The influence of time since fire and distance from fire boundary on the distribution and abundance of arboreal marsupials in Eucalyptus regnans-dominated forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. van der Ree ◽  
R. H. Loyn
Keyword(s):  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
Salvage Logging ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Time Since Fire ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
The Impact

The impact of time since fire after two consecutive wildfires 44 years apart (1939 and 1983) within the same area, and the distance from the fire boundary (<100 m or 500-2000 m), were investigated in relation to the distribution and abundance of arboreal marsupials in 1994. Arboreal marsupials were censused by stagwatching and spotlighting in two relatively young age classes of mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) dominated forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Five species of arboreal marsupial were detected, but only three were detected in sufficient numbers to determine habitat preferences. Petauroides volans (greater glider) was statistically more abundant in 1939 regrowth forests, while Trichosurus caninus (mountain brushtail possum) showed no significant preference for either age class of forest. All but one record of Gymnobelideus leadbeateri (Leadbeater's possum) came from young forest, though the effect of age-class was not statistically significant. Distance from fire boundary explained little or no variation in mammal distribution or abundance. While the actual number of hollow-bearing trees was similar in both age classes of forest, the long-term lifespan of hollow-bearing trees in more recently burnt forest is predicted to be lower than in unburnt or not recently burnt forest. Post-fire salvage logging following the 1983 wildfires appears to have reduced the number of hollow-bearing trees at sites burnt in 1983.

The use of topographic fire refuges by the greater glider (Petauroides volans) and the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami) following a landscape-scale fire

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence E. Berry ◽  
Don A. Driscoll ◽  
Samuel C. Banks ◽  
David B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
Additional Work ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Burnt Areas

We examined the abundance of arboreal marsupials in topographic fire refuges after a major fire in a stand-replacing crown-fire forest ecosystem. We surveyed the abundance of arboreal marsupials across 48 sites in rainforest gullies burnt to differing extents by the 2009 fires in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the Victorian Central Highlands, Australia. The greater glider (Petauroides volans) was less abundant within the extent of the 2009 fire. The mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami) was more abundant within the extent of the 2009 fire, particularly within unburnt peninsulas protruding into burnt areas from unburnt edges. Our results indicate that fire refuges may facilitate the persistence of some species within extensively burnt landscapes. Additional work should seek to clarify this finding and identify the demographic mechanisms underlying this response.

Use of Nest Trees by the Mountain Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus Caninus) (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia). Ii. Characteristics of Occupied Trees.

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Lindenmayer ◽  
A Welsh ◽  
CF Donnelly ◽  
RB Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
Dense Vegetation ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Central Highlands

The use of den trees by a population of the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosorus caninus) in forests of mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) at Cambarville, in the central Highlands of Victoria, is described. Relationships are explored between the use of trees with hollows by 16 radio-tracked T. caninus and a range of measures of the morphological characteristics of the 113 different den trees they occupied. The results of the analyses indicate that the most used trees contained a relatively large number of cavities and were not surrounded by dense vegetation. Male possums were found most frequently in the southern part of the 35-ha study area, and females were found most often in the northern part.

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.

Use of nest trees by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) (Phalangeridae : Marsupialia). IV. Transitions between den trees

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 611 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Welsh ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
C. F. Donnelly ◽  
A. Ruckstuhl
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Models ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Simulation Studies ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Individual Based Simulation ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Statistical models of the patterns of den-tree choice by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) at Cambarville in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the central highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia are presented. These models enable us to predict, for a particular possum, the choice of den tree on the basis of patterns of recent den-tree usage and are required for individual-based simulation studies. The models show that the pattern of den-tree use is more complicated than might have been expected, in the sense that it is animal-specific, and that old animals exhibit more complicated patterns of den-tree choice than young ones.

The use of nest trees by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) (Phalangeridae : Marsupialia). V. Synthesis of studies

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
A. Welsh ◽  
C. F. Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
General Synthesis ◽  
South Eastern Australia

A general synthesis is presented of the key results of a series of studies of den tree use by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) at Cambarville in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the central highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia. The project produced a range of unexpected results including (1) the number of den trees used, (2) the extent of den sharing, especially among adult males, (3) the overlap in denning ranges of animals, and (4) the predictability of transitions between den trees. Possible reasons for these findings are outlined. We also discuss the limitations of our study, how it could be improved if it were to be repeated, and some of the important implications of the findings for the management of forests where T. caninus occurs.

A population study of the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) in the central highlands of Victoria

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Viggers ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Adult Sex Ratio ◽  
Young Stage ◽  
Central Highlands

Life-history attributes are described for the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) in mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forest at Cambarville in the central highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia. The population was trapped on a regular basis between 1992 and 1995. Population density of T. caninus at Cambarville was high (2.3 animals ha–1). The adult sex ratio was female-biased (1.4 : 1) and the age class structure differed between sexes. There were more adult females than males in very old age classes (those animals assigned to Age Classes 7–9 and exceeding an estimated 10 years of age), whereas there were more males in the young adult cohorts (Age Classes 3 and 4). The breeding season was restricted to March–April, when a single young was produced. A second young was not produced if the first was lost. The survival of young from birth to emergence from the pouch showed strong between-year variation (30–80%). Sex ratios at birth were strongly male-biased (average = 2.6 : 1) but female young were far more likely to survive to advanced back-young stage. Breeding success of females at Cambarville was not influenced by the presence of semi-independent young from a previous year remaining in the natal territory. There was some evidence of senescence in breeding success among females in older age cohorts (Age Classes 7–9) and these animals did not successfully rear young. Many animals were trapped repeatedly at the same place, whereas others ranged over a much wider area (up to 3 ha). There was also considerable overlap between individuals in the spatial location of the areas where they were trapped.

Anatomical Aspects of Water Movement Through Stems of Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.)

1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 287 ◽  
Author(s):  
NJ Legge
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Microscopic Examination ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Lateral Roots ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Young Tree ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Limited Degree ◽  
Old Trees

Introduction of a stain through the severed roots of Eucalyptus regnans of two age classes showed that a spiral interlocked sap ascent pattern in young trees tended towards a vertical sectorial pattern by age 40 years. Microscopic examination of the stained wood suggests that intercellular water movement occurs principally via the pits. Serial transverse sections of wood from a young tree showed a limited degree of intervessel contact, with a network coefficient of 13.7 contacts m-1 and approx. 0.9% of vessel surface area in contact with other vessels. Analysis of the frequency of vessel endings indicates an average vessel length of approx. 1.8 m. Trunk segments of 40-year-old trees had relative conductivities of approx. 3.3 x 10-11 m2, while small lateral roots had values up to 10 times greater.

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