Non-preferred habitat increases the activity area of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in a semi-arid landscape

Abstract

36 Animal conservation requires a sound understanding of the movement ecology and habitat 37 selection of the species in question. A key component of this is identifying habitats that animals 38 actively seek or avoid. We quantified habitat selection and investigated the drivers of 39 variability in the short-term activity area of a small, endangered mesopredator, the northern 40 quoll ( Dasyurus hallucatus ), in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. We collated, 41 standardised, and analysed 14 northern quoll GPS tracking events from four studies conducted 42 between 2014 and 2018. Northern quolls selected activity areas in locations that were more 43 topographically rugged than the broader landscape, characterised by higher percentage cover 44 of rocky habitat and riverbed, and lower percentage cover of spinifex sandplain. The size of 45 their activity area also increased with higher percentage cover of non-preferred spinifex 46 sandplain. Therefore, the destruction of habitats preferred by northern quolls—such as mining 47 of rocky habitat—and introduction of structurally simple habitat like spinifex sandplain, is 48 likely to negatively impact resource availability and lead to altered movement patterns that 49 could decrease survival. Future conservation planning should place emphasis on the protection 50 of rugged rocky habitat for northern quolls, as well as efficient movement pathways between 51 patches of this critical habitat. 52