How do invasive predators and their native prey respond to prescribed fire?

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Abstract Fire shapes animal communities by altering resource availability and species interactions, including between predators prey. In Australia, there is particular concern that two highly damaging invasive predators, the feral cat ( Felis catus ) European red fox Vulpes vulpes ), increase their activity in recently burnt areas exert greater predation pressure on native prey due to increased exposure. We tested how prescribed fire occurrence extent, along with history, vegetation, topography, distance anthropogenic features (towns farms), affected (detection frequency) of cats, foxes, mammal community south‐eastern Australia. used camera traps quantify before after a burn statistically interacted these habitat variables affect activity. found little evidence influenced cats foxes no an effect kangaroo or small (<800 g) Medium‐sized mammals (800–2000 were negatively associated suggesting has negative impact short term. The lack clear from likely positive outcome management perspective. However, we highlight response dependent upon factors like size, severity, availability. Future experiments should incorporate GPS‐trackers record fine‐scale movements temperate ecosystems immediately best inform within protected areas.

Язык: Английский

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The characteristics of regeneration failure and their potential to shift wet temperate forests into alternate stable states

Forest Ecology and Management, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 529, С. 120673 - 120673

Опубликована: Дек. 7, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Critical Ecological Roles, Structural Attributes and Conservation of Old Growth Forest: Lessons From a Case Study of Australian Mountain Ash Forests

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 5

Опубликована: Май 12, 2022

Old growth is a critical stage in many forest types globally. It has key ecological roles including biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and the provision of services such as water production. The extent old been declining ecosystems around world, with major ecosystem service consequences. Important insights about declines, well structure, function conservation forest, can be gained from detailed cross-sectional longitudinal studies different age cohorts within given ecosystem. In this review article, we outline into characteristics of, threats to forests, using Mountain Ash ( Eucalyptus regnans ) forests Central Highlands Victoria, south-eastern Australia case study. These are dominated by tallest flowering plants on earth have subject several decades intense show that characterized (among other features): giant trees (approaching 100 m tall sometimes exceeding 20 circumference), numerous hollows, an understorey Acacia rainforest trees, range plant animal species rare or absent younger aged stands, moist, nutrient-rich soils. area declined 1.16% ∼141,000 ha occupied ash-type region. This up 60 times less than it was at time European colonization ∼220 years ago. loss implications for bird, mammal biodiversity, production human consumption. main drivers decline recurrent wildfire, widespread clearcutting, logging-fire interaction which cut then regenerated become more flammable significantly elevated risk burning high (stand replacing) severity. Climate change also driver both through elevating mortality large living underpinning increase frequency severity wildfire. interacting mean restoring will policy challenge. We argue first step must cease all commercial logging allow new recruited thereby expand estate. addition, Government Victoria should revert past definition made easier qualify protection. Given there risks high-severity wildfire existing estate highly young regrowth technologies (such use drones satellites) needed rapidly detect suppress ignitions before fires difficult control. provided important natural laboratory understanding dynamics, management forest. They helped generate some valuable general perspectives likely relevant include: (1) value multi-facetted quantifying attributes to, (2) need carefully crafted typically ecosystem-specific based required develop (e.g., trees), (3) importance rigorous protection measures because poor decisions result now take prolonged periods rectify, (4) setting levels relative spatial coverage remaining impacts stressors driving decline.

Язык: Английский

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Conservation genomics of an endangered arboreal mammal following the 2019–2020 Australian megafire

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 13(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 10, 2023

Abstract The impacts of a changing climate threaten species, populations and ecosystems. Despite these significant large-scale on threatened many remain understudied have little to no genetic information available. greater glider, Petauroides volans , is an endangered species highly sensitive the predicted changes in temperature under was recently severely impacted by megafire natural disaster (85% estimated population loss). Baseline data essential for conservation management detecting detrimental fire-effected populations. We collected samples within 2 years post 2019–2020 catastrophic Australian bushfires examine adaptive potential, baseline diversity structure, across their southern range state New South Wales. Population genomic analyses were conducted using 8493 genome-wide SNPs 86 glider individuals 14 geographic locations. Substantial structure detected locations, with low effective sizes observed isolated areas. Additionally, we found signals putative adaptation response gliders genotype-environment association analysis. These findings important implications identifying at-risk potential. demonstrate importance as practical approach conservation. This particularly given threat that temperatures events, climate, poses this species.

Язык: Английский

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Policy decisions matter: Cessation of logging benefits 34 threatened species in Victoria, Australia

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 20(3), С. e0319531 - e0319531

Опубликована: Март 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.

Язык: Английский

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Multiyear monitoring of threatened iconic arboreal mammals in a mid‐elevation conservation reserve in eastern Australia

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 12(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2022

Abstract Multiyear investigations of population dynamics are fundamental to threatened species conservation. We used multiseason occupancy based on spotlight surveys investigate dynamic the koala and greater glider over an 8‐year period that encompassed a severe drought in year 6. combined our estimates with literature density estimate sizes these within focal conservation reserve. Both showed substantial yearly variation probability detection (koala: 0.13–0.24; glider: 0.12–0.36). Detection did not follow any obvious pattern. Low coincided two subsequent years. suggest low reflected decline abundance. The was estimated be 0.88 (95% CI: 0.75–1.0) 8. Autonomous recording units were also 8, enabling independent 0.80 (0.64–0.90). found no evidence drought‐induced koala. Habitat variables had weak influence probabilities. changed little time, from 0.52 0.24–0.81) 0.63 (0.42–0.85) Modeling suggested colonization positively influenced by percentage cover rainforest. Increased nonbrowse trees may reflect thermal buffering, site productivity, or soil moisture. study reserve is likely contain >900 adult koalas >2400 gliders. These among some first reserve‐wide for species. Our can play important role both

Язык: Английский

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The influence of severe wildfire on a threatened arboreal mammal

Wildlife Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 51(8)

Опубликована: Июль 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.

Язык: Английский

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Australian megafires alter predicted distribution of the southern greater glider (Petauroides volans)

Austral Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 49(8)

Опубликована: Авг. 1, 2024

Abstract Altered fire regimes and the increased frequency and/or severity of wildfires are significant issues for fire‐sensitive species. In Austral summer 2019/2020, Australia experienced one worst seasons in recorded history (known as 2019/2020 megafires), affecting 12.6 million hectares eastern Australia. The Endangered southern greater glider ( Petauroides volans ) inhabits large areas impacted by megafires. With increasing severity, frequency, intensity, there is a need to understand where landscape gliders most fire, species likely persist fire‐affected landscapes. This challenging given lack systematic data collected this Maximum entropy modelling (Maxent) type distribution model with good predictive performance presence‐only records. We used Maxent two years prior (2017–2019) post (2020–2022) megafire across East Gippsland region Victoria, an area heavily affected Whilst we found that predicted short‐term occurrence remained relatively stable after megafire, marginal habitat was considerably reduced. interpret result potential contraction suitable may become isolated. Post higher elevation locations comparatively lower had glider. Understanding role survival essential effective biodiversity conservation management More comprehensive monitoring unsuitable will enhance our understanding glider, including subject wildfire.

Язык: Английский

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Priority areas for conserving greater gliders in Queensland, Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 30(1)

Опубликована: Авг. 13, 2023

Context The southern and central greater glider (Petauroides volans) is a nationally listed endangered species in Australia. depends upon mature native forest providing critical habitat resources including tree hollows. Aims This study aimed to map evaluate the tenure of patches potential high-quality (core) corridors for Queensland. Methods Within habitat, we mapped 10 ranked classes relative maturity using model comprising remotely sensed metrics canopy height, above-ground living biomass cover at 30 m resolution. We also modelled optimum movement within between patches. Key results Results showed that 35% (4.943 million ha) was found more (Classes 7–9), which represent proxy associated limiting resources, especially Mean patch size above 1.6 ha threshold be 122 most (71%) were ≤10 ha, with 14 ≥100 000 ha. Freehold leasehold lands hold 63.4% multiple-use public 21.4% nature conservation areas 12.8%. About half located on formally recognised Indigenous different categories Aboriginal ownership, management other special rights. Conclusions protection necessary glider, threatened species. Implications Conservation interventions are needed, whole-of-landscape approach protect core from inappropriate land use.

Язык: Английский

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Comparison of home range size, habitat use and the influence of resource variations between two species of greater gliders (Petauroides minor and Petauroides volans)

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 18(10), С. e0286813 - e0286813

Опубликована: Окт. 19, 2023

Knowledge of the spatial requirements a species is fundamental to understanding its environmental requirements. However, this can be challenging as size species’ home range influenced by ecological factors such diet and size-dependent metabolic demands, well related quality their habitat density distribution resources needed for food shelter. Until recently, genus Petauroides was thought include only single with widespread across eastern Australia. recent study has provided genetic morphological evidence supporting minor distinct northern species. Previous studies have focused on ecology P . volans , but there been inadequate research Data use were obtained both using combination techniques including GPS collar locations, radiotelemetry, spotlighting comparisons made consistent methodology. Home sizes (4.79 ha ± 0.97 s.d., KUD .95) significantly larger than those (2.0 0.42 .95). There no significant differences between male female in either Both showed site-specific preferences tree diameter trees forage Tree biomass/ha greater sites negative correlation eucalypt biomass. Larger likely driven substantial biomass (tropical) southern (temperate) eucalypt-dominated habitats affecting quantity Understanding landscape within each provide important information regarding limiting directing conservation management planning.

Язык: Английский

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