Leadbeater’s possum and Victoria’s Central Highlands’ forests: flawed science and environmental activism as drivers of forest management change

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 250-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Poynter ◽  
M. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Environmental Activism ◽  
Management Change ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum

Tree Hollow Requirements of Leadbeater's Possum and Other Possums and Gliders in Timber Production Ash Forests of the Victorian Central Highlands.

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
AP Smith ◽  
D Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Timber Production ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Eucalyptus Regnans ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Production Forests ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum ◽  
Tree Hollow

A model is presented of relationships between the density of Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) and other tree-hollow dependent possums and gliders and the density of potential nest trees (PNT) in Eucalyptus regnans/E. delegatensis forests, where PNT are defined as all living or dead trees with d.b.h. more than or equal to 0.5 m and ht. more than or equal to 6 m. The total density of all possums and gliders increased linearly with PNT density, in an approx. 1:1 ratio, then plateaued at an av. max. density of 11.3 animals per 3 ha once PNT density exceeded 12 per 3 ha. Regression models predict that G. leadbeateri will be absent from the majority of sites with less than 4.2 PNT per 3 ha and will increase linearly in density to an av. max. of 7.8 animals (or 3.1 colonies) per 3 ha on sites with more than 10 PNT per 3 ha. The absence of G. leadbeateri from sites with fewer than 4.2 PNT per 3 ha was attributed to: competition for hollows from other species; use of more than one PNT by individual colonies; and unsuitability of hollows in up to 2 out of every 3 PNT. Regression models predict that current logging prescriptions in ash forests, which call for retention of a minimum of 15 trees for every 10 ha clear felled, will result in elimination of G. leadbeateri from the majority of clearfelled coupes, and will reduce the total number of hollow-dependent possums and gliders to less than one-eighth of their av. max. density in unlogged forest. A range of forest management options are presented and discussed to ensure the continued availability of PNT for hollow-dependent arboreal mammals in timber production forests.

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.

Evaluation of the Stag-Watching Technique for Census of Possums and Gliders in Tall Open Forest

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
AP Smith ◽  
D Lindenmayer ◽  
RJ Begg ◽  
MA Macfarlane ◽  
JH Seebeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Fine Weather ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Open Forests ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum ◽  
Direct Counts

Stagwatching involves direct counts of nocturnal animals emerging from tree hollows at dusk. This technique is described and compared with spotlighting and trapping for census of possums and gliders in the tall open forests of the Victorian Central Highlands. Stagwatching detected Leadbeater's possum, the mountain brushtail possum, the sugar glider and the yellow-bellied glider, in greater numbers and at more sites than did spotlighting. Stagwatching was most effective for survey of Leadbeater's possum. Fine weather in spring, summer, or autumn appear to be the best time to stagwatch for this species. All other species were detected by spotlighting at a portion of sites where they were not detected by stagwatching. Underestimation of density by stagwatching was attributed to emergence of some individuals after dark. Further information on activity patterns is required before either stagwatching or spotlighting can be used to estimate the densities of most possum and glider species.

scholarly journals Forest Pattern and Ecological Process: A Synthesis of 24 Years of Research.

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Harry F Recher
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Ecological Process ◽  
Web Page ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
National University ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Leadbeater's Possum

FOR a biologist attaining his doctorate in 1990, David Lindenmayer has been nothing less than prolific. His web page at the Australian National University (ANU) credits him with more than 520 scientific publications and 20 books. This book, Forest Pattern and Ecological Process, brings together his 25 years of research experience in the montane ash forests of Victoria’s Central Highlands. That research began in 1983 with studies of the ecology of Leadbeater’s Possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri, an iconic and endangered arboreal marsupial and led to his doctorate from ANU entitled The Ecology and Habitat Requirements of Leadbeater’s Possum. I remember reading that dissertation and thinking how good it was and the promise it held for the young biologist who wrote it. I was not wrong.

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