Cold, creeping things: Deep phylogeographic structure in a naturally fragmented cool-adapted skink (Scincidae; Anepischetosia) from south-eastern Australia DOI Creative Commons

Rhiannon Schembri,

Renee A. Catullo, Glenn M. Shea

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 8, 2024

Abstract The temperate forests of eastern Australia have been extensively fragmented over the last 200 years and are now increasingly threatened by fire climate change. To understand manage impacts these threats, there is a need to patterns endemism diversity across an array ecologically divergent taxa. Anepischetosia monotypic genus scincid lizards that adapted cool, wet forest habitats in far south-eastern mainland Australia. Here we use reduced representation genomic data sequencing mitochondrial ND4 locus from museum tissue samples characterise phylogeographic structure population-level genetic this taxon. These reveal novel deep geographically localised structuring, including at least six ESUs spanning several candidate species. depth divergences between lineages greater than previously observed within morphospecies south-east Australian herpetofauna. Many associated with patches mesic habitat, especially north range, suggesting long histories persistence through major environmental change Plio-Pleistocene, similar some taxa non-glaciated landscapes northern hemisphere. Two putative ESUs, whose ranges overlap areas impacted recent high-intensity bushfires, low may be conservation concern. Additional seemingly isolated populations western Victoria remain poorly sampled comprise yet further or species, highlighting for surveys, taxonomic research assessment lizard genus.

Language: Английский

Trends and Gaps in Prescribed Burning Research DOI Creative Commons

Luke Gordon,

Maldwyn J. Evans, Philip Zylstra

et al.

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

1
When Active Management of high conservation value forests may erode biodiversity and damage ecosystems DOI Creative Commons
David B. Lindenmayer, Philip Zylstra, Chad T. Hanson

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 305, P. 111071 - 111071

Published: March 6, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Quantifying drivers of decline: A case study of long-term changes in arboreal marsupial detections DOI Creative Commons
David B. Lindenmayer, Elle Bowd, Kara N. Youngentob

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 293, P. 110589 - 110589

Published: April 17, 2024

Using a 26-year dataset, we quantify temporal change in detections of arboreal marsupial species the tall, wet montane ash forests mainland south-eastern Australia. We sought to determine if patterns number were associated with changes potential explanatory variables, such as stand age and abundance hollow-bearing trees. Our key findings were: (1) Four characterised by an overall decline over time, although sometimes complex, non-linear ways. Exceptions Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) which increased, Mountain Brushtail (Trichosurus cunninghami) exhibited no change. (2) Detections almost all strongly related (3) Long-term declines most trees age. And, (4) There strong interspecific effects, ranging from negative associations young regenerated forest after wildfire 2009 for Southern Greater Glider (Petauroides volans), positive same aged Possum. underscore that management must properly address drivers decline. Management protect promote recruitment large old keystone resource marsupials. results also highlight substantial lag effects condition resulting past clearfelling recurrent wildfires has led widespread degradation. Active, long-term restoration programs will be needed this problem.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
What did it used to look like? A case study from tall, wet mainland Mountain Ash forests prior to British invasion DOI Creative Commons
David B. Lindenmayer, Chris Taylor, Elle Bowd

et al.

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract There has been extensive commentary about historical First Nations' land management in Australia, including tall, wet forests, and therefore their condition at the time of British invasion 1788. Popular texts have interpreted records kept by early invaders to argue that areas forest were open through frequent burning Peoples. However, these interpretations conflict with ecological evidence, which is rarely acknowledged public discourse. Here, we present evidence what Victorian Mountain Ash ( Eucalyptus regnans ) forests like invasion. We show invasion, most mainland likely naturally dense wet, with: (1) overstorey trees spaced relatively widely; (2) an understorey consisting a cool temperate rainforest mesic layer. Ecological physiological suggests evolved under conditions where high‐severity wildfire was comparatively rare, leading patterns landscape‐level cover dominated mature forests. This broadly consistent reports from Peoples, accounts, paintings, photographs. These not or park‐like, as may case some other Australian vegetation types. wilderness , but places significance Understanding structure critically important establishing reference for guiding appropriate restoration programmes, especially reinstatement traditional knowledge, after long periods post‐British disturbance degradation. Notably, dense, characterizes should be recognized inherent entirely natural part dynamics this ecosystem, approaches thin, burn, remove it highly counterproductive range detrimental environmental effects.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
The choice of path to resilience is crucial to the future of production forests DOI
Adam Felton, Rupert Seidl, David B. Lindenmayer

et al.

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(9), P. 1561 - 1563

Published: July 12, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

3
Hostile environments, terminal habitat, and tomb trees: the impact of systemic failures to survey for mature-forest dependent species in the State forests of New South Wales DOI Creative Commons
Grant Wardell‐Johnson, Todd P. Robinson

Pacific Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Context The Coastal Integrated Forestry Approval (CIFOA) areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia include most populations at least two threatened species glider Petaurus australis (Yellow-bellied Glider [south-eastern]) and Petauroides volans (Greater [Southern Central]). NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) administers protocols to conserve gliders within forest compartments intensively managed for timber production by Forests Corporation (FCNSW). These pre-logging surveys retention hollow-bearing trees (HBTs), den trees, associated buffers. Citizen scientists have ground-truthed these in some compartments. Aims We assessed the effectiveness FCNSW outcomes context planned logging operations. Methods used publicly available EPA Native map viewer data this analysis. Key results Although been detected abundant HBTs retained 10 State forests, no were identified any ‘active’ compartment (as December 2023). Thus, isolated or tomb without Several phases not improved conservation logged compartments, even when complied with FCNSW. Conclusions Based on citizen science, implemented under CIFOA result poor other mature dependent species. Wholesale changes process are likely required effective conservation. Implications approaches monitoring research commitment, administration, oversight halt increasingly rapid decline gliders, as well local communities forests NSW.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Fuel accumulation shapes post-fire fuel decomposition through soil heating effects on plants, fungi, and soil chemistry DOI Creative Commons
Jacob R. Hopkins, Tatiana A. Semenova‐Nelsen, Jean M. Huffman

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 961, P. 178386 - 178386

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Forty percent of terrestrial ecosystems require recurrent fires driven by feedbacks between fire and plant fuels. The accumulation fine fuels in these play a key role intensity, which alters soil nutrients shapes microbial community responses to fire. Changes post-fire fuel production are well known feed back future fires, but decomposition new is poorly understood. Our study sought quantify how pre-fire loading influenced through abiotic properties, as fungal communities. Prior spring prescribed burns, we manipulated loads plots, both near (<10 m) away (>10 from overstory pines, modify heating an old-growth longleaf pine savanna. We then assessed load changes chemistry, vegetation, fungi. Burning larger made hotter, burn longer, more completely combusted In newly deposited was slower the eight months following Decomposition greater were mediated shifts postfire (2 4 postfire) communities (4 6 postfire). Soil properties (C: N ratios, pH, P) controlled throughout year, weakly responded differences Since mechanisms for effects on change over time, timing may be target understanding decomposition. Integrating with across fire-dependent can help managers better set intervals predict reintroducing burning fire-suppressed ecosystems.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
A review of the ecology and conservation of the yellow-bellied glider DOI
Ross L. Goldingay

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

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

The conservation of Australia’s wildlife requires detailed knowledge the ecology individual species. That needs to be synthesised from time so that a consistent understanding arises and gaps are identified. yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) is forest-dependent species eastern southern mainland Australia has been focal for research because it occurs in forest subject logging. In 2022, became listed by Australian government as threatened throughout its geographic range, highlighting need review requirements. I reviewed 161 articles, which showed most frequently covered topics were on diet foraging behaviour, habitat surveys distribution. A prominent item eucalypt sap, obtains small number trees (≤4% available trees), incised repeatedly, although periodically, over many years. Yellow-bellied gliders make frequent loud calls at night advertise territories defended family groups two six individuals. This calling behaviour forms basis population monitoring, including recently using audio-recorders. paradoxical aspect dependent tree hollows shelter, but occurrence generally not influenced abundance hollow-bearing trees, probably owing occupying large areas (30–80 ha). More important drivers appear availability certain favoured sap feeding, diversity (including winter-flowering) provide an array plant insect exudates, substrates arthropods included diet. Threats include fragmentation recent wildfires have caused decline populations. Climate change predicted lead widespread contraction range. These threats highlight identify multiple climate wildfire refuges range ensure long-term conservation. Long-term monitoring these other locations needed guide this

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Policy decisions matter: Cessation of logging benefits 34 threatened species in Victoria, Australia DOI Creative Commons
Kita R. Ashman, Michelle Ward, Chris R. Dickman

et al.

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0319531 - e0319531

Published: March 12, 2025

In January 2024, the Australian state of Victoria committed to ending native forest logging six years ahead schedule, a decision that has been advocated for by scientists and conservationists decades. However, direct benefits threatened species from this policy change not quantified. This study assesses spatial overlap between areas approved habitats nationally listed species, estimate potential impacts continued likely its cessation. We found 99% overlapped with species. On average, each cutblock contained habitat eight Areas had considerable several particularly Baw frog ( Philoria frosti, Critically Endangered, 6.2% logging), Leadbeater’s possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri , 6.1%), barred galaxias Galaxias fuscus 5.6%), Tall astelia Astelia australiana Vulnerable, 5.4%), Colquhoun grevillea Grevillea celata 5%). Notably, these five are only in Victoria, thus values represent proportion their entire mapped slated over short time period. Our findings underscore need urgent, nationwide protection policies, alongside restoration efforts, support recovery meet global climate biodiversity commitments.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Effects of prescribed fire on body condition, injury frequency, and recapture of reptiles in Mediterranean-type eucalypt forests DOI Creative Commons
Shawn Scott, Miguel de Barros Lopes,

Joan Gibbs

et al.

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 586, P. 122683 - 122683

Published: April 4, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0