HABITAT PREFERENCE OF NESTING WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATERS: THE EFFECT OF SOIL STRENGTH
| Posted: |
12/08/2021 |
| Author(s): |
D. T. Neil, P. K. Dyer |
The density of nesting burrows of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Puffinus pacificus was measured
in 224 quadrats on Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. Field measurements of the unconfined compressive
strength of the soil material were made for each quadrat. Lowest burrow densities occurred in quadrats
at both upper and lower ends of the soil strength range. Increased burrowing success at sites where
soil is not so loose as to collapse, but not so compacted as to inhibit burrowing is indicated. lsl&nd
development which results in soil compaction may, therefore, inhibit
P. pacificus nesting.
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