Austral Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Habitat Selection and Movement Behaviour of Long-Nosed Potoroo in the Presence of Feral Cats","authors":"Meg Farmer,&nbsp;Anthony R. Rendall,&nbsp;Amy Coetsee,&nbsp;Euan G. Ritchie","doi":"10.1111/aec.70054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70054","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global biodiversity extinction crisis is attributed to a series of key threats, with the introduction and impacts of invasive predators considered among the most damaging. Given that effective large-scale lethal control is often not logistically or financially feasible, alternative solutions to promote the persistence of native wildlife most at risk of predation—critical weight range mammals—must be sought. Understanding habitat use and selection of native prey under predation pressure with widespread and common invasive predators, such as feral cats, can quantify habitat elements that may promote survival. We aimed to determine the movement behaviour of a population of critical weight range mammals persisting in the presence of feral cats. We established a trapping grid across ‘Bluegums’, French Island, in south-eastern Australia to collect morphometric, demographic and movement data by deploying GPS tracking devices on Long-nosed Potoroo (<i>Potorous tridactylus trisulcatus</i>). We used spatially explicit capture–recapture models to generate a potoroo density estimate, and autocorrelated kernel density estimators and dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models to examine home range and habitat use. Spatial overlap and habitat selection analyses were used to draw inferences about habitat selection and territoriality. Potoroos persisted at low densities and had large home ranges (7.3–12.5 ha). Individuals selected for structurally complex habitat and appeared reluctant to move across open areas, potentially in response to greater perceived predation risk. The fine-scale movement data in our study elucidate the extent to which potoroos rely on vegetation structure, suggesting that maintaining habitat cover and connectivity is likely to build resilience and aid potoroos and similar species to co-exist with feral cats. Given the ongoing threat feral cats pose to biodiversity, our results support the need for maintaining diverse, structurally complex vegetation to build ecosystem resilience to support improved conservation outcomes in the presence of invasive species.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70054","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144074547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Ancients. By Andrew Darby, Allen and Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 978-1-76-106923-9","authors":"David B. Lindenmayer","doi":"10.1111/aec.70078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70078","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143950089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Highway Noise Worsens the Edge Effect on Bird Richness in Tropical Forests","authors":"José Nilton da Silva,&nbsp;Aureo Banhos,&nbsp;Cristiano Schetini de Azevedo,&nbsp;Pedro Diniz,&nbsp;Gleidson Ramos da Silva,&nbsp;Charles Duca","doi":"10.1111/aec.70072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70072","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Anthropogenic noise represents a major threat to various taxonomic groups of fauna, especially birds, as they primarily use sound communication. Associated with the edge effect caused by highways, noise has a negative impact on birds. In this context, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of noise on birds in an area intersected by a highway in a tropical forest in Brazil. Eight transects were built, with points perpendicular to the edges (10, 200, 400, 600, and 800 m), in three areas: highway, pasture, and control (named Forest). At each point, the maximum noise level and bird richness were recorded every 2 months for a year. Five generalised linear mixed models were built to assess whether bird richness was influenced by edge type (highway and pasture), noise, and distance from the edge. The noise was most intense in the road environment and decreased as one moved perpendicularly away from the edge of the road and the pasture. Bird richness was highest in the control area and lowest on the highway, increasing linearly with distance from the edge of the highway and pasture, and decreasing with noise level on both the highway and pasture. Bird richness was better explained by distance from the highway and pasture than by noise, with both factors having a stronger impact at the highway edge than at the pasture edge. Our results suggest (i) that the noise levels of the highway aggravate the edge effect and influence the variation in species richness, (ii) that species from forest environments move away from the area intercepted by the highway.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70072","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143950088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproductive Biology of the Desertic Micro-Endemic Nolana chapiensis (Solanaceae: Nolanoideae) in Southern Peru: Self-Incompatibility and Solitary Bees as Exclusive Pollinators","authors":"Fernando H. Calderon-Quispe,&nbsp;Rodrigo B. Singer","doi":"10.1111/aec.70074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70074","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the reproductive biology of microendemic species is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies since they frequently have small, restricted and threatened populations. <i>Nolana chapiensis</i> (Solanaceae: Nolanoideae) is a desert microendemic species found in southern Peru that was studied in the Arequipa department at an altitude of 2280 m, from March to April 2023–2024. This study documents floral features, breeding system, pollination process and fruiting success. The breeding system was assessed by isolating plants from pollinators (bagging). Pollination processes were observed in the field using photo and video documentation. Flowers exhibited a short lifespan (3–5 days) with opening and closing events correlated with fluctuations in temperature. <i>Nolana chapiensis</i> is pollinator-dependent and self-incompatible (unable to set fruit without cross-pollination mediated by pollinators). All five identified pollinator species are solitary bees, with Andrenidae species accounting for 83.91% of visits. Most pollinators are female bees that pollinate during pollen-collecting activities. However, Andrenidae males also contribute to pollination while waiting for females inside the floral tube. Natural fruiting success per individual was high, ranging from 35.15% to 74.77%. While high fruiting success might be unexpected in desert environments and in self-compatible species, in this case, it could be attributed to the diversity and behaviour of pollinator species. This study represents the first detailed study of reproductive biology within the genus, coupling breeding system experiments with detailed pollinator observations.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143930359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evidence of Persistence of Two Small, Sympatric Threatened Mammals (Dasyuridae) Following a Major Flood Event","authors":"Luke Woodford,&nbsp;Jemma K. Cripps","doi":"10.1111/aec.70052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70052","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Large-scale, extreme flood events can potentially cause catastrophic declines in floodplain-dwelling species, especially small terrestrial mammals. We undertook surveys to assess the status of two species of threatened Dasyurid mammals (Giles' Planigale <i>Planigale gilesi</i> and Fat-tailed Dunnart <i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i>) to see if they were persisting in a region of northwest Victoria 12 months after a large-scale flood event. We tested three possible detection techniques: live trapping using Elliott traps, camera traps with drift fences and thermal imaging transects. Surveys revealed that sympatric House Mice (<i>Mus musculus</i>) were in very high abundance following the flood. Both target species were detected using camera traps only, although at a very low rate. This demonstrates the limited availability of an effective survey technique for these cryptic species. These surveys resulted in the threatened Giles' Planigale being detected for the first time in 11 years in Victoria. There are two likely scenarios for the persistence of native mammals: in situ survival either by taking refuge in trees within small cavities for the duration of the flood event or on small island refuges nearby, or ex situ survival whereby animals perished in the flood event and individuals recolonised our sites from larger islands that remained dry throughout the flood. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which small, ground-dwelling mammals can survive large-scale flooding events and the potential for competition with the invasive House Mouse following these disturbances.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143930360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Taxonomic and Functional Diversity Roles of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) in Native Forests and Silviculture Systems in Subtropical Region of Brazil","authors":"Raquel de Brito,&nbsp;Patrícia Menegaz de Farias,&nbsp;Renan de Souza Rezende","doi":"10.1111/aec.70068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70068","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Forest system simplification may be a significant driver of dung beetle diversity shifts. This study investigates the taxonomic and functional diversity of necrophagous and coprophagous beetles across native forest areas and eucalyptus plantations within a subtropical region in Brazil. Sampling was conducted at each site type (native forest vs. plantation) using baited pitfall traps (20 traps × 2 bait types × 2 sites = 80 sampling units) set 25 m apart. Coprophagous beetles were attracted using 15 g of human faeces, while necrophagous species were lured with 15 g of fish, both exposed over a 48-h period. Native forests support higher taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetles compared to eucalyptus plantation sites, underscoring the importance of structural complexity and habitat heterogeneity for sustaining dung beetle assemblages. Native forests foster greater functional richness and dispersion, indicative of diverse ecological strategies and functional roles. Conversely, eucalyptus plantations favour generalist species with high phenotypic plasticity, selectively filtering smaller organisms like <i>Canthidium trinodosum</i> (Boheman, 1858) due to altered microclimatic conditions. Additionally, eucalyptus sites favour larger-bodied dung beetles with morphological adaptations that enhance mobility and resource use in compacted soils. These findings underscore the ecological significance of native forests in conserving biodiversity, highlighting the essential role of dung beetles for ecosystem functionality in subtropical landscapes.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70068","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143930413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vegetation Assessment Using Remote Sensing: A Systematic Review for Eucalypts in Australia","authors":"Donna L. Fitzgerald,&nbsp;Stefan Peters,&nbsp;Amelia Hurren,&nbsp;Gunnar Keppel","doi":"10.1111/aec.70061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70061","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Rapid advancements in remote sensing increasingly allow assessing vegetation at the landscape, local and individual scales. This systematic review investigates the diverse applications of remote sensing for assessing vegetation in eucalypt forests and woodlands within Australia. Of the 137 studies included in the review, two-thirds investigated vegetation conditions, including the effects of dieback and fire, with the remaining articles focusing on vegetation classification and structural vegetation properties. This focus on vegetation conditions highlights the potential of remote sensing to contribute to the monitoring and conservation of biodiversity, suggesting that remote sensing will become more important as the impacts of climate change intensify. Currently, the application of remote sensing methods for investigating eucalypt vegetation remains underutilised. For example, remote regions, including areas of high biodiversity, are generally poorly studied, highlighting major gaps in spatial coverage. Furthermore, study locations are often reported in insufficient detail to facilitate independent verification and reproducibility, reducing the usefulness of existing studies. A key challenge in remote sensing is the identification of an appropriate approach based on the research question and the resources available and we provide guidance with that. Reviewed studies predominantly used freely available imagery (e.g., Landsat and Sentinel), whilst high-resolution commercial imagery (e.g., WorldView) and research-accessible datasets (e.g., PlanetScope) remain little utilised. Emerging technologies like LiDAR, UAVs and hyperspectral imaging that could provide insights at higher resolutions require greater resources for data collection and processing and are yet to be widely integrated into vegetation assessment. To address these challenges, interdisciplinary collaboration among vegetation and remote sensing specialists, and a framework for selecting appropriate remote sensing methods based on research and resources, are critical. Such efforts would help align study objectives with appropriate tools and resources and will be crucial to achieving biodiversity and climate adaptation goals in Australia and beyond.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70061","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Establishing Conservation Priorities for Reptiles in the South of the Pampas Ecoregion of Argentina","authors":"David Gustavo Vera,&nbsp;Sofía Jones,&nbsp;Melisa Celia Jazmín Rolón,&nbsp;Clara Trofino Falasco,&nbsp;Germán Tettamanti,&nbsp;Micaela Harkes,&nbsp;Melina Alicia Velasco,&nbsp;Igor Berkunsky,&nbsp;Federico Pablo Kacoliris,&nbsp;Diego Omar Di Pietro","doi":"10.1111/aec.70049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70049","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Reptile populations are declining worldwide, making their conservation crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Conservation efforts must go beyond establishing Protected Natural Areas, particularly in urbanised regions or areas impacted by human activity. This study aims to identify conservation priorities for reptiles in the Tandilia Mountains, a grassland ecosystem of Argentina. Seven patches of native grassland within the Tandilia Mountains were selected, evaluated and ranked using four metrics: biodiversity value, human pressure, available habitat and exotic vegetation. Several conservation actions were proposed based on these metrics. In the central region, actions such as developing sustainable grazing programmes, habitat restoration, land expansion, policy changes and raising awareness are necessary. For grassland remnants in the northern sector, the best strategy is to expand the existing Natural Reserves, while in the southern sector, habitat restoration is the priority. Our results confirm and build upon previous studies that identified insufficient protected surface area to safeguard reptile biodiversity within the current Protected Area system in Tandilia. This study highlights the need for diverse conservation actions tailored to specific landscape scenarios. Furthermore, our findings underscore the importance of integrated conservation planning and provide a foundation for future research and actions to ensure the long-term viability of native reptile populations in the Tandilia Mountains. Protecting reptiles in the Tandilia will also contribute to preserving the biodiversity that interacts with them. These insights aim to guide decision-makers, government agencies and conservationists in safeguarding these unique ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Soil Attributes on Floristic Composition and Structure of Dry Forests in the Brazilian Savanna","authors":"Deivid Lopes Machado,&nbsp;Guilherme Alves da Silva Santos,&nbsp;Micael Silva de Freitas,&nbsp;Ana Paula de Souza,&nbsp;Frederico Augusto Guimarães Guilherme","doi":"10.1111/aec.70063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soil attributes significantly influence community patterns within dry forests, yet the factors driving regional community formation in the Brazilian savanna remain poorly understood. This study aimed to describe and compare the floristic composition, vegetation structure and soil properties across dry forests, specifically examining the impact of soil attributes on the floristic composition and structure of woody vegetation. The research was conducted in four dry forests within Goiás State, including two deciduous forests (DF) and two semideciduous forests (SF), with 25 permanent plots (20 × 20 m) established in each forest type. We inventoried tree species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than or equal to 10 cm and analysed the physicochemical properties of the soil. Principal component analysis of the soil variables accounted for 86% of the floristic composition variation, whereas cluster analysis distinctly separated deciduous forests from semideciduous. The deciduous forests presented more fertile soil, whereas the semideciduous forests presented greater sand contents. Differences in floristic composition and structural parameters were evident, with the semideciduous forest at Itajá showing the highest species richness and diversity. The Jataí semideciduous forest exhibited greater structural development. We found substantial effects of soil attributes on vegetation parameters, with pH, effective cation exchange capacity, calcium content, potential acidity and sand percentage being the primary correlates of variation in floristic and structural characteristics between the two forest physiognomies. Our results highlight the relevance of soil characteristics as determinants in the differentiation of forest communities in the Cerrado, highlighting the need to deepen the understanding of soil–vegetation relationships to guide preventive conservation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70063","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in Queensland, Australia: Distribution, Trends, and Threats","authors":"J. L. Silcock,&nbsp;A. J. Healy,&nbsp;K. Bradley,&nbsp;C. Arkinstall,&nbsp;R. Seaton,&nbsp;R. I. Southgate","doi":"10.1111/aec.70059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70059","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Medium-sized Australian mammals have suffered major declines since colonisation, with many now extinct or surviving only in intensively managed, predator-free fenced reserves or on islands. The greater bilby (<i>Macrotis lagotis</i>) in Queensland is an anomaly, persisting primarily in grazed rangelands with no targeted conservation management across most of its range. There has been limited field survey effort in recent decades, and very little is known about population trends or impacts of potential threats. We conducted surveys across the Queensland range of the bilby for the first time in 30 years, combining aerial surveys over 48 000 km² with 415 2-ha track plots surveyed between 2021 and 2023. We investigated the relative influence of predation, competition, and productivity on bilby presence using landscape variables and multivariate binary logistic models. The bilby's distribution, although greatly contracted since European settlement, has stabilised and perhaps expanded since the 1990s, with a current Extent of Occurrence in Queensland of 30 901 km². Temporal fluctuations in bilby presence were observed at 25% of survey plots visited at least three times, highlighting the importance of ongoing, standardised ground surveys. Within its current distribution, bilby presence was negatively correlated with distance to wooded alluvial land systems and, less strongly, effective distance to water, and positively correlated with relative greenness of the vegetation. The effects of distance to sand dune and residual land systems were not clear and are likely to be influenced by the bilby's preference for these habitats but inability to persist in them due to elevated predator densities. Predator control in wooded alluvial systems, dunefields, and residuals close to bilby populations may be more important to the bilby's persistence in the study area than limiting the spread of artificial water sources on grazing properties; however, field work is needed to inform predator density in these landforms. Ongoing monitoring and research are needed to distinguish inter-annual fluctuations from longer term population trends and better understand temporal and spatial predator dynamics. Our results provide vital context on the status of the Queensland bilby population and will underpin future research and conservation management.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70059","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}