The use of hollow-bearing trees retained in multi-aged regenerating production forest by the Tasmanian common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus)

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Cawthen ◽  
Sarah Munks
Keyword(s):  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Partial Harvest ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Common Brushtail Possum ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
Production Areas

Context Hollow-bearing trees are frequently retained in timber-production areas as part of measures to mitigate against the impacts of forest harvesting on fauna, yet few studies have investigated the effectiveness of such measures. Such studies are essential for adaptive forest management. Aims The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of hollow-bearing trees retained in harvested and unharvested forest as den sites by the Tasmanian common brushtail possum. In particular, we examined the distribution and types of hollow-bearing trees used as den sites and whether or not their use in harvested sites was influenced by time since harvest. Methods Thirty brushtail possums were radio-tracked to their day-time den sites between March 2007–July 2007 and July 2008–October 2008, at five dry Eucalyptus forest sites (three regenerating after partial harvest with hollow-bearing trees retained inside the coupe and two in relatively undisturbed forest) in south-eastern Tasmania, Australia. Key results The brushtail possums tracked in the study denned primarily in hollow-bearing trees at both the harvested and unharvested sites. At sites regenerating 8 and 10 years after harvest, most den site locations were in trees retained outside the harvest area, in large patches. In contrast, at the site regenerating 17 years after harvest, isolated trees and small patches within the harvested area were used. Conclusions Hollow-bearing trees retained within harvest areas do provide habitat for hollow-dependent fauna such as the common brushtail possum and enable recolonisation of harvested areas in the medium term. However, in the short term these trees may not be used and hollow-bearing trees retained in the surrounding landscape are important for providing refuge as the harvested area regenerates. Implications The retention of hollow-bearing trees in harvested areas may be an effective measure at enabling recolonisation of harvested areas once suitable habitat regenerates, but it is also important to ensure that large patches of mature forest (containing hollows) are retained in the surrounding landscape to ensure the persistence of hollow-using fauna.

Building selection by the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Yuqing Chen ◽  
Bruce Doran ◽  
Sharyn Sinclair-Hannocks ◽  
John Mangos ◽  
Philip Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Building Maintenance ◽  
National University ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Brushtail Possum

Abstract ContextThe common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a protected native species in Australia that can access buildings in urban areas and cause considerable damage or disruption to building occupants. Although several strategies to discourage this species from entering buildings have been recommended, few have been evaluated empirically. AimsOur study aims to analyse how landscaping and building construction influence occupancy of buildings by the common brushtail possum. MethodsWe collated reports of possums occupying 134 buildings over 12 years on the campus of The Australian National University (ANU), in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). We used generalised linear modelling (GLM) to identify associations between the total number of reported possum-related incidents for buildings and a range of landscape and building characteristics. Key resultsControlling for the effect of building size, we found that the number of reported possum-related incidents in buildings was positively associated with the percentage of tree and shrub canopy cover within the calculated home-range buffer distance of 49m from buildings, length of canopy overhanging roofs and building age, and negatively associated with tree species richness and number of trees with natural hollows and nest boxes within 49m of buildings. There were likely to be more possum-related reports from buildings in areas where the dominant tree genus was native, buildings with parapets (walls extending above the roof), buildings with structures penetrating from the roof, buildings with tile roofs and gable roofs. ConclusionsA combination of suitable habitat surrounding buildings, suitable access to the roofs of buildings and weak points in building roofs (e.g. parapets, roof penetrations), makes them more vulnerable to occupancy by the common brushtail possum. Implications Our results provided clues for managing existing buildings, or designing new buildings, in a way that may reduce the likelihood of occupancy by the common brushtail possum. Our study also demonstrated how building-maintenance records can be used to address human–wildlife conflict over time.

Fire severity alters spatio–temporal movements and habitat utilisation by an arboreal marsupial, the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami)

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1291 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Berry ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
T. E. Dennis ◽  
D. A. Driscoll ◽  
S. C. Banks
Keyword(s):  
Fire Severity ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Salvage Logging ◽  
High Severity ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Surrounding Landscape

Understanding how severe wildfires influence faunal movement is essential for predicting how changes in fire regimes will affect ecosystems. We examined the effects of fire severity distribution on spatial and temporal variation in movement of an Australian arboreal mammal, the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami). We used GPS telemetry to characterise the movements of 18 possums in landscapes burnt to differing extents by a large wildfire. We identified a temporal change in movement patterns in response to fire. In unburnt landscapes, individuals moved greater distances early and late in the night and had less overlap in the areas used for foraging and denning, than in high-severity burnt landscapes. Habitat selection was dependent on the spatial context of fire in the surrounding landscape. Forest recently burnt at high severity may provide suitable habitat for species such as the mountain brushtail possum, if protected from subsequent disturbance, such as salvage logging. However, spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use and selection differ considerably between burnt and undisturbed landscapes. The spatial outcomes of ecological disturbances such as wildfires have the potential to alter the behaviour and functional roles of fauna across large areas.

Characteristics of mammal communities in Tasmanian forests: exploring the influence of forest type and disturbance history

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin M. Flynn ◽  
Susan M. Jones ◽  
Menna E. Jones ◽  
Gregory J. Jordan ◽  
Sarah A. Munks
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Disturbance History ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Undisturbed Forest ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
Mammal Communities

Context With increasing pressure worldwide on forest habitat, it is crucial to understand faunal ecology to effectively manage and minimise impacts of anthropogenic habitat disturbance. Aims This study assessed whether differences in forest type and disturbance history were reflected in small to medium mammal communities found in Tasmania’s production forests. Methods Trapping was conducted in spring and summer, and autumn and winter during 2007–08 at four dry Eucalyptus forest sites (two regenerating after harvest and two in relatively undisturbed forest) in south-east Tasmania, and four wet Eucalyptus forest sites (two regenerating after harvest and two in relatively undisturbed forest) in north-east Tasmania. All sites were embedded within a matrix of mature or older aged regenerating forest. Key results Thirteen mammal species were recorded across all sites. There was no difference in species diversity or richness between forest type or disturbance regime, but species composition differed. Total number of individual animals and captures was influenced strongly by forest type and disturbance history, with most animals captured in the dry disturbed forest sites. Abundance of some species (e.g. bettongs and potoroos) was higher in disturbed sites than undisturbed sites. Brushtail possum numbers (adults and offspring), however, were lower in disturbed sites and populations displayed a male biased adult sex ratio and lower breeding frequency. Habitat structural complexity and vegetation diversity within core sites, and age structure of the forest in the surrounding landscape did not vary significantly, indicating that broad resource (food and refuge) availability was equivalent across sites. Conclusions In general, the small to medium mammals in this study did not appear to be significantly affected by forest harvesting in the medium term. Implications Although past harvesting altered the abundance of some habitat features (e.g. canopy cover, basal area of trees, and tree hollow availability), we suggest that the availability of such features in the surrounding landscape may mitigate the potential effects of disturbance on the species for which such habitat features are important.

scholarly journals Theoretical Overview of Successional Considerations in Vegetation Management

1990 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. T. Oswald
Keyword(s):  
Forest Succession ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Burning Time ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Chemical Techniques ◽  
Theoretical Overview

Forest succession most relevant to forestry originates following forest harvesting or wildfire. That following harvesting is most often also influenced by site preparation procedures for reforestation. The resultant vegetation succession is dependent on the type, degree, and timing of the disturbance, the site characteristics and conditions, and the microclimate. Subsurface organs, including roots, rhizomes, and stumps, allow most species of shrubs occurring on moist and wet forest sites to survive burning and crushing. Establishment and survival of some forbs, such as fireweed and bracken fern, are greatly facilitated by burning. Effective non-chemical techniques for providing desirable forest tree species a successional advantage over competing forest species are discussed. These involve different silvicultural systems, time of logging, type of scarification, time and degree of burning, time of planting, size of seedlings, and other reforestation considerations.

scholarly journals Recreationists’ Perceptions of Scenic Beauty and Satisfaction at a Public Forest Managed for Endangered Wildlife

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Paudyal ◽  
Taylor V. Stein ◽  
Holly K. Ober ◽  
Mickie E. Swisher ◽  
Eric J. Jokela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Scenic Beauty ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Red Cockaded Woodpecker ◽  
Public Forests

Prescribed burning and other active forest management treatments have been proven to be essential for maintaining suitable habitat conditions for many wildlife species, including the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). This study examines the perception of forest management treatments of recreation users participating in various activities (hunting, hiking/backpacking, camping, off-highway vehicle riding, and canoeing/kayaking) in terms of scenic beauty and recreation satisfaction. We used photographic images to capture various forest management treatments of different intensity levels and times after treatments, and assessed users’ perception of scenic beauty and recreation satisfaction. Results indicated variation among users participating in different recreation activities, but that good quality RCW habitat offered both higher scenic beauty and higher recreation satisfaction than poor quality habitat for most user groups. Finally, recreation satisfaction was statistically equal to perceived scenic beauty from both good and poor-quality RCW habitats for most of the user groups, thus suggesting the importance of scenic beauty on forest sites in determining recreation users’ attainment of visit satisfaction. Findings conclude that forest sites developed as good quality RCW habitat in the present state also offer quality experience to recreation users, thus supporting multi-objective forestry practices in public forests.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document