The largest trees in Australia

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48(4), P. 653 - 671

Published: Feb. 13, 2023

Abstract Large old trees have many critical ecological functions. We collated information about Australia's tallest and largest (by circumference) from several databases. The 20 in Australia are currently all Mountain Ash ( Eucalyptus regnans ) found primarily Tasmania. There also some Victoria which over 90 m tall still increasing height. distributed throughout four states (NSW, TAS, WA VIC) with accounting for more than half of the on this list. Making available one location increases its accessibility allows priority species areas conservation to be easily identified. Documenting size condition trees, together their location, will enable them revisited monitored future. This practice allow changes tree condition, occurring through growth and/or deterioration, documented. trust that by information, we encourage people take an interest ecology large trees. is important given past present cultural significance First Nations People need preserve appreciation nature.

Language: Английский

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Increasing fire severity negatively affects greater glider density

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(8), P. 709 - 718

Published: May 18, 2022

Context Fire severity and frequency is predicted to increase over the remainder of 21st century in Australia’s temperate forests; therefore, effects fire on forest-dependant species major conservation concern. Aims Determining short-term (<1 year) effect a species, greater glider, Petauroides volans, Monga National Park, south-eastern New South Wales. Methods Three fire-severity classes were investigated, namely, low (canopy unburnt), moderate (partial canopy burn) high (complete consumption). Fifteen randomly allocated sites visited total, with five each class being three separate occasions. Spotlighting two off-track transects per site was completed 4-week period by using multi-covariate distance sampling (MCDS) estimate glider densities at class. Key results An overall mean density 0.456 ha−1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.256–0.654 ha−1) calculated across all Park. Density estimates varied among classes; 0.779 CI 0.358–1.692 ha−1), 0.472 0.262–0.848 0.077 0.0142–0.414 ha−1). Conclusions Distance suggested that areas affected high-severity have lower gliders. Implications The importance experiencing as source refugia during wildfire events evident. Under changing climate, frequent may significantly affect population viability gliders if insufficient time between fires allow for recovery.

Language: Английский

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Rapid bird species recovery following high‐severity wildfire but in the absence of early successional specialists

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(10), P. 2110 - 2123

Published: July 27, 2022

Abstract Aim The distribution and abundance of forest biodiversity can be shaped by multiple drivers, including disturbances like wildfires. We quantified the influence wildfire severity bird life history attributes on temporal patterns site occupancy. Location Wet eucalypt forests Victoria, Australia. Methods employed a Before, After, Control, Impact experimental design, gathering occupancy data birds 5 years before, for 10 after, in 2009. post‐fire decline then recovery sites subject to high‐severity fire, comparing these with those at that were unburnt or burnt moderate severity. also tested responses wildfire. Data analysed using joint species modelling, accounting imperfect detection. Results found two‐way interaction between fire time period overall largest change periods was high where declined immediately after followed strong recovery. Occupancy remained largely unchanged sites. For many individual species, interactions similar On most recovered pre‐fire levels within 6 years. no evidence three‐way severity, period, attributes, all trait groups examined post‐fire. Main conclusions Victorian 2009 wildfires severe, but their impacts common relatively short‐lived, immediate declines mostly reversed ~10 Rapid stand regeneration appears likely driver may account limited However, diet influenced nectivores recovering slower than insectivores fire. Our findings relevant other types globally there rapid vegetation growth regeneration.

Language: Английский

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Forest Biodiversity Declines and Extinctions Linked with Forest Degradation: A Case Study from Australian Tall, Wet Forests

Land, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(3), P. 528 - 528

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

Tens of thousands species are at risk extinction globally. In many ecosystems, declines associated with deforestation. However, forest degradation also can profoundly affect biodiversity. I present a detailed case study in southeastern Australia’s montane ash (Eucalyptus spp.) forests. The is based on ~40 years long-term monitoring focused (and potential trajectories) arboreal marsupials and birds, particular emphasis key drivers, especially logging, wildfire, habitat loss, climate change, interactions among these drivers. discuss policy failures contributing to declines, including ongoing logging high-conservation-value forests, poor regulation management, inadequate design reserves. conclude general lessons for better conservation management efforts aimed reducing loss ecosystem integrity. contend that already highly degraded forests inconsistent the Australian government’s commitment Glasgow COP26 meeting 2021 halting degradation. Similarly, Government has committed preventing further extinctions Australia, yet its current support through federal–state legislation will likely promote some species. inherent conflicts contradictions between policies need be addressed.

Language: Английский

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Design considerations for rapid biodiversity reconnaissance surveys and long‐term monitoring to assess the impact of wildfire

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 559 - 570

Published: Oct. 20, 2021

Abstract Aims Reconnaissance surveys followed by monitoring are needed to assess the impact and response of biodiversity wildfire. However, post‐wildfire survey design challenging due infrequency unpredictability wildfire, an urgency initiate uncertainty about how species respond. In this article, we discuss key considerations quantitative tools available aid design. Our motivation was inform rapid for threatened heavily impacted 2019–2020 fires in Australia. Location Global. Methods We a set best practice reconnaissance across range objectives. provide examples that illustrate from post‐fire programmes around world. Results highlight objective drastically influences decisions (e.g. location timing). wildfire complicate decisions. Main conclusions Surveys should be conducted immediately following on biodiversity, ground truth fire severity mapping benchmark which recovery. Where possible, at burnt unburnt sites regions with historical data so state variables interest can compared baseline estimates (i.e. BACI design). This highlights need have long‐term already place prepared modify their when wildfires occur. There is opportunity adopt statistics power analysis) conservation planning spatial prioritization) improve must anticipate rather than respond them reactively as they will occur more frequently climate change.

Language: Английский

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Effect of disturbances and habitat fragmentation on an arboreal habitat specialist mammal using GPS telemetry: a case of the red panda

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 37(3), P. 795 - 809

Published: Oct. 24, 2021

Language: Английский

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Elevation, disturbance, and forest type drive the occurrence of a specialist arboreal folivore

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(4), P. e0265963 - e0265963

Published: April 13, 2022

Quantifying the factors associated with presence and abundance of species is critical for conservation. Here, we quantify occurrence Southern Greater Glider in forests Central Highlands Victoria, south-eastern Australia. We gathered counts animals along transects constructed models probability absence, then if were present (conditional abundance), based on species' associations forest type, age, denning sites large old hollow-bearing trees, climatic conditions, vegetation density. found evidence type effects, being extremely uncommon Alpine Ash Shining Gum forest. In Mountain forest, a negative relationship between trees absence. also age effect, completely absent from youngest that subject to high-severity, stand-replacing wildfire 2009. The best fitting conditional model included strong positive effect elevation; was more abundant at higher elevations. Our study highlights importance Glider, although such are rapid decline forests. influence elevation suggests areas elevations will be increasingly important conservation species, except where replaced by different tree may unsuitable Glider.

Language: Английский

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Ten years of camera trapping for a cryptic and threatened arboreal mammal – a review of applications and limitations

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(2)

Published: Feb. 8, 2024

For many cryptic mammal species, limited distributional data restrict the scope or effectiveness of conservation actions, particularly in relation to habitat protection and/or management. The critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum illustrates this, with wet forests throughout its range impacted by logging and bushfire. possum’s has been subject major disturbance degradation over recent decades; however, behaviour species meant population trajectories have difficult monitor. Since 2012, surveys for greatly expanded, predominantly based around camera trapping. This paper examines outcomes following a decade targeted trapping this high-profile threatened species. There 1143 detections since representing 57% all period. comparison, there were just 274 comparable period during preceding using other survey techniques. substantial increase records reflects greater effort, but also baited traps at detecting mammal. As consequence, we improved understanding species’ distribution within core bushfire 2009. These detection informed some aspects forest management, including establishment small exclusion areas. Other applications included directing them dens, providing non-invasive means monitoring translocated individuals reproductive success. Several important caveats regarding are discussed, that detection/non-detection may be insensitive declines communally-denning such as possum, where abundance change more readily than occupancy. A risk accompanying proliferation is over-reliance on rapid, one-off fail provide in-depth insights demography dynamics required inform effective management case study highlights importance robust planning results demonstrate can efficient determining occupancy arboreal mammals it terrestrial commonly applied.

Language: Английский

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Identifying biodiversity surrogates and management indicator species for tall, WET Forests: A case study of australian arboreal marsupials

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 166, P. 112297 - 112297

Published: July 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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The influence of severe wildfire on a threatened arboreal mammal

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(8)

Published: July 26, 2024

Context Fire regimes are changing with ongoing climate change, which is leading to an increase in fire frequency and severity. Australia’s Black Summer wildfires burned >12 million hectares 2019–2020, affecting numerous threatened animal species. One of the species predicted be most impacted was southern greater glider, arboreal, hollow-dependent folivore, endemic eastern eucalypt forests. Aims This study aimed assess how 2019–2020 affected glider abundance resources they depend on Woomargama National Park, New South Wales, Australia. Methods We categorised 32 sites into four severity treatments eight for each treatment: unburned (continuous vegetation); refuges (unburned patches within fire’s perimeter); low-moderate severity; high carried out two spotlight surveys per site using double-observer method, beginning 21 months after fires. also conducted vegetation assessments same transects. To analyse data, we used Generalised Linear Models compare habitat differences based severity, N-mixture models model detectability relation Key results found that depleted several variables including canopy cover number potentially hollow-bearing trees, a resource gliders rely on. Greater decreased all burn categories, greatest decline experienced areas at much lower than outside zone. Conclusions declines following severe wildfire can least partly attributed level loss associated key resources. The contribution direct mortality population remains unknown. Implications conservation will heavily protecting expansive suitable maintaining trees.

Language: Английский

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