Diet of a native carnivore, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), before and after an intense wildfire

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 342 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Dawson ◽  
Andrew W. Claridge ◽  
Barbara Triggs ◽  
David J. Paull
Keyword(s):  
Prey Availability ◽  
New South ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Survey Techniques ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Before And After ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Prey Items ◽  
Broad Scale

The relationship between the diet of the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and the abundance of its prey was investigated in rain-shadow woodland habitat in southern New South Wales for one year before and two years after a high-intensity, broad-scale wildfire. Scats were variously collected from quoll latrines and live-trapped animals during winter for each of the three years and analysed to determine prey items. Estimates of abundance of key ground-dwelling and arboreal medium-sized mammals were simultaneously obtained using plot-based survey techniques and spotlighting. Over the duration of the study, quoll diet was dominated by medium-sized mammals, particularly brushtail possums (Trichosurus spp.) and lagomorphs (rabbit and hare), followed by small and large-sized mammals. After the fire there was a shift in utilisation of food resources in response to significant changes in prey availability. Monitoring revealed that brushtail possums, lagomorphs and bandicoots were all significantly less abundant in the winter following the fire, and populations of lagomorphs, but not possums, then increased in the second winter after the fire. Quolls adapted to this by taking significantly more lagomorphs in each of the two years after the fire and by taking advantage of a short-term increase in the availability of carrion. The results of this study reaffirm that the spotted-tailed quoll is adaptable in its utilisation of available food, and that fires are not necessarily detrimental to the species and its prey base.

Control of introduced Rattus rattus L. on Lord Howe Island. I. The response of mouse populations to warfarin bait used to control rats

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Billing ◽  
Bob Harden
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Mouse Population ◽  
Lord Howe Island ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Second Year ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Relationship

Warfarin bait has been used since 1986 to control introduced black rats (Rattus rattus) in palm-seeding areas on Lord Howe Island, New South Wales. We examined the relationship between bait use and mouse numbers in these areas. In the first experiment, one mouse population was manipulated by removal trapping while baiting for rats was being undertaken. When mouse density was reduced by approximately 193 ha–1, bait consumption fell by 80.0%, suggesting that the mice were not susceptible to warfarin and that the rat bait may have been an important food resource for these mice. During the second experiment, the existing rat-baiting regime was maintained in one area but manipulated in another – bait was removed for one year then returned during the second year. Under the existing baiting regime, mouse numbers increased during the two-year period. The mouse population that was denied rat bait declined to near zero after one year, then increased when bait was reintroduced to the area, reaching densities after one year similar to those in the area where bait had been maintained. We conclude that the mice were resistant to warfarin, consumed most of the bait distributed to control rats, were largely dependant on the bait as a food source, and reached high densities in rat-control areas as a direct result of rat-baiting strategies.

Soil-extractable sulfur and pasture response to applied sulfur

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Anderson ◽  
R. D. B. Lefroy ◽  
G. J. Blair
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Acid Digestion ◽  
Extraction Techniques ◽  
Organic S ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Trifolium Repens L ◽  
Soil Sulfur ◽  
The Relationship

Summary. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to study the correlation between various soil sulfur (S) extractants and pasture response to applied S grown under controlled environmental conditions (glasshouse) as influenced by variations in levels of extractable S. Intact paired soil cores were collected at 2-month intervals from an S x P factorial experiment at 4 field sites on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales on 11 occasions. Soil samples were collected from each core and the cores placed in the glasshouse. Sulfur was applied to one core of each pair and basal nutrients applied to all cores which were then oversown with white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Haifa). The extractable S in the soil was analysed using the following techniques: 0.1 mol Ca(H2PO4)2/L (MCPt); 0.1 mol Ca(H2PO4)2/L, treated with activated charcoal (MCPi); water (H2O); 0.25 mol KCl/L, heated at 40°C for 3 h (KCl-40); 0.25 mol KCl/L, heated at 100°C for 4 h (KCl-100); 0.5 mol NaHCO3/L (NaHCO3); and an acid digestion of the soil (total). Dry matter yield and S content of the pasture shoots were measured for each 2-month growth period. The relationship between the various soil S extraction techniques and the response of pasture to applied S varied over time and was influenced by the level of inorganic S present in the soil and the amount of organic S extracted. When the level of MCPi-extractable S ranged between 2 and 22 µg S/g soil due to the application of fertiliser (summer 1987–88 and autumn 1988), or after a period of high mineralisation rates (spring 1988), the MCPi, MCPt, H2O and KCl-40 techniques had the highest correlation with the increase in S content of the pasture when S was applied. The higher correlation for the MCPt, H2O and KCl-40 techniques than the MCPi technique indicates that plants obtained some S from the organic S pool. In contrast, when the levels of MCPi-extractable S ranged between 2 and 10 µg S/g soil and the rate of mineralisation increased in response to an increase in soil temperature (June 1988 and June 1989) or moisture (September 1989) upon transfer of samples from the field to the glasshouse, the MCPt, H2O and KCl-40 techniques underestimated the available S pool and had lower r2 values than either the KCl-100 or NaHCO3 techniques.

Overwintering of Tranzchelia discolor in prune orchards in New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 895 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Ellison ◽  
L McFadyen ◽  
PF Kable
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Cross Infection ◽  
Infected Leaf ◽  
South Wales ◽  
One Year ◽  
Tranzschelia Discolor ◽  
Better Than

There are several ways in which Tranzschelia discolor may overwinter in prune orchards in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas of New South Wales. The aecial state, cross-infection from peach and almond, twig cankers, and urediniospores on living leaves persisting through winter were considered, but were thought to be unlikely. The ability of urediniospores to survive on infected leaf litter, either on the ground under trees or lodged within the framework of trees, was studied over two winters. Urediniospore viability declined with time, but in both seasons a proportion were capable of germination in the spring. Spores exposed within the tree framework survived better than those exposed on the ground, with about 20% and less than 5% respectively remaining viable by spring. In both winters spores from litter which overwintered within the framework of the tree were able to infect prune leaves in the spring. The infectivity of spores exposed on the ground was tested in the spring of one year and infections resulted on inoculated plants. The implications of these findings for the control of the rust in prunes are discussed.

Contributions to the Biology of Mulga. II. Germination

1971 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
PB Preece
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Concentrations ◽  
Germination Behaviour ◽  
One Year ◽  
Acacia Aneura

Investigations into the germination behaviour of seed of the widespread Australian arid zone leguminous tree Acacia aneura Benth. are described. Hardseededness has been overcome in routine laboratory studies, but attempts to understand the mechanism by which it is overcome in nature were unsuccessful. The seed germinates equally well in the dark and in the light within the temperature range 15-36°C. Temperatures between 20 and 30° are optimal for germination, and carbon dioxide concentrations up to 5 % increase the germination rate above that displayed in ambient air. A simple model has been developed which suggests that seed of this species should have been available and should have germinated in c. one year in every nine, since records began in parts of western New South Wales where mulga regeneration is absent.

A survey of a low-density koala population in a major reserve system, near Sydney, New South Wales..

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Curtin ◽  
D Lunney ◽  
A Matthews
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
New South ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Recreation Area ◽  
Reserve System

cinereus) in Yengo National Park and Parr State Recreation Area, which together form a major reserve system where P. cinereus were known to be scarce. The first, a community survey which was distributed to 823 residences adjoining the reserves, yielded 139 responses. Of these, 31 responses provided information that allowed 26 P. cinereus locality records to be verified. A further eight P. cinereus locality records were obtained from interviews with neighbours. Most records were road-based. The second, a field survey based on scat searches, produced an additional 13 P. cinereus localities. P. cinereus scats were found under 11 tree species. Eucalyptus punctata was most frequently recorded with scats of those that were adequately sampled. A range of vegetation types and both ridges and gullies were used by P. cinereus. During field surveys, P. cinereus was found to be sparse and occurring throughout much of the survey area, concentrated in the eastern, southern and central parts of the reserve system. Both methods identified P. cinereus to be present before and after the extensive fires of January 1994, which burnt 60 % of the area. An appraisal of the methods revealed that they are complementary. The survey of residents provided recent and historical information and an indication of initial search areas for P. cinereus. The field survey yielded specific information about local P. cinereus habitat. The combination increased the number of P. cinereus records for the area more than four-fold. This study has provided the reserve managers with a clearer picture of the location of the local P. cinereus population.

A scheme for preliminary study of soil fertility in a district

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (43) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
WM McArthur ◽  
K Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
New South ◽  
Strong Correlations ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Status ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Distribution Of Components ◽  
Edaphic Variables ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Field Plots

A scheme is proposed as a basis for soil fertility studies in areas where little information is available. The first stage consists of sampling the area on a grid and determining the patterns of variation in the status of those nutrient elements likely to be deficient. These patterns are then compared with intensity patterns of environmental (including edaphic) variables. Where the two sets of variables can be quantified, regression analysis may be used to estimate the closeness of the relationship ; otherwise the relationship must be assessed visually from the degree of conformity between patterns. Those environmental variables that relate, causally or otherwise, to the distribution of components of chemical fertility are identified by strong correlations. Information so gained may be used in subsequent agronomic studies, both as a guide to number and location of field plots and as a framework for studies in soil chemistry and pedology. The scheme is illustrated using data derived from studies on the Dorrigo Plateau of New South Wales. Factors relating closely to phosphorus, sulphur, molybdenum, and nitrogen distribution were identified. In no case could one factor be used to predict the adequacy of all nutrients.

Factors influencing herbicide efficacy when removing lucerne prior to cropping

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Davies ◽  
A. M. Storrie ◽  
A. S. Cook ◽  
R. A. Latta ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
New South ◽  
Residual Activity ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Herbicide Treatment ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Root Reserves ◽  
Herbicide Mixtures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Farmers often experience inconsistent responses when using herbicides to terminate an established lucerne pasture prior to cropping. In an attempt to redress this problem, a series of field experiments were conducted between 1999 and 2002 at various locations in southern and northern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and south Western Australia that aimed to identify management guidelines that improved the efficacy of herbicide mixtures commonly used to remove lucerne. Collectively, these studies indicated that herbicides were generally less effective when applied either early (less than 2 weeks) or late (6 weeks or more) in the regrowth cycle of lucerne after defoliation. Herbicide efficacy tended to be greatest if applied to regrowth 3–5 weeks after defoliation, which corresponds to a time when the lucerne crown and root reserves are likely to be in the process of being replenished by photoassimilates transported from the shoot. The impact of timing of herbicide application in relation to season was compared at a number of locations. Across all the sites and years, spring herbicide applications were generally the most effective, removing on average 87% of the lucerne (range 53–100%) compared with 72% in summer (24–100%) and 60% in autumn (7–92%). Spring applications were also more consistent in their effect, removing >80% of the lucerne plants in 9 out of 12 experiments, whereas similar rates of removal occurred on 4 occasions in 9 summer applications and only twice in 8 autumn applications. Some of the seasonal variation could be explained by differences in the amount of rainfall prior to herbicide applications. It was assumed that the relationship between rainfall and herbicide efficacy reflected the stimulation of lucerne shoot and root growth by the additional soil moisture before herbicide treatment. Herbicide mixtures that contained ingredients such as picloram that retain residual activity in the soil tended to be more effective and were less influenced by lucerne growth and season than those herbicides with little or no residual activity. However, such chemicals could potentially restrict which crops can subsequently be grown after a lucerne pasture has been removed. It was concluded that >80% of lucerne plants were likely to be removed using herbicides provided that the herbicide treatment was applied to actively growing lucerne 3–5 weeks after defoliation, and when greater than 70–95 mm rain had fallen in the 6–8 weeks prior to application.

Establishing surface-sown pastures in a Poa labillardieri-Themeda australis association

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Campbell ◽  
MJ Keys ◽  
RD Murison ◽  
JJ Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Before And After

The effects of time and rate of application of glyphosate, 2,2-DPA and tetrapion on Poa labillardieri and Themeda australis were measured in seven experiments carried out 55 km south of Braidwood, on the southern tablelands of New South Wales between 1980 and 1982. In an eighth experiment (1981) and in a 35-ha demonstration (1983), at the same site, the effects of applying herbicides (before and after the autumn break) and surface-sowing Phalaris aquatica, Festuca arundinacea and Trifiolium repens with fertiliser on the control of P. labillardieri were ascertained. All three herbicides proved effective in reducing the ground cover of P. labillardieri from applications at any time of the year. For T. australis, tetrapion proved effective when applied at any time of the year, while glyphosate and 2,2-DPA were effective in all seasons except winter. Glyphosate at rates between 0.72 and 1.44 kg/ha a.i. was more cost effective than 2,2-DPA (11.1 kg/ha a.i.) and tetrapion (3.75 kg/ha a.i.). Best establishment and development of sown grasses and legumes was attained by applying herbicides after the autumn break but before heavy frosts, and then surface-sowing 1-3 months later. Control of P. labillardieri was best where P. aquatica and F. arundinacea established most densely.

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