Register      Login
Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

It’s not all about the creeks: protection of multiple habitats will improve biodiversity conservation in a eucalypt forest

Georgina J. Yeatman A C , Adrian F. Wayne B , Harriet R. Mills A and Jane Prince A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

B Department of Parks and Wildlife, Locked Bag 2, Manjimup, WA 6258, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: georgina.yeatman@graduate.uwa.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 64(4) 292-301 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO16007
Submitted: 28 January 2016  Accepted: 8 November 2016   Published: 12 December 2016

Abstract

Understanding patterns in the distribution and abundance of wildlife across the landscape can aid in identifying the relative importance of habitats for biodiversity conservation. We aimed to identify whether riparian habitats were more important than other areas in the landscape to small terrestrial vertebrates. The study site was surveyed using 450 pit traps distributed across riparian, midslope and ridge top habitat. Riparian sites had the greatest abundance of small vertebrates of the three habitats. During some months of the year, there was a significant difference in the composition of the faunal assemblage between habitats. Unsurprisingly, riparian habitats were particularly important for frog species and it was these species that accounted for the greater abundance in this habitat. Riparian habitat was less important for other taxonomic groups and the more floristically rich midslope and ridge habitats, which had a greater abundance of leaf litter, fallen logs and rock cover, were favoured by mammal and reptile species. The conservation of riparian sites, without the protection of other habitats, overlooks a substantial proportion of the biodiversity in the landscape. This study may help inform management decisions in the Upper Warren region and other similar forested landscapes, regarding the location and timing of fauna monitoring and the frequency of fuel reduction burns.


References

Anderson, M. J. (2001). A new method for non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance. Austral Ecology 26, 32–46.

Anderson, M. J., Gorley, R. N., and Clarke, K. R. (2008). ‘PERMANOVA+ for PRIMER: Guide to Software and Statistical Methods.’ (PRIMER-E: Plymouth, UK.)

Bowman, D., and Panton, W. (1991). Sign and habitat impact of banteng (Bos javanicus) and pig (Sus scrofa), Cobourg Peninsula, northern Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 16, 15–17.
Sign and habitat impact of banteng (Bos javanicus) and pig (Sus scrofa), Cobourg Peninsula, northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Braithwaite, L. W., Turner, J., and Kelly, J. (1984). Studies on the arboreal marsupial fauna of eucalypt forests being harvested for wood pulp at Eden, NSW. III. Relationships between faunal densities, eucalypt occurrence and foliage nutrients, and soil parent materials. Wildlife Research 11, 41–48.
Studies on the arboreal marsupial fauna of eucalypt forests being harvested for wood pulp at Eden, NSW. III. Relationships between faunal densities, eucalypt occurrence and foliage nutrients, and soil parent materials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Broadmeadow, S., and Nisbet, T. R. (2004). The effects of riparian forest management on the freshwater environment: a literature review of best management practice. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions 8, 286–305.
The effects of riparian forest management on the freshwater environment: a literature review of best management practice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cairns, J., Jr, and Pratt, J. (1986). Developing a sampling strategy. In ‘Rationale for Sampling and Interpretation of Ecological Data in the Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems’. (Ed. B. G. Isom.) pp. 168–186. (ASTM International.)

Catling, P., and Burt, R. (1995). Studies of the ground-dwelling mammals of eucalypt forests in south-eastern New South Wales: the effect of habitat variables on distribution and abundance. Wildlife Research 22, 271–288.
Studies of the ground-dwelling mammals of eucalypt forests in south-eastern New South Wales: the effect of habitat variables on distribution and abundance.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 |

Choquenot, D., Mcilroy, J., and Korn, T. (1996). ‘Managing Vertebrate Pests: Feral Pigs.’ (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.)

Clarke, K. R. (1993). Non‐parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 18, 117–143.
Non‐parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Clarke, K. R., and Warwick, R. M. (2001). ‘Change in Marine Communities: an Approach to Statistical Analysis and Interpretation.’ 2nd edn. (PRIMER-E: Plymouth, UK.)

Clinton, B. D. (2011). Stream water responses to timber harvest: riparian buffer width effectiveness. Forest Ecology and Management 261, 979–988.
Stream water responses to timber harvest: riparian buffer width effectiveness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cousin, J. A., and Phillips, R. D. (2008). Habitat complexity explains species-specific occupancy but not species richness in a Western Australian woodland. Australian Journal of Zoology 56, 95–102.
Habitat complexity explains species-specific occupancy but not species richness in a Western Australian woodland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cowling, R., and Campbell, B. (1980). Convergence in vegetation structure in the mediterranean communities of California, Chile and South Africa. Vegetatio 43, 191–197.
Convergence in vegetation structure in the mediterranean communities of California, Chile and South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Craig, M. D., Grigg, A. H., Garkaklis, M. J., Hobbs, R. J., Grant, C. D., Fleming, P. A., and Hardy, G. (2009). Does habitat structure influence capture probabilities? A study of reptiles in a eucalypt forest. Wildlife Research 36, 509–515.
Does habitat structure influence capture probabilities? A study of reptiles in a eucalypt forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

CSIRO (2012). State of the Climate. CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Dallman, P. R. (1998). ‘Plant Life in the World’s Mediterranean Climates: California, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean basin.’ (University of California Press: California.)

Davidge, C. (1980). Reproduction in the herpetofaunal community of a Banksia woodland near Perth, WA. Australian Journal of Zoology 28, 435–443.
Reproduction in the herpetofaunal community of a Banksia woodland near Perth, WA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dickman, C. (1988). Body size, prey size, and community structure in insectivorous mammals. Ecology 69, 569–580.
Body size, prey size, and community structure in insectivorous mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dobrowski, S. Z., Abatzoglou, J. T., Greenberg, J. A., and Schladow, S. (2009). How much influence does landscape-scale physiography have on air temperature in a mountain environment? Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 149, 1751–1758.
How much influence does landscape-scale physiography have on air temperature in a mountain environment?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Grelle, C. E. V. (2003). Forest structure and vertical stratification of small mammals in a secondary Atlantic forest, southeastern Brazil. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 38, 81–85.
Forest structure and vertical stratification of small mammals in a secondary Atlantic forest, southeastern Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Havel, J. J., and Mattiske, E. M. (2000). Vegetation mapping of south west forest region of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth.

Hurlbert, A. H. (2004). Species–energy relationships and habitat complexity in bird communities. Ecology Letters 7, 714–720.
Species–energy relationships and habitat complexity in bird communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

IPCC (2007). Summary for Policymakers. In ‘Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assesment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’. (Eds S. Solomn, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K. B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H. L Miller.) pp. 1–18. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge and New York.)

Johnson, C. N., Vernes, K., and Payne, A. (2005). Demography in relation to population density in two herbivorous marsupials: testing for source–sink dynamics versus independent regulation of population size. Oecologia 143, 70–76.
Demography in relation to population density in two herbivorous marsupials: testing for source–sink dynamics versus independent regulation of population size.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kinal, J., Shearer, B., and Fairman, R. (1993). Dispersal of Phytophthora cinnamomi through lateritic soil by laterally flowing subsurface water. Plant Disease 77, 1085–1090.
Dispersal of Phytophthora cinnamomi through lateritic soil by laterally flowing subsurface water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kuglerová, L., Ågren, A., Jansson, R., and Laudon, H. (2014). Towards optimizing riparian buffer zones: ecological and biogeochemical implications for forest management. Forest Ecology and Management 334, 74–84.
Towards optimizing riparian buffer zones: ecological and biogeochemical implications for forest management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lázaro, R., Rodrigo, F., Gutiérrez, L., Domingo, F., and Puigdefábregas, J. (2001). Analysis of a 30-year rainfall record (1967–1997) in semi-arid SE Spain for implications on vegetation. Journal of Arid Environments 48, 373–395.
Analysis of a 30-year rainfall record (1967–1997) in semi-arid SE Spain for implications on vegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Levings, S. C., and Windsor, D. M. (1984). Litter moisture content as a determinant of litter arthropod distribution and abundance during the dry season on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Biotropica 16, 125–131.
Litter moisture content as a determinant of litter arthropod distribution and abundance during the dry season on Barro Colorado Island, Panama.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lindenmayer, D. B., Wood, J. T., Michael, D., Crane, M., Macgregor, C., Montague-Drake, R., and Mcburney, L. (2009). Are gullies best for biodiversity? An empirical examination of Australian wet forest types. Forest Ecology and Management 258, 169–177.
Are gullies best for biodiversity? An empirical examination of Australian wet forest types.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lindenmayer, D., Franklin, J., Lõhmus, A., Baker, S., Bauhus, J., Beese, W., Brodie, A., Kiehl, B., Kouki, J., and Pastur, G. M. (2012). A major shift to the retention approach for forestry can help resolve some global forest sustainability issues. Conservation Letters 5, 421–431.
A major shift to the retention approach for forestry can help resolve some global forest sustainability issues.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mac Nally, R., Soderquist, T. R., and Tzaros, C. (2000). The conservation value of mesic gullies in dry forest landscapes: avian assemblages in the box–ironbark ecosystem of southern Australia. Biological Conservation 93, 293–302.
The conservation value of mesic gullies in dry forest landscapes: avian assemblages in the box–ironbark ecosystem of southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mackey, B., Berry, S., Hugh, S., Ferrier, S., Harwood, T. D., and Williams, K. J. (2012). Ecosystem greenspots: identifying potential drought, fire, and climate-change micro-refuges. Ecological Applications 22, 1852–1864.
Ecosystem greenspots: identifying potential drought, fire, and climate-change micro-refuges.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Martof, B. (1953). Home range and movements of the green frog, Rana clamitans. Ecology 34, 529–543.
Home range and movements of the green frog, Rana clamitans.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Matos, H. M., Santos, M. J., Palomares, F., and Santos-Reis, M. (2009). Does riparian habitat condition influence mammalian carnivore abundance in Mediterranean ecosystems? Biodiversity and Conservation 18, 373–386.
Does riparian habitat condition influence mammalian carnivore abundance in Mediterranean ecosystems?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McCarthy, M. A., Malcolm Gill, A., and Lindenmayer, D. B. (1999). Fire regimes in mountain ash forest: evidence from forest age structure, extinction models and wildlife habitat. Forest Ecology and Management 124, 193–203.
Fire regimes in mountain ash forest: evidence from forest age structure, extinction models and wildlife habitat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McDermott, C., Cashore, B. W., and Kanowski, P. (2010). Global environmental forest policies: an international comparison. Earthscan.

McShea, W. J., Pagels, J., Orrock, J., Harper, E., and Koy, K. (2003). Mesic deciduous forest as patches of small-mammal richness within an Appalachian mountain forest. Journal of Mammalogy 84, 627–643.
Mesic deciduous forest as patches of small-mammal richness within an Appalachian mountain forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Melero, Y., Palazón, S., Revilla, E., Martelo, J., and Gosalbez, J. (2008). Space use and habitat preferences of the invasive American mink (Mustela vison) in a Mediterranean area. European Journal of Wildlife Research 54, 609–617.
Space use and habitat preferences of the invasive American mink (Mustela vison) in a Mediterranean area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Michael, D. R., Cunningham, R. B., and Lindenmayer, D. B. (2008). A forgotten habitat? Granite inselbergs conserve reptile diversity in fragmented agricultural landscapes. Journal of Applied Ecology 45, 1742–1752.
A forgotten habitat? Granite inselbergs conserve reptile diversity in fragmented agricultural landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Monadjem, A., and Reside, A. (2008). The influence of riparian vegetation on the distribution and abundance of bats in an African savanna. Acta Chiropterologica 10, 339–348.
The influence of riparian vegetation on the distribution and abundance of bats in an African savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moro, D. (1991). The distribution of small mammal species in relation to heath vegetation near Cape Otway, Victoria. Wildlife Research 18, 605–617.
The distribution of small mammal species in relation to heath vegetation near Cape Otway, Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Palmer, G. C., and Bennett, A. F. (2006). Riparian zones provide for distinct bird assemblages in forest mosaics of south-east Australia. Biological Conservation 130, 447–457.
Riparian zones provide for distinct bird assemblages in forest mosaics of south-east Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Parmenter, R. R., Yates, T. L., Anderson, D. R., Burnham, K. P., Dunnum, J. L., Franklin, A. B., Friggens, M. T., Lubow, B. C., Miller, M., and Olson, G. S. (2003). Small-mammal density estimation: a field comparison of grid-based vs. web-based density estimators. Ecological Monographs 73, 1–26.
Small-mammal density estimation: a field comparison of grid-based vs. web-based density estimators.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pearson, D. L., and Derr, J. A. (1986). Seasonal patterns of lowland forest floor arthropod abundance in southeastern Peru. Biotropica 18, 244–256.
Seasonal patterns of lowland forest floor arthropod abundance in southeastern Peru.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pressey, R. (2004). Conservation planning and biodiversity: assembling the best data for the job. Conservation Biology 18, 1677–1681.
Conservation planning and biodiversity: assembling the best data for the job.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Read, J. (1995). Subhabitat variability: a key to the high reptile diversity in chenopod shrublands. Australian Journal of Ecology 20, 494–501.
Subhabitat variability: a key to the high reptile diversity in chenopod shrublands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Richardson, J. S., Naiman, R. J., and Bisson, P. A. (2012). How did fixed-width buffers become standard practice for protecting freshwaters and their riparian areas from forest harvest practices? Freshwater Science 31, 232–238.
How did fixed-width buffers become standard practice for protecting freshwaters and their riparian areas from forest harvest practices?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Roberts, D. A., Gardner, M., Church, R., Ustin, S., Scheer, G., and Green, R. (1998). Mapping chaparral in the Santa Monica Mountains using multiple endmember spectral mixture models. Remote Sensing of Environment 65, 267–279.
Mapping chaparral in the Santa Monica Mountains using multiple endmember spectral mixture models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Roberts, J. D. (2010). Natural hybrid between the frogs Crinia pseudinsignifera and Crinia subinsignifera (Myobatrachidae) from southwestern Australia defined by allozyme phenotype and call. Journal of Herpetology 44, 654–657.
Natural hybrid between the frogs Crinia pseudinsignifera and Crinia subinsignifera (Myobatrachidae) from southwestern Australia defined by allozyme phenotype and call.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russo, D., and Jones, G. (2003). Use of foraging habitats by bats in a Mediterranean area determined by acoustic surveys: conservation implications. Ecography 26, 197–209.
Use of foraging habitats by bats in a Mediterranean area determined by acoustic surveys: conservation implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sabo, J. L., Sponseller, R., Dixon, M., Gade, K., Harms, T., Heffernan, J., Jani, A., Katz, G., Soykan, C., and Watts, J. (2005). Riparian zones increase regional species richness by harboring different, not more, species. Ecology 86, 56–62.
Riparian zones increase regional species richness by harboring different, not more, species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Scarff, F., and Bradley, J. (2006). Invertebrate prey of the bark-foraging insectivore Phascogale tapoatafa: distribution of biomass amongst alternative foraging substrates within south-western Australian woodlands. Australian Journal of Zoology 54, 335–341.
Invertebrate prey of the bark-foraging insectivore Phascogale tapoatafa: distribution of biomass amongst alternative foraging substrates within south-western Australian woodlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Soderquist, T. R., and Mac Nally, R. (2000). The conservation value of mesic gullies in dry forest landscapes: mammal populations in the box–ironbark ecosystem of southern Australia. Biological Conservation 93, 281–291.
The conservation value of mesic gullies in dry forest landscapes: mammal populations in the box–ironbark ecosystem of southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stokes, V. L., Pech, R. P., Banks, P. B., and Arthur, A. D. (2004). Foraging behaviour and habitat use by Antechinus flavipes and Sminthopsis murina (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in response to predation risk in eucalypt woodland. Biological Conservation 117, 331–342.
Foraging behaviour and habitat use by Antechinus flavipes and Sminthopsis murina (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in response to predation risk in eucalypt woodland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tews, J., Brose, U., Grimm, V., Tielbörger, K., Wichmann, M., Schwager, M., and Jeltsch, F. (2004). Animal species diversity driven by habitat heterogeneity/diversity: the importance of keystone structures. Journal of Biogeography 31, 79–92.
Animal species diversity driven by habitat heterogeneity/diversity: the importance of keystone structures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Thorson, T. B. (1955). The relationship of water economy to terrestrialism in amphibians. Ecology 36, 100–116.
The relationship of water economy to terrestrialism in amphibians.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Timbal, B. (2004). Southwest Australia past and future rainfall trends. Climate Research 26, 233–249.
Southwest Australia past and future rainfall trends.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Warrington, B. M., Aust, W. M., Barrett, S. M., Ford, W. M., Bolding, M. C., and Dolloff, A. (2016). Potential effects of forestry operations and associated best management practices on riparian wildlife species in the southeastern United States. In ‘Proceedings of the 18th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference’. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-212. pp. 106–112. (Southern Research Station, Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture: Asheville, NC.)

Watson, J. E., Cross, M., Rowland, E., Joseph, L. N., Rao, M., and Seimon, A. (2011). Planning for species conservation in a time of climate change. Climatic Change 3, 379–402.

Watson, J. W., Mcallister, K. R., and Pierce, D. J. (2003). Home ranges, movements, and habitat selection of Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa). Journal of Herpetology 37, 292–300.
Home ranges, movements, and habitat selection of Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wayne, A. F., Maxwell, M., Ward, C. G., Vellios, C. V., Wilson, I., Wayne, J., and Williams, M. R. (2015). Sudden, rapid and catastrophic decline of an abundant marsupial, Bettongia penicillata: characterising the decline and identifying the potential causes. Oryx 49, 1–11.

Williams, S. E., Marsh, H., and Winter, J. (2002). Spatial scale, species diversity, and habitat structure: small mammals in Australian tropical rain forest. Ecology 83, 1317–1329.
Spatial scale, species diversity, and habitat structure: small mammals in Australian tropical rain forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wilson, B., Lewis, A., and Aberton, J. (2003). Spatial model for predicting the presence of cinnamon fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) in sclerophyll vegetation communities in south-eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 28, 108–115.
Spatial model for predicting the presence of cinnamon fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) in sclerophyll vegetation communities in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wrigley, R. E., Dubois, J. E., and Copland, H. (1979). Habitat, abundance, and distribution of six species of shrews in Manitoba. Journal of Mammalogy 60, 505–520.
Habitat, abundance, and distribution of six species of shrews in Manitoba.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |