Waterlogging tolerance of the threatened grass Arthraxon hispidus and implications for its habitat niche within endangered wetlands in north-eastern New South Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Laura White ◽  
Claudia Catterall ◽  
Ben Wirf ◽  
Kathryn Taffs
Keyword(s):  
Field Survey ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Freshwater Wetland ◽  
Waterlogging Tolerance ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Habitat Niche ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Physiological Tolerances ◽  
Insight Into

Knowledge of a target species’ habitat niche and physiological tolerances is important for conservation planning. However, these factors are not well understood for the threatened annual grass Arthraxon hispidus in New South Wales (NSW). Although the species is widespread in modified environments, recent studies have suggested that several threatened wetland types may represent original native habitat for the species, but documented field examples are lacking and the species’ physiological response to soil moisture is not clear. We undertook a detailed survey of an A. hispidus population within a relatively intact native sedgeland community, and carried out a nursery experiment to test the hydrological tolerances of the species. We found that A. hispidus plants grew more vigorously in poorly drained or waterlogged conditions, suggesting that the species is well-adapted to overcome such stressors, possibly through the formation of adventitious roots, a trait shared by many wetland plants globally. Our field survey confirmed that the A. hispidus population within the study site occurred only within species assemblages that were characteristic of a freshwater wetland formation and that matched descriptions of a listed endangered ecological community. These findings provide a deeper insight into the species’ habitat and threats, and offer a valuable management focus for conservation of A. hispidus as a component of threatened wetland communities in north-eastern NSW.

Effectiveness of protected areas in north-eastern New South Wales: recent trends in six measures

2002 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L Pressey ◽  
G.L Whish ◽  
T.W Barrett ◽  
M.E Watts
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Recent Trends

scholarly journals Modeling Methane Emission from Wetlands in North-Eastern New South Wales, Australia Using Landsat ETM+

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 1378-1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement E. Akumu ◽  
Sumith Pathirana ◽  
Serwan Baban ◽  
Daniel Bucher
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern

Models of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in the eucalypt forests of north-eastern New South Wales in relation to environmental variables

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Catling ◽  
R. J. Burt ◽  
R. I. Forrester
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Slope Position ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Eucalypt Forests ◽  
A Site

Statistical models are presented of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in eucalypt forests in relation to environmental variables within an area of approximately 24 000 km2 in north-eastern New South Wales. Environmental variables are defined as climatic or topographic variables that may be useful to map the distribution of fauna. The environmental variables examined were season, temperature, rainfall, elevation, lithology, steepness of slope, position on slope, aspect and landform profile. The probability of recording some species was higher in spring than autumn and many species were in highest abundance in areas of low temperature (high elevation). Although aspect was a significant variable in a number of models, no species was absent from any aspect category. Mid-slopes down to and including creeks and drainage lines were particularly important for many species, as were areas with flatter terrain. Although we have modelled environmental variables only there will no doubt be longer-term interactions between habitat and environmental variables. Fundamentally, environmental variables will determine the type of habitat present at a site, and the distribution of canopy communities, at least, can be predicted from environmental variables. However, other studies have shown for ground-dwelling mammals that environmental variables contribute little and it is the state of the habitat locally, and particularly the understorey, that determines their presence and abundance at a site. The results are discussed in relation to similar models using habitat variables and in relation to the use of such models in the management of ground-dwelling fauna in forests.

Dragonflies (Odonata) of coastal sand-dune fresh waters of South-eastren Queensland and North-eastern New South Wales

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
AH Arthington ◽  
JAL Watson
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Coastal Sand Dune ◽  
Freshwater Streams ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Coastal Sand

The Odonata and physicochemical properties of freshwater streams, lakes, ponds and bogs in the sand-dune systems of Fraser, Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands and Cooloola, Queensland: and Wooli, New South Wales, are described. The odonate faunas of these dune masses show some differences from those of nearby areas, and there are close associations between some species and particular types of dune fresh water. Although no physicochemical characteristics were identified that might limit these dune dragonflies to their specific habitats, the lake-dwellers in particular may be useful indicators of environmental change.

Use of fauna road-crossing structures in north-eastern New South Wales

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian F. Hayes ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Road Mortality ◽  
Road Kill ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Crossing Structures ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Level Of Use ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
High Level

The vast network of roads around the world has had a significant effect on wildlife and ecosystems through habitat fragmentation, reduced dispersal and mortality by collision with vehicles. Road agencies worldwide now frequently install dedicated structures to facilitate the safe crossing of roads by wildlife. We conducted surveys to determine the use of dedicated wildlife overpasses and nearby underpasses at two locations on the Pacific Highway in north-eastern New South Wales. Road-kill surveys were conducted to provide some understanding of the species commonly killed and whether the rate of road-kill was lower at one location where crossing-structures were located. Use of the crossing-structures by wildlife was monitored with sand-transects. The most frequent users were macropods, bandicoots and rodents. Macropods made greater use of overpasses (n = 104 tracks) than underpasses (n = 36), whereas underpasses were used more by bandicoots (n = 87) and rodents (n = 82) than were overpasses (n = 28, n = 15, respectively). We identified 78 road-kills of 21 species on two sections of the Pacific Highway over a 7-week period. Bandicoots (n = 16) and macropods (n = 9) were the most frequently observed victims. The mortality of wildlife was lower along the highway section with the crossing-structures (0.04 road-kills km–1) than it was along the highway section without structures (0.15 road-kills km–1). The lack of replication precludes any firm conclusion that the crossing-structures reduced road mortality but the high level of use of the crossing-structures by species that were common victims of road-kill suggests an influence.

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