MODELLING THE NESTING HABITAT OF THE WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE Haliaeetus leucogaster IN TASMANIA
| Posted: |
10/04/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Shaun D. Thurstans |
The nesting habitat of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster was assessed and modelled in a region
of south-eastern Tasmania. The selected habitat was assessed by comparing the habitat parameters of 28 nest sites
with those of the entire study area. The activity status of nests during the 1997–98 breeding season, and some
variables, were measured or observed in the field, and other data were obtained from existing databases.
Characteristics of the habitat selected included low altitudes, less exposed aspects, proximity to the coast, and the
presence of short, dense and mature forests including superdominant trees. Geographical Information Systems were
used to assess habitat selection and in the construction of models. The well-defined habitat selection allowed an
efficient ratio of nest-site prediction probability (89%) to area modelled (17.8%). The potential applications of such
models include increasing the efficiency of searches for nest sites and the identification of potential habitat, thus
allowing strategic protection from human encroachment.
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