Distribution and Abundance of the Mountain Pygmy-Possum, Burramys-Parvus Broom, in Kosciusko-National-Park

Abstract

The distribution of Burramys parvus in Kosciusko National Park was determined by defining the habitat of the species and then mapping that habitat. Habitat was determined by trapping in a diversity of sites within the alpine and subalpine zones of the Park. Designated habitat was then identified on coloured aerial photographs; this was followed by further trapping and extensive ground inspection. The resultant areas of habitat were digitised to give a planar projection of 8 km*2 within a geographic range of 300 km*2. The number of B. parvus in this area was estimated from trapping data to be around 500 adults, which increases to some 2000 individuals when juveniles enter the population each year in February.