Abstract for presentation at Biodiversity Extinction Crisis Conference - A Pacific Response

Megapodes (Aves; Megapodiidae) occur in the Indo-Australian region and as a family are at serious risk with several species critically endangered. The major threats to megapodes are over-harvesting of eggs and habitat destruction. On Lihir Island, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesian Megapodes (Megapodius eremita) excavate incubation burrows in geothermally-heated soil. On this island megapodes are severely threatened by habitat destruction, with over 95% of burrows in the island already destroyed by mining, and unsustainable harvesting of their eggs. The factors associated with incubation sites of the Melanesian Megapode have not been thoroughly elucidated. We investigated environmental characteristics associated with the selection of incubation sites by measuring 17 environmental variables at a random sample of active and inactive burrows, and unused areas on Lihir Island. Within nesting fields, Melanesian Megapodes non-randomly chose incubation sites. Ground temperature was the main factor associated with active incubation sites, with inactive burrows (37 ± 8 ^°C, mean ± S.D) and random points (34 ± 8 ^°C) significantly hotter than active burrows (34 ± 5 ^°C). Active burrows (84% canopy closure) were also significantly more shaded than random points (62%). Other factors (e.g. soil type, slope, moisture content, vegetation and organic content) did not differ among sites suggesting megapodes do not select incubation sites based on these factors. Understanding the selecting of incubation sites by Melanesian Megapodes will help to conserve the local population on Lihir Island. The results of this research could be used to identify suitable areas on Lihir Island where artificial nesting areas can be established to allow for sustainable harvesting of eggs in the future.