Use of instream wood habitat by Trout Cod Maccullochella macquariensis (Cuvier) in the Murrumbidgee River

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivor Growns ◽  
Ian Wooden ◽  
Craig Schiller

Microhabitat use of instream wood habitat by Trout Cod Maccullochella macquariensis (Cuvier), a critically endangered species with a restricted distribution, was examined in the Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales, Australia. Habitat variables were scored or measured at 100 m intervals along the river or wherever Trout Cod were captured using electrofishing. The occurrence of Trout Cod was significantly dependent on the presence of instream woody habitat and 95% of samples where trout cod were caught were associated with the presence of woody habitat. Trout Cod were more likely to be found on simply-structured woody habitats, away from the river-bank and their abundance showed no relationship with water velocity. The low abundance of other fish species at the sampling sites suggests that the relationships demonstrated are not due to inter-species interactions. The results will assist with specific management actions to restore and protect populations of this endangered species.


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leroy Gonsalves ◽  
Bradley Law ◽  
Cameron Webb ◽  
Vaughan Monamy

Conservation of insectivorous bats and their habitats is of increasing concern in Australia and linear elements in the landscape form important foraging habitats for many species. Only recently has use of endangered coastal saltmarsh habitat by bats been documented. Vegetation adjoining saltmarsh provides echolocating bats with linear elements that may be used while foraging and commuting to patches of high insect abundance. We used acoustic detectors to investigate whether individual species and total bat activity along seaward and landward saltmarsh edges was different to the interior of the saltmarsh. Four taxa accounted for greater than 80 % of all bat activity in each zone with similar taxa recorded in both edge and interior zones. However, significantly more bat activity was recorded in edge zones. While differences in microhabitat use by individual species were also found, bat morphology did not account for the observed differences. Conservation managers of saltmarsh and adjoining habitats should consider potential impacts of management actions on foraging bats and their prey. Retention of strips of edge vegetation may help to balance the conservation requirements of endangered coastal saltmarsh habitats and the foraging insectivorous bat populations they sustain.



1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Read

Habitat use by Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Planigale gilesi and P. tenuirostris was investigated in the arid zone of New South Wales. All species showed considerable flexibility in habitat use at all times, and abundance was poorly predicted from easily measured parameters of the habitat. However, evidence was found for separation of microhabitat among these sympatric species. Multiple regression analysis indicated that abundance of S. crassicaudata was negatively associated with height of vegetation and the depth and density of soil cracks, and that of P. gilesi was positively associated with these habitat variables. Plant height was positively associated with abundance of P. tenuirostris and it was the only important predictor for this species. These results are discussed in conjunction with trapping records from other habitats.



2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Semeniuk ◽  
F. Lemckert ◽  
R. Shine

Previous research on cane toads (Bufo marinus) has documented non-random selection of breeding sites by this invasive species. In the wet–dry tropics of the Northern Territory, toads selected spawning sites in open areas with gently sloping banks and shallow water. If consistent, such biases may present opportunities for toad control via waterbody manipulation – but first we need to know whether such criteria for spawning-site selection (1) are consistent across other parts of the toad’s extensive Australian range, and (2) differ from those of native anurans breeding at the same waterbodies. We quantified the attributes of potential and actual spawning-sites in north-eastern New South Wales, in temperate-zone habitat where cane toads have been present for many decades; our study area thus differs in many ways from the previously studied tropical site. We compared habitat and water chemistry variables between 23 cane toad breeding sites and 23 nearby unused sites. To examine habitat use at an even finer scale, we conducted nocturnal surveys of microhabitat use by calling male toads and native anurans. Our results revealed that cane toads in this region were highly selective in their choice of breeding sites, and that the criteria they used in this respect were similar to those used by toads in the Northern Territory. Calling male cane toads also used microhabitats non-randomly within each pond, apparently based on similar criteria to those used when selecting among ponds. Toads differed significantly from native anurans in these respects, suggesting that it may be feasible to manipulate waterbody attributes to impact on invasive toads without disrupting reproduction by native anurans.



2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Sharp ◽  
Kerry Holmes ◽  
Melinda Norton ◽  
Adam Marks

Between winter 1995 and winter 1998, seasonal spotlight counts for rabbits were conducted along three transects in western New South Wales. Rabbit Calicivirus (RCV) arrived at the study site in spring 1996 and had an immediate marked effect on rabbit densities. Prior to the advent of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD), rabbit abundance followed the expected annual pattern of positive growth during the winter to summer period and negligible or negative growth during the summer to winter period. With the arrival of RCV, rabbit abundance was observed to decline by 47% and 75% within low density populations and by 84% within a medium density population. In the subsequent 21 months, the low density populations returned to levels approximating those prior to the arrival of RCV. In contrast, rabbit abundance within the medium density population remained at consistently lowered levels. These data suggest that RCD will have a minimal effect on semi-arid zone rabbit populations below a density of 0.4/ha and that additional management actions will be required to further reduce rabbit abundances.



1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Short

The habitat requirements of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby were assessed by comparing areas of rocky habitat occupied by this species with adjacent unoccupied areas of similar habitat. Sites occupied by wallabies had twice the number of ledges, three times the number of caves, and a greater number of routes from the cliff top onto the face, usually via steep, narrow cracks or chimneys. They invariably faced so that the cliff received sun for much of the day (a northerly aspect). Rock-wallaby sites averaged twice the number of ledges sheltered by overhangs as did unoccupied sites. Ledges were shorter on occupied sites, probably reflecting more restricted accessibility to predators. An equation is presented which predicts with 90% success from five habitat variables whether a given cliff is suitable for brush-tailed rockwallabies.



Telopea ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Telford ◽  
Lachlan Copeland


2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Dickman ◽  
Daniel Lunney ◽  
Alison Matthews

In New South Wales, at least 28 species of native rodents have been recorded since European settlement. Four of these are extinct nationally, six are extinct in the State, six are vulnerable and four are endangered; only eight remain non-threatened. Declines and losses have been greatest in central and western New South Wales and least in the State’s north-east. Neither body weight nor habit are associated with status, but taxa such as Rattus species with broad diets and habitat preferences remain generally less threatened than ecological specialists. Threatening processes affect all vulnerable and endangered species, with predation from introduced carnivores, grazing from livestock, clearance of vegetation and changed fire regimes being among the most severe. No species occur entirely on reserved land, while two endangered species have no secure land tenure. A program of survey, research, management and education is proposed to help achieve recovery.



Soil Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Gray ◽  
Greg A. Chapman ◽  
Brian W. Murphy

A new evaluation scheme, land management within capability (LMwC), used to guide sustainable land management in New South Wales (NSW), is presented. The scheme semi-quantitatively categorises the potential impacts of specific land-management actions and compares these with the inherent physical capability of the land in relation to a range of land-degradation hazards. This leads to the derivation of LMwC indices, which signify the sustainability of land-management practices at the scale of individual sites up to broader regions. The LMwC scheme can be used to identify lands at greatest risk from various land-degradation hazards. It can help to guide natural resource agencies at local, regional and state levels to target priorities and promote sustainable land management across their lands. Few other schemes that assess the sustainability of a given land-management regime in a semi-quantitative yet pragmatic manner are found in the literature. The scheme has particular application for regional soil-monitoring programs and it was applied in such a program over NSW in 2008–09. The results suggested that the hazards most poorly managed across the state are wind erosion, soil acidification and soil organic carbon decline. The LMwC scheme, or at least its underlying concepts, could be readily applied to other jurisdictions.



2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Catling ◽  
R. J. Burt ◽  
R. I. Forrester

We examined the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in eucalypt forests in relation to habitat variables within an area of c. 24 000 km2 in north-eastern New South Wales. Habitat variables are defined as vegetative variables that may be altered or created by humans or natural disturbances and used for the management and/or conservation of fauna. Statistical models of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in relation to the habitat variables are presented. Generally, the ground-dwelling mammals in the region were more diverse and in greater abundance, and the forest more complex, than in south-eastern New South Wales. The models reflect a general preference of the ground-dwelling fauna for forests that were least disturbed. However, some species were more tolerant of disturbance than others. Recent developments in remote sensing have allowed the mosaic of habitats for ground-dwelling mammals to be mapped over large areas of the landscape. Such maps and the models presented here are discussed with respect to the management of wildlife species. The reduced disturbance during silvicultural practices and the lower abundance of foxes are discussed in relation to the greater diversity and abundance of the ground-dwelling mammals in the region than in south-eastern New South Wales.



2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Murialdo ◽  
Kristin Kleisner ◽  
Jack Wolfenden ◽  
Julie Old


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