Effects of tropical rainforest roads on small mammals: edge changes in community composition

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Goosem
Keyword(s):  
Edge Effects ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Canopy Closure ◽  
The Road ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
Road Verges

In the wet tropics of north-eastern Queensland, the composition of the small-mammal community close to the edge of an unsealed rainforest road differed from that of the forest interior. During the first of two trapping series, mark–recapture trapping demonstrated that the abundance of Melomys cervinipes increased near the road and that significantly moreRattus sp. resided further from the road. At sites lacking canopy closure where the road clearing width measured 20 m, these edge effects were more noticeable than where canopy closure was maintained across narrower (12 m) clearings, with greater proportions of M. cervinipes occurring near wider clearing edges. During the second trapping series, edge effects also clearly occurred at the narrower clearings: M. cervinipes again preferred edge habitats and Rattus sp. preferred the forest interior. However, no significant effect of clearing width or distance from the edge for individual species was found during the second trapping series. The proportions of Rattus sp. and M. cervinipes had altered due to an influx of juvenile M. cervinipes into the trappable community during and after the breeding season, together with more individuals of Rattus sp. colonising the previously under-utilised habitat near the road. Edge avoidance by Rattus sp. appeared to be linked to preference for undisturbed habitat, while M. cervinipes was more of a generalist. Road verges with grassy habitat allowed the occasional intrusion of Rattus sordidus and Melomys burtoni – species alien to the rainforest.

Fragmentation of a Small-mammal Community by a Powerline Corridor through Tropical Rainforest

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Goosem ◽  
Helene Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Grassland Community ◽  
Grassland Species ◽  
Habitat Differences ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
Mammal Community

Trapping was used to investigate small-mammal community composition of a cleared powerline corridor compared with that of surrounding tropical rainforest in the wet tropics of north-eastern Queensland and to determine whether movements from the rainforest across the corridor were inhibited. The dense exotic grassland of the cleared powerline corridor supported a small-mammal community composed mainly of the grassland species Melomys burtoni (73·3%) and Rattus sordidus (15·0%) with rainforest small mammals being restricted to woody-weed thickets along the rainforest–powerline corridor edge. The rainforest species Rattus sp. (80·3%), Melomys cervinipes (10·9%) and Uromys caudimaculatus (8·8%) comprised the small-mammal community of the forest interior. These rainforest species also inhabited rainforest edge habitat and regrowth rainforest connections across gullies. Movements of rainforest species across the grassland corridor were almost completely inhibited even under bait inducement, a result attributable to the substantial structural and microclimatic habitat differences within the clearing and to interspecific competition with the better-adapted species of the grassland community. Rainforest species used regrowth connections along gullies to cross the powerline corridor. Mitigation of the fragmentation effects caused by powerline grassy swathes can best be achieved by strengthening extant canopy connections in regrowth gullies, and by establishing new connections across the clearings.

Use by small mammals of a chronosequence of tropical rainforest revegetation

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tegan Whitehead ◽  
Miriam Goosem ◽  
Noel D. Preece
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Management Technique ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Mammal Community ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

Context The conversion of tropical rainforest to grazing pasture results in a drastic change in small-mammal community composition. Restoring the landscape through ecological revegetation is thus an increasingly important management technique to conserve rainforest mammals. Aims This study aimed to determine the habitat ages at which species of small mammals recolonised revegetated habitats on the southern Atherton Tablelands, north-eastern Queensland, Australia. We focussed on changes in rainforest mammal abundance and diversity with increasing habitat age. Methods Small-mammal trapping and mark–recapture techniques investigated mammal diversity, abundance and community composition within remnant rainforest, three age classes of ecological revegetation and abandoned grazing pasture. Key results Small-mammal community composition differed between remnant rainforest and abandoned grazing pasture. The pasture and 3-year old revegetated sites were similar in composition, both lacking rainforest small mammals. Six- and 7-year old revegetation plantings provided suboptimal habitat for both rainforest and grassland mammals, whereas 16- and 22-year old revegetated habitats were dominated by rainforest species, with some individuals being frequently recaptured. Conclusions As revegetated habitats aged, the small-mammal community composition transitioned from a grassland-like composition to a community dominated by rainforest species. Implications Although rainforest small mammals were very occasionally captured within the 6- and 7-year old habitats, revegetated plantings were not dominated by rainforest species until the habitat was 16 years old. This highlights the importance of commencing revegetation as early as possible to minimise future population declines and maximise the conservation of rainforest mammals.

Effects of tropical rainforest roads on small mammals: inhibition of crossing movements

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Goosem
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
The Road ◽  
Barrier Effects ◽  
Linear Barrier ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Wide Road

Along a narrow, unsealed road through rainforest in north-eastern Queensland, movements of small mammals were examined to determine whether the road would inhibit road crossings, thereby causing linear barrier effects. Crossings of a 12- or 20-m-wide road clearing by Melomys cervinipes were severely inhibited, crossing inhibition of Rattus sp. was less severe, while crossings by Uromys caudimaculatus were unaffected. This differential effect was attributed to species differences in size, mobility and behaviour. Baiting on only one side of the road increased crossing rates for all species. During the breeding season, crossings of 20-m clearings by Rattus sp. were almost completely inhibited and were significantly fewer than crossings of 12-m clearings. Clearing width had little effect on crossing rate outside the breeding season. Seasonal dispersal of juvenile and breeding animals appeared to explain this discrepancy in clearing-width effects. Rattus sp. were significantly less likely to cross a road where there was no vegetative cover at the entrance to a road culvert than where there was cover at both culvert entrances. Linear barrier effects for small mammals may be mitigated by narrower road-clearing widths, by replanting of grassy road verges resulting in increased cover at culvert entrances and canopy closure above the road, and by providing more faunal underpasses.

Effects of tropical rainforest roads on small mammals: fragmentation, edge effects and traffic disturbance

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Goosem
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
The Road ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Traffic Volumes ◽  
Traffic Level ◽  
Traffic Disturbance

In north-eastern Queensland, impacts on small mammals of traffic disturbance were compared with those caused by physical presence of rainforest roads by trapping in the rainforest interior and adjacent to narrow, unsealed roads with traffic volumes of 264 ± 71 or 4.2 ± 1 vehicles per day. Of the three small mammal species that were most commonly trapped, the proportion and abundance of native Rattus sp. increased at higher-traffic and decreased at lower-traffic sites; the abundance of Melomys cervinipes was relatively constant at both traffic treatments and in the forest interior, and Uromys caudimaculatus decreased at higher-traffic treatments. Road crossings by the smaller rodents, Rattus sp. and M. cervinipes, were primarily influenced by the presence of the road, rather than increased levels of traffic, as crossings were significantly inhibited at both traffic treatments compared with the forest-interior control and there was no difference between traffic levels. Crossings by the larger, more mobile U. caudimaculatus were unaffected by road presence or traffic level. Therefore, increased traffic volume did not appear to affect small mammal movements or community structure. However, since higher traffic levels were not constant throughout the peak periods for activity of these nocturnal species, further investigations are required to determine whether constant nocturnal traffic disturbance may further restrict road crossings by small mammals and alter community structure adjacent to roads.

Positive edge effects for arboreal marsupials: an assessment of potential mechanisms

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine K. Harding ◽  
Shirin Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Edge Effects ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Positive Edge ◽  
Relative Index ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Pellet Counts ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
Foliage Density ◽  
Ringtail Possum

In this study we examined the potential for positive edge effects on folivorous arboreal marsupials inhabiting upland rainforest in the Wet Tropics region of far north Queensland, Australia. We predicted that the folivores should have increased densities at edges relative to interior forest 90 m from the edge owing to the following causal factors, either separately or in combination: (a) increased foliar biomass, measured as vertical foliage density; and/or (b) increased abundance of preferred food trees. To test these hypotheses, we conducted surveys of the lemuroid ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides), the green ringtail possum (Pseudochirops archeri), the Herbert River ringtail possum (Pseudochirulus herbertensis) and the coppery brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula johnstonii) at two remnant rainforest sites with ‘hard’ edges such as roads or pasture. Because arboreal species are often difficult to survey accurately within forests, we utilised pellet counts as an index of the population and compared this to the common survey technique of night spotlighting. Our results indicated that pellet counts, combined over all species, were positively and strongly correlated with spotlighting results. Using pellet counts as a relative index of arboreal folivore populations, we found that edge transects contained a higher abundance of all species combined than did interior transects. Further, total foliage density in the 10–30-m vertical transect was found to be significantly correlated with total pellet counts at edge transects. Total preferred tree species was not significantly different between edge and interior transects. From these results we propose that foliage density, as a surrogate for biomass, is a possible mechanism explaining the higher abundance of arboreal marsupials at the edges of these two highland rainforest sites in north Queensland.

scholarly journals Insectivorous bats are less active near freeways

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247400
Author(s):  
Manisha Bhardwaj ◽  
Kylie Soanes ◽  
José J. Lahoz-Monfort ◽  
Linda F. Lumsden ◽  
Rodney van der Ree
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Insectivorous Bats ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
The Road ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessments ◽  
Wildlife Populations ◽  
Roadside Verges ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Traffic disturbances (i.e. pollution, light, noise, and vibrations) often extend into the area surrounding a road creating a ‘road-effect zone’. Habitat within the road-effect zone is degraded or, in severe cases, completely unsuitable for wildlife, resulting in indirect habitat loss. This can have a disproportionate impact on wildlife in highly modified landscapes, where remaining habitat is scarce or occurs predominantly along roadside reserves. In this study, we investigated the road-effect zone for insectivorous bats in highly cleared agricultural landscapes by quantifying the change in call activity with proximity to three major freeways. The activity of seven out of 10 species of bat significantly decreased with proximity to the freeway. We defined the road-effect zone to be the proximity at which call activity declined by at least 20% relative to the maximum detected activity. The overall road-effect zone for bats in this region was 307 m, varying between 123 and 890 m for individual species. Given that this road-effect zone exceeds the typical width of the roadside verges (<50 m), it is possible that much of the vegetation adjacent to freeways in this and similar landscapes provides low-quality habitat for bats. Without accounting for the road-effect zone, the amount of habitat lost or degraded due to roads is underestimated, potentially resulting in the loss of wildlife, ecosystem services and key ecosystem processes (e.g. predator-prey or plant-pollinator interactions) from the landscape. We suggest all future environmental impact assessments include quantifying the road-effect zone for sensitive wildlife, in order to best plan and mitigate the impact of roads on the environment. Mitigating the effects of new and existing roads on wildlife is essential to ensure enough high-quality habitat persists to maintain wildlife populations.

scholarly journals The Balkan endemics Moehringia Jankae Griseb. ex Janka and Moehringia Grisebachii Janka in Bulgaria

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-269
Author(s):  
M. Zhelyazkova ◽  
N. Grozeva ◽  
M. Gerdzhikova ◽  
S. Terzieva
Keyword(s):  
Current Distribution ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Rock Formation ◽  
The Road ◽  
Natural Park ◽  
Rock Formations ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Routing Method

The aim of the study is to establish the current distribution оf Balkan endemics Moehringia jankae Griseb. ex Janka and Moehringia grisebachii Janka in Bulgaria. The routing method was used. All areas which the species inhabit according to literary sources were visited. Established were 12 populations of M. jankae and 32 populations of M. grisebachii. All established populations of M. jankae were from the Eastern Balkan Range on the territory of Sinite Kamani Natural Park. Three of the registered populations of M. grisebachii were from North-Eastern Bulgaria (Shumen region, near village Madara). Thirteen were from Sredna Gora Mts (nine on the territory of village Rozovets, two between village Rozovets and Bratan peak, two on peak Orlite and one between peak Orlite and the megalith Popova turla, rock formation along the road from village Rozovets to the rock formation Pravite kamani, the rock formation Pravite kamani, rock formations west of the megalith Pravite kamani, and one above village Pesnopoy in the area Usoykata). Nineteen were from the Eastern Balkan Range on the territory of Sinite Kamani Natural Park. Each population was assessed and the factors with negative influence were indicated.

Urban edge effects in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales: implications for design of buffers to protect significant habitats

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Smith ◽  
Judy Smith
Keyword(s):  
Edge Effects ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Weed Invasion ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
Blue Mountains ◽  
The Road ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Urban Edge ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Local Residents

Urban edge effects can have an adverse impact on native flora and fauna in the adjoining bushland. We surveyed edge effects at sites in the Blue Mountains where the urban area is separated from bushland by a perimeter road. Common edge effects included weed invasion, physical disturbance of the vegetation and soil, incidental rubbish, dumped rubbish, dumped plant material, tree felling/lopping/ringbarking and visits from domestic dogs. Uncommon edge effects included recent hazard reduction burns, bushrock collection, and poor tree health (dieback not associated with fires). The maximum extent of obvious edge effects (all types combined) varied between sites, from 9 m to 60 m from the edge of the road. At most sites (77%), edge effects were restricted to distances of 40 m or less into the bushland, but a significant number of sites (23%) had more extensive edge effects. Sites with extensive weed invasion were associated with older housing, suggesting that weed invasion will increase over time at sites adjacent to younger housing. Weed invasion frequently extended further than 60 m into the bushland along drainage lines and tracks, especially the former, but these were not included in the measurements. Edge effects were more extensive on flatter topography than downslope of housing, apparently because the former is subject to more intensive use by local residents. The actions of local residents have a major influence on edge effects, and are responsible for much of the variability observed between sites. The findings of this study are consistent with previous studies of edge effects around Sydney and elsewhere. Based on the results of the study, we recommend that a buffer of native vegetation at least 60 m wide should be retained around significant flora and fauna habitats to protect them from edge effects. Additional management actions are required to control vegetation degradation along drainage lines.

Caridina malanda, a new species of freshwater shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from the Wet Tropics World Heritage area, north–eastern Queensland, Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4652 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-125
Author(s):  
SATISH CHOY ◽  
TIMOTHY J. PAGE ◽  
VALENTIN DE MAZANCOURT ◽  
BENJAMIN MOS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
World Heritage Area ◽  
Heritage Area ◽  
A New Species

Integrated molecular and morphological studies of newly collected and curated specimens of the genus Caridina from the Atherton Tablelands, Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in north–eastern Queensland, Australia indicated the presence of an undescribed species belonging to the Caridina zebra Short 1993 complex. This species is somewhat intermediate, although distinct on the basis of molecular data and morphology, from two known sympatric species, Caridina zebra and C. confusa Choy & Marshall 1997, and an allopatric species, C. spinula Choy & Marshall 1997, from the Cape York Peninsula, about 500 km north. It is described here as a new species, C. malanda sp. nov., and compared with similar congeners. A key for the identification of the species, as well as notes on its distribution, ecology, and conservation, are provided. 

Does resource availability govern vertical stratification of small mammals in an Australian lowland tropical rainforest?

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Rader ◽  
A. Krockenberger
Keyword(s):  
Resource Availability ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Vertical Stratification ◽  
Resource Abundance ◽  
Canopy Trees ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Castanospermum Australe ◽  
Mammal Community ◽  
Mammal Assemblages ◽  
Access To Food

Mammal assemblages of rainforest communities are commonly vertically stratified. This can be associated with competition for, or access to, resources in the upper canopy layers of the forest. This study investigated the extent of vertical stratification in a small mammal community of a tropical rainforest and whether any structure was related to resource abundance. The mammal community was vertically stratified, with Pogonomys mollipilosus and Cercartetus caudatus found only in the upper canopy layers and Rattus sp., Isoodon macrourus and Antechinus flavipes rubeculus on the ground and in the understorey layer. Melomys cervinipes and Uromys caudimaculatus were found at all four height layers. Total rodent captures were not significantly correlated with the abundance of fruit and flower resources, but arboreal captures of M. cervinipes and P. mollipilosus were correlated with the number of individual canopy trees of four prominent flower- and fruit-yielding species: Syzigium sayeri, Acmena graveolens, Argyrodendron perelatum and Castanospermum australe. We suggest that arboreal behaviour in these rodents serves to provide the advantages of first access to food resources, the availability of abundant resources in the canopy, and, ultimately, reduced competition in the upper strata.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document