Improving trapping success for rare species by targeting habitat types using remotely sensed data: a case study of the heath mouse (Pseudomys shortridgei) in Western Australia

Abstract

The rare heath mouse (Pseudomys shortridgei) is the only rodent lacking a conservation program in Western Australia. Little is known about the habitat requirements of P. shortridgei in Western Australia, and there is a lack of trapping focus that could target specific habitat components that this species may use. The purpose of this study was to (1) relate the occurrence of this species to measurable components of its habitat; (2) incorporate habitat information into a GIS modelling system to identify other areas of potentially suitable habitat; and (3) test for the presence of P. shortridgei in predicted areas. In Lake Magenta Nature Reserve, 93% of P. shortridgei captures (14 of 15 mice) were associated with characteristics of a mixed laterite heath community representing 57 plant species and a dense structural layer up to 1.2 m. Aerial photography and satellite imagery were used to identify the occurrence of mixed laterite heath elsewhere within the reserve. Ground-truthing using pre-defined habitat criteria found that the best predictive model to define habitat was aerial photography. Trapping was undertaken in two areas of the reserve predicted by the modelling and resulted in the successful capture of the target species. This study demonstrates that aerial photography maps can provide a basis for focusing future trapping effort within reserves where P. shortrigei is likely to occur. The use of this GIS method provides a low-cost and simple method for improving the chances of locating additional populations of P. shortridgei in other nature reserves.