A role for nest boxes in the conservation of Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri)

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan K. P. Harley
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Swamp Forest ◽  
Considerable Potential ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Substantial Decline ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum

A combination of fires and logging mean that more than 80% of the montane ash forests inhabited by Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) in the Victorian Central Highlands consist of ecologically young stands possessing few trees with hollows. As a consequence, there have been predictions of a substantial decline in Leadbeater’s possum populations over the next 40 years. If this is to be averted, or reduced in extent, then an immediate means of increasing den site availability for the species is required. The results of a recent investigation into nest-box use by the species in lowland swamp forest demonstrate that high rates of occupancy can be achieved by targeting established colonies at sites where the vegetation structure is suitable for box installation. This suggests that nest boxes can be an effective means of increasing den-site availability for the possum, and therefore have considerable potential to contribute to the species’ conservation in the short term. Such measures should be applied in conjunction with altered forestry practises that better provide for the retention and future provision of mature hollow-bearing trees.

The use of nest boxes by arboreal marsupials in the forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
C. I. MacGregor ◽  
R. B. Cunningham ◽  
R. D. Incoll ◽  
M. Crane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
The Common ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum ◽  
Ringtail Possum

The results are reported of a nest-box study conducted in two locations in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria (south-eastern Australia) to compare usage of different nest-box designs located at different heights in trees. A total of 96 nest boxes was established using a rigorous experimental design – two regions (Powelltown and Toolangi State Forests), two forest age classes (20-year post-logging regrowth and 60-year fire- and salvage-logging regrowth), two nest-box designs (large boxes with large entrance holes and small boxes with small entrance holes), and two heights at which nest boxes were attached to trees (3 m and 8 m above the ground). The study entailed setting out four nest boxes at each of 24 sites to meet the design criteria. Evidence of occupancy by vertebrates was recorded in a total of 19 of 96 boxes on 11 of 24 sites site during regular inspections over more than three years. Thirteen boxes were used by Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri), six by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami) and seven by the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus). The common ringtail possum and mountain brushtail possum were seen only in high–large boxes but Leadbeater's possum used all but the low–large boxes. There was evidence of spatial dependence in usage patterns, with all four boxes at a given site showing signs of eventually being occupied. Only two nest boxes located in mountain ash forest regenerating after the 1939 wildfires were occupied. Relatively limited use of nest boxes supports concerns about the use of a nest box over large scales and long timeframes as an effective recovery tool for species threatened by the loss and subsequent shortage in the numbers of naturally occurring hollows.

Comment — Economics of a nest-box program for the conservation of an endangered species: a re-appraisal

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2244-2247 ◽  
Author(s):  
D B Lindenmayer ◽  
C MacGregor ◽  
P Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Tree Retention ◽  
Ecologically Sustainable ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum

Spring et al. (D.A. Spring, M. Bevers, J.O.S. Kennedy, and D. Harley. 2001. Can. J. For. Res. 31: 1992–2003) recently published a paper on the economics of a nest-box program for the endangered arboreal marsupial, Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) in southeastern Australian forests. While their paper is a useful one, there are some important limitations of nest-box programs that need to be highlighted. In the case of Leadbeater's possum, we have undertaken extensive nest-box studies in Victoria mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.) forests, where the vast majority of populations of the species now occur. Although large numbers of nest boxes have been deployed, very few have actually been occupied, which is a major problem since the effectiveness of any nest-box program will depend on patterns of use by the target species. Given very low levels of nest-box occupancy, harvesting regimes such as those that lead to on-site tree retention are needed to better conserve hollow-dependent species like Leadbeater's possum. Moreover, the need for nest boxes in the first place indicates that logging practices are presently not ecologically sustainable, and modified forestry practices need to be adopted.

An economic assessment of a nest-box strategy for the conservation of an endangered species

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 2012-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W. McKenney ◽  
David B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Production Value ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum

There is increasing concern over the extinction of plants and animals resulting from modern land-use activities. Many jurisdictions have enacted legislation that limits these activities and directs resource managers to take mitigative steps. In this paper we demonstrate how standard economic analysis can be used to assess the costs of alternative conservation management strategies. The costs of a nest box program for the conservation of an endangered Australian arboreal marsupial, Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideusleadbeateri McCoy), are compared with the timber production value of the forests they inhabit. Nest boxes have been suggested as a mechanism to maintain the species and still allow timber harvesting to occur. In most scenarios nest boxes cost more than logging bans even under a variety of discount rates. Thus, given an exogenous policy decision to conserve Leadbeater's possum, the most efficient management strategy in this case is to not harvest the old-growth forests that are likely to support the species.

A critique of the use of nest boxes for the conservation of Leadbeater's possum, Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 619 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Lindenmayer ◽  
MT Tanton ◽  
RB Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum

The provision of nest boxes has been proposed as a conservation strategy to overcome the predicted shortage of nest sites for the arboreal marsupial Leadbeater's possum, Gymnobelideus leadbeateri. Here estimates of the longevity of nest boxes are coupled with data on the habitat requirements of G. leadbeateri. This approach is used to predict the number of boxes required in a nest box programme for the conservation of the species. The practicality of implementing a nest box programme based on these predictions is discussed.

scholarly journals Keeping Africanized Honey Bees Out of Wildlife Nest Boxes

EDIS ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Kern, Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Africanized Honey Bees ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Africanized Honey Bee ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Nest Boxes

ENY-838, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by William H. Kern, Jr., provides useful information for keeping pests out of bird and mammal nest boxes, especially the Africanized honey bee, which has become established in Florida, and sets up colonies in smaller and lower locations which may displace wildlife that uses these locations as dens. Includes recommendations, what to do if bees have invaded your nest box, and references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2007. ENY-838/IN682: Keeping Africanized Honey Bees Out of Wildlife Nest Boxes (ufl.edu)

Nest box contentions: Are nest boxes used by the species they target?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
David Rohweder ◽  
Brendan D. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes

scholarly journals Sex-Related Natal Dispersal of Pied Flycatchers: How Far Away From Home?

The Condor ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 711-717
Author(s):  
Nikita Chernetsov ◽  
Leonid V. Sokolov ◽  
Vladislav Kosarev ◽  
Dmitry Leoke ◽  
Mikhail Markovets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Ficedula Hypoleuca ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Natal Dispersal ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Baltic Coast ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Dispersal Distances

Abstract Over four years, nestling Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) were banded and recaptured in nest boxes at a 44 km long and 1–1.5 km wide study area along the Courish Spit on the southeast Baltic coast. The return rate for males was nearly twice as high as for females. Males settled significantly closer to their natal sites than predicted by the null model, which assumed that any nest box in the study area was selected at random. For females, the frequency distribution of natal dispersal distances was not significantly different from that predicted by the null model. The difference in average dispersal distance between the sexes was highly significant. Although some individuals settled within tens of kilometers, most male Pied Flycatchers settled within several kilometers of their natal sites. We suggest that even if females settle on average farther from their natal sites than males do, both sexes imprint on a relatively small (several kilometers in diameter) area during postfledging exploration, to which they return each spring.

Economics of a nest-box program for the conservation of an endangered species: a reappraisal

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1992-2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A Spring ◽  
Michael Bevers ◽  
John OS Kennedy ◽  
Dan Harley
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Population Recovery ◽  
Optimal Management ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Local Abundance ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum

An optimization model is developed to identify timing and placement strategies for the installation of nest boxes and the harvesting of timber to meet joint timber–wildlife objectives. Optimal management regimes are determined on the basis of their impacts on the local abundance of a threatened species and net present value (NPV) and are identified for a range of NPV levels to identify production possibility frontiers for abundance and NPV. We apply the model to a case study focusing on an area of commercially productive mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.) forest in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, Australia. The species to be conserved is Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy), which is locally limited by a scarcity of nesting hollows. The modeling is exploratory but indicates that nest boxes may offer a promising population recovery tool if consideration is taken of their placement and areal extent through time.

Possible Predation on Feathertail Gliders (Acrobates pygmaeus) by Agile Antechinus (Antechinus agilis).

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
S.J. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Study ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Entrance Hole ◽  
Antechinus Agilis ◽  
Small Forest

A series of observations of the remains of partially eaten feathertail gliders Acrobates pygmaeus and three other small forest vertebrates is reported. All were made while checking nest-boxes erected for an ecological study of A. pygmaeus, and each nest-box had a restricted entrance hole. The delicacy with which some of these animals had been killed and eaten and the small size of the entrances to the nest-boxes indicated a small- sized predator was responsible, and the most likely species in the area is the agile antechinus Antechinus agilis. These small dasyurid marsupials were also captured from the nest-boxes on several occasions. Based on faecal analysis, they had previously been considered almost totally insectivorous.

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