Movement Patterns of the White-Footed Dunnart, Sminthopsis Leucopus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), in a Logged, Burnt Forest on the South Coast of New South Wales.

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lunney ◽  
T Leary
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Disturbed Forest

The study was carried out between June 1980 and Dec. 1984 in the Mumbulla State Forest. Ninety-nine individuals were caught in Eucalyptus forest that had been logged in 1979-80 and burnt in 1980. The population was discrete, occupying an area of about 500 ha near the centre of the forest. The repeated capture of 35 individuals enabled movement patterns to be determined. Females occupied small home ranges, and capture sites did not overlap with those of other females. Males did not have exclusive capture sites and the home ranges overlapped. Their movement patterns fell into two groups: explorer males and resident males. The largest movement of an explorer male was 1025 m in 24 h. With data pooled for all trapping periods, the observed range length was 79.5 plus or minus 8.2 m for females; 104.9 plus or minus 14.5 m for resident males and 720.7 plus or minus 93.5 m for explorer males; the average distance between captures was 49.3 plus or minus 2.8 m for females, 63.4 plus or minus 10.3 m for resident males and 481.8 plus or minus 106.1 m for explorer males. Suitable habitat, such as recently disturbed forest, may occur naturally only as disjunct and temporary patches, hence the ability to travel long distances enables this species to utilize these suddenly abundant and transient resources.

Habitat preference, diet and demography of the smoky mouse, Pseudomys fumeus (Rodentia : Muridae), in south-eastern New South Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Ford ◽  
Andrew Cockburn ◽  
Linda Broome
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preference ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Habitat Choice ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Dietary Preference ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Level

The smoky mouse, Pseudomys fumeus, is an endangered rodent for which ecological information is lacking across much of its range. This paper provides the first detailed study of the local diet and habitat preference of P. fumeus since 1980, conducted on the recently discovered Nullica population in New South Wales. Diet and trap-revealed movements were examined in conjunction with 18 characteristics of habitat to determine the factors influencing habitat choice. Multiple logistic regression of habitat variables and capture locations revealed a floristically determined preference for heath habitat characterised by Epacris impressa, Monotoca scoparia, Leptospermum trinervium, Xanthorrhoea spp. and a variety of legumes. Hypogeal fungi and seeds were the most common food items in the diet of P. fumeus. Fungi were most abundant in winter diet, while seeds and fruit became dominant in late spring and summer. The spring and summer preference for ridge-top heath habitats observed in this study is probably the result of this dietary preference. Resident females constituted 71% of the population in early spring. However, there was a severe decline in numbers of female mice during early spring, and resident males also disappeared from the population. Causes of the decline were unclear. Five of eleven males captured during this study were transient, while no transient females were caught. The sudden decline in the study population, combined with the patchy distribution of suitable habitat and high level of male transience, suggests that P. fumeus form a metapopulation in the Nullica region.

Cycad killer, qu'est-ce que c'est? Dieback of Macrozamia communis on the south coast of New South Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Keith L. McDougall ◽  
Penelope J. Gullan ◽  
Phil Craven ◽  
Genevieve T. Wright ◽  
Lyn G. Cook
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Scale Insect ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
The South ◽  
Extreme Caution ◽  
South Wales

The association of an armoured scale insect (a diaspidid) with dieback of a population of a native cycad (Macrozamia communis L.A.S.Johnson) was investigated on the south coast of New South Wales. The diaspidid was found to be undescribed but morphologically similar to oleander scale – here we call it Aspidiotus cf. nerii. It is probably native to Australasia and its current known distribution is within Murramarang National Park (MNP). Aspidiotus cf. nerii has been abundant on symptomatic M. communis at MNP over at least the past decade and has spread to new parts of the park. In population studies of infested and uninfested areas we found that, although both areas had populations with reverse J curves showing dominance of seedlings, mortality of seedlings and caulescent plants was significantly higher in infested sites. Infested areas had been burnt less frequently than uninfested areas. Fire does not appear to eradicate the diaspidid but may reduce its effects enough for plants to recover. We recommend further research into the use of fire as a management tool. Although other factors may be contributing to the severity of the dieback, we suggest there is sufficient evidence for the diaspidid to be regarded as the primary cause of dieback in M. communis in MNP, regardless of its origin. Given the occurrence of similar diaspidids on cultivated plants in botanic gardens, translocation of threatened Macrozamia species using plants grown in nurseries should be undertaken with extreme caution.

Contrast between the visible abundance of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata, and its rarity in fox and dog scats in the gorges east of Armidale, New South Wales

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lunney ◽  
B Law ◽  
C Rummery
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Scat Analysis ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Collection Period ◽  
Natal Home

Predator scats were collected near colonies of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata, in gorges near Armidale, New South Wales. Scat collection coincided with the two periods when these macropodids are believed to be most vulnerable to predation: when juveniles vacate the pouch (September) and when they disperse from natal home ranges (April). The ratio of known dingo to fox scats did not differ significantly from 1 : 1 for each collection period. The most common dietary items identified in the scat analysis were as follows: rabbits (in 30% of scats); swamp wallabies (21%); cattle (16%); and brushtail possums (10%). Despite a visible abundance of P. penicillata in the study area, it occurred rarely (1%) in the 342 canid scats collected, and no P. penicillata was detected in fox scats. While the collection and analysis of predator scats does detect P. penicillata, it does not provide an efficient means of doing so and is unlikely to be effective at detecting small populations of this species.

Comparison of Bird Counts From Pine Forest and Indigenous Vegetation.

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
PV Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Forest Habitats

Bird counts were taken in Feb., March and July 1975 in 4 native habitats, ranging from wet sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest to mallee (E. stricta)-heath on the Boyd Plateau, and two Pinus radiata habitats (20 yr and 40 yr) in the Jenolan State Forest, New South Wales, Australia. In each season the number of birds and the number of species was highest in the native forest habitats, lower in the pine habitats and least in the mallee-heath. The composition of native forest, pine forest, and mallee-heath bird communities shows considerable differences.

Surveys of Arboreal and Terrestrial Mammals in The Montane Forests of Queanbeyan, New South Wales.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
R. Goldingay ◽  
G. Daly
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Moist Forest ◽  
Logged Forest

Surveys of arboreal and terrestrial mammals were conducted across four State Forests in south-east New South Wales encompassing 80 000 ha. Methods used included spotlighting, Elliott trapping, pitfall trapping, hair-tubing and predator scat analysis. The survey included a plot-based approach and the targeting of areas containing the potential habitat of endangered species. Seven species of arboreal marsupial were detected during spotlighting. The greater glider (Petauroides volans) was significantly more abundant in moist forest compared to dry forest. Its density in moist forest was twice as high in unlogged compared to logged forest and is equivalent to the highest recorded in any forest in NSW. Other arboreal species were less abundant. The yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis), which is Threatened in NSW, was detected at only two sites despite the occurrence of suitable habitat throughout the study area. Eight species of native terrestrial mammals were detected. The tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), which is Threatened in NSW, appears to be more common in the southern part of the study area adjoining large areas of National Park, than in other State Forests of south-east NSW. Continued analysis of predator scats is required to determine whether several other species of Threatened terrestrial mammal occur in these forests.

The conservation and ecology of rainforest pigeons in northeastern New South Wales

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Date ◽  
H. F. Recher ◽  
H. A. Ford ◽  
D. A. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Food Source ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Winter Food ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Conservation And Management

A survey of conservation reserves, rainforest remnants and agricultural districts in northeastern New South Wales was conducted to determine the abundance, movements and habitat requirements of rainforest pigeons, to evaluate the extent and use of suitable habitat in conservation reserves, and to provide guidelines for the conservation and management of rainforest pigeons. Eight species of rainforest pigeon occur in northeastern New South Wales. Commencing with the clearing of rainforest in the 1860s for agriculture, rainforest pigeons declined in abundance throughout New South Wales and by the 1970s five species were thought to be threatened in the state. Since then, rainforest pigeons have apparently increased in abundance and distribution, but the Wompoo, Rose-crowned and Superb Pigeons continue to be listed by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service as vulnerable and rare. However, populations of all species of rainforest pigeons in New South Wales are relatively small and vulnerable to further loss of habitat. Most rainforest pigeons show a preference for subtropical rainforest habitat, but moist eucalypt forests, gardens and weedy exotic vegetation along roads and on abandoned farmland are also frequented to varying degrees by different species. To investigate recent trends in pigeon abundance we used data collected for up to 12 years from eight sites and during 1988, 1989 and 1990 from 17 rainforest remnants in northeastern New South Wales. The data suggest that rainforest pigeons now occur more frequently in lowland agricultural areas than in the recent past and tend to confirm an increase in abundance since the 1970s. Nesting and foraging habitats for rainforest pigeons are extensive in the conservation reserve system of northeastern New South Wales, but these habitats, which are largely at high elevations, lack winter food resources. Instead, pigeons congregate in remnant rainforest and exotic berry-bearing trees and shrubs in agricultural areas at lower elevations and near the coast. They rely on these habitats for food during winter and it is the restricted extent of this habitat that probably limits their abundance, not the area or quality of habitat at higher elevations. The conservation and management of rainforest pigeons requires the protection of low elevation and coastal rainforest remnants. As development of northeastern New South Wales proceeds, to avoid a decline in the abundances of rainforest pigeons it will be necessary to protect sclerophyll forest with native or exotic fruit bearing trees and shrubs and to extend the area of suitable habitat by the regeneration of rainforest and by the planting of native species used by pigeons as a food source. This will become increasingly important as the control and removal of exotic plants, such as Lantana Lantana camara and Camphor Laurel Cinnamonum camphora, on which some pigeons depend as a winter food source, becomes more successful.

Use of bioclimatic analysis to direct survey effort for the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes), a rare forest-dwelling rat-kangaroo

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Claridge
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
New Records ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
The Past ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Survey Effort

The long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) is one of the rarest and most elusive forest-dwelling mammals in Australia. Survey effort for the species over the past decade or so in south-eastern New South Wales has been driven, primarily, by predictions derived from climatic analyses using BIOCLIM. These predictions were based on known locality records of the long-footed potoroo from adjacent East Gippsland, Victoria. While they have proven useful in confirming the occurrence of the species in New South Wales, recent fortuitous records of the species from north-eastern Victoria fall well outside of the range predicted earlier by BIOCLIM. Using these new records a revised predicted range is calculated, enlarging considerably the potential geographic extent of climatically suitable habitat for the species. The results presented here highlight the limitations of BIOCLIM when given locality records of a species from only a portion of its true geographic range. I argue that less emphasis might be based on this approach to direct survey effort for the species in the future. Instead, a range of other environmental variables might be used in combination with BIOCLIM-derived outputs when selecting survey sites. In this way a more representative picture of the distribution of the species may be obtained.

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