Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris: Response to fire and persistence of home range in the Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia

We investigated the response of the Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris to fire in the Fitzgerald River National Park (FRNP), Western Australia, over a 34-year period. This species is a threatened Western Australian endemic restricted to a highly fire-prone habitat. Commencing in 1985, we surveyed for occurrence of Western Bristlebirds within the FRNP. Monitoring that was specifically focused on fire impacts began at Fitzgerald Track in November 1994 following a fire the previous month. That site had been surveyed in June and August 1994 before the fire. Fires in other recently surveyed locations in 1997–1998, 2000, 2008 and 2019 allowed for comparisons to be made following further monitoring of these sites. Many Bristlebirds survived a fire then relocated along or near the fire edge, usually in clusters of home ranges where suitable habitat was available. Bristlebirds gradually re-occupied burnt areas when these became suitable, often to home ranges occupied before the fire. There was a tendency for a home range to be occupied for >1 year. A change independent of fire could occur. Areas of vegetation of different fire ages were used by Bristlebirds for differing time periods. Sites in the lower-rainfall areas required longer periods of time for habitat to be recolonised by Bristlebirds and the maximum age of vegetation occupied by Bristlebirds varied between sites. For these reasons, generalised prescriptions are not appropriate, but fire management of individual patches of Bristlebird habitat in the FRNP can be guided by these findings, ensuring that unburnt refuge areas are both protected and retained, with the timing of management actions informed by knowledge of population response and habitat condition.

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How many mature microhabitats does a slow-recolonising reptile require? Implications for restoration of bauxite minesites in south-western Australia

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo10046 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Michael D. Craig ◽

Angela M. Benkovic ◽

Andrew H. Grigg ◽

Giles E. St J. Hardy ◽

Patricia A. Fleming ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Western Australia ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Random Samples ◽

Successional Species

If we are to accelerate the recolonisation of restored areas by slow-recolonising species, we must provide suitable microhabitats at appropriate densities. Previous research in south-western Australia has shown that Napoleon’s skink (Egernia napoleonis) rarely recolonises restored areas. We trapped Napoleon’s skink in restoration and unmined forest to confirm the species was late successional. We also radio-tracked six skinks in unmined forest, to determine types and characteristics of used microhabitats, and estimated home ranges to determine required microhabitat densities, with the aim of accelerating skink recolonisation of restored areas. All tracked skinks used logs and hollow-bearing trees. Used logs were larger, and used trees were larger and taller than random samples, probably because large logs and trees were more likely to contain cracks and hollows that provide a refuge from predators. Extrapolations from home-range estimates indicated that a minimum of four logs ha–1 are required in restored areas to facilitate recolonisation by skinks, with skink densities likely to increase with log densities. Our study demonstrated that not all fauna will naturally recolonise restored areas and management of these areas is required to provide suitable habitat for late-successional species. Our approach could potentially be applied to other ecosystems or species.

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Bandicoots return to Booderee: initial survival, dispersal, home range and habitat preferences of reintroduced southern brown bandicoots (eastern sub species; Isoodon obesulus obesulus)

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr17040 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 132 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

N. M. Robinson ◽

C. I. MacGregor ◽

B. A. Hradsky ◽

N. Dexter ◽

D. B. Lindenmayer

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Body Mass ◽

National Park ◽

Effective Means ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Eastern Australia

Context Reintroductions can be an effective means of re-establishing locally extinct or declining faunal populations. However, incomplete knowledge of variables influencing survival and establishment can limit successful outcomes. Aim We aimed to examine the factors (e.g. sex, body mass, release order) influencing the survival, dispersal, home range and habitat selection of reintroduced southern brown bandicoots (eastern subspecies; Isoodon obesulus obesulus) into an unfenced, predator-managed environment in south-eastern Australia (Booderee National Park). Methods Over 2 weeks in May 2016, six female and five male bandicoots were wild-caught in state forest and hard released into the park. Release locations were approximately evenly distributed between three primary vegetation types assessed as suitable habitat: heath, woodland and forest. Bandicoots were radio-tracked day and night for 4 weeks from the initial release date. Key results No mortality was detected. Males dispersed more than twice as far as females (male 704 m, female 332 m), but there was no significant sex bias in home range size. At the landscape scale, bandicoots preferentially selected home ranges that contained heath and avoided forest. Within home ranges, heath and woodland were both favoured over forest. Conclusions Post-release dispersal is sex-biased, but more data are required to determine the influence of other predictors such as body mass and release order. Within the release area, bandicoots favoured non-forest vegetation types. Implications Our study outlines factors influencing the establishment of reintroduced bandicoots. We recommend that future bandicoot reintroductions to Booderee National Park occur within areas of heath and woodland, and that subsequent releases consider the potentially larger spatial requirements and conspecific avoidance among male bandicoots. Our findings contribute new knowledge for improving translocation methods of a nationally endangered medium-sized mammal.

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Home range sizes for burchell's zebra equus burchelli antiquorum from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v18i1.918 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

G.L. Smuts

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

National Park ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Equus Burchelli ◽

Kruger Park ◽

Mean Size ◽

Large Home Range ◽

The Mean ◽

Specific Tolerance

Annual home range sizes were determined for 49 marked zebra family groups in the Kruger National Park. Sizes varied from 49 to 566 sq. km, the mean for the Park being 164 square kilometre. Mean home range sizes for different zebra sub-populations and biotic areas were found to differ considerably. Present herbivore densities have not influenced intra- and inter-specific tolerance levels to the extent that home range sizes have increased. Local habitat conditions, and particularly seasonal vegetational changes, were found to have the most profound influence on the shape and mean size of home ranges. The large home range sizes obtained in the Kruger Park, when compared to an area such as the Ngorongoro Crater, can be ascribed to a lower carrying capacity with respect to zebra, large portions of the habitat being sub-optimal, either seasonally or annually.

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Movements and Home Ranges of Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa) in Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales.

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9960711 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 711 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

G Saunders ◽

B Kay

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

National Park ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Feral Pigs ◽

South Wales

The movements of a subalpine population of feral pigs were examined at Kosciusko National Park in southeastern New South Wales. Sufficient data were collected to estimate the home-range area of 20 pigs on the basis of 782 telemetry and trap locations. Mean (+/- s.d.) home-range size (minimum convex polygon method) for males (35.0 t 22.2 km*2) was significantly greater than that for females (1 1.1 +/- 5.2 km*2). Use of capture-recapture distances to estimate home-range size was considered inappropriate. A test for nomadism suggests that, although home ranges of pigs in this environment were larger than those reported for other pigs in Australia, the pigs were essentially sedentary. Management implications for this population are discussed.

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Home Range Characteristics and Diel Patterns in Space Use of Mutton Snapper, Lutjanus Analis, in St. Thomas, Us Virgin Islands

10.21203/rs.3.rs-86898/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah L. Heidmann ◽

Jonathan Jossart ◽

Richard S. Nemeth

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Site Fidelity ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Movement Ecology ◽

Space Use ◽

Virgin Islands ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Us Virgin Islands ◽

Diel Patterns ◽

Management Actions

Abstract Background: The movement ecology of mutton snapper Lutjanus analis is poorly understood despite their ecological and economic importance in the Caribbean. Passive acoustic telemetry was used to determine home ranges of six adult L. analis, including diel patterns, in Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Understanding long-term space use, including site fidelity and habitat usage, is necessary to implement effective and appropriate management actions for a species with extensive space and resource needs.Results: Individual L. analis were tracked over an average period of 316 days (range 125 - 509 days) and showed high site fidelity to relatively small home ranges (mean ± SD: 0.103 ± 0.028 km2, range 0.019 - 0.190 km2) and core use areas with low overlap among individuals. Most home ranges had a habitat composition dominated by seagrass and to a lesser degree, coral reef and/or pavement. Nighttime activity spaces were distinct from but contained within daytime areas.Conclusions: Mutton snapper showed strong site fidelity to home ranges in Brewers Bay. Two individuals that were absent from the array for more than a few hours were detected at separate arrays at spawning aggregation sites. This study expands upon knowledge of mutton snapper home range characteristics, highlights the importance of maintaining adjacent high-quality habitat types in any spatial management plan, and encourages the adoption of other types of management strategies, particularly for transient-aggregating species.

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Home range sizes of Cape Mountain Zebras Equus Zebra Zebra in the Mountain Zebra National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v25i1.608 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. L Penzhorn

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

National Park ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Home Ranges ◽

The Mean

The mean home range size of Cape mountain zebra breeding herds was 9,4 km2 (range 3,1 @ 16,0 km2). In two herds which split up, the home ranges of the resultant herds included the original home ranges, but were larger.

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Natural history and conservation of Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus at Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270901000338 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 287-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Luís Fábio Silveira ◽

Wolf Dieter Bartmann

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Captive Breeding ◽

Neotropical Region ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Conservation Priorities ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Nest Sites ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Key Sites

Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus is considered to be one of the rarest and most threatened species in the Neotropical region, yet little is known about its distribution and life-history. We studied the population of Brazilian Merganser in and around Serra da Canastra National Park (SCNP) in Minas Gerais, Brazil, during 1996, with additional observations from 1997 to 2000. In this paper we report the sighting of previously undiscovered pairs and present some new behavioural data, including a description of calls performed by males and females, feeding behaviour, home ranges, parental care and population density. We also describe a previously unreported plumage of the young. A total of 39 individuals were recorded, comprising 12 adults (six pairs) and 27 young. Brood size ranged from two to four (mean 2.7), being smaller than in other Mergus spp. (e.g. Goosander Mergus merganser). Two pairs were located within the SCNP, and four on unprotected stretches of river outside. Home range was large compared with other Mergus spp., each pair using on average 9 km of river. Range size was thought to be related to the availability of suitable nesting and feeding sites. SCNP and its environs contain very little mature gallery forest with trees large enough to provide nest sites (most having been selectively logged in the past). There is also competition for nest sites with other birds and mammals. All suitable habitat surrounding the SCNP is now occupied by adult birds, leaving none for young birds. Further research is needed to determine the fate and dispersion routes of juveniles. Future conservation priorities for Brazilian Merganser in and around SCNP include the installation of nest boxes to test whether the availability of good quality nest sites limits breeding success. A captive breeding programme could be established using eggs from these nest boxes. This would help to ensure the survival of this species and to provide birds for future reintroduction programmes should they be deemed necessary. Further surveys, with subsequent establishment of reserves at key sites, are required throughout the Brazilian Merganser's range.

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Ecology of the Honey possum, Tarsipes rostratus, in Scott National Park, Western Australia

Australian Mammalogy ◽

10.1071/am07003 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 25 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

S.D. Bradshaw ◽

R.D. Phillips ◽

S. Tomlinson ◽

R. J. Holley ◽

S. Jennings ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Western Australia ◽

National Park ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽

Late Summer ◽

Food Sources ◽

Burnt Areas ◽

Honey Possum ◽

Capture Rates

The Honey possum, Tarsipes rostratus, is an obligate nectarivore, known to feed on plant species from only three Families in south-western Western Australia: Myrtaceae, Proteaceae and Epacridaceae. These plants can be adversely affected by fire, decreased rainfall or groundwater levels and the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. We investigated the ecology of T. rostratus in terms of: (i) how the population fluctuated in response to rainfall and fire over a 20-year period and (ii) changes in diet and movements during a period of decreased food availability in late summer. Mean capture rates were significantly positively correlated with mean flowering rates of Banksia ilicifolia over a 20-year period. Winter capture rates were also significantly positively correlated with both annual and winter rainfall two years prior to trapping in recently burnt areas, but not in long unburnt� areas. Capture rates were significantly higher in unburnt Banksia woodland during winter but densities there have declined since 1996, associated with the death of many Banksia ilicifolia trees from persistent Phytophthora infection. Notwithstanding this decline, winter capture rates in the unburnt areas were still approximately double those in the burnt areas 6 years after the last fire. Short-term capture rates were negatively correlated with barometric pressure, showing that movement and foraging is stimulated by the passage of low pressure frontal weather systems. Despite the paucity of known food sources flowering in late summer and autumn, there was no evidence of T. rostratus using plant species from other than the three above-noted Families. Utilisation areas in summer were also no larger than those previously recorded across all seasons in Scott National Park. Some individuals, however, moved extensive distances to locate spatially restricted food sources. The conservatism of their diet and the sensitivity of the population to changes in rainfall and fire history indicate that T. rostratus populations are particularly vulnerable to some of the environmental changes now occurring in south-western Australia.

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Understanding the impacts of recreation in Australian protected areas: Quantifying damage caused by horse riding in D'Entrecasteaux National Park, Western Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc020256 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 256 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

N. Phillips ◽

D. Newsome

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impacts ◽

National Parks ◽

Western Australia ◽

National Park ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Bare Ground ◽

Horse Riding ◽

Hard Evidence ◽

Low Levels ◽

Western Australian

There is presently very little published quantitative information on the environmental impacts of recreational horse riding. Particularly in Western Australia the lack of "hard evidence" concerning the environmental impacts of horse riding hinders objective judgement of damage caused by horse riding in national parks. This paper presents data on horse riding impacts in a Western Australian (D'Entrecasteaux) national park. The research measured vegetation and soil impacts caused by horse use in un-tracked areas with the specific aim of relating the amount of horse use to degree of environmental impact. Horse riding altered plant species composition, increased the area of bare ground and decreased height and cover of vegetation. Significant impacts occurred after only low levels of horse use. The findings indicate the need for a database on horse riding impact in Australia so that, where horse riding is allowed, impacts can be properly assessed and effectively managed.

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Movement patterns of honey possums, Tarsipes rostratus, in the Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr98088 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 179 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

C. A. M. Garavanta ◽

R. D. Wooller ◽

K. C. Richardson

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

National Park ◽

Movement Patterns ◽

South Coast ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Pitfall Traps ◽

Mark Recapture ◽

Nectar Sources ◽

Mating Opportunities

The movements of marked honey possums,Tarsipes rostratus, were studied using mark–recapture with pitfall traps in heathland on the south coast of Western Australia. Most individuals moved less than 30 m even over several months, with no evidence of marked dispersal. We suggest that this lack of mobility is associated with a detailed knowledge of the locations of those plants that supply all the species’ food. Males moved slightly further than females, possibly to search for mating opportunities and possibly because females exclude males from rich nectar sources. In consequence, the home ranges of males (1277 m2) were significantly larger, on average, than those of females (701 m2).

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