Journal article
Habitat preferences of arboreal mammals in box-ironbark forest during maternal and non-maternal periods
Australian mammalogy, Vol.46(3), AM24010
26/07/2024
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Abstract
Artificial tree cavities may be installed to restore habitat quality for tree-cavity-dependent wildlife. Knowledge of the habitat preferences of species can improve such management. We used detections of the brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) and the inland sugar glider (Petaurus notatus) in nest boxes at 40 sites over a 6-year period to investigate the influence of the surrounding box-ironbark forest on nest box use. We specifically considered whether preferences changed between non-maternal and maternal periods. We observed phascogales in an average of 20% of boxes and gliders within 33% of boxes per year. Few tree hollows on habitat plots were adequate for these species to occupy. Habitat variation had no influence on sugar glider detection, suggesting all available habitat was suitable. Female phascogales were positively influenced by the number of nest boxes present at a site in both periods and by the abundance of large (≥30 cm DBH) red ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa) stems in the maternal period. Habitat had less influence on male phascogales. Our study suggests that artificial hollows can play a role in restoring degraded habitat for these species and provides some new insights for habitat restoration.
Details
- Title
- Habitat preferences of arboreal mammals in box-ironbark forest during maternal and non-maternal periods
- Creators
- Ross L. Goldingay - Southern Cross UniversityDarren G. Quin - Southern Cross UniversityKaren J. Thomas
- Contributors
- Bronwyn McAllan (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Australian mammalogy, Vol.46(3), AM24010
- Publisher
- C S I R O Publishing
- Grant note
This project was conducted under approvals 18/088, 19/024, 20/031, 21/024, 22/021 and 23/018 from the Southern Cross University Animal Ethics Committee, and Permits 10010321 and 10010722 from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. We thank Viv Dell, Ami Greenfield, Jess Lawton and Bruce Quin for assistance with the checking of nest boxes.
- Identifiers
- 991013211713202368
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australian Mammal Society.
- Academic Unit
- Science; Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article