The distribution and abundance of Leadbeater's possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri in lowland swamp forest at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.

Abstract

In 1986, a small, outlying population of Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) was discovered inhabiting lowland swamp forest at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. It is the only known extant lowland population, and occurs in habitat dramatically different to that throughout the possum’s core range in the montane ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands. As part of an investigation into the species’ ecology in lowland swamp forest, surveys were undertaken to establish the possum’s distribution and abundance at Yellingbo. The population is estimated to contain 80 - 100 individuals, distributed along a narrow, 6 km length of riparian forest. Most of the suitable foraging habitat is presently occupied, and densities are similar to those previously reported for the species in montane ash forest. The possums are breeding year round, with significant recruitment of young into the population, and data obtained between 1995-2004 suggest that the population size is currently stable. A highly targeted revegetation program focused on the floodplain has the potential to improve up to 85 ha of degraded swamp forest, and in so doing would more than double the area of suitable habitat for G. leadbeateri in the reserve.