The use of a replanted riparian habitat by the Lumholtz's Tree‐kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) |
| |
| Authors: | Sigrid Heise‐Pavlov Jaqueline Rhinier Simon Burchill |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Center for Rainforest Studies, The School for Field Studies, Yungaburra, QLD, Australia;2. Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA;3. Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands, Tree‐kangaroo and Mammal Group, Yungaburra, QLD, Australia |
| |
| Abstract: | This study describes the use of a section of a replanted riparian wildlife corridor by Lumholtz's Tree‐kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) (referred to here as LTK) on the Atherton Tablelands in north‐east Queensland, Australia. Selection of plants for replanting had been adjusted to the seasonally inundated clay‐rich and acid soils of the site, and, in some cases, with the aim to establish wind breaks which resulted in a plant composition of this section that differs from known LTK habitats. Through semi‐regular daily observations of individual LTKs over eight years, it was found that LTKs were most commonly recorded on Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys), Rose Gum (E. grandis), Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea) and Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) which were planted as wind breaks in the 1950s and 1980s. On a section planted in 1998, it was found that LTKs used certain tree species more frequently than would have been expected from the relative number in which these species had been planted. This may be associated with certain structural features of the used tree species. The presence of these structural habitat features may allow LTKs to establish home ranges within the restored habitat. Home ranges were calculated for four females, and it was found that they did not differ in size from those reported from other LTK habitats. However, home ranges showed extensive overlaps. The study reveals that LTK will colonise replanted habitat and may be adaptable in its spatial requirements in a restored landscape. |
| |
| Keywords: | colonisation home range microhabitat structures replanting wildlife corridor |
|
|
