Incorporating Metapopulation Dynamics of Greater Gliders into Reserve Design in Disturbed Landscapes

Abstract

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Evaluation of PVA Models of Arboreal Marsupials: Coupling Models with Long-term Monitoring Data

“…Therefore, the main conclusions of the previous models regarding the importance of old growth forest and the optimal size of vegetation patches (see Possingham et al 1994;McCarthy and Lindenmayer 1999) were not affected.…”

“…In montane ash forest, the occurrence of the Greater Glider is strongly associated with the presence of old growth forest (Milledge et al 1991). Populations of the Greater Glider are sensitive to habitat destruction (Tyndale-Biscoe and Smith 1969), and the long-term persistence of the species may be threatened by logging such as clearfelling operations that are employed on an 801-20 year rotation (Possingham et al 1994;McCarthy and Lindenmayer 1999).…”

“…Population models for both Leadbeater's Possum (Lindenmayer and Possingham 1995; and Greater Glider (Possingham et al 1994;McCarthy and Lindenmayer 1999) have previously been developed have aimed to accommodate the known information about the species. These models are assessed and modified in this paper, and a brief overview is provided here, with an emphasis on those aspects of the model which are most relevant to this paper.…”

“…Analysis of models of arboreal marsupials in montane ash forests of the Australian state of Victoria (Lindenmayer and Possingham 1995;McCarthy and Lindenmayer 1999) are examples of using PVA to assist biodiversity planning (Macfarlane et al 1998). For example, models of the greater glider (Petauroides volans) (McCarthy and Lindenmayer 1999) and the rare Leadbeater's Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) (Lindenmayer and Possingham 1995) have highlighted the importance of managing and monitoring structural attributes such as hollow-bearing trees and other features of old-growth forest.…”

“…For example, models of the greater glider (Petauroides volans) (McCarthy and Lindenmayer 1999) and the rare Leadbeater's Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) (Lindenmayer and Possingham 1995) have highlighted the importance of managing and monitoring structural attributes such as hollow-bearing trees and other features of old-growth forest. These results have contributed to modifications of timber harvesting operations, through retention of hollow-bearing trees on logged sites and reservation of existing areas of old growth forest (Macfarlane et al 1998;Lindenmayer and Franklin 2003).…”