EFFECTS OF DAM SIZE ON WATERBIRDS AT FARM DAMS IN SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND
| Posted: |
09/08/2021 |
| Author(s): |
G. J. Leach |
Waterbirds were counted on 10 farm dams ( 1 .2 to 25 x 1 03 m2 maximum sur1ace area) in
south-east Queensland on 20 days from May 1980 through October 1982. Dams were 1 O to 30 years
old. Seventeen species (3 960 observations) of open-water birds and 14 shoreline species (224 observations)
were observed. More than 2.3 individuals of each of Australasian Grebe, Pacific Black Duck,
Grey Teal. Hardhead and Eurasian Cool were observed per dam per day, but only 0.3 individuals of
Black-winged Stilt. the most numerous shoreline species.
Number of species increased linearly with logarithm of maximum surface area of dams, implying
that a maximum area of al least 10 000 m2 was necessary to consistently attract most of the common
waterbird species of the region and that few additional species occurred as area exceeded 10 000 m2.
Number of individuals increased linearly with increase in maximum surface area: one individual was
observed for each 260 m2 of maximum water surface. Numbers of species were also correlated, less
strongly. with maximum depth.
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