Nickel Uptake by Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla) in the Miandetta Area, Australia: Implications for Use in Biogeochemical Exploration

The uptake of Ni and other elements by Callitris glaucophylla (white cypress pine), from weathered ultramafic rocks under varying depths of transported regolith cover, is examined at two sites in the Miandetta area, New South Wales, Australia. Results show that C. glaucophylla can accumulate elevated Ni concentrations in the needles (leaves or phyllodes) from underlying Ni-enriched regolith up to two orders of magnitude above the normal micronutrient levels required for the species. Such uptake levels occur in areas with high total Ni in the soil and regolith despite the relatively low mobility of the Ni due to its presence in a low availability form. This highlights the importance of biotic processes in extracting Ni from soil. The needles of C. glaucophylla could provide an effective and convenient sampling medium for reconnaissance biogeochemical exploration for Ni mineralisation and anomalies where transported regolith is less than ~3 m thick. The study has also demonstrated the potential for in situ analysis of Ni and other elements in the needles by portable XRF.

Blended species plywood (white cypress pine and hoop pine): Effect of veneer thickness on susceptibility to attack by the subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis

Blended species plywood blocks comprising of 24 different veneer configurations of naturally durable white cypress pine and non-durable hoop pine were exposed to the subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis in a field trial in Australia. Three thicknesses of cypress (1.8, 2.8, and 3.0 mm) and hoop pine (1.0, 1.5, and 3.0 mm) veneer were included. Blocks were assessed for termite damage using a visual damage rating and mass loss measurement. Blocks using all hoop pine veneers received substantial damage; however, blocks that had cypress face and back veneers had improved termite resistance, particularly for the 1.0-mm hoop pine core veneers. When cypress longbands were blended with hoop pine crossbands that created alternating layers, minimal damage was sustained in the hoop pine veneers; however, the damage increased with increasing hoop pine veneer thickness. All cypress veneers received essentially no termite damage, and cypress veneer thickness did not influence the severity of hoop pine veneer damage. The trial indicated that the plywood made with hoop pine core veneers, cypress pine face, and back veneers offered some termite resistance if the hoop pine veneer thickness was kept thin. Alternating cypress and hoop pine further improved the termite resistance.

Limited evidence for the use of livestock for the conservation management of exotic plant cover

Livestock grazing has been used for conservation management in some situations to reduce exotic plant cover, but supporting empirical evidence is scant. This is particularly true for eastern Australian semiarid woodlands and forests. We surveyed 451 sites across three broad semiarid vegetation communities (cypress pine, black box, red gum) in eastern Australia to examine the effects of recent and longer-term (historic) grazing by livestock on exotic (and native) plant cover. Because our focus was the use of domestic livestock for conservation management, our sites were mostly located in conservation reserves, travelling stock routes and native production forests where domestic grazing is approved via permit. We also included recent grazing by kangaroos and rabbits, which occur widely with livestock across the study sites. Structural equation modelling revealed that recent sheep and cattle grazing was associated with increased exotic plant cover in two of the three communities (cypress pine, black box), and historic grazing was associated with lower exotic (and native) plant cover across all communities. Recent cattle grazing-induced reductions in exotic plant cover in the red gum community resulted from declines in the palatable exotic annual grass Ehrharta longiflora. Higher intensity grazing by rabbits, sheep and cattle in the cypress pine community increased exotic plant cover by suppressing the negative effect of native cover on exotic cover. Higher intensity rabbit grazing reinforced the negative effect of nitrogen on native plant cover, resulting in increases in exotic cover. Overall, we found strong evidence that domestic livestock grazing reduces native plant cover either directly or indirectly in all three communities, but limited evidence that it would be a useful conservation management strategy to reduce exotic plant cover in these communities.

Diet of an inland population of the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Populations of the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in inland New South Wales have declined or disappeared. Habitat requirements and diet of these populations are poorly understood. Determining the diet of inland ringtail possums is crucial to understanding the factors limiting their survival, and was the focus of this study. Spotlighting surveys were conducted to locate ringtail possums, and scat and vegetation samples were collected for microhistological analysis. Ringtail possums were most frequently observed in red stringybark followed by bundy box and black cypress pine trees, and this correlated with the most common dietary items consumed.

Interactions between Callitris above-ground biomass, species density and plant form in north-eastern New South Wales

Dense Callitris endlicheri (Parl.) F.M.Bailey (black cypress pine) and C. glaucophylla Joy Thomps. & L.A.S.Johnson (white cypress pine) stands are often viewed as problematic and thinning is often encouraged from a biodiversity perspective. In the present investigation, canonical correspondence analyses (CCAs) of 997 survey sites were undertaken within the public and private reserve network that contains a variety of above-ground biomass (AGB) of C. endlicheri and C. glaucophylla (as measured by diameter at breast height (DBH) and dispersion) and the evenness of the species distribution was undertaken. This was done to further dissect the effect of Callitris AGB on species density (richness per quadrat) of native and introduced species and on broad life-form groupings. Other landscape features such as altitude, physiography, drainage and soil depth were also included in analyses. C. endlicheri and C. glaucophylla grow in different biophysical locations in most instances and this was reflected in the results of the study. No level of AGB or clumping of C. endlicheri was found to affect species density of native or introduced taxa or the distribution of life-forms. Increasing AGB of C. glaucophylla had a positive effect on native species density. The species density of introduced taxa was also increased with an increase in C. glaucophylla AGB. The distribution of life-forms was significantly affected by an increase in Callitris AGB with a decrease in trees, shrubby taxa and hemi-parasites, although herbaceous species had a concomitant increase in number. There is no reason to thin dense Callitris stands to increase local species richness. However, because the distribution of life-form types is significantly affected by C. glaucophylla, there is a need to understand what is occurring in species replacements and what landscape mosaic of structural types is required for this species. It is likely that dense stands of Callitris are important, along with a variety of stand densities so as to maintain the highest regional diversity.

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of various habitats in southern Andalusia (Spain)

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of various habitats in southern Andalusia (Spain)Oribatid mites were investigated in some habitats (litter under cypress, pine and larch trees, and patches of grasses, mosses and lichens) in southern Andalusia (Spain) in August 2005. The studied communities of oribatid mites were rather poor in terms of abundance and species diversity. The density of mites in cypress litter from the mountains (Granada, Ronda) was distinctly higher than in the coastal area (Benalmádena), which was probably caused by climatic conditions. The Oribatida achieved the highest density in grassy patches in Granada, but most species occurred in cypress litter from Ronda. Among oribatid species,Oribatula frisiaereached the highest density; alsoO. tibialisandHaplochthonius simplexwere relatively abundant. Some species of Oribatida were rich in juveniles, but the age structure of species greatly depended on the kind of litter.

Trial translocation of the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) into arid Australia

Five numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus) were transferred into the Arid Recovery Reserve in November 2005 as part of a trial to investigate the suitability of the reserve for a full-scale reintroduction of M. fasciatus. Mean home ranges in this study were 67 ha in summer and 25 ha in autumn/winter. This is similar to home ranges of M. fasciatus at other locations. M. fasciatus used burrows despite available log habitat and were active in air temperatures of 21−30°C and soil temperatures of 21−42°C during the autumn/winter period. M. fasciatus used ‘mulga’, ‘sanddune vegetation’, ‘bullock bush’ and ‘cypress pine’ more often than ‘saltbush/bluebush’ and other available habitats. They were also found more extensively on ‘dunes’ or ‘sand plain’ landforms than on ‘swales’. Two males were still alive 18 months after release; the other three were taken by an unknown bird of prey. We suggest that another trial be undertaken with a larger sample size to determine whether females are able to wean young and whether Arid Recovery is able to sustain a viable population of M. fasciatus.