Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
timber. It also requires large patches of woodland. In addition, patches occupied by
the species are those which are surrounded by many other large patches of
woodland. 18 Therefore, attributes of sites, patches, farms and landscapes (i.e.
multiple farms) combine to influence the occurrence of this species.
The Brown Treecreeper is far from an isolated case and illustrates the
influence on animal distribution of factors at multiple scales. We have found
many other species ranging from reptiles to possums and an array of other bird
species (e.g. the White-plumed Honeyeater and the Superb Parrot) respond to
features of the environment at a range of scales. An understanding of scale
effects is important for conservation because it highlights the appropriate scale
or scales at which management actions are likely to be most effective. A good
example is baiting for feral predators like the Red Fox. Work on movement
patterns and predation effects indicate that landscape-scale baiting programs are
required to control this serious environmental pest. Therefore, the most effective
bating programs will be those coordinated across several adjoining farms. The
value of doing this appears to be underscored by studies of species such as the
Common Brushtail Possum, which are often preyed upon by the Red Fox. The
Common Brushtail Possum is more likely to occur in landscapes where there is
an ongoing tradition of coordinating fox baiting across many farms. 2
Figure 7.5: The Brown Treecreeper is a bird of conservation concern which responds to characteristics at
several scales - sites, patches, farms and landscapes. (Photo by Julian Robinson)
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