A proposal to save the Shore Plover by adapting to sea level rise
A proposal to save the Shore Plover by adapting to sea level rise
Synopsis
Between 1901 and 2010, the sea level rose an average of 19 cm per year, approximately 3.4mm globally and 1.7mm in New Zealand (Ministry for the Environment, 2022). A projected 18-59 cm rise by 2090 (Christie, 2014) puts many biological factors at risk. The Shore Plover / Tūturuatu (Thinornis novaeseelandiae), a New Zealand native seabird, is one of the many coastal species affected by sea level rise (Keegan et al., 2022).
The Shore Plover
This critically endangered bird relies on sandy coastal areas as nesting sites, building under vegetation, logs or boulders. As sea levels continue to rise and erode our coasts, it will be difficult for these birds to find suitable places to nest and raise their offspring. As of 2021, there is an estimated population of 250 Sea Plovers, with over half residing in the Chatham Islands. The goal is to maintain the species’ populations in 5 or more locations (Department of Conservation, n.d.). While the National Wildlife Centre at Mt Bruce is capturing and breeding these birds for re-establishment (Hirst, 2012), there are other adaptations we can make to ensure their survival.
The Proposal
We can address this issue by creating pontoon structures for the birds to nest on. These pontoons will float in the water, ensuring that existing terrestrial predators such as rats and cats are no longer threats. A design that mimics natural nesting habitats will provide a safe and stable environment that will not be affected by coastal erosion. Shore Plover habitats tend to be flexible (Aikman & Miskelly, 2004); therefore, we can rely on this solution for assistance in population protection. A similar development named the ‘Floating Roost Trial’ is being implemented by BirdLife Australia and has proven successful (BirdLife Australia, n.d.). There are 2 Australian locations currently trialling this concept alongside the Geum Estuary in Korea. While these sites are for roosting, we can work towards making structures suitable for the Sea Plover’s nesting needs.
Creating these pontoon structures is just one step in adapting to the impacts of climate change on Shore Plover populations. While slowing global warming is vital in reducing sea level rise, we must prepare for the inevitable. Adapting to the oncoming changes that rising seas will have on our coastlines is essential to protect our coastal ecosystems and Shore Plover populations.References
Aikman, H., & Miskelly, C. (2004). Birds of the Chatham Islands. Department of Conservation. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/birds_of_the_chatham_islands.pdfBirdLife Australia. (n.d.). Floating Roost Trial — Geum Estuary. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from http://geum.birdlife.org.au/floating-roost-trialChristie, J. E. (2014, March). Adapting to a changing climate. Department of Conservation. https://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/science-and-technical/sap257.pdfDepartment of Conservation. (n.d.). Tūturuatu/Tchūriwat’/Shore plover. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/shore-plover/#:~:text=For%20more%20than%20100%20years,occasionally%20seen%20on%20Pitt%20Island.Hirst, N. (2012, February 20). Critically endangered NZ shore plover released on Motutapu Island. Department of Conservation. https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2012/critically-endangered-nz-shore-plover-released-on-motutapu-island/Keegan, L. J., White, R. S., & Macinnis-Ng, C. (2022). Current knowledge and potential impacts of climate change on New Zealand’s biological heritage. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 46(1), 1-24.
