Chapman, R & Jones, D (2010), Duck Diversity in Greater Brisbane: Native Species, Domestic Races and the Influence of Feeding, The Sunbird Journal of the Queensland Ornithological Society, vol. 40, no. 2, p.38.

[Audio] Hello, I will be presenting a paper on ducks and the influence of feeding in Brisbane..

[Audio] There are about 80 species of Australian ducks are under threat. Threats like urbanisation, human-wildlife interactions, climate change, and habitat loss can be extremely damaging for localised biodiversity Often native species in Australia struggle to survive in the new conditions brought by humans changing the environment. However, some species have learnt adaptations to co-exist with humans. Australian waterfowl, for example, can have positive interactions with people such as through feeding. Have you had personal experiences or often seen people feeding ducks at the park? A 2010 study investigated whether duck abundance and diversity changed in response to feeding in Greater Brisbane. The Brisbane LGA has 400 bird species, and a range of habitats from cities to mudflats. It is also important for migratory shorebirds and mangroves. Hence, the researchers questioned which species have been able to adapt to this area, the importance of ducks in the ecosystem and the need for conservation of Australia's native waterfowl..

[Audio] The study was conducted between December 2009 to February 2010. The locations were chosen by finding 'accessible freshwater bodies in Google Maps; 56 urban lakes selected around Greater Brisbane. 15 lakes did not have ducks, hence they were excluded for a total of 41 lakes surveyed. The quantitative data was collected through standardised direct counting of both native and domestic birds. Only natives were identified into species. The qualitative data was collected through visual detection of feeding and sorted into High and Low feeding categories. The data was then analysed using statistical methods, such as cluster analysis, to classify the duck populations into native species, domestic races, and mixed populations..

[Audio] All bird species were measured but only the duck species were recorded into this study's table. They are compared to a 2003 study by Sinden. 73.2% of the ducks sighted were native. 12.7% were domestic. The most common species sighted were the Pacific Black (75.7%) and Australian Wood Duck. Table 1 shows a stark difference in these two species and the others recorded. There were also a very large difference between native and domestic ducks numbers, with means 16.75 versus 2.46. The number of ducks were almost halved from the early 2000's to the early 2010's, compared to Sinden's study. Grey and Chestnut Teal particularly experienced and almost total drop in numbers. In Table 2, interestingly, domestic ducks did not occur if feeding was not present..

[Audio] The Brisbane LGA has a wide variety of habitat types such as the city, suburbs, mangroves, rainforests, mudflats and green spaces. However, many duck species are affected by drought, hunting, cross-breeding with mallards and habitat loss. The Pacific Black Duck can survive in limited wetlands and so is more adaptable in smaller urban territories than other species. Wandering Whistling-Ducks prefer wetlands with vegetation and deep water, which are under pressure from draining. Hence lack of suitable breeding sites may contribute to Table 1's smaller recorded species. Australian ducks disperse seeds, and control pests, vegetation, algae build-up, increase sediment airflow by moving it, and are prey for certain mammals. Protection will help in restoring health and balance of Brisbane's ecosystems. Hence, ducks can serve as indicator species for the health of an ecosystem. Lower numbers in 2010 could reflect changes in the environment from human impact..

[Audio] Feeding ducks provides them with a consistent source of food. This can mitigate the impact of urbanisation such as less habitats for prey/food sources. This can also help create a positive association between humans and ducks, reducing conflict over food. However, feeding ducks can cause them to rely too heavily on humans for food, reducing the ability to forage for themselves. It can also lead to an increase in aggressive behaviour toward humans. The food provided may in addition not be nutritious, or dangerous, such as dangers of bloating from ducks being fed bread. The researchers noted that Table 2, domestic ducks could potentially encourage the illegal dumping of even more unwanted waterfowl if High levels of feeding are present. The study has several limitations, including a limited assessment of the actual numbers of species and at different times. This was because of reliance on visual observation, rather than monitoring, a short timeframe and focused area. There is a need for more recent data to see how the difference in duck abundance and diversity has changed over 20 years since Sinden's 2003 study..

[Audio] Strategies are needed to protect and restore duck populations and habitats in order to reduce the effects of human activities. Efforts could be protecting breeding and wintering habitats, promoting population recovery efforts, and implementing policies to reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict, Other suggestions include protecting Brisbane wetlands from being drained, loss of vegetation and reducing numbers of introduced ducks to reduce cross-breeding. In conclusion, the researchers found that duck abundance had 'no significant difference' at the lakes, whether they were fed or not. However, there was a decline in half of the native species present, and possible increased impact from Brisbane's growing urbanisation. However, a few native species have been able to adapt to the changing conditions..

References. ABC (2021), image, 29 Mar, Can I leave Brisbane during lockdown? What border restrictions are there for Queensland?, viewed 30 October 2023, <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/brisbane-covid-lockdown-qld-border-travel-restrictions/100035140>. Allen, A (2017), image, Pacific Black Duck, viewed 27 October 2023, <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/73267841>. Brisbane Birds a, (2021), image, Grey Teal Anas gracilis, viewed 31 October 2023, <https://brisbanebirds.com/grey-teal-anas-gracilis.html#grey-teal-anas-gracilis>. Brisbane Birds b, (2021), Atlas of the Birds of Brisbane, viewed 22 October 2023, <https://brisbanebirds.com/brisbanes-environment.html>. Brisbane Birds c, (2021), Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata, viewed 31 October 2023, <https://brisbanebirds.com/wandering-whistling-duck-dendrocygna-arcuata.html#wandering-whistling-duck-dendrocygna-arcuata>. Chapman, R & Jones, D (2010), ‘Duck Diversity in Greater Brisbane: Native Species, Domestic Races and the Influence of Feeding’, The Sunbird Journal of the Queensland Ornithological Society, vol. 40, no. 2, p.38, viewed 23 September 2023. Reehal, R (2023), image, Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa). Sinden, K, O’Leary, R & Jones, D, (2003), Domestic and Native Ducks with in Brisbane City: Interbreeding and other Implications. Report for Council, Surburban Wildlife, Environment and Parks Brisbane Research Group, Griffith University. YouTube, image, Duck Song, viewed 30 October 2023, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtN1YnoL46Q>..