Effects of variable-intensity logging on mammals, reptiles and amphibians at Waratah Creek, southeastern New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽  
Garry A. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Variable Intensity ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Original Tree ◽  
Intensively Managed

Populations of arboreal marsupials, small ground-dwelling mammals, reptiles and amphibians were assessed in forest before and after logging. Different levels of canopy retention were specified to estimate the effect of varying intensities of logging on these fauna. The logging treatments imposed were; unlogged, and the retention of approximately 72%, 58% and 30% of the original canopy cover. This corresponded to 62%, 52% and 21 % retention of the original tree basal area on each logged area. The objectives of the study were to determine the sensitivity of species to logging, both in terms of the intensity of the initial impact and in terms of the time to recovery following disturbance, and to develop methods for managing areas within wood production forests where special wildlife values have been identified. A total of 53 species was recorded in the 500 ha study area, only 18 (34.0%) of which were abundant enough for assessments to be made about the effects of logging. The arboreal marsupials, in particular the Greater Glider Petauroides volans, were among the species more sensitive to logging disturbance. The small, ground-dwelling mammals and the reptiles that were sampled adequately in this study appeared to be relatively unaffected by logging or they recovered quickly (most within eight years, and probably all within 10?15 years) following logging. Despite a large survey effort, insufficient data were available to assess the effects of logging on most species of frogs, although two species may have been advantaged. The species requiring management consideration include those that declined as a result of logging, but which had not recovered within eight years (the Greater Glider, the Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis, the Sugar Glider P. breviceps, and the skink Niveoscincus coventryi), the species that declined in both logged and unlogged areas (the frogs Pseudophryne bibronii, Limnodynastes peronii, Geocrinia victoriana and Heleioporus australiacus), and the species for which the data were too sparse to make any assessments. It is unclear when the species most disadvantaged by integrated logging, that is, the large gliding possums, will recolonize the logged areas. The persistence of these gliders was attributed to the retention of unlogged forest within and adjacent to logged areas. This highlights the role of riparian reserves ("wildlife corridors") and filter strips in retaining residual populations of the Greater Glider and the Yellow-bellied Glider until the logged areas are suitable for recolonization, and the importance of determining the effective size for these unlogged reserves. The data were not sufficient to determine conclusively whether reduced logging intensity at the levels applied was a better option than standard logging practices for managing populations of gliding possums in these forests. The results of this study, which was conducted in a forested landscape that was multi-aged but predominantly unlogged, may not be comparable to intensively-managed forests in which there is a lower proportion of unlogged forest and where multiple logging events have occurred.

Effects of variable-intensity logging and the influence of habitat variables on the distribution of the Greater Glider Petauroides volans in montane forest, southeastern New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽  
Rodney P. Kavanagh
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Environmental Variable ◽  
Variable Intensity ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Populations of arboreal marsupials were assessed in forests before and after logging at different levels of logging intensity to determine the sensitivity of these species to habitat disturbance. The logging treatments imposed were unlogged controls and two intensities of integrated logging for sawlogs and woodchips. The mean basal area of trees retained in logged blocks ranged from 83% to 35% of pre-logging levels. The objective of the study was to develop better methods for managing arboreal marsupials within the wood production forests of southeastern New South Wales. Seven species of arboreal marsupials were recorded during the study, but the Greater Glider Petauroides volans was the only species recorded in sufficient numbers for analysis (86% of all records). No significant differences were observed between the treatments in counts of the Greater Glider before and after logging. However, given the observed trend and an a priori expectation of a decline in numbers of this species following intensive logging, a one-tailed statistical test was applied which resulted in a significant difference at P = 0.08 for the contrast between the unlogged controls and the most intensively logged treatment. The existence of a threshold in logging intensity within the range of 21 % to 39% retention of tree basal area, below which numbers of the Greater Glider suffer a marked decline, was inferred on the basis of comparisons with the results of other studies. Factors other than logging were important in determining the distribution of the Greater Glider. Elevation, in particular, was a significant environmental variable, with Greater Gliders more likely to occur in forests above 845 m a.s.1. The presence and absence of particular tree species also influenced the distribution of the Greater Glider. Forests containing Manna Gum E. viminalis and Mountain Gum E. dalrympleana were highly preferred compared to forests with a high proportion of E. obliqua. The presence of E. cypellocarpa appeared to improve the quality of habitat for the Greater Glider in forests dominated by E. obliqua. This study has shown that Greater Glider populations can be maintained at or near pre-logging levels when at least 40% of the original tree basal area is retained thoughout logged areas and when the usual practice of retaining unlogged forest in riparian strips is applied.

scholarly journals Studies on the arboreal marsupial fauna of eucalypt forests being harvested for woodpulp at Eden, N.S.W. II. Relationship between the fauna density, richness and diversity, and measured variables of the habitat

1983 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. W. Braithwaite ◽  
M. L. Dudzinski ◽  
J. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Species Richness And Diversity ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Foliage Nutrients ◽  
Habitat Variables

The relationships were examined between measurements of forest habitat (10 explanatory variables: X) and densities of three species of arboreal marsupials (greater glider, feathertail glider and sugar glider); the sum of these three and an additional five species that occurred; species richness and diversity of all eight species present in the area (six response variables: Y). The habitat variables were: landform profile; elapsed time since a severe fire; degree of forest maturity (total basal area of wood); an index of den tree density; ratio of number of regeneration size trees to den trees; floristic diversity; basal area of peppermints; basal area of gums; basal area of eucalypts with a low level of nutrients in their foliage; and an index of potassium concentration in the foliage. The principal component transformation of the X set of variables (PCA) was used as an aid to interpret the individual response of Y to joint intercorrelated explanatory variables X. The regressions of Y on PCA-transformed X explained 76.2% of variation in density for the greater glider, 50.4% for the feathertail glider, 21.1% for the sugar glider, 68.3% for all arboreal marsupials, 49.7% for species richness and 30.1% for species diversity. The weak regressions obtained for densities for the sugar glider were attributed to probable non-measurement of important understorey habitat variables for this species, and those for species richness and diversity, to the presence of a curvilinear rather than linear relationship to foliage nutrients. The gradient in foliage nutrient concentration appears to be the major determinant of the density and species richness and diversity of arboreal marsupials in the Eden forests. Exceptions to the trend seem to occur where the forests include certain xeromorphic eucalypt species that are high in foliage nutrients yet poor in fauna, and, for the feathertail and sugar glider, in those sections of the Eden forests exhibiting fire successional stages and that are usually composed of eucalypts with low nutrient levels in their foliage.

Can Flower-Feeding Marsupials Meet Their Nitrogen Requirements on Pollen in The Field?

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
I.G van Tets
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus ◽  
Pollen Density ◽  
A Site ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps ◽  
Barren Grounds

Two arboreal marsupials, the eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus) and the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) have exceptionally low maintenance nitrogen requirements on pollen diets. This study compares their nitrogen requirements with the density of Banksia pollen that is available in the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, New South Wales, a site where both species are known to forage on Banksia inflorescences. The pollen density was sufficiently high that both species were capable of meeting their maintenance nitrogen requirements on pollen whenever Banksia spp. were in flower. C. nanus required a smaller proportion of its home range than P. breviceps to do so and pollen was likely to be of much greater nutritional significance to both species in winter than in summer. This corresponds closely with the results of field studies comparing the diets of these mammals at different times of the year. Pollen is an important source of nitrogen for flower-feeding marsupials but its importance will vary between species depending on the marsupial's requirements, its body size and on the quantity of pollen that is available.

scholarly journals Adjudicating Perspectives on Forest Structure: How Do Airborne, Terrestrial, and Mobile Lidar-Derived Estimates Compare?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2297
Author(s):  
Jonathon J. Donager ◽  
Andrew J. Sánchez Meador ◽  
Ryan C. Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Forest Monitoring ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Structural Configurations ◽  
Individual Trees

Applications of lidar in ecosystem conservation and management continue to expand as technology has rapidly evolved. An accounting of relative accuracy and errors among lidar platforms within a range of forest types and structural configurations was needed. Within a ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona, we compare vegetation attributes at the tree-, plot-, and stand-scales derived from three lidar platforms: fixed-wing airborne (ALS), fixed-location terrestrial (TLS), and hand-held mobile laser scanning (MLS). We present a methodology to segment individual trees from TLS and MLS datasets, incorporating eigen-value and density metrics to locate trees, then assigning point returns to trees using a graph-theory shortest-path approach. Overall, we found MLS consistently provided more accurate structural metrics at the tree- (e.g., mean absolute error for DBH in cm was 4.8, 5.0, and 9.1 for MLS, TLS and ALS, respectively) and plot-scale (e.g., R2 for field observed and lidar-derived basal area, m2 ha−1, was 0.986, 0.974, and 0.851 for MLS, TLS, and ALS, respectively) as compared to ALS and TLS. While TLS data produced estimates similar to MLS, attributes derived from TLS often underpredicted structural values due to occlusion. Additionally, ALS data provided accurate estimates of tree height for larger trees, yet consistently missed and underpredicted small trees (≤35 cm). MLS produced accurate estimates of canopy cover and landscape metrics up to 50 m from plot center. TLS tended to underpredict both canopy cover and patch metrics with constant bias due to occlusion. Taking full advantage of minimal occlusion effects, MLS data consistently provided the best individual tree and plot-based metrics, with ALS providing the best estimates for volume, biomass, and canopy cover. Overall, we found MLS data logistically simple, quickly acquirable, and accurate for small area inventories, assessments, and monitoring activities. We suggest further work exploring the active use of MLS for forest monitoring and inventory.

Effects of logging and fire on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest, near Bega, New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lunney ◽  
B. Cullis ◽  
P. Eby
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Severe Effect ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

This study of the effects of logging on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales included the effects of a fire in November 1980 and a drought throughout the study period from June 1980 to June 1983. Rattus fuscipes was sensitive to change: logging had a significant impact on its numbers, response to ground cover, and recapture rate; fire had a more severe effect, and drought retarded the post-fire recovery of the population. The three species of dasyurid marsupials differed markedly in their response to ground cover, canopy cover, logging and fire. Antechinus stuartii was distributed evenly through all habitats and was not affected by logging, but fire had an immediate and adverse effect which was sustained by the intense drought. A. swainsonii markedly preferred the regenerating forest, and was not seen again after the fire, the failure of the population being attributed to its dependence on dense ground cover. Sminthopsis leucopus was found in low numbers, appeared to prefer forest with sparse ground cover, and showed no immediate response to logging or fire; its disappearance by the third year post-fire suggests that regenerating forest is inimical to the survival of this species. Mus musculus showed no response to logging. In the first year following the fire its numbers were still very low, but in the next year there was a short-lived plague which coincided with the only respite in the 3-year drought and, importantly, occurred in the intensely burnt parts of the forest. The options for managing this forest for the conservation of small mammals include minimising fire, retaining unlogged forest, extending the time over which alternate coupes are logged and minimising disturbance from heavy machinery.

Koalas continue to occupy their previous home-ranges after selective logging in Callitris - Eucalyptus forest

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽  
Matthew A. Stanton ◽  
Traecey E. Brassil
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Callitris Glaucophylla ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cypress Pine

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a charismatic, high-profile species whose conservation needs are commonly perceived to be incompatible with logging. However, koala biology and the results of chronosequence studies elsewhere suggest that this species may tolerate a degree of habitat alteration caused by logging. In this study, 30 koalas, five in each of six areas available for logging within a mixed white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla)–Eucalyptus forest in north-western New South Wales, were radio-tracked for one year during 1997–1998 to determine their movements, home-range sizes and tree preferences. Five months after the study began, three of these areas were logged selectively for sawlogs and thinnings of the white cypress pine, a tree that is important to koalas for daytime shelter. This removed about one-quarter of the stand basal area, but the eucalypt component was unaffected. The remaining three areas were left undisturbed as controls. Radio-tracking continued in all six areas for another seven months. Koalas continued to occupy all or part of their previous home-ranges after selective logging, and home-range sizes remained similar between logged and unlogged areas. Home-ranges for both sexes overlapped and were ~12 ha for males and 9 ha for females. Koala survival and the proportions of breeding females were similar in logged and unlogged areas. The principal food trees of the koala were red gums, mainly Eucalyptus blakelyi and E. chloroclada, and the pilliga box (E. pilligaensis), none of which were logged in this study. These results suggest that selective logging for white cypress pine does not appear to adversely affect koala populations and that koalas may not be as sensitive to logging as previously thought. Further work is required to determine thresholds in the level of retention of koala food trees in logging operations.

Partial cutting reduces species richness of fungi on woody debris in oak-rich forests

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1807-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Nordén ◽  
Frank Götmark ◽  
Martin Ryberg ◽  
Heidi Paltto ◽  
Johan Allmér
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
And Control ◽  
Total Species

Partial cutting is increasingly applied in European temperate oak-dominated forests for biofuel harvesting, and to counteract succession in protected stands. Effects on biodiversity of these measures need to be carefully evaluated, and species-rich but neglected taxa such as fungi should be considered. We studied the effects of partial cutting on fungal fruiting bodies on woody debris. In 21 closed canopy forests rich in large oaks in Sweden, on average 25%–30% of the basal area was cut. Fruiting bodies were counted and some were collected in treated and control plots before and after treatment. We found 334 basidiomycete and 47 ascomycete species. Species richness of basidiomycetes declined significantly more in treated plots (on average 26%) than in control plots (on average 13%) between seasons. Species richness of ascomycetes increased by 17% in control plots and decreased by 2% in treated plots. Total species richness was significantly reduced on fine woody debris (1–10 cm in diameter), but not on coarse woody debris (>10 cm). Overall species composition did not change significantly as a result of partial cutting, but red-listed species tended to decrease more in treated plots. We suggest that approximately 30% of the stands should not be thinned, and dead stems and fallen branches should not be removed, to favor saproxylic fungi and their associated fauna.

scholarly journals How Dead Wood in the Forest Decreases Relaxation? The Effects of Viewing of Dead Wood in the Forest Environment on Psychological Responses of Young Adults

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
Emilia Janeczko ◽  
Ernest Bielinis ◽  
Ulfah Tiarasari ◽  
Małgorzata Woźnicka ◽  
Wojciech Kędziora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
The Impact

The intensity of the neutral environment impact on humans may be determined by specific features of space, including dead wood occurrence. Dead wood is claimed to be disliked by the public because it reduces the scenic beauty and recreational values of the forest. The attractiveness of a forest with dead wood may be determined by its variants. Much is known about the preference for landscape with dead wood, but there is little information available about how such a landscape affects a person’s mental relaxation, improves mood, increases positive feelings, levels of vitality, etc. Hence, the aim of our research was to investigate the psycho-logical relaxing effects of short 15-min exposures to natural and managed forests with dead wood. In the study, three areas within the Białowieża Primeval Forest were used to measure the impact of different types of forest with dead wood (A: forest reserve with dead wood subject to natural decomposition processes; B: managed forest with visible cut wood and stumps; C: man-aged forest with dead trees from bark beetle outbreak standing) on human psychological relaxation in a randomized experiment. The participants of the experiment were forty-one young adults aged 19–20. Each respondent experienced each type of forest at intervals visiting it. Four psychological questionnaires were used in the project (Profile of Mood States (POMS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS), and Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS)) before and after the short exposure to the forest were evaluated. The results show that a forest landscape with dead wood affects the human psyche, and the relaxing properties of such a landscape are better in a protected forest with natural, slow processes of tree dieback than those obtained in managed forests

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Among 10,000 Steps Members and Engagement With the Program in Australia: Prospective Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quyen G To ◽  
Mitch J Duncan ◽  
Anetta Van Itallie ◽  
Corneel Vandelanotte
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
South Wales ◽  
First Case ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Important Health

BACKGROUND Physical activity is an important health behavior, due to its association with many physical and mental health conditions. During distressing events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a concern that physical activity levels may be negatively impacted. However, recent studies have shown inconsistent results. Additionally, there is a lack of studies in Australia on this topic. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate changes in physical activity reported through the 10,000 Steps program and changes in engagement with the program during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Data between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2020, from registered members of the 10,000 Steps program, which included 3,548,825 days with step data, were used. The number of daily steps were logged manually by the members or synced automatically from their activity trackers connected to the program. Measures on program usage were the number of new registered members per day, the number of newly registered organizations per day, the number of steps logged per day, and the number of step entries per day. Key dates used for comparison were as follows: the first case with symptoms in Wuhan, China; the first case reported in Australia; the implementation of a 14-day ban for noncitizens arriving in Australia from China; the start of the lockdown in Australia; and the relaxing of restrictions by the Australian Government. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to test for significant differences in number of steps between subgroups, between engagement measures in 2019 versus 2020, and before and after an event. RESULTS A decrease in steps was observed after the first case in Australia was reported (1.5%; <i>P</i>=.02) and after the start of the lockdown (3.4%; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). At the time that the relaxing of restrictions started, the steps had already recovered from the lockdown. Additionally, the trends were consistent across genders and age groups. New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria had the greatest step reductions, with decreases of 7.0% (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), 6.2% (<i>P</i>=.02), and 4.7% (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), respectively. During the lockdown, the use of the program increased steeply. On the peak day, there were more than 9000 step entries per day, with nearly 100 million steps logged per day; in addition, more than 450 new users and more than 15 new organizations registered per day, although the numbers decreased quickly when restrictions were relaxed. On average per day, there were about 55 new registered users (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), 2 new organizations (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), 25.6 million steps (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), and 2672 log entries (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) more in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic has had negative effects on steps among Australians across age groups and genders. However, the effect was relatively small, with steps recovering quickly after the lockdown. There was a large increase in program usage during the pandemic, which might help minimize the health impact of the lockdown and confirms the important role of physical activity programs during times of distress and lockdowns.

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