
%0 Journal Article
%A Kitchner, DJ 
%T Predictors of Vertebrate Species Richness in Nature Reserves in the Western Australian Wheatbelt
%J Wildlife Research
%D 1982/02/01
%V 9
%N 1
%P 1-7
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/WR9820001
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR9820001 
%X 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. 
