Avian-botulism risk in waterbird breeding colonies and implications for environmental water management
K. J. Brandis
A E , J. Spencer A B C , B. Wolfenden B C and D. Palmer D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
B Department of Planning, Industry and Environment PO Box 29, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia.
C Institute Land, Water and Society, School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
D Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Diagnostics and Laboratory Services, Sustainability and Biosecurity, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: kate.brandis@unsw.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 71(2) 179-190 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18446
Submitted: 21 November 2018 Accepted: 2 October 2019 Published: 18 December 2019
Abstract
Avian botulism poses a significant risk to waterbird health in Australian wetlands. This paralytic, often fatal, disease occurs when birds ingest a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Our current understanding of avian botulism comes largely from studies in the northern hemisphere, with many of these studies linking outbreaks of avian botulism with poor water quality. The Murray–Darling Basin provides the most important breeding habitat for colonial waterbirds in Australia, but the frequency of large-scale breeding events has declined, and waterbird populations are near record-low numbers. Avian botulism has the capacity to have significant impacts on waterbird recruitment if not managed appropriately. We propose that environmental water-management strategies that aim to maintain water quality through flow delivery to waterbird colonies could mitigate the risk of botulism outbreaks and contribute to waterbird population recovery.
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