Identification and characteristics of refuges for the threatened swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) under climate change; targeted surveys across the Otway Ranges, south-east Australia

Australian Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 47(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

There is growing evidence that persistence of mammal fauna under climate change reliant on refuges protected from disturbances such as extreme drought and fire. During the 'millennium drought' (1996–2010), swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) declined precipitously in eastern Otways, resulting restriction to coastal dune refuges. Here, we evaluated species' distribution across extended Otway landscape identify localities characteristics Targeted surveys (cameras, live-trapping) were conducted at sites previous healthy populations putative habitat (2018–2023). Eleven micro-refuges (<500 ha), located Coastal Dune Scrub, identified but are subject destruction due sea level rise. Three mid-connected (500–1000 providing connection features (e.g. gullies), three macro-refuges (>1000 ha) unfragmented, complex vegetation identified. The remains absent previously inhabited heathy woodland although it was initially (2021) trapped with high success woodlands Carlisle Heath, not captured subsequently, possibly related incompatible fire, introduced predators Phytophthora dieback. Management ensure future will require effective control infestation predators, protection inappropriate

Language: Английский

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Use of burn scars by threatened marsupials in an environment free of introduced predators

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03576 - e03576

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Multi‐year responses of reptiles to prescribed burning in a eucalypt forest ecosystem

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(8)

Published: July 26, 2024

Abstract Prescribed burning is the primary method used to reduce wildfire risk in a range of ecosystems globally. Knowledge how animal populations respond prescribed burns essential for designing fuel management plans that are sensitive ecological values. We conducted before–after, control‐impact experiment temperate jarrah forest ecosystem south‐western Australia examine reptiles season (spring or autumn) and time since (0–5 years). Through pitfall trapping at 10 survey grids over 7 years, we captured 1808 from 22 species. Bayesian mixed effects models revealed six eight species analysed showed either decrease increase capture rate burnt compared unburnt sites, most these only occurred within first 2 years post fire. Species richness weak negative response one autumn burn no relationship with Fire were more common spring burns, which likely reflection differing fire severities. These results suggest can temporarily habitat suitability abundance some species, particularly those rely on leaf litter shelter foraging. Our findings emphasise dynamic nature reptile responses underscore importance considering both seasonality recency wildlife plans.

Language: Английский

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Artificial refuges did not increase small mammal abundance after fire

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(7)

Published: June 10, 2024

Abstract The interacting threats of invasive predators and altered fire regimes are key conservation issues for many native species globally. Artificial refuges have been proposed as a potential tool to provide prey with protection from after fire, but we do not yet know whether they improve animal survival. To address this knowledge gap, experimentally tested how small mammal abundance richness were influenced by the provision artificial prescribed burns. We surveyed mammals across five unburnt sites, seven burnt sites refuges, eight control following two fires in southeastern Australia. There negative neutral responses burns, relative was positively correlated structurally complex vegetation. had no impact on or richness, irrespective burn coverage. These findings suggest that refuge design may be an effective improving population persistence postfire, such should scale up their application. However, given inherent context‐dependency field experiments involving which include difficult‐to‐control variables severity, predator activity, dynamics, encourage researchers undertake further fire‐affected areas, including severe wildfires when less vegetation cover remains. Such studies will help build our understanding utility different ecosystems types.

Language: Английский

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Managing multiple threats: Evaluating the efficacy of broad-scale introduced predator management in improving native mammal resilience to fire

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 301, P. 110847 - 110847

Published: Nov. 26, 2024

Language: Английский

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