Non-preferred habitat increases the activity area of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in a semi-arid landscape

Cowan, Mitchell A.; Moore, Harry A.; Hradsky, Bronwyn A.; Jolly, Chris J.; Dunlop, J. N.; Wysong, Michael L.; Hernández-Santín, Lorna; Davis, Robert A.; Fisher, Diana O.; Michael, D. R.; Turner, James M.; Gibson, Lesley; Knuckey, Chris; Henderson, M; Nimmo, Dale G.

doi:10.1071/am22006

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…However, they did find that rocky areas had a greater abundance of both dens and temporary shelters that are used to evade predation. This increased density of resources in rugged rocky habitat has been demonstrated to allow northern quolls occurring here to use smaller home ranges when compared with open sand plain country (Cowan et al 2022), likely reducing overall energy costs. Predators are also less common in rocky areas when compared with adjacent sandplains (Hernandez-Santin et al 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Habitat suitability correlates with mean population fitness of a threatened marsupial predator

2023

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Context Measuring the quality of habitats necessary for the survival of threatened species is a priority for conservation management, but traditional metrics are often too costly to implement. As a result, many practitioners rely on proxies such as habitat suitability, which are measured by relating environmental variables to species occurrence data using habitat suitability models. However, little research has examined how these proxies relate to actual measures of habitat quality, such as body condition. Aim By testing the relationship between habitat suitability and habitat quality – as characterised by mean population fitness – the aim of this study was to improve our understanding of ways in which we can reliably map habitat of high importance for a particular species, as well as habitats where populations are most susceptible to local extinction. Methods We used data from a large-scale monitoring program on the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), a threatened marsupial predator, which collected data on three measures of population mean fitness (measured as body mass accounting for size, tail circumference, and body mass). We correlated these measures with habitat suitability derived from a habitat suitability model. Key results We found quoll mean population fitness increased with increasing habitat suitability. In addition, we found mean population fitness increased with increasing topographic ruggedness, annual rainfall, rainfall variability, and decreasing distance to water, consistent with previous studies that suggest quolls are able to persist better in habitat where resource availability (shelter, food) is higher. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of habitat suitability models for predicting habitat quality for a threatened predator at a large scale, and that predictions of habitat suitability can correspond with measures of fitness. In addition, they support previous studies in highlighting the importance of topographically complex habitat for this species. Implications These findings have important implications for identifying both source populations, where species recruitment is likely to exceed mortality, and more vulnerable populations that may require targeted conservation interventions to ensure their long-term persistence and stability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Habitat suitability correlates with mean population fitness of a threatened marsupial predator

2023

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“…The 95% isopleth refers to the area where the animal has a 95% probability of being found, excluding potential outliers [ 95 ]. We used the ad hoc method (h ad hoc ) to determine h —which is the bandwidth (smoothing) parameter that dictates the width of the kernel function used to estimate the probability density function [ 96 ]—because h ad hoc is robust to sample size, accurately reflects the observed movement range, and is consistent and repeatable [ 97 , 98 ; Additional file 1 : Table S1]. We used the package “rhr” in R to estimate movement ranges [ 99 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To compare the composition of landscapes within ‘ observed’ quoll movement ranges with what was available in the landscape, we identified the area of the landscape considered accessible but not visited by an individual [ 100 ]. To define the boundaries for the available landscape for each quoll, we followed methods described in Cowan, Moore [ 97 ] and Wysong, Hradsky [ 101 ]. We fit a 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) to the GPS data of each quoll.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We fit a 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) to the GPS data of each quoll. We then placed a buffer around each MCP equal to the radius of the largest observed movement range (5220 m) and subtracted the radius of the activity area being measured [ 97 ]. Within the available area, we randomly generated five circular ‘ available ’ movement ranges per individual, which were equal in size to the movement range of the individual being measured [ 97 , 101 , 102 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We then placed a buffer around each MCP equal to the radius of the largest observed movement range (5220 m) and subtracted the radius of the activity area being measured [ 97 ]. Within the available area, we randomly generated five circular ‘ available ’ movement ranges per individual, which were equal in size to the movement range of the individual being measured [ 97 , 101 , 102 ]. We overlaid the observed ( n = 9) and available ( n = 45) movement ranges on habitat maps (see Additional file 1 : Appendix 1), then used the ‘extract’ function in the “raster” package to determine the proportion cover of each habitat type (spinifex grassland, riparian habitat, rocky habitat, mine pits and waste dumps, other disturbed land), as well as the median topographic ruggedness, mean distance from disturbance, and mean distance from rocky habitat for each observed and available movement range [ 103 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Movement ecology of an endangered mesopredator in a mining landscape

Cowan,

Dunlop,

Gibson

et al. 2024

Mov Ecol

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Background Efficient movement and energy expenditure are vital for animal survival. Human disturbance can alter animal movement due to changes in resource availability and threats. Some animals can exploit anthropogenic disturbances for more efficient movement, while others face restricted or inefficient movement due to fragmentation of high-resource habitats, and risks associated with disturbed habitats. Mining, a major anthropogenic disturbance, removes natural habitats, introduces new landscape features, and alters resource distribution in the landscape. This study investigates the effect of mining on the movement of an endangered mesopredator, the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus). Using GPS collars and accelerometers, we investigate their habitat selection and energy expenditure in an active mining landscape, to determine the effects of this disturbance on northern quolls. Methods We fit northern quolls with GPS collars and accelerometers during breeding and non-breeding season at an active mine site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. We investigated broad-scale movement by calculating the movement ranges of quolls using utilisation distributions at the 95% isopleth, and compared habitat types and environmental characteristics within observed movement ranges to the available landscape. We investigated fine-scale movement by quolls with integrated step selection functions, assessing the relative selection strength for each habitat covariate. Finally, we used piecewise structural equation modelling to analyse the influence of each habitat covariate on northern quoll energy expenditure. Results At the broad scale, northern quolls predominantly used rugged, rocky habitats, and used mining habitats in proportion to their availability. However, at the fine scale, habitat use varied between breeding and non-breeding seasons. During the breeding season, quolls notably avoided mining habitats, whereas in the non-breeding season, they frequented mining habitats equally to rocky and riparian habitats, albeit at a higher energetic cost. Conclusion Mining impacts northern quolls by fragmenting favoured rocky habitats, increasing energy expenditure, and potentially impacting breeding dispersal. While mining habitats might offer limited resource opportunities in the non-breeding season, conservation efforts during active mining, including the creation of movement corridors and progressive habitat restoration would likely be useful. However, prioritising the preservation of natural rocky and riparian habitats in mining landscapes is vital for northern quoll conservation.

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A review of progress of a research program for the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the multi-use landscapes of the Pilbara

Gibson

Moore²,

Cowan³

et al. 2023

Aust. Mammal.

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Maximising conservation outcomes for threatened species in multi-use landscapes is likely to require a multi-stakeholder, coordinated approach that is tenure blind. Here, we conduct a review of a research program targeting the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia; an area with a high concentration of mining and pastoral activities. To inform ongoing investment to support northern quoll conservation, we identify future directions that either add value to research already undertaken or are based on the original priorities that have not been addressed. The original program was developed using a collaborative process involving workshops attended by multiple stakeholders to identify research priorities. To date, the program has significantly improved our knowledge of Pilbara northern quolls, particularly in relation to effective survey and monitoring techniques, the influence of habitat quantity, configuration, and composition on occupancy, movement ecology, population dynamics and structure, and the threat posed by introduced predators. The efficacy of artificial refuges that were created to replicate natural denning habitat has also been investigated. Suggested future research directions focus on refining the northern quoll regional monitoring program, understanding how interacting threats such as introduced predators, fire, and herbivore grazing influence northern quoll populations in the Pilbara, and how best to mitigate other threats such as mining associated activities and the impending cane toad invasion.

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Non-preferred habitat increases the activity area of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in a semi-arid landscape

Abstract: 2022). Non-preferred habitat increases the activity area of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in a semi-arid landscape. Australian Mammalogy.

Cited by 6 publications

References 93 publications

Habitat suitability correlates with mean population fitness of a threatened marsupial predator

Habitat suitability correlates with mean population fitness of a threatened marsupial predator

Movement ecology of an endangered mesopredator in a mining landscape

A review of progress of a research program for the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the multi-use landscapes of the Pilbara

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