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Australian Mammalogy Australian Mammalogy Society
Journal of the Australian Mammal Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Patterns of decline of small mammal assemblages in vegetation communities of coastal south-east Australia: identification of habitat refuges

Barbara A. Wilson A C and Mark J. Garkaklis B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

B State of the Environment Pty Ltd, PO Box 14, Aireys Inlet, Vic. 3231, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: barbara.wilson@deakin.edu.au

Australian Mammalogy 43(2) 203-220 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM20032
Submitted: 7 April 2020  Accepted: 25 May 2020   Published: 6 July 2020

Abstract

Since European settlement Australian native mammals have experienced significant extinctions and severe declines in the range and abundance of populations. Longitudinal studies are required to identify declines and activate timely management. Population studies of native small mammal communities were conducted across the eastern Otway Ranges during 1975–2007; however, their subsequent status was unknown. We aimed to: compare the current occurrence and abundance of species and communities (2013–18) to those in previous decades across major vegetation communities (heathy woodland, low forest, sand heathland, headland scrub, coastal dunes and estuarine wetland), and identify change characteristics and management priorities. Live trapping was employed to assess mammals at 30 sites across seven vegetation communities. In total, 67% of sites exhibited large to severe decreases in abundance and only 3% of sites had more than four species compared to 27% in earlier decades. Declines occurred following wildfire and drought, with drivers likely to be multifactorial. While regional declines were significant, higher mammal abundance (two- to six-fold) and native species richness were recorded at coastal dune sites, indicating that this community provides important mammal refuges. Identification of refuges across the landscape and their protection from inappropriate fire and predators should be management priorities.

Additional keywords: conservation, fire, marsupial, population declines, rainfall, refuges, rodent.


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