Abstract
This work assesses whether the width and “permanence” of linear clearings affects the distribution and movement patterns of small, terrestrial vertebrates in a native South Australian woodland. We examined the influence of narrow (1.5 and 4.2 m), non-permanent seismic exploration tracks; and wide (6–7 and 12–15 m), permanent fire tracks. There were 1,007 captures of 14 species (four amphibians, six reptiles, four mammals) from 18,000 trap days/nights across 15 sites. Total species richness was highest adjacent to 6–7 m wide permanent tracks (8.3) and lowest in areas without clearings (5.3). There was heterogeneity of captures between track types (p < 0.008), species (p < 0.001), and species by track type (p < 0.001). Antechinus flavipes was most abundant adjacent to both types of permanent tracks, probably as a result of increased habitat complexity at these sites. Twenty-four percent of movements by recaptured A. flavipes involved track crossings. Animals crossed all track types; nevertheless, individuals were more likely to be recaptured on the same side of a track. Individuals were less likely to cross permanent tracks (p = 0.025 for 6–7 m and p = 0.008 for 12 to 15-m-wide tracks), with females being particularly inhibited. Although 11 % of 56 recaptured Rattus spp. had crossed a track, no individuals crossed the 12 to 15-m permanent tracks. In the habitat type studied here, narrow seismic lines may have a slightly positive effect on some ground-dwelling vertebrates, and do not appear to substantially inhibit movement. However, there is a need to carefully manage permanent tracks, which could isolate faunal populations.
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Acknowledgments
Barrie Grigg and his team from Forestry SA in Nangwarry and Mt Gambier are thanked for re-slashing the seismic exploration lines and for helping with pitfall trap installation. Gerhard Kubach did most of the fieldwork for this project, while Zenggi Zhao, Tim Murphy and Annette Reineke provided valuable field assistance. Laura Ruykys provided valuable comments on the manuscript. The work was kindly funded by PIRSA and Boral Energy Resources. This research complied with ethical standards in the treatment of animals and was conducted under University of Adelaide Animal Ethics approval no. W/32/99A and South Australian National Parks and Wildlife permit no. U23866.
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Carthew, S.M., Jones, K.M.W. & Lawes, M. Responses of small vertebrates to linear clearings in a South Australian woodland. Ecol Res 28, 1003–1010 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-013-1082-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-013-1082-5