The distribution and abundance of Leadbeater?s possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri in lowland swamp forest at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.

Abstract

In 1986, a small, outlying population of Leadbeater?s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) was discovered inhabiting lowland swamp forest at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. It is the only known extant lowland population, and occurs in habitat dramatically different to that throughout the possum?s core range in the montane ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands. As part of an investigation into the species? ecology in lowland swamp forest, surveys were undertaken to establish the possum?s distribution and abundance at Yellingbo. The population is estimated to contain 80 - 100 individuals, distributed along a narrow, 6 km length of riparian forest. Most of the suitable foraging habitat is presently occupied, and densities are similar to those previously reported for the species in montane ash forest. The possums are breeding year round, with significant recruitment of young into the population, and data obtained between 1995-2004 suggest that the population size is currently stable. A highly targeted revegetation program focused on the floodplain has the potential to improve up to 85 ha of degraded swamp forest, and in so doing would more than double the area of suitable habitat for G. leadbeateri in the reserve.

Isolated remnant or recent introduction? Estimating the provenance of Yellingbo Leadbeater's possums by genetic analysis and bottleneck simulation

“…Yellingbo is the only known Gymnobelideus leadbeateri population surviving in the lowland swamp habitat type from which the species was first described (Smales 1994; Macfarlane et al . 1998, 2003; Harley 2004; Harley et al . 2004).…”

“…Yellingbo is the only known Gymnobelideus leadbeateri population surviving in the lowland swamp habitat type from which the species was first described (Smales 1994;Macfarlane et al 1998Macfarlane et al , 2003Harley 2004;Harley et al 2004). Individuals residing there are geographically and demographically separated from conspecifics in the mountain ash forest of the Central Highlands of Victoria (Smales 1994;Harley 2005).…”

The potential of soil seed banks of a eucalypt wetland forest to aid restoration

“…The reserve was gazetted in 1965 to protect the helmeted honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix), and consists of narrow sections of remnant riparian forest (bounded by cleared agricultural land) along parts of several creeks. As well as the critically endangered helmeted honeyeater, the reserve also supports a genetically distinct and only known lowland population of the critically endangered Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) (Harley et al 2005). Both these arboreal fauna species are strongly associated with Eucalyptus camphora (mountain swamp gum) forest/woodland and associated shrub thickets, which predominate in the wetter areas of the reserve adjacent to the Cockatoo and Macclesfield Creeks.…”

Population genetic analysis reveals a long‐term decline of a threatened endemic Australian marsupial

“…1). The habitat utilized by the species at Yellingbo is lowland swamp dominated by Mountain Swamp Gum Eucalyptus camphora with Melaleuca and Leptospermum species in the middlestorey (Harley et al. 2005).…”