Short-term response of the long-nosed bandicoot, Perameles nasuta, and the southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus obesulus, to low-intensity prescribed fire in heathland vegetation
Ben Hope
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Office of Environment and Heritage, PO Box A290, Sydney South, NSW 1232, Australia. Email: Ben.Hope@environment.nsw.gov.au
Wildlife Research 39(8) 731-744 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR12110
Submitted: 12 June 2012 Accepted: 21 November 2012 Published: 14 December 2012
Abstract
Context: Prescribed burning is routinely performed within the Sydney Basin as a method of fire-hazard mitigation. Despite the widespread use of prescribed fire, knowledge of the impact of prescribed fire on most fauna species remains unclear. This is particularly the case for bandicoot species.
Aims: To determine the impact of a low-intensity prescribed fire on the survival of the long-nosed bandicoot, Perameles nasuta, and the southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus obesulus (hereafter abbreviated to I. obesulus), immediately after the fire and at 5 weeks, 5 months and 13 months following the fire. To document the spatial ecology and nesting requirements of I. obesulus and P. nasuta before and after fire.
Methods: One I. obesulus and seven P. nasuta (five female and two male) individuals were radio-tracked. Animals were tracked before, during and following a hazard-reduction burn to assess the impact of fire on home range, survival and nesting behaviour.
Key results: Post-fire survival of P. nasuta and I. obesulus was high and the population remained stable up to 5 months following the fire. All animals tracked within the burn area (three female P. nasuta) survived the passage of fire. The home range for one male I. obesulus was found to be 2.35 ha 50% kernel-density estimate (KDE) and 12.35 ha 95% KDE. Female P. nasuta (n = 5) had a home range of 1.3 ha ± 0.2 s.e. 50% KDE and 7.5 ha ± 1.7 s.e. 95% KDE. Male P. nasuta (n = 1) had a home range of 1.1 ha 50% KDE and 6.5ha 95% KDE. Nesting for both species tended to occur in dense vegetation, with a slight shift to non-combustible refuge sites post-fire. Animals tended to maintain exclusive and relatively stable core home ranges, although overlap of non-core home ranges was common.
Conclusions: The survival of bandicoots following a low-intensity hazard-reduction fire was high in the short term; however, further research is required to determine how the components of a fire regime affect native species, in particular peramelids.
Implications: Hazard-reduction fires should be used with caution to manage the isolated and endangered northern Sydney population of I. obesulus, so as to ensure the persistence of this species.
Additional keywords: home-range, kernel-density estimate, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, radio tracking.
References
Benson, D., and Howell, J. (1994). The natural vegetation of the Sydney 1 : 100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 3, 677–787.Beyer, H. L. (2004). ‘Hawth’s Analysis Tools for ArcGIS.’ Available at http://www.spatialecology.com/htools/download.php [verified 10 December 2012].
Börger, L., Franconi, N., de Michele, G., Gantz, A., Meschi, F., Manica, A., Lovari, S., and Coulson, T. (2006). Effects of sampling regime on the mean and variance of home range size estimates. Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 1393–1405.
| Effects of sampling regime on the mean and variance of home range size estimates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradstock, R. A., Gill, A. M., Kenny, B. J., and Scott, J. (1998). Bushfire risk at the urban interface estimated from historical weather records: consequences for the use of prescribed fire in the Sydney region of south-eastern Australia. Journal of Environmental Management 52, 259–271.
| Bushfire risk at the urban interface estimated from historical weather records: consequences for the use of prescribed fire in the Sydney region of south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Braithwaite, R. W. (1995). Southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus. In ‘The Mammals of Australia’. (Ed. R. Strahan.) pp. 176–177. (Reed New Holland: Sydney.)
Broughton, S. K., and Dickman, C. R. (1991). The effect of supplementary food on home range of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae). Australian Journal of Ecology 16, 71–78.
| The effect of supplementary food on home range of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Catling, P. C., Coops, N. C., and Burt, R. J. (2001). The distribution and abundance of ground dwelling mammals in relation to time since wildfire and vegetation structure in south-eastern Australia. Wildlife Research 28, 555–564.
| The distribution and abundance of ground dwelling mammals in relation to time since wildfire and vegetation structure in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chambers, L. K., and Dickman, C. R. (2002). Habitat selection of the long-nosed bandicoot, Perameles nasuta (Mammalia, Peramelidae), in a patchy urban environment. Austral Ecology 27, 334–342.
| Habitat selection of the long-nosed bandicoot, Perameles nasuta (Mammalia, Peramelidae), in a patchy urban environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Claridge, A. W., and Barry, S. C. (2000). Factors influencing the distribution of medium-sized ground-dwelling mammals in south eastern mainland Australia. Austral Ecology 25, 676–688.
| Factors influencing the distribution of medium-sized ground-dwelling mammals in south eastern mainland Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Claridge, A. W., Seebeck, J. H. and Randy, R. (2007). ‘Bettongs, Potoroos and the Musky Rat-kangaroo.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Clarke, M. F. (2008). Catering for the needs of fauna in fire management: science or just wishful thinking? Wildlife Research 35, 385–394.
| Catering for the needs of fauna in fire management: science or just wishful thinking?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Copley, P. B., Read, V. T., Robinson, A. C., and Watts, C. H. S. (1990). Preliminary studies of the Nuyts Archipelago bandicoot Isoodon obesulus nauticus on the Franklin Islands South Australia. In ‘Bandicoots and Bilbies’. (Eds J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper.) pp. 345–356. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)
Dawson, J. P., Claridge, A. W., Triggs, B., and Paull, D. J. (2007). Diet of a native carnivore, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), before and after an intense wildfire. Wildlife Research 34, 342–351.
| Diet of a native carnivore, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), before and after an intense wildfire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DEC (2006). ‘Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) Recovery Plan.’ (NSW Department of Environment and Conservation: Sydney.)
Doube, B. M. (1979). Seasonal patterns of abundance and host relationships of the Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus (Acarina: Ixodidae) in southeastern Queensland Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 4, 345–360.
| Seasonal patterns of abundance and host relationships of the Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus (Acarina: Ixodidae) in southeastern Queensland Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dufty, A. C. (1991). Some population characteristics of Perameles gunnii in Victoria. Wildlife Research 18, 355–366.
| Some population characteristics of Perameles gunnii in Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dufty, A. C. (1994). Habitat and spatial requirements of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) at Hamilton, Victoria. Wildlife Research 21, 459–472.
| Habitat and spatial requirements of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) at Hamilton, Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Erlinge, S., Hoogenboom, I., Agrell, J., Nelson, J., and Sandell, M. (1990). Density-related home-range size and overlap in adult field voles (Microtus agrestis) in southern Sweden. Journal of Mammalogy 71, 597–603.
| Density-related home-range size and overlap in adult field voles (Microtus agrestis) in southern Sweden.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
ESRI (2009). ArcGIS 9.2. ESRI. Redlands, California. Available at http://www.esri.com/ [verified 10 December 2012].
Fitzgibbon, S. I., Wilson, R. S., and Goldizen, A. W. (2011). The behavioural ecology and population dynamics of a cryptic ground-dwelling mammal in an urban Australian landscape. Austral Ecology 36, 722–732.
Gibbons, P., van Bommel, L., Gill, A. M., Cary, G. J., Driscoll, D. A., Bradstock, R. A., Knight, E., Moritz, M. A., Stephens, S. L., David, B., and Lindenmayer, D. B. (2012). Land management practices associated with house loss in wildfires. PLoS ONE 7, e29212.
| Land management practices associated with house loss in wildfires.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhvVyktbY%3D&md5=91c7294d1a1f6464445d4e571973139bCAS |
Gordon, G. (1974). Movements and activity of the short-nosed bandicoot Isoodon macrourus Gould (Marsupialia). Mammalia 38, 405–432.
| Movements and activity of the short-nosed bandicoot Isoodon macrourus Gould (Marsupialia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harestad, A. S., and Bunnel, F. L. (1979). Home range and body weight – A reevaluation. Ecology 60, 389–402.
| Home range and body weight – A reevaluation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S., Cresswell, W. J., Forde, P. G., Trewhella, W. J., and Woollard, T. (1990). Home-range analysis using radio-tracking data – a review of problems and techniques particularly as applied to the study of mammals. Mammal Review 20, 97–123.
| Home-range analysis using radio-tracking data – a review of problems and techniques particularly as applied to the study of mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heinsohn, G. E. (1966). Ecology and reproduction of the Tasmanian bandicoots, Perameles gunnii and Isoodon obesulus. University of California Publications in Zoology 80, 1–96.
Hennessy, K., Lucas, C., Nicholls, N., Bathols, J., Suppiah, R., and Ricketts, J. (2006). Climate change impacts on fire-weather in south-east Australia. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Hobart.
Hocking, G. J. (1990). Status of bandicoots in Tasmania. In ‘Bandicoots and Bilbies’. (Eds J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper.) pp. 61–66. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)
Horsup, A. (1994). Home range of the allied rock-wallaby, Petrogale assumilus. Wildlife Research 21, 65–85.
| Home range of the allied rock-wallaby, Petrogale assumilus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hughes, N. K., and Banks, P. B. (2010). Heading for greener pastures? Defining the foraging preferences of urban long-nosed bandicoots. Australian Journal of Zoology 58, 341–349.
| Heading for greener pastures? Defining the foraging preferences of urban long-nosed bandicoots.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kemper, C. (1990). Status of bandicoots in South Australia. In ‘Bandicoots and Bilbies’. (Eds J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper.) pp. 67–72. (Surrey Beatty.: Sydney.)
Kenward, R. E. (2001). ‘A Manual for Wildlife Radio Tagging.’ (Academic Press: San Diego, CA.)
Kjellander, P., Hewison, A. J. M., Liberg, O., Angibault, J. M., Bideau, E., and Cargnelutti, B. (2004). Experimental evidence for density-dependence of home-range size in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.): a comparison of two long-term studies. Oecologia 139, 478–485.
| Experimental evidence for density-dependence of home-range size in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.): a comparison of two long-term studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2MrltFKgug%3D%3D&md5=27190516db15c447ba9a708f004fc593CAS |
Larcombe, A. (2007). Measurement of southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) body temperature using internal and external telemeters. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 90, 161–163.
Laver, P. N., and Kelly, M. J. (2008). A critical review of home range studies. The Journal of Wildlife Management 72, 290–298.
| A critical review of home range studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Leary, T., Kwok, A., Khan, B., and Ibbetson, P. (2010). Yuppy bandicoots of inner west Sydney – in hiding or urban renewal? In ‘The Natural History of Sydney’. (Eds D. Lunney, P. Hutchings and D. Hochuli.) pp. 415–425. (Royal Zoological Society of NSW: Sydney.)
Lindenmayer, D. B., MacGregor, C., Welsh, A., Donnelly, C., Crane, M., Michael, D., Montague-Drake, R., Cunningham, R. B., Brown, D., Fortescue, M., Dexter, N., Hudson, M., and Gill, A. M. (2008). Contrasting mammal responses to vegetation type and fire. Wildlife Research 35, 395–408.
| Contrasting mammal responses to vegetation type and fire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lobert, B. (1990). Home range and activity period of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus in a Victorian heathland. In ‘Bandicoots and Bilbies’. (Eds J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper.) pp. 319–325. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)
Long, K. (2009). Burrowing bandicoots – an adaptation to life in a fire-prone environment? Australian Mammalogy 31, 57–59.
| Burrowing bandicoots – an adaptation to life in a fire-prone environment?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lyne, A. G. (1964). Observations on the breeding and growth of the marsupial Perameles nasuta Geoffroy, with notes on other bandicoots. Australian Journal of Zoology 12, 322–339.
| Observations on the breeding and growth of the marsupial Perameles nasuta Geoffroy, with notes on other bandicoots.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lyne, A. G. (1981). Activity rhythms in the marsupials Isoodon macrourus and Perameles nasuta in captivity. Australian Journal of Zoology 29, 821–838.
| Activity rhythms in the marsupials Isoodon macrourus and Perameles nasuta in captivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maser, C., Claridge, A. W., and Trappe, J. M. (2008). ‘Trees, Truffles, and Beasts: How Forests Function.’ (Rutgers University Press: NJ.)
McKenzie, N. L. (1967). Some ecological aspects of the behaviour of the short-nosed bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus). B.Sc.(Hons), Department of Zoology, Monash University, Melbourne.
Mech, L. D. (1983). ‘Handbook of Animal Radio-tracking.’ (University of Minnesota Press: Minneapolis, MN.)
Menkhorst, P. W., and Seebeck, J. H. (1990). Distribution and conservation status of bandicoots in Victoria. In ‘Bandicoots and Bilbies’. (Eds J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper.) pp. 51–60. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)
Moro, D. (1991). The distribution of small mammal species in relation to heath vegetation near Cape Otway Victoria. Wildlife Research 18, 605–618.
| The distribution of small mammal species in relation to heath vegetation near Cape Otway Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nagy, K. A., Bradshaw, S. D., and Clay, B. T. (1991). Field metabolic rate, water flux, and food requirements of short-nosed bandicoots, Isoodon obesulus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 39, 299–305.
| Field metabolic rate, water flux, and food requirements of short-nosed bandicoots, Isoodon obesulus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nams, V. O. (2006). ‘Locate III User’s Guide.’ (Pacer Computer Software: Nova Scotia, Canada.)
Puckey, H., Lewis, M., Hooper, D., and Michell, C. (2004). Home range, movement and habitat utilisation of the Carpentarian rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis) in an isolated habitat patch. Wildlife Research 31, 327–337.
| Home range, movement and habitat utilisation of the Carpentarian rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis) in an isolated habitat patch.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Puddephatt, J., and Miller, R. (1996). Population biology of the long-nosed bandicoot, Perameles nasuta, at North Head, Sydney, NSW. Grad.Dip.Sc. (Env.) Thesis, University of Sydney.
Rodgers, A. R., Carr, A. P., Smith, L., and Kie, J. G. (2005). ‘HRT: Home Range Tools for ArcGIS.’ (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.)
Rounsevell, D. E., Taylor, R. J., and Hocking, G. J. (1991). Distribution records of native terrestrial mammals in Tasmania. Wildlife Research 18, 699–717.
| Distribution records of native terrestrial mammals in Tasmania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schuler, M., and Theil, P. T. (2010). Annual vs. multiple-year home range sizes of individual blanding’s turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, in central Wisconsinmore. Canadian Field Naturalist 122, 61–64.
Scott, L. K., Hume, I. D., and Dickman, C. R. (1999). Ecology and population biology of long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) at North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park. Wildlife Research 26, 805–821.
| Ecology and population biology of long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) at North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Seaman, D. E., Millspaugh, J. J., Kernohan, B. J., Brundige, G. C., Raedeke, K. J., and Gitzen, R. A. (1999). Effects of sample size on kernel home range estimates. The Journal of Wildlife Management 63, 739–747.
| Effects of sample size on kernel home range estimates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shan, Y., Paull, D., and McKay, R. I. (2006). Machine learning of poorly predictable ecological data. Ecological Modelling 195, 129–138.
| Machine learning of poorly predictable ecological data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stodart, E. (1995). Long-nosed bandicoot. In ‘The Mammals of Australia’. (Ed. R. Strahan.) pp. 184–185. (Reed New Holland: Sydney.)
Stoddart, D. M., and Braithwaite, R. W. (1979). A strategy for utilization of regenerating heathland by the brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus). Journal of Animal Ecology 48, 165–179.
| A strategy for utilization of regenerating heathland by the brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Swihart, R. H., and Slade, N. A. (1985). Testing for independence of observations in animal movements. Ecology 66, 1176–1184.
| Testing for independence of observations in animal movements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson, M. B., Medlin, G., Hutchinson, R., and West, N. (1989). Short-term effects of fuel reduction burning on populations of small terrestrial mammals. Australian Wildlife Research 16, 117–130.
| Short-term effects of fuel reduction burning on populations of small terrestrial mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Todhunter, R., and Gemmell, R. T. (1987). Seasonal changes in the reproductive tract of the male marsupial bandicoot Isoodon macrourus. Journal of Anatomy 154, 173–186.
| 1:STN:280:DyaL1c7os1GmsQ%3D%3D&md5=ab2007a29518ac43824fb33429f65692CAS |
Vernes, K. (2000). Immediate effects of fire on survivorship of the northern bettong (Bettongia tropica): an endangered Australian marsupial. Biological Conservation 96, 305–309.
| Immediate effects of fire on survivorship of the northern bettong (Bettongia tropica): an endangered Australian marsupial.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vernes, K., and Pope, L. C. (2001). Stability of nest range, home range and movement of the northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) following moderate-intensity fire in a tropical woodland, north-eastern Queensland. Wildlife Research 28, 141–150.
| Stability of nest range, home range and movement of the northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) following moderate-intensity fire in a tropical woodland, north-eastern Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, R. (2004). Habitat selection and demography of the endangered southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) in northern Sydney. M.Sc. Thesis, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Zenger, K. R., Eldridge, M. D. B., and Johnston, P. G. (2005). Phylogenetics, population structure and genetic diversity of the endangered southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) in south-eastern Australia. Conservation Genetics 6, 193–204.
| Phylogenetics, population structure and genetic diversity of the endangered southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXjvF2msLY%3D&md5=1a2ee8928658c67e8005318c7e206d19CAS |
