The role of grass-tree Xanthorrhoea semiplana (Asphodelaceae) canopies in temperature regulation and waterproofing for ground-dwelling wildlife

Sophie Petit; Deborah S. Frazer

doi:10.1071/PC23014

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Previous Next Contents Vol 29(5)

The role of grass-tree Xanthorrhoea semiplana (Asphodelaceae) canopies in temperature regulation and waterproofing for ground-dwelling wildlife

Sophie Petit

^A ^B ^* and Deborah S. Frazer ^A ^B

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia.

^B Kangaroo Island Research Station, Dudley West, Penneshaw, SA 5222, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: sophie.petit@unisa.edu.au

Handling Editor: Mike Calver

Pacific Conservation Biology 29(5) 445-455 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC23014
Submitted: 6 March 2023 Accepted: 18 July 2023 Published: 8 August 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

The iconic grass-trees (Xanthorrhoea semiplana) of Australia are used by many animal species, but their role as shelters against weather extremes is poorly known. The severe contribution of the fungal pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi to grass-tree deaths and current burning practices could affect small animal conservation by exacerbating impacts of weather extremes.

Aims

We examined the buffering role of X. semiplana canopies against extreme weather at four sites in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia.

Methods

We measured ambient temperature, temperatures under grass-tree canopies, and 2 m away at random locations in summer (>35°C) and in winter (<13°C) over 24-h periods at each study site. We scored soil dryness under the canopies during and after heavy rainfall.

Key results

Temperatures under grass-tree canopies were more stable and with smaller ranges than other temperatures, and showed dramatic differences in summer when conditions were up to 20°C cooler than ambient. Temperatures were higher under grass-trees at night in winter. The soil under the largest canopies was completely dry during and after heavy rainfall.

Conclusions

Xanthorrhoea semiplana buffers ground-dwelling animals against temperature extremes and rain so that the animals maintain their thermal resistance. Animals may choose foraging times based on grass-tree availability. The largest grass-trees provide the best shelter.

Implications

Considerable grass-tree deaths from P. cinnamomi infestation, together with removal or burning, can have dramatic detrimental consequences for their habitat value and the survival of wildlife using them as shelter.

Keywords: bushfire, concealment from predators, cover for wildlife, foraging time, hazard reduction burning, microclimate regulation, prescribed burning, protection from rain, refuge, shade, shelter plant, thermoregulation, tree hollow, waterproofing, wildfire.

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