird. This study shows that wild shorebirds can carry pathogenic enteric bacteria. While migratory birds may be less likely to harbour AMR bacteria relative to sedentary birds, they pose the potential to act as vectors for enteric and foodborne pathogens.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Status of shorebirds on Flores island, Wallacea, Indonesia, and identification of key sites
- Schellekens, Mark, Trainor, Colin
- Authors: Schellekens, Mark , Trainor, Colin
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Stilt Vol. 2016, no. 69-70 (2016), p. 20-36
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The shorebirds of most Wallacean islands, including Flores (13,540 km2), are poorly-known. We document new information on the status of shorebirds on Flores from more than 611 visits to 37 sites during 2000-2013, and review records from a total of 55 sites. Forty-two shorebird species have been recorded on Flores: five resident breeding species (e.g. Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea and Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus), one probable breeding-visitor (Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis), 33 Palearctic non-breeding visitor, one Nearctic vagrant, and two Austral non-breeding visitors (Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella and Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles). The Greater Painted-snipe is the only species that has not been recorded during the past 40 years. Coastal wetland sites are relatively small (<1,000 ha) and lack extensive intertidal mudflats. Maximum total counts of migratory shorebirds were low (<500-1,000 birds) with only four migrant shorebirds counts of >100 individuals. Most Palearctic migrants were rare, with 19 of 33 species recorded on fewer than 10 occasions/days. The Labuan Bajo area (22 migratory shorebirds) and Maumere Bay (28 migratory shorebirds) are at least nationally significant sites for shorebirds. Other interesting results were the: (1) presence of Javan Plover at Labuan Bajo which may regularly hold more than 1% of the global population; (2) the rarity of Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis, Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C. acuminata and Australian Pratincole, which occur frequently, and in substantially larger numbers, on nearby Timor Island; and (3) the absence of several migrant shorebirds which apparently overfly Flores (e.g. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa and Red Knot Calidris canutus). We also make suggestions for further field surveys. © AWSG.
- Authors: Schellekens, Mark , Trainor, Colin
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Stilt Vol. 2016, no. 69-70 (2016), p. 20-36
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The shorebirds of most Wallacean islands, including Flores (13,540 km2), are poorly-known. We document new information on the status of shorebirds on Flores from more than 611 visits to 37 sites during 2000-2013, and review records from a total of 55 sites. Forty-two shorebird species have been recorded on Flores: five resident breeding species (e.g. Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea and Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus), one probable breeding-visitor (Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis), 33 Palearctic non-breeding visitor, one Nearctic vagrant, and two Austral non-breeding visitors (Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella and Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles). The Greater Painted-snipe is the only species that has not been recorded during the past 40 years. Coastal wetland sites are relatively small (<1,000 ha) and lack extensive intertidal mudflats. Maximum total counts of migratory shorebirds were low (<500-1,000 birds) with only four migrant shorebirds counts of >100 individuals. Most Palearctic migrants were rare, with 19 of 33 species recorded on fewer than 10 occasions/days. The Labuan Bajo area (22 migratory shorebirds) and Maumere Bay (28 migratory shorebirds) are at least nationally significant sites for shorebirds. Other interesting results were the: (1) presence of Javan Plover at Labuan Bajo which may regularly hold more than 1% of the global population; (2) the rarity of Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis, Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C. acuminata and Australian Pratincole, which occur frequently, and in substantially larger numbers, on nearby Timor Island; and (3) the absence of several migrant shorebirds which apparently overfly Flores (e.g. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa and Red Knot Calidris canutus). We also make suggestions for further field surveys. © AWSG.
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