Long‐Term Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Factors Associated with Trends in Bare‐Nosed Wombats

Carver, Scott; Charleston, Michael A.; Hocking, Gregory; Gales, Rosemary; Driessen, Michael M.

doi:10.1002/jwmg.22014

Cited by 13 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…BNW also had a positive association with cooler temperatures, corroborating other studies (e.g. Carver et al, 2021). Furthermore, we found BNW to be present across the island's considerable elevational gradient, but particularly likely to occupy sites at lower altitudes, contrary to their mainland Australian counterparts (Driessen, Dewar, Carver, Lawrence, & Gales, 2022).…”

Section: Comparisons Between the Bare-nosed Wombat And Sarcoptes Scab...supporting

confidence: 91%

“…We found BNW were constrained by few environmental or landscape variables. This is unsurprising, given BNW are known to tolerate the range of environmental variables in Tasmania (Carver et al, 2021; Driessen, Dewar, Carver, Lawrence, & Gales, 2022). Hence, even in areas of low predicted habitat suitability, BNW may still be present.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The landscape characteristics at Cape Portland might have contributed to the mange prevalence, as it is a mixture of shrubland, grassland and farmland, with an abundance of fresh water sources; consequently, this site has high BNW abundance (Burgess et al, 2023; Driessen, Dewar, Carver, & Gales, 2022; Taylor et al, 1993). Conversely, Cradle Mountain in the colder and wetter central highlands of Tasmania has a high (and increasing) abundance of BNW, but few recorded cases of mange (Carver et al, 2021; Driessen, Dewar, Carver, & Gales, 2022), with the modelled S. scabiei suitability predicted to be low. This could be because Cradle Mountain has relatively high average rainfall of 1600 mm, rugged topography, and relatively unmodified, natural landscapes (ABARES, 2019; BCCVL, http://bccvl.org.au; NVIS, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tasmania's west-an area with very high rainfall and vast expanses of rainforest -had the lowest habitat suitability for BNW, which is supported by previous work that showed a negative correlation between rainfall and BNW abundance (BCCVL, bccvl. org.au; Carver et al, 2021;NVIS, 2016). BNW also had a positive association with cooler temperatures, corroborating other studies (e.g.…”

Section: Comparisons Between the Bare-nosed Wombat And Sarcoptes Scab...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Host, environment, and anthropogenic factors drive landscape dynamics of an environmentally transmitted pathogen: Sarcoptic mange in the bare‐nosed wombat

Ringwaldt

Brook

Buettel

et al. 2023

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Understanding the spatial dynamics and drivers of wildlife pathogens is constrained by sampling logistics, with implications for advancing the field of landscape epidemiology and targeted allocation of management resources. However, visually apparent wildlife diseases, when combined with remote‐surveillance and distribution modelling technologies, present an opportunity to overcome this landscape‐scale problem. Here, we investigated dynamics and drivers of landscape‐scale wildlife disease, using clinical signs of sarcoptic mange (caused by Sarcoptes scabiei) in its bare‐nosed wombat (BNW; Vombatus ursinus) host. We used 53,089 camera‐trap observations from over 3261 locations across the 68,401 km2 area of Tasmania, Australia, combined with landscape data and ensemble species distribution modelling (SDM). We investigated: (1) landscape variables predicted to drive habitat suitability of the host; (2) host and landscape variables associated with clinical signs of disease in the host; and (3) predicted locations and environmental conditions at greatest risk of disease occurrence, including some Bass Strait islands where BNW translocations are proposed. We showed that the Tasmanian landscape, and ecosystems therein, are nearly ubiquitously suited to BNWs. Only high mean annual precipitation reduced habitat suitability for the host. In contrast, clinical signs of sarcoptic mange disease in BNWs were widespread, but heterogeneously distributed across the landscape. Mange (which is environmentally transmitted in BNWs) was most likely to be observed in areas of increased host habitat suitability, lower annual precipitation, near sources of freshwater and where topographic roughness was minimal (e.g. human modified landscapes, such as farmland and intensive land‐use areas, shrub and grass lands). Thus, a confluence of host, environmental and anthropogenic variables appear to influence the risk of environmental transmission of S. scabiei. We identified that the Bass Strait Islands are highly suitable for BNWs and predicted a mix of high and low suitability for the pathogen. This study is the largest spatial assessment of sarcoptic mange in any host species, and advances understanding of the landscape epidemiology of environmentally transmitted S. scabiei. This research illustrates how host‐pathogen co‐suitability can be useful for allocating management resources in the landscape.

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Section: Comparisons Between the Bare-nosed Wombat And Sarcoptes Scab...supporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Comparisons Between the Bare-nosed Wombat And Sarcoptes Scab...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Host, environment, and anthropogenic factors drive landscape dynamics of an environmentally transmitted pathogen: Sarcoptic mange in the bare‐nosed wombat

Ringwaldt

Brook

Buettel

et al. 2023

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…Through population monitoring, we documented an epizootic of sarcoptic mange in a National Park popular for viewing wombats (Figure 2); Narawantapu National Park in Tasmania (Martin et al, 2018). The epizootic was driving a dramatic decline in wombats at Narawntapu and surrounding areas (Carver et al, 2021). Visibly suffering wombats and the popularity of the National Park for viewing them drove demand for disease management.…”

Section: A Case Study Of Model Integrated Disease Management To Advan...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Model Integrated Disease Management to facilitate effective translatable solutions for wildlife disease issues

Carver¹,

Peters

Richards

2022

Journal of Applied Ecology

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There are multiple demands for the development of effective and sustainable disease management practices in wildlife, but solutions are widely lacking. In this perspective, we focus on the need to structure research to support advancement toward enhanced wildlife disease control solutions. We concentrate on the need for improved integration between wildlife disease management undertaken in situ with modelling to guide and assess disease management actions. We recognise that many disease management attempts in wildlife are made in isolation, are not supported by modelling and are not used as a stepping stone to advancement. However, we emphasise that the development of disease control practices in wildlife is greater than any one management attempt, and should be seen and undertaken as a set of systematic steps towards well‐articulated management goals. We describe modelling of disease management and in situ disease management as two complementary phases of investigation, viewed as a feedback loop to support advancements, and highlight established and less established pathways in this loop. We describe how stakeholders engaged in practical management actions can better engage with modellers, and also the need for more fit‐for‐purpose modelling that captures the on‐ground realities of in situ practice to support advancements. The concepts and approaches described in this perspective are captured within a Model Integrated Disease Management for wildlife framework. We illustrate the framework, concepts and challenges proposed in this perspective using a case study for which we have experience: sarcoptic mange (etiologic agent Sarcoptes scabiei) in bare‐nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus). Synthesis and applications: Effective and sustainable solutions to critical wildlife diseases are needed. Progress can be improved when disease management is guided through iterative and fit‐for‐purpose integration between modelling and in situ practice. We describe and illustrate a Model Integrated Disease Management for wildlife framework. Moving beyond isolated disease management attempts into a structured process of advancement can help overcome barriers to tackling pathogens threatening wildlife.

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Abundance and population growth estimates for bare‐nosed wombats

Knoblauch,

Carver,

Driessen

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Wildlife managers often rely on population estimates, but estimates can be challenging to obtain for geographically widespread species. Spotlight surveys provide abundance data for many species and, when conducted over wide spatial scales, have potential to provide population estimates of geographically widespread species. The bare‐nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) has a broad geographical range and is subject to spotlight surveys. We used 19 years (2002–2020) of annual spotlight surveys to provide the first estimates of population abundance for two of the three extant bare‐nosed wombat subspecies: V. u. ursinus on Flinders Island; and V. u. tasmaniensis on the Tasmanian mainland. Using distance sampling methods, we estimated annual rates of change and 2020 population sizes for both subspecies. Tasmanian mainland surveys included habitat data, which allowed us to also look for evidence of habitat associations for V. u. tasmaniensis. The average wombat density estimate was higher on Flinders Island (0.42 ha−1, 95% CI = 0.25–0.79) than on the Tasmanian mainland (0.11 ha−1, CI = 0.07–0.19) and both wombat subspecies increased over the 19‐year survey period with an estimated annual growth rate of 2.90% (CI = −1.7 to 7.3) on Flinders Island and 1.20% (CI = −1.1 to 2.9) on mainland Tasmania. Habitat associations for V. u. tasmaniensis were weak, possibly owing to survey design; however, we detected regional variation in density for this subspecies. We estimated the population size of V. u. ursinus to be 71,826 (CI = 43,913–136,761) on Flinders Island, which when combined with a previously published estimate of 2599 (CI = 2254–2858) from Maria Island, where the subspecies was introduced, provides a total population estimate. We also estimated 840,665 (CI = 531,104–1,201,547) V. u. tasmaniensis on mainland Tasmania. These estimates may be conservative, owing to individual heterogeneity in when wombats emerge from burrows. Although these two subspecies are not currently threatened, our population estimates provide an important reference when assessing their population status in the future, and demonstrate how spotlight surveys can be valuable to inform management of geographically widespread species.

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Long‐Term Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Factors Associated with Trends in Bare‐Nosed Wombats

Cited by 13 publications

References 48 publications

Host, environment, and anthropogenic factors drive landscape dynamics of an environmentally transmitted pathogen: Sarcoptic mange in the bare‐nosed wombat

Host, environment, and anthropogenic factors drive landscape dynamics of an environmentally transmitted pathogen: Sarcoptic mange in the bare‐nosed wombat

Model Integrated Disease Management to facilitate effective translatable solutions for wildlife disease issues

Abundance and population growth estimates for bare‐nosed wombats

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