Predictors of Vertebrate Species Richness in Nature Reserves in the Western Australian Wheatbelt

Abstract

Species of mammals (excluding bats), passerines and lizards in 20 nature reserves in the Western Australian wheatbelt were grouped according to whether they were recorded only in natural vegetation (u-species) or whether they also ocurred in disturbed situations (d-species). Species richness in the u-and d-groups related differently to reserve variables: for u-species it tended to be principally influenced by variables of reserve area and extent of associated uncleared land; for d-species by vegetation floristic and structure variables. Generally, u-species have a more vulnerable conservation status than d-species and are the major group of species for which nature reserves are established. The different pattern of response of the u- and d-species to variables in nature reserves highlights the need for more knowledge on the ecological, particularly habitat, requirements of species before ecological prerequisites for conservation measures are evaluated.