Changes in the Relative Density of Swamp Wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) and Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in Response to Timber Harvesting and Wildfire

Williamson, Kelly; Doherty, Helen; Stefano, Julian Di

doi:10.5772/33426

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…All three species have previously demonstrated pyric herbivory responses with most studies identifying a preference for recently burnt patches (Southwell & Jarman, 1987; Meers & Adams, 2003; Williamson et al . 2012; Foster et al . 2015a; Parkins et al .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three large macropod species are currently found within BNP, being the eastern grey kangaroo, swamp wallaby and red-necked wallaby (M. rufogriseus). All three species have previously demonstrated pyric herbivory responses with most studies identifying a preference for recently burnt patches (Southwell & Jarman, 1987;Meers & Adams, 2003;Williamson et al 2012;Foster et al 2015a;Parkins et al 2019). A population of the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) also occurs in the park but the species is extremely rare and under the weight threshold for "large herbivore" (> 2kg; Danell, 2006).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Macropod species are classified as either grazers and/or generalist browsers that forage on a range of plant foods (Coulson & Eldridge 2010). Fire has been identified as a driver, which alters macropod responses in several ecosystems (Ritchie et al 2008;Styger et al 2010;Williamson et al 2012;Foster et al 2015a). Macropod focused fire-herbivory research has revealed occurrence responses to aspects of fire that are: positive (Meers & Adams, 2003;Styger et al 2010); negative (Caughley et al 1985;Styger et al 2010); both positive and negative (Ritchie et al 2008); or absent (Geary et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time since fire influences macropod occurrence in a fire‐prone coastal ecosystem

et al. 2021

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Knowledge of animal responses to fire is fundamental to wildlife management in fire-prone ecosystems. Fire can influence the occurrence of large herbivores by altering the structure and composition of vegetation. However, how fire affects herbivore occurrence in many ecosystems is poorly understood. Large herbivores may be attracted to burnt areas due to higher foraging quality. Conversely, herbivores may avoid burnt areas due to heightened predation risk. We tested the influence of vegetation type and fire history variables on the occurrence of macropods at Booderee National Park in south-eastern Australia. We documented macropod occurrence at 107 long-term monitoring sites using spotlighting surveys conducted between 2003 and 2019. We modelled relationships between the occurrence of the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) with three fire history variables; time since fire, fire frequency and burn context (the proportion of the area surrounding each site that was recently burnt), as well as their interaction with vegetation type. We found both macropod species selected recently burnt sites, likely due to a higher abundance of preferred plants at these sites. Increasing fire frequency was associated with a reduced occurrence of the eastern grey kangaroo. The occurrence of both macropod species was significantly higher in forest sites, possibly reflecting higher foraging quality of grass and shrub species compared to woodland, heathland and shrubland sites. We suggest that if fire is used as a management tool, it is important to recognise potential feedbacks from increased foraging pressure from large herbivores. Future fire management will need to avoid burning areas of sensitive vegetation if local herbivores display pyric herbivory responses, and/or avoid small-scale burns, which may concentrate foraging pressure.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time since fire influences macropod occurrence in a fire‐prone coastal ecosystem

et al. 2021

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“…Additionally, land clearing and timber harvesting have also had an impact on the structure and distribution of various marsupial species because of the change in predation and food availability. For example, eastern grey kangaroos prefer the relatively open foraging sites for grazing and swamp wallabies prefer dense vegetation sites for feeding, suggesting that there will be changes of marsupial distribution depending on specific preferences of the species (see [ 209 ] for a review). Koalas from south east Queensland, Australia are more exposed to major RRV mosquito vector, Cx.…”

Section: A Changing Australia and Its Consequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mosquito-Borne Viruses and Non-Human Vertebrates in Australia: A Review

Ong,

Skinner,

Johnson

et al. 2021

Viruses

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Mosquito-borne viruses are well recognized as a global public health burden amongst humans, but the effects on non-human vertebrates is rarely reported. Australia, houses a number of endemic mosquito-borne viruses, such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. In this review, we synthesize the current state of mosquito-borne viruses impacting non-human vertebrates in Australia, including diseases that could be introduced due to local mosquito distribution. Given the unique island biogeography of Australia and the endemism of vertebrate species (including macropods and monotremes), Australia is highly susceptible to foreign mosquito species becoming established, and mosquito-borne viruses becoming endemic alongside novel reservoirs. For each virus, we summarize the known geographic distribution, mosquito vectors, vertebrate hosts, clinical signs and treatments, and highlight the importance of including non-human vertebrates in the assessment of future disease outbreaks. The mosquito-borne viruses discussed can impact wildlife, livestock, and companion animals, causing significant changes to Australian ecology and economy. The complex nature of mosquito-borne disease, and challenges in assessing the impacts to non-human vertebrate species, makes this an important topic to periodically review.

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Changes in the Relative Density of Swamp Wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) and Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in Response to Timber Harvesting and Wildfire

Cited by 2 publications

References 68 publications

Time since fire influences macropod occurrence in a fire‐prone coastal ecosystem

Time since fire influences macropod occurrence in a fire‐prone coastal ecosystem

Mosquito-Borne Viruses and Non-Human Vertebrates in Australia: A Review

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