Can switches in disturbance type improve habitat for grassland birds in semi‐arid grasslands of South‐Eastern Australia?

Nugent, Daniel T.; Baker‐Gabb, David J.; Morgan, John W.

doi:10.1111/aec.13449

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 53 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The Northern Plains is inhabited by a range of very small native endotherms that occur or roost on the ground, both birds and mammals with body weights ranging 10–125 g (DSE, 2010; Gynther et al., 2013; Menkhorst et al., 2017). These endotherms include common and frequently detected species such as the Australian Pipit ( Anthus novaeseelandiae —Motacillidae) and Horsfield's Bushlark ( Mirafra javanica —Alaudidae; Nugent, 2020; Nugent et al., 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal scanners versus spotlighting: New opportunities for monitoring threatened small endotherms

Dawlings,

Humphrey,

Nugent

et al. 2024

Austral Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Threatened species monitoring is challenging for small, cryptic endotherms that are most effectively detected at night. Low detectability is a challenge for monitoring programmes, resulting in low statistical power and sparse or zero‐inflated datasets. To advance conservation management programmes, efforts to address this are required. In recent years thermal scanners have emerged as an effective tool for detecting small endotherms, but the diversity of available thermal tools, focal habitats and target species mean that their applicability in many key scenarios remain untested. We directly compared vehicle‐mounted thermal surveys with vehicle‐based spotlighting targeting small endotherms in Australian native grasslands. Our targets included both common species that occur at high densities, and species that are notoriously difficult to detect with spotlights, which may occur at very low densities. We completed paired surveys of roosting grassland birds, and nocturnally active small mammals at 22 sites, once using thermal scanners and once using spotlights. Ultimately, distance sampling was conducted across 136 km of transects. Thermal scanners facilitated greater detection distances and higher total detections for small endotherms when compared with spotlighting. Species of greatest conservation concern, the Plains‐wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus—Pedionomidae) and Fat‐tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata—Dasyuridae) were only detected using thermal scanners. Detection distances generated for thermal scanners were reduced by higher vegetation density; however, thermal scanners continued to outperform spotlights under this scenario. Observers also detected more stationary animals and fewer birds were flushed upon detection using thermal scanners when compared with spotlighting. Thermal scanners have the potential to improve the quality of monitoring datasets by increasing detection probabilities for small endotherms. We recommend the adoption of thermal scanners as a best‐practice tool for monitoring small endotherms in open grassland habitats at night, offering new opportunities to monitor endotherms where monitoring has historically been challenging, inadequate or impossible.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal scanners versus spotlighting: New opportunities for monitoring threatened small endotherms

Dawlings,

Humphrey,

Nugent

et al. 2024

Austral Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Assessing the suitability of habitat for the Endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard

Michael,

Baring,

Gardner

2024

Endang. Species. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Species that have undergone range declines due to human activities present an unstable species-environment relationship and require integrative approaches for their conservation. The pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis occupies vacant spider burrows and is found on private grazing properties. Without active conservation management, the species faces climate-induced extinction. Translocation to more southerly environments is considered a mitigation strategy. We used predictive distribution modelling (MaxEnt) combined with field surveys to identify potential translocation sites. Two species were potentially reliable indicators of suitable habitat: brush wire grass Aristida behriana and trapdoor spider Blakistonia aurea. Habitat suitability maps produced using these species found that, despite the importance of B. aurea burrows for lizard occupancy, A. behriana was a more suitable indicator species. Our field surveys compared habitat quality at lizard-occupied sites to potential translocation sites but did not reveal factors associated with higher lizard occupancy at current sites. Spider burrow availability was lower at potential translocation sites but a higher proportion were high-quality trapdoor spider burrows. Only one potential translocation site was found to be suitable; attributed to having trapdoor spider burrows, grasshoppers, and sheep grazing management. This site was a private property listed for sale during the surveys. Given that translocations of pygmy bluetongues are inevitable and this is the first suitable translocation site identified, we highlight the necessity of long-term measures to safeguard potential translocation sites on private property before any planned translocation occurs. Integrating conservation strategies with agricultural practices offers a chance to safeguard private properties so wildlife and agriculture may co-exist.

show abstract

Can switches in disturbance type improve habitat for grassland birds in semi‐arid grasslands of South‐Eastern Australia?

Cited by 2 publications

References 53 publications

Thermal scanners versus spotlighting: New opportunities for monitoring threatened small endotherms

Thermal scanners versus spotlighting: New opportunities for monitoring threatened small endotherms

Assessing the suitability of habitat for the Endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About