PARENT SESSION
Thursday, August 10, 1:30-5:00 pm
COS 100 - Conservation ecology II
L-12, Lobby Level, Cook Convention Center
Presiders: N Nicholas
Development of predictive models to assist the conservation of habitat for hollow–using fauna in Tasmania's production forest landscapes.
Koch, Amelia*,1, Munks, Sarah1, 2, 1 University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia2 Forest Practices Authority, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
ABSTRACT- A significant proportion of forested landscapes in many parts of the world are in 'off–reserve' areas subject to production forestry activities. Hollow-bearing trees provide important refuge and nesting habitat for an array of fauna and need special management in production forests. This is often done by retaining trees to provide both an immediate and future source of hollows for fauna. The aim of this study was to develop models that can be used by forest managers to predict the occurrence of hollow–bearing trees of use to fauna in Tasmania's production forests. Almost 400 trees were selected and surveyed for secondary evidence of use by vertebrate fauna. Bayesian methods were used to develop models predicting which trees on which sites are likely to have hollows and be used by fauna. Preliminary results suggest that tree diameter and the number of hollows seen in the pre-fall survey account for almost 50% of the variability in tree hollow counts. When considering only hollows of a size suitable for vertebrates, the number of hollows found is best predicted using pre–fall hollow counts, the volume of the crown and tree diameter. Tree use by fauna appears to be related to the availability of suitable hollows, the aspect of the site and proximity of the tree to human disturbance. The results of this study will inform the revision of current retention measures implemented via the Tasmanian Forest Practices system, helping ensure a continual supply of suitable tree hollows in the landscape for the conservation of hollow dependent fauna.
Key words: tree hollows, forest management, forest