Movement patterns of koalas in remnant forest after fire

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Matthews ◽  
Daniel Lunney ◽  
Shaan Gresser ◽  
Wendy Maitz
Keyword(s):  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Remnant Forest ◽  
Release Location

The increasing fragmentation of fire-prone forests of Australia has made the remaining populations of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) more vulnerable to extinction. We examined the movement patterns of koalas in remnant forest of Port Stephens following a major wildfire. Each koala (n = 55) was monitored regularly by radio-tracking for up to 35 months. The movements of koalas showed a wide variation in patterns, from highly localised movements to long-range dispersal over 20 km. Within the first 12 months, 35% of tracked koalas moved from their release location to new areas where they established home ranges. Daily movement distances of males (mean = 278.3 m) was higher than for females (141.0 m). Monthly displacement ranged from less than 10 m to more than 5 km, and was higher for koalas that subsequently died. Home ranges of males (95% kernel) were significantly larger than those of females (mean for males = 58.9 ± 10.5 ha; mean for females = 25.7 ± 8.6 ha), and this sex difference was also evident for core areas (50% kernel). There were no differences in the movement patterns or home-range sizes of rehabilitated koalas compared with wild koalas. This study has shown that resource depletion from wildfire is short term for koalas because their mobility allows rapid recolonisation of the burnt forest, and they can maintain home ranges within sites regenerating from fire. The reintroduction of rehabilitated koalas into burnt forest may also assist in the recovery of populations in fragmented and isolated habitat.

Aversive behaviour by koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) during the course of a music festival in northern New South Wales, Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
New South ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Specific Stimulus ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Music Festival ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Core Areas

The effects of short-term disturbances that result in changes to movement patterns and/or behaviour of wildlife are poorly understood. In this study the movements of seven koalas were monitored before, during and after a five-day music festival. During the monitoring program koalas occupied home-range areas of 0.6–13 ha with one or more core areas of activity. Aversive behaviour in the form of evacuation of known ranging areas was demonstrated by three koalas that had core areas within 525 m of the approximate centre of the festival area, the associated responses comprising movements that were perpendicular to and away from staging areas where music was played. Responses contained within known ranging areas were observed in three other koalas whose core areas were located up to 600 m away. The type of response appeared related to the proximity of koala home ranges to music-staging areas, while the maximum distance associated with an aversive response was 725 m. Six of the radio-tracked koalas returned to their home-range areas following the conclusion of festival activities. While the specific stimulus eliciting aversive behaviour was not identified, responses in all instances were initiated during the musical phase of the festival event. The potential for short-term disturbances such as music festivals to significantly influence the ranging patterns of koalas warrants recognition of possible longer-term ecological consequences for planning and management purposes.

Tree use by koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) after fire in remnant coastal forest

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Matthews ◽  
Daniel Lunney ◽  
Shaan Gresser ◽  
Wendy Maitz
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Coastal Forest ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
Individual Trees

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of fire on resource use by a population of koalas in remnant coastal forest. Fifty-five koalas were monitored regularly by radio-tracking for up to 35 months. The attributes of each tree in which the koala was sighted were recorded, giving a total of 8390 records. Analyses were undertaken on a range of ecological information. Regeneration of the forest began immediately following the fires and within three months koalas were seen among the epicormic growth. From a total 4631 trees used by koalas, 3247 (70%) were burnt. Observations of koalas feeding included 53% in burnt trees. Koalas changed trees frequently; individual trees were used once only on 3555 occasions (42% of all observations). Of all the trees used, 95% were used by only one collared koala; no trees were used by more than three koalas. Swamp mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta) was the tree species most frequently used by koalas, particularly at night and by breeding females. Koalas preferred trees of larger diameter (>30 cm) and used significantly taller trees during summer. This study has shown that resource depletion from intense wildfire is short-term for koalas because they utilise burnt trees within months of the fire for both food and shelter.

Short-term movement patterns and diet of small dasyurid marsupials in semiarid Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Warnecke ◽  
Gerhard Körtner ◽  
Chris J. Burwell ◽  
James M. Turner ◽  
Fritz Geiser
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Resting Sites ◽  
Sminthopsis Crassicaudata ◽  
Radio Transmitters

Since little information is available on the spatial ecology of small arid-zone marsupials, we used radio-tracking to investigate the small-scale activity patterns of three dasyurid species in semiarid Australia. Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Planigale gilesi and S. macroura were equipped with miniature radio-transmitters to monitor choice of resting sites and daily movements. Resting sites were located within an area of 1.27 ± 0.36 ha, 0.12 ± 0.02 ha and 3.60 ± 0.95 ha, respectively and individuals returned to previously used resting sites regularly. We also analysed scat samples of S. crassicaudata and P. gilesi, and identified Araneae, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera as the major prey taxa for both species. Our study presents the first radio-tracking-based information on movements for these species in semiarid habitat, which indicates that, over a period of several weeks, resting sites are situated within small and defined areas.

scholarly journals Dispersal and survival of stocked juvenile hatchery-reared Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Kapusta ◽  
Jacek Morzuch ◽  
Arkadiusz Duda ◽  
Elżbieta Bogacka-Kapusta ◽  
Ryszard Kolman
Keyword(s):  
Migration Rate ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Atlantic Sturgeon ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
Juvenile Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Oxyrinchus ◽  
Short Term Survival

Abstract The post-stocking dispersal of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill) in the Wis3oka River (southern Poland) was investigated using biotelemetry. Thirty-five hatchery-reared juvenile A. oxyrinchus were tagged with radio or acoustic transmitters and tracked using mobile surveys and fixed receivers. Daily movement patterns were similar in 2009 and 2010. The sturgeon migrated with a mean speed of 1.42 km h-1 in 2009 and of 2.06 km h-1 in 2010. Migration rate was not regarded as being dependent on juvenile sturgeon size. The confirmed survival of individuals from the two field seasons differed slightly over the course of this study. Short-term survival of A. oxyrinchus was 86.7 and 90% in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

scholarly journals Space partitioning in wild, non-territorial mountain gorillas: the impact of food and neighbours

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. 170720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Seiler ◽  
Christophe Boesch ◽  
Roger Mundry ◽  
Colleen Stephens ◽  
Martha M. Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Home Ranges ◽  
Space Partitioning ◽  
Mountain Gorillas ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Location Data ◽  
Gorilla Beringei Beringei ◽  
Gorilla Beringei ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
The Impact

In territorial species, the distribution of neighbours and food abundance play a crucial role in space use patterns but less is known about how and when neighbours use shared areas in non-territorial species. We investigated space partitioning in 10 groups of wild, non-territorial mountain gorillas ( Gorilla beringei beringei ). Using location data, we examined factors influencing daily movement decisions and calculated the per cent overlap of annual kernel home ranges and core areas among neighbours. We found that the probability that a group chose an area was positively influenced by both food availability and the previous use of that area by the group. Additionally, groups reduced their overall utilization of areas previously used by neighbouring groups. Lastly, groups used their core areas more exclusively than their home ranges. In sum, our results show that both foraging needs and avoidance of competition with neighbours determined the gorillas' daily movement decisions, which presumably lead to largely mutually exclusive core areas. Our research suggests that non-territorial species actively avoid neighbours to maintain core area exclusivity. Together, these findings contribute to our understanding of the costs and benefits of non-territoriality.

Home ranges and movements of the Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Ocadia sinensis) in the Keelung River, northern Taiwan

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuang-Yang Lue ◽  
Tien-Hsi Chen
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
River Management ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Riverine Habitat ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Northern Taiwan ◽  
Range Length

Abstract We investigated home ranges and movements of 13 adult Ocadia sinensis by radio-tracking in a narrow and disturbed riverine habitat of the Keelung River, northern Taiwan from January 2001 to April 2002. Our results indicated that individuals of this turtle were sedentary, with home range length averaging 703 m (range 170-1460 m). Home range length did not differ between the sexes. Movement patterns of radio-tracked turtles were highly variable, with no apparent seasonal patterns. The daily movement distances ranged from 5-245 m, equalling 0.3 to 47.1% of their home range length. Usually, O. sinensis moved into a new pool during flooding or after a longer period of low water level. This turtle was seldom relocated terrestrially, showing its highly aquatic nature. Ocadia sinensis used the riverine habitat unevenly, preferring the deep and slow-current pools and avoiding highly modified river sections. Our results raise conservation concern about loss of deeper, slow-current pools in many river management projects, which was important habitat for O. sinensis in their home ranges.

scholarly journals Short- and long-term movement patterns of six temperate reef fishes (Families Labridae and Monacanthidae)

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 853 ◽  
Author(s):  
NS Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Temperate Reef ◽  
Effective Deterrent ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Natural Boundaries

Movement patterns were studied on a 1-ha isolated reef surrounding Arch Rock in southern Tasmania. Short-term movements were identified from diver observations, and interpretation of long-term movements involved multiple recaptures of tagged individuals. Visual observations indicated that the sex-changing labrids Notolabrus tetricus, Pictilabrus laticlavius and Pseudolabrus psittaculus were all site-attached, with females having overlapping home ranges and males being territorial. In the non-sex-changing labrid Notolabrus fucicola and in the monacanthids Penicipelta vittiger and Meuschenia australis, there was no evidence of territorial behaviour and 1-h movements were in excess of the scale of the study. The long-term results indicated that all species were permanent reef residents, with most individuals of all species except M. australis always being recaptured within a home range of 100 m × 25 m or less. Only 15% of individuals of M. australis were always recaptured within this range category. The natural habitat boundary of open sand between the Arch Rock reef and adjacent reefs appeared to be an effective deterrent to emigration. The use of natural boundaries should be an important consideration in the design of marine reserves where the aim is to minimize the loss of protected species to adjacent fished areas.

Koalas continue to occupy their previous home-ranges after selective logging in Callitris - Eucalyptus forest

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽  
Matthew A. Stanton ◽  
Traecey E. Brassil
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Callitris Glaucophylla ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cypress Pine

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a charismatic, high-profile species whose conservation needs are commonly perceived to be incompatible with logging. However, koala biology and the results of chronosequence studies elsewhere suggest that this species may tolerate a degree of habitat alteration caused by logging. In this study, 30 koalas, five in each of six areas available for logging within a mixed white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla)–Eucalyptus forest in north-western New South Wales, were radio-tracked for one year during 1997–1998 to determine their movements, home-range sizes and tree preferences. Five months after the study began, three of these areas were logged selectively for sawlogs and thinnings of the white cypress pine, a tree that is important to koalas for daytime shelter. This removed about one-quarter of the stand basal area, but the eucalypt component was unaffected. The remaining three areas were left undisturbed as controls. Radio-tracking continued in all six areas for another seven months. Koalas continued to occupy all or part of their previous home-ranges after selective logging, and home-range sizes remained similar between logged and unlogged areas. Home-ranges for both sexes overlapped and were ~12 ha for males and 9 ha for females. Koala survival and the proportions of breeding females were similar in logged and unlogged areas. The principal food trees of the koala were red gums, mainly Eucalyptus blakelyi and E. chloroclada, and the pilliga box (E. pilligaensis), none of which were logged in this study. These results suggest that selective logging for white cypress pine does not appear to adversely affect koala populations and that koalas may not be as sensitive to logging as previously thought. Further work is required to determine thresholds in the level of retention of koala food trees in logging operations.

Movement patterns of feral predators in an arid environment – implications for control through poison baiting

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 422 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Moseby ◽  
J. Stott ◽  
H. Crisp
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Poison Baiting ◽  
Specific Variation

Control of introduced predators is critical to both protection and successful reintroduction of threatened prey species. Efficiency of control is improved if it takes into account habitat use, home range and the activity patterns of the predator. These characteristics were studied in feral cats (Felis catus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in arid South Australia, and results are used to suggest improvements in control methods. In addition, mortality and movement patterns of cats before and after a poison-baiting event were compared. Thirteen cats and four foxes were successfully fitted with GPS data-logger radio-collars and tracked 4-hourly for several months. High intra-specific variation in cat home-range size was recorded, with 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges varying from 0.5 km2 to 132 km2. Cat home-range size was not significantly different from that of foxes, nor was there a significant difference related to sex or age. Cats preferred habitat types that support thicker vegetation cover, including creeklines and sand dunes, whereas foxes preferred sand dunes. Cats used temporary focal points (areas used intensively over short time periods and then vacated) for periods of up to 2 weeks and continually moved throughout their home range. Aerial baiting at a density of 10 baits per km2 was ineffective for cats because similar high mortality rates were recorded for cats in both baited and unbaited areas. Mortality was highest in young male cats. Long-range movements of up to 45 km in 2 days were recorded in male feral cats and movement into the baited zone occurred within 2 days of baiting. Movement patterns of radio-collared animals and inferred bait detection distances were used to suggest optimum baiting densities of ~30 baits per km2 for feral cats and 5 per km2 for foxes. Feral cats exhibited much higher intra-specific variation in activity patterns and home-range size than did foxes, rendering them a potentially difficult species to control by a single method. Control of cats and foxes in arid Australia should target habitats with thick vegetation cover and aerial baiting should ideally occur over areas of several thousand square kilometres because of large home ranges and long-range movements increasing the chance of fast reinvasion. The use of temporary focal points suggested that it may take several days or even weeks for a cat to encounter a fixed trap site within their home range, whereas foxes should encounter them more quickly as they move further each day although they have a similar home-range size. Because of high intra-specific variability in activity patterns and home-range size, control of feral cats in inland Australia may be best achieved through a combination of control techniques.

The ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia?

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Koenig ◽  
Richard Shine ◽  
Glenn Shea
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Avoided Crossing ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Gravid Females

Although most species of large reptiles in the Sydney region are now restricted to remnant bushland, the blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) remains abundant. How has this large, slow-moving reptile managed to persist in the suburbs? We implanted radio-transmitters into 17 adult blue-tongued lizards and tracked them for six months (October 1998 to March 1999). Radio-tracked animals utilised 5–17 suburban backyards, but each lizard spent most of its time in a few ‘core’ areas near 2–7 shelter sites. Males had larger home ranges than females (mean of 12700 v. 5100 m 2 ) and moved further between shelter sites. Gravid females (mean home range 1000 m 2 ) were more sedentary. Lizards used corridors of dense vegetation to move between retreat sites, and actively avoided crossing roads. In sunny weather, lizards typically basked close to their overnight shelter for 1–4 h each morning until they obtained body temperatures of approximately 32°C. They maintained high body temperatures while moving about in the afternoon. In combination, the following ecological factors may facilitate persistence of blue-tongued lizards at our suburban study sites. (i) The most important subgroup of the population in terms of conservation are gravid females, which are highly sedentary and, thus, less likely to encounter the dangers of suburbia. (ii) The more ‘expendable’ males move about much more, but mostly in times and places that involve minimal risk from humans and their domestic pets. (iii) Lizards show strong site fidelity, spending up to 70% of their time in ‘safe’ locations; importantly, they avoid roads. (iv) Blue-tongued lizards readily utilise ‘artificial’ shelter sites and the commensal prey species (e.g. snails) found in most gardens. (v) These lizards can grow rapidly, mature early, and produce large litters. Because blue-tongued lizards have a long life span (over 30 years in captivity), populations of adults may persist for many years in the absence of recruitment.

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