Responses of a Carnivorous Marsupial (Antechinus flavipes) to Local Habitat Factors in Two Forest Types

Lada, Hania; Nally, Ralph Charles Mac; Taylor, Andrea Carolyn

doi:10.1644/07-mamm-a-080r.1

Cited by 15 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…A range of variables were retained in the best models describing abundance of A. flavipes, including understorey vegetation, epicormic growth, crown dieback, tree litter cover, time since last fire and distance to drift fence. We expected the abundance of A. flavipes to be related to a dense canopy, more coarse woody debris and leaf litter cover (for invertebrate prey, nesting sites and protection from predation) as other studies have noted (Braithwaite 1979;Newell 1998;Holland and Bennett 2007;Lada et al 2007Lada et al , 2008Armistead 2008). However, the strongest relationships for A. flavipes were with declining E. wandoo trees, sparse canopies and less coarse woody debris.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Does woodland condition influence the diversity and abundance of small mammal communities?

et al. 2014

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Abstract. Loss of mammal species in Australia in the last 200 years has been attributed to many factors including habitat removal and altered fire regimes. Decline in tree condition could contribute further to the ongoing decline of mammals. Eucalyptus wandoo trees are currently undergoing a decline in condition that can result in a loss of canopy and other changes to the habitat. This paper examines the relationships between E. wandoo tree condition, habitat characteristics and small mammal species richness and abundance. Live-capture trapping was conducted at 24 E. wandoo sites at Dryandra State Forest and Wandoo Conservation Park, Western Australia. Condition and microhabitat variables of E. wandoo were recorded for each site. Generalised additive mixed models revealed a range of habitat and tree condition characteristics that influenced small mammal abundance and species richness, including site litter cover, crown dieback, understorey vegetation cover and tree density. The availability of coarse woody debris played a large role in explaining the abundance of Cercartetus concinnus and Antechinus flavipes, along with other microhabitat and tree condition variables, such as tree leaf litter and crown dieback. Epicormic growth, crown density and the distance to the drift fence from E. wandoo trees were the common variables in the best model for the abundance of Sminthopsis griseoventer. The decline in condition of E. wandoo and the subsequent modifications to the microhabitat are correlated with changes in the small mammal community. A better understanding of how the decline of E. wandoo impacts small mammal communities could improve management practices in E. wandoo woodlands.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Does woodland condition influence the diversity and abundance of small mammal communities?

et al. 2014

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“…Sites visited in 2004 were revisited in 2005 [11] and had been randomly selected in 24 within-forest areas (500 × 500 m) prior to the availability of the model of stand condition (see below). Sites for 2011 surveys were randomly selected with Hawth's Tools (http://spatialecology.com) using an existing map of stand condition [23].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We considered the number of webs as a proxy for abundances of spiders and possibly of other macroinvertebrates, which are food for antechinus [12]. We tested the suggestion of Lada et al [11] that these spiders may be associated with higher densities of antechinus. Values of annual rainfall of the previous year (weather conditions pre-, post- and during-breeding season of the previous generation and pre-weaning conditions for the current generation) were obtained from Bureau of Meteorology [18].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relating Demographic Characteristics of a Small Mammal to Remotely Sensed Forest-Stand Condition

et al. 2014

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Many ecological systems around the world are changing rapidly in response to direct (land-use change) and indirect (climate change) human actions. We need tools to assess dynamically, and over appropriate management scales, condition of ecosystems and their responses to potential mitigation of pressures. Using a validated model, we determined whether stand condition of floodplain forests is related to densities of a small mammal (a carnivorous marsupial, Antechinus flavipes) in 60 000 ha of extant river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forests in south-eastern Australia in 2004, 2005 and 2011. Stand condition was assessed remotely using models built from ground assessments of stand condition and satellite-derived reflectance. Other covariates, such as volumes of fallen timber, distances to floods, rainfall and life stages were included in the model. Trapping of animals was conducted at 272 plots (0.25 ha) across the region. Densities of second-year females (i.e. females that had survived to a second breeding year) and of second-year females with suckled teats (i.e. inferred to have been successful mothers) were higher in stands with the highest condition. There was no evidence of a relationship with stand condition for males or all females. These outcomes show that remotely-sensed estimates of stand condition (here floodplain forests) are relatable to some demographic characteristics of a small mammal species, and may provide useful information about the capacity of ecosystems to support animal populations. Over-regulation of large, lowland rivers has led to declines in many facets of floodplain function. If management of water resources continues as it has in recent decades, then our results suggest that there will be further deterioration in stand condition and a decreased capacity for female yellow-footed antechinuses to breed multiple times.

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“…Small mammals need complex habitats retained in logged forests, such as large hollow-bearing trees, large fallen trees, i.e. logs, and logging debris left on the forest floor (Alexander et al 2002;Holland and Bennett 2007;Lada et al 2007Lada et al , 2008Claridge et al 2008;Kelly and Bennett 2008). Collectively, all these studies allow the conclusion to be drawn that small mammals use the ground layer in a forest, as well as depending on trees with hollows, and this is a critical habitat resource that needs specific management attention, which is largely absent for these species because they are not listed as threatened.…”

Section: Small Mammals and Forest Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The long-term effects of logging for woodchips on small mammal populations

et al. 2009

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Context. Long-term studies are internationally recognised as an essential component of achieving ecologically sustainable forest management with respect to fauna.Aims. This study aimed to assess longer-term responses of small mammals to logging by returning in 1998 to our 1980-83 study sites in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia.Methods. Three age-classes of forest were surveyed: unlogged; 18-19-year-old regrowth; and 26-34-year-old regrowth. Key results. Rattus fuscipes remained affected by logging, and there were significantly fewer R. fuscipes males in logged, north-west-facing sites than at other sites, although the effect was less pronounced in 1998 than in 1980-83. Antechinus agilis females were significantly less numerous in south-east-facing, unlogged forest. This was not expected from the 1980-83 results. Antechinus swainsonii, which had disappeared following a fire in 1980, had returned to the forest by 1998. A. swainsonii females showed a significant preference for south-east-facing slopes and this relationship was consistent between logged and unlogged forest. No members of Mus musculus or Sminthopsis leucopus, which were present in 1980-83, were caught in 1998.Conclusions. As in the 1980s study, the responses of small mammal species to logging history were varied and species specific.Implications. In our study area, we predict that sustained logging for woodchips will continue to deplete its populations of small mammals. This adds to the case for a more robust and sustained approach to researching and managing our forest fauna.

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Responses of a Carnivorous Marsupial (Antechinus flavipes) to Local Habitat Factors in Two Forest Types

Cited by 15 publications

References 34 publications

Does woodland condition influence the diversity and abundance of small mammal communities?

Does woodland condition influence the diversity and abundance of small mammal communities?

Relating Demographic Characteristics of a Small Mammal to Remotely Sensed Forest-Stand Condition

The long-term effects of logging for woodchips on small mammal populations

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