Management activities that reduce habitat by removing fallen timber often deplete faunal diversity, whereas activities that enhance this feature can promote species diversity. To assess whether faunal habitat can be enhanced in grazed environments we monitored fauna usage of artificially placed fence posts in semi-arid grasslands and woodlands in Terrick Terrick National Park in Victoria.

In total, 346 observations of 15 species from eight vertebrate families were recorded beneath refuges, including threatened species (Striped Legless Lizard, Tessellated Gecko and Curl Snake). There was no difference in species richness between sub-communities, however observations were more abundant in the woodland. The Tessellated Gecko, Boulenger’s Skink and Curl Snake were more abundant beneath old refuges, whereas the introduced House Mouse was more abundant beneath new refuges in widespread grassland sub-community.

There was evidence of seasonal and spatial dependence in new refuge usage patterns in eight species, particularly the Fat-tailed Dunnart and Curl Snake, with refuges at a given site showing increased utilisation over time. Relatively high use of new refuges suggests that these substrates might become more valuable for grassland fauna, especially reptiles and small mammals, as time progresses.

These results support other studies which demonstrate fauna habitat can be enhanced by placing refuges in areas where ground debris has been depleted by agricultural activities and also provides an opportunity to further investigate spatial and temporal patterns in faunal abundances and inter-specific interactions.

Further Reading:

Michael DR, Lunt ID & Robinson WA (2003). Terrestrial vertebrate fauna of grasslands and grassy woodlands in Terrick Terrick National Park, northern Victoria. Victorian Naturalist 120(5), 164-171.

Michael DR, Lunt ID. & Robinson WA (2004). Enhancing fauna habitat in grazed native grasslands and woodlands: use of artificially-placed log refuges by fauna. Wildlife Research 31(1), 65-71.