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Adrian D. Manning
Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia

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Contributed paper
Published: 05 May 2021 in Conservation Science and Practice
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Predation of threatened fauna by native and introduced predators can drive extinction and prevent population recovery. Most predator management involves exclusion or culling. Evidence suggests that exclusion may have detrimental effects on a prey species' predator awareness. At the same time, culling can cause selection of control‐resistant predators. There is increasing interest in harnessing evolutionary processes to drive adaptation of threatened fauna to cope, but there is limited attention on trying this from the predator direction. We need to shift the survival advantage away from predators that avoid lethal control, and go on to kill, towards those that demonstrate behaviors that reduce impact on threatened fauna. Instead of driving undesirable predator selection, could we select through management actions desirable traits to make them “less lethal” to threatened fauna? We draw on experimental research on predator aversion that suggests there may be an alternative way to mitigate the impacts of predators, while maintaining the learning opportunities of prey species. Using the case study of the invasive red fox in Australia, we propose a conceptual framework within which future research and management could occur to select for these desirable traits in predators and develop practical regimes for predator impact mitigation.

ACS Style

Adrian D. Manning; Tim A. Andrewartha; Anton Blencowe; Kyle Brewer; Iain J. Gordon; Maldwyn J. Evans. Bettering the devil you know: Can we drive predator adaptation to restore native fauna? Conservation Science and Practice 2021, e447 .

AMA Style

Adrian D. Manning, Tim A. Andrewartha, Anton Blencowe, Kyle Brewer, Iain J. Gordon, Maldwyn J. Evans. Bettering the devil you know: Can we drive predator adaptation to restore native fauna? Conservation Science and Practice. 2021; ():e447.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adrian D. Manning; Tim A. Andrewartha; Anton Blencowe; Kyle Brewer; Iain J. Gordon; Maldwyn J. Evans. 2021. "Bettering the devil you know: Can we drive predator adaptation to restore native fauna?" Conservation Science and Practice , no. : e447.

Review
Published: 18 March 2021 in Sustainability
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The vision of rewilding is to return ecosystems to a “natural” or “self-willed” state with trophic complexity, dispersal (and connectivity) and stochastic disturbance in place. The concept is gaining traction, particularly in Europe where significant land abandonment has taken place in recent years. However, in reality, the purest form of rewilding (Rewilding Max) is constrained by a number of context-specific factors whereby it may not be possible to restore the native species that form part of the trophic structure of the ecosystem if they are extinct (for example, mammoths, Mammuthus spp., aurochs, Bos taurus primigenius). In addition, populations/communities of native herbivores/predators may not be able to survive or be acceptable to the public in small scale rewilding projects close to areas of high human density or agricultural land. Therefore, the restoration of natural trophic complexity and disturbance regimes within rewilding projects requires careful consideration if the broader conservation needs of society are to be met. Here we highlight the importance of herbivory as a key factor in rewilding. We argue that the use of the suite of livestock species, and in particular traditional breeds, offers the opportunity, under both land sharing/sparing strategies, to reinstate a more “natural” form of herbivory but still retain the option for management interventions (Rewilding Lite). It will even be possible to gain economic returns (ecotourism, sale of livestock products) from these systems, which will make them more acceptable to state and private landowners. We develop our case based on the advantages of using landraces versus de-domestication strategies, and on the implementation of eco-shepherding herbivory as a restoration tool in fine mosaics of agriculture/natural patches. If this approach is adopted, then larger areas can be given over to conservation, because of the potential broader benefits to society from these spaces and the engagement of farmers in practices that are closer to their traditions.

ACS Style

Iain Gordon; F. Pérez-Barbería; Adrian Manning. Rewilding Lite: Using Traditional Domestic Livestock to Achieve Rewilding Outcomes. Sustainability 2021, 13, 3347 .

AMA Style

Iain Gordon, F. Pérez-Barbería, Adrian Manning. Rewilding Lite: Using Traditional Domestic Livestock to Achieve Rewilding Outcomes. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (6):3347.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Iain Gordon; F. Pérez-Barbería; Adrian Manning. 2021. "Rewilding Lite: Using Traditional Domestic Livestock to Achieve Rewilding Outcomes." Sustainability 13, no. 6: 3347.

Journal article
Published: 04 August 2020 in Biological Conservation
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Amphibians are proportionately over-represented in the current wave of global biodiversity loss. Disease and habitat loss are implicated in many amphibian species declines, but amphibians are also predicted to be sensitive to changes in climate, particularly changes in temperature and loss of moisture. These changes could severely impact frog use of terrestrial habitats. We used data from a long-term (2007–18) landscape-scale experiment in south-eastern Australia to test the effects of terrestrial habitat characteristics and restoration treatments on frog species. We found declines in species richness and in the occurrences of two locally-common species (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis and Uperoleia laevigata). These declines were associated with high maximum temperatures, low minimum temperatures and low rainfall. Coarse woody debris addition was associated with higher species richness and L. tasmaniensis occurrence, but this effect was not greater in times of reduced rainfall and high maximum temperatures, implying a weak ‘refugia’ effect. Frogs were positively associated with wetter sites, and this association increased with higher maximum temperatures. Our findings add to a growing body of evidence that show that prolonged periods of drought pose a key threat to frog populations and that short periods of relief from drought conditions are insufficient to allow recovery of terrestrial frog populations over the long term. Restoration efforts could include the provision of coarse woody debris and should also ensure that good quality aquatic habitat, such as drought-resistant ponds and dams, are available throughout hot and dry times as a supplement to ephemeral aquatic habitat.

ACS Style

Maldwyn J. Evans; Benjamin C. Scheele; Martin J. Westgate; Marta Yebra; Jenny S. Newport; Adrian Manning. Beyond the pond: Terrestrial habitat use by frogs in a changing climate. Biological Conservation 2020, 249, 108712 .

AMA Style

Maldwyn J. Evans, Benjamin C. Scheele, Martin J. Westgate, Marta Yebra, Jenny S. Newport, Adrian Manning. Beyond the pond: Terrestrial habitat use by frogs in a changing climate. Biological Conservation. 2020; 249 ():108712.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maldwyn J. Evans; Benjamin C. Scheele; Martin J. Westgate; Marta Yebra; Jenny S. Newport; Adrian Manning. 2020. "Beyond the pond: Terrestrial habitat use by frogs in a changing climate." Biological Conservation 249, no. : 108712.

Research article
Published: 29 June 2020 in PLOS ONE
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Threatened species recovery programs are increasingly turning to reintroductions to reverse biodiversity loss. Here we present a real-world example where tactics (techniques which influence post-release performance and persistence) and an adaptive management framework (which incorporates feedback between monitoring and future actions) improved reintroduction success. Across three successive trials we investigated the influence of tactics on the effective survival and post-release dispersal of endangered eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) reintroduced into Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, Australian Capital Territory. Founders were monitored for 42 days post-release, and probability of survival and post-release dispersal were tested against trial, origin, sex, den sharing and presence of pouch young. We adopted an adaptive management framework, using monitoring to facilitate rapid learning and to implement interventions that improved reintroduction success. Founders released in the first trial were less likely to survive (28.6%, n = 14) than those founders released the second (76.9%, n = 13) and third trials (87.5%, n = 8). We adapted several tactics in the second and third trials, including the selection of female-only founders to avoid elevated male mortality, and post-mating releases to reduce stress. Founders that moved dens between consecutive nights were less likely to survive, suggesting that minimising post-release dispersal can increase the probability of survival. The probability of moving dens was lower in the second and third trials, for females, and when den sharing with another founder. This study demonstrates that, through iterative trials of tactics involving monitoring and learning, adaptive management can be used to significantly improve the success of reintroduction programs.

ACS Style

Belinda A. Wilson; Maldwyn J. Evans; William G. Batson; Sam C. Banks; Iain J. Gordon; Donald B. Fletcher; Claire Wimpenny; Jenny Newport; Emily Belton; Annette Rypalski; Tim Portas; Adrian D. Manning. Adapting reintroduction tactics in successive trials increases the likelihood of establishment for an endangered carnivore in a fenced sanctuary. PLOS ONE 2020, 15, e0234455 .

AMA Style

Belinda A. Wilson, Maldwyn J. Evans, William G. Batson, Sam C. Banks, Iain J. Gordon, Donald B. Fletcher, Claire Wimpenny, Jenny Newport, Emily Belton, Annette Rypalski, Tim Portas, Adrian D. Manning. Adapting reintroduction tactics in successive trials increases the likelihood of establishment for an endangered carnivore in a fenced sanctuary. PLOS ONE. 2020; 15 (6):e0234455.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Belinda A. Wilson; Maldwyn J. Evans; William G. Batson; Sam C. Banks; Iain J. Gordon; Donald B. Fletcher; Claire Wimpenny; Jenny Newport; Emily Belton; Annette Rypalski; Tim Portas; Adrian D. Manning. 2020. "Adapting reintroduction tactics in successive trials increases the likelihood of establishment for an endangered carnivore in a fenced sanctuary." PLOS ONE 15, no. 6: e0234455.

Research article
Published: 05 March 2020 in PLOS ONE
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Simplification of stand structure of forests and woodlands through human-induced modification is a serious threat to biodiversity. Restoring lost habitat complexity and heterogeneity, such as woody debris, requires an understanding of the relationships between different elements that contribute to stand structure. In this study, we examine the structure and composition of a critically endangered box-gum grassy woodland in south-eastern Australia and relationships with woody debris loads. We found that: (1) despite modification by humans and differing susceptibility to dieback, the two dominant tree species, Blakeley’s red gum, Eucalyptus blakelyi and yellow box, E. melliodora, occurred in similar proportions irrespective of vegetation density; (2) E. blakelyi had the largest number of stems and basal area, but while E. melliodora had fewer stems, it had a similar basal area to E. blakelyi. E. melliodora also showed fewer signs of dieback than E. blakelyi with between 40–50% trees in good condition compared to 2% for the latter species; (3) woody debris loads were low compared to other studies in woodland, but there were levels of heterogeneity indicating ‘natural’ accumulation was occurring; (4) tree basal area and woody debris loads had a 1:1 relationship across all sites and vegetation densities. Overall, our study indicated that ecosystem recovery was taking place (i.e. with many young trees), but there were fewer large trees that are known to supply most woody debris. Our findings highlight the slow accumulation of this critical resource because the volumes were lower than expected. Based on our results, we recommend: (1) aiming for approximately a 50:50 ratio of yellow box to Blakely's red gum basal area in woodland restoration projects; (2) to accelerate the recovery of woodland structure, addition of woody debris should be added at a minimum ratio of 1:1 to standing basal area (i.e. a basal area of 5.99 m2 requires a minimum volume of 3.11 m3) (3) managing for both volume and heterogeneity of woody debris loads; (4) preserving large diameter trees to harness proportionally higher woody debris and litter inputs.

ACS Style

Adrian D. Manning; Ross B. Cunningham; David Tongway; David B. Lindenmayer. Woodlands and woody debris: Understanding structure and composition to inform restoration. PLOS ONE 2020, 15, e0224258 .

AMA Style

Adrian D. Manning, Ross B. Cunningham, David Tongway, David B. Lindenmayer. Woodlands and woody debris: Understanding structure and composition to inform restoration. PLOS ONE. 2020; 15 (3):e0224258.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adrian D. Manning; Ross B. Cunningham; David Tongway; David B. Lindenmayer. 2020. "Woodlands and woody debris: Understanding structure and composition to inform restoration." PLOS ONE 15, no. 3: e0224258.

Original paper
Published: 30 November 2019 in Biodiversity and Conservation
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Grasslands and grassy woodlands worldwide have experienced declines in extent and condition, with substantial changes to their ground-layer biodiversity. In Australia, this decline has coincided with the extinction of many digging mammals that may have once created regeneration niches for native ground layer plants. These digging mammals are widely recognised as ‘ecosystem engineers’, due to their influence on biopedturbation and resultant soil functions. Yet there is uncertainty as to the benefits of digging in restoring grassland diversity with current levels of modification and the presence of exotic plants. We investigated the effect of digging by the reintroduced eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) on seedling germination in a temperate grassy woodland in south-eastern Australia. We marked fresh bettong foraging pits and undisturbed control plots in dense and open grassland. We added seeds of seven native forb species and monitored germination and establishment over 2 years. We found significantly more seedlings in bettong pits than controls, particularly in dense grassland. This effect persisted beyond 1 year, suggesting that pits may have increased seedling survival in dry conditions. Surprisingly, native species displayed a stronger positive response to pits than exotic species, particularly in a wet year. There was an initial reduction in exotic species, but this was followed by their increase in 1-year-old pits, suggesting that the disturbance created by digging could eventually lead to an increase in weed abundance. Our results demonstrate that while bettong pits provide a germination niche for native forbs, reintroducing digging animals will not necessarily result in the desired restoration outcomes. Ongoing persistence of exotic species is to be expected, and seed addition may be required for species that are seed-limited.

ACS Style

Catherine E. Ross; Sue McIntyre; Philip Barton; Maldwyn J. Evans; Saul Cunningham; Adrian Manning. A reintroduced ecosystem engineer provides a germination niche for native plant species. Biodiversity and Conservation 2019, 29, 817 -837.

AMA Style

Catherine E. Ross, Sue McIntyre, Philip Barton, Maldwyn J. Evans, Saul Cunningham, Adrian Manning. A reintroduced ecosystem engineer provides a germination niche for native plant species. Biodiversity and Conservation. 2019; 29 (3):817-837.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catherine E. Ross; Sue McIntyre; Philip Barton; Maldwyn J. Evans; Saul Cunningham; Adrian Manning. 2019. "A reintroduced ecosystem engineer provides a germination niche for native plant species." Biodiversity and Conservation 29, no. 3: 817-837.

Journal article
Published: 27 November 2019 in Animal Conservation
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ACS Style

K. Abicair; Adrian Manning; F. Ford; J. Newport; S. C. Banks. Habitat selection and genetic diversity of a reintroduced ‘refugee species’. Animal Conservation 2019, 23, 330 -341.

AMA Style

K. Abicair, Adrian Manning, F. Ford, J. Newport, S. C. Banks. Habitat selection and genetic diversity of a reintroduced ‘refugee species’. Animal Conservation. 2019; 23 (3):330-341.

Chicago/Turabian Style

K. Abicair; Adrian Manning; F. Ford; J. Newport; S. C. Banks. 2019. "Habitat selection and genetic diversity of a reintroduced ‘refugee species’." Animal Conservation 23, no. 3: 330-341.

Original paper
Published: 21 September 2019 in Biodiversity and Conservation
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When does a reintroduced population of animals become self-regulating? Quantifying this is critical in determining when interventions can be tapered off, or when they may need to be reinstated. We tracked the growth trajectory of a reintroduced population to establish whether it was irruptive and/or had transitioned to self-regulation. In 2012, we reintroduced 32 eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi), a potoroid marsupial from Tasmania, Australia, to a 485 ha exotic predator-proof fenced reserve in the Australian Capital Territory. We established a 92 cage trap monitoring network to track population growth between the Austral Autumn 2014 and Summer 2018. We used capture-recapture models to track changes in the population through time, and modelled ‘bettong weight’, ‘pouch occupancy’ and ‘age of pouch young’ with population variation, to establish potential associations with changes in population size. The estimated population grew from 32 individuals in 2012 to 100 in 2014, 192 in Autumn 2016, and then declined to 151 in Summer 2018. Estimated survival of adults was high—above 92% between most sessions. Adult female weights ranged between 0.485 and 2.428 kg, and adult males between 0.470 and 2.775 kg. Our study showed density dependence was achieved over the 6 year period. Low adult mortality, and variable pouch occupancy related to female weight, suggested that food availability had influenced lactation in females, with flow-on impacts on juvenile survival. Long-term, broad-scale population dynamics were probably driven by a mix of direct (e.g. disease, harvesting for other reintroductions), and indirect (i.e. climate dependent availability of nutritious food) influences on population size.

ACS Style

Adrian D. Manning; Maldwyn J. Evans; Sam C. Banks; William G. Batson; Emily Belton; Helen A. Crisp; Donald B. Fletcher; Iain J. Gordon; Kate Grarock; Nicki Munro; Jenny Newport; Jennifer Pierson; Timothy J. Portas; Melissa A. Snape; Claire Wimpenny. Transition to density dependence in a reintroduced ecosystem engineer. Biodiversity and Conservation 2019, 28, 3803 -3830.

AMA Style

Adrian D. Manning, Maldwyn J. Evans, Sam C. Banks, William G. Batson, Emily Belton, Helen A. Crisp, Donald B. Fletcher, Iain J. Gordon, Kate Grarock, Nicki Munro, Jenny Newport, Jennifer Pierson, Timothy J. Portas, Melissa A. Snape, Claire Wimpenny. Transition to density dependence in a reintroduced ecosystem engineer. Biodiversity and Conservation. 2019; 28 (14):3803-3830.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adrian D. Manning; Maldwyn J. Evans; Sam C. Banks; William G. Batson; Emily Belton; Helen A. Crisp; Donald B. Fletcher; Iain J. Gordon; Kate Grarock; Nicki Munro; Jenny Newport; Jennifer Pierson; Timothy J. Portas; Melissa A. Snape; Claire Wimpenny. 2019. "Transition to density dependence in a reintroduced ecosystem engineer." Biodiversity and Conservation 28, no. 14: 3803-3830.

Journal article
Published: 20 August 2019 in PeerJ
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Temperate grasslands and woodlands are the focus of extensive restoration efforts worldwide. Reintroduction of locally extinct soil-foraging and burrowing animals has been suggested as a means to restore soil function in these ecosystems. Yet little is known about the physical and chemical effects of digging on soil over time and how these effects differ between species of digging animal, vegetation types or ecosystems. We compared foraging pits of a native reintroduced marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and that of the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We simulated pits of these animals and measured pit dimensions and soil chemical properties over a period of 2 years. We showed that bettong and rabbit pits differed in their morphology and longevity, and that pits had a strong moderating effect on soil surface temperatures. Over 75% of the simulated pits were still visible after 2 years, and bettong pits infilled faster than rabbit pits. Bettong pits reduced diurnal temperature range by up to 25 °C compared to the soil surface. We did not find any effects of digging on soil chemistry that were consistent across vegetation types, between bettong and rabbit pits, and with time since digging, which is contrary to studies conducted in arid biomes. Our findings show that animal foraging pits in temperate ecosystems cause physical alteration of the soil surface and microclimatic conditions rather than nutrient changes often observed in arid areas.

ACS Style

Catherine E. Ross; Nicola T. Munro; Philip S. Barton; Maldwyn J. Evans; John Gillen; Ben C.T. Macdonald; Sue McIntyre; Saul A. Cunningham; Adrian D. Manning. Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland. PeerJ 2019, 7, e7506 .

AMA Style

Catherine E. Ross, Nicola T. Munro, Philip S. Barton, Maldwyn J. Evans, John Gillen, Ben C.T. Macdonald, Sue McIntyre, Saul A. Cunningham, Adrian D. Manning. Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland. PeerJ. 2019; 7 ():e7506.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catherine E. Ross; Nicola T. Munro; Philip S. Barton; Maldwyn J. Evans; John Gillen; Ben C.T. Macdonald; Sue McIntyre; Saul A. Cunningham; Adrian D. Manning. 2019. "Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland." PeerJ 7, no. : e7506.

Original paper
Published: 08 June 2019 in Biodiversity and Conservation
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Long-term faunal responses to restoration efforts can be very different from those in the short term, but are often not quantified systematically to identify ways that maximise restoration outcomes. We report on a 9-year landscape-scale ecological experiment that tests the long-term responses of reptile populations to coarse woody debris (CWD) addition, reduced native macropod grazing, and prescribed fire. We found that reptile species richness was increased 9 years after CWD addition, as was the abundance of several common reptile species. Further, the more CWD was added to the system, the more benefits were afforded to reptiles. The positive effect of CWD depended on the surrounding vegetation structure and was greater in sites with low tree and shrub cover. Further, lower levels of macropod grazing appeared to lessen the effects of CWD addition in the long term. Our results show that restoration projects in open woodlands and scattered tree ecosystems should consider the addition of CWD as a fundamental element of their management actions. To maximise benefits of CWD addition for reptiles, we recommend a strategy of placing CWD in areas with low tree and shrub cover rather than areas with high tree and shrub cover. The addition of CWD in such areas would provide crucial shelter and foraging substrates for reptiles in a comparatively hostile portion of the landscape. Our study helps to establish guidelines for achieving long-lasting effects of ecosystem restoration for vertebrates and demonstrates the benefits of monitoring vertebrates over the long term.

ACS Style

Maldwyn J. Evans; Jenny S. Newport; Adrian D. Manning. A long-term experiment reveals strategies for the ecological restoration of reptiles in scattered tree landscapes. Biodiversity and Conservation 2019, 28, 2825 -2843.

AMA Style

Maldwyn J. Evans, Jenny S. Newport, Adrian D. Manning. A long-term experiment reveals strategies for the ecological restoration of reptiles in scattered tree landscapes. Biodiversity and Conservation. 2019; 28 (11):2825-2843.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maldwyn J. Evans; Jenny S. Newport; Adrian D. Manning. 2019. "A long-term experiment reveals strategies for the ecological restoration of reptiles in scattered tree landscapes." Biodiversity and Conservation 28, no. 11: 2825-2843.

Journal article
Published: 27 May 2019 in PeerJ
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The eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), a medium-sized digging marsupial, was reintroduced to a predator-free reserve after 100 years of absence from the Australian mainland. The bettong may have the potential to restore temperate woodlands degraded by a history of livestock grazing, by creating numerous small disturbances by digging. We investigated the digging capacity of the bettong and compared this to extant fauna, to answer the first key question of whether this species could be considered an ecosystem engineer, and ultimately if it has the capacity to restore lost ecological processes. We found that eastern bettongs were frequent diggers and, at a density of 0.3-0.4 animals ha-1, accounted for over half the total foraging pits observed (55%), with echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), birds and feral rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) accounting for the rest. We estimated that the population of bettongs present dug 985 kg of soil per ha per year in our study area. Bettongs dug more where available phosphorus was higher, where there was greater basal area of Acacia spp. and where kangaroo grazing was less. There was no effect on digging of eucalypt stem density or volume of logs on the ground. While bettong digging activity was more frequent under trees, digging also occurred in open grassland, and bettongs were the only species observed to dig in scalds (areas where topsoil has eroded to the B Horizon). These results highlight the potential for bettongs to enhance soil processes in a way not demonstrated by the existing fauna (native birds and echidna), and introduced rabbit.

ACS Style

Nicola T. Munro; Sue McIntyre; Ben Macdonald; Saul A. Cunningham; Iain J. Gordon; Ross B. Cunningham; Adrian D. Manning. Returning a lost process by reintroducing a locally extinct digging marsupial. PeerJ 2019, 7, e6622 .

AMA Style

Nicola T. Munro, Sue McIntyre, Ben Macdonald, Saul A. Cunningham, Iain J. Gordon, Ross B. Cunningham, Adrian D. Manning. Returning a lost process by reintroducing a locally extinct digging marsupial. PeerJ. 2019; 7 ():e6622.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola T. Munro; Sue McIntyre; Ben Macdonald; Saul A. Cunningham; Iain J. Gordon; Ross B. Cunningham; Adrian D. Manning. 2019. "Returning a lost process by reintroducing a locally extinct digging marsupial." PeerJ 7, no. : e6622.

Research article
Published: 07 May 2019 in Ecological Indicators
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Ecosystem restoration can play a vital role in conserving biodiversity, but its effectiveness can be difficult to assess for hyperdiverse biota such as insects. Species traits of insects can be used to understand their functional responses to restoration, but their use often requires considerable effort, and few studies have examined what additional insight can be gained from this approach. We used a spatially and temporally controlled restoration experiment to examine beetle species, grouped by flight ability, family membership and feeding guild, as indicators of ecosystem functional change. We tested for the effects of reduced vertebrate grazing on beetle assemblages sampled from two different microhabitats (next to log and in open ground) one year prior and two years after a vertebrate grazing treatment was applied. We compared the responses of the different beetle functional groupings, and then related these to the effort involved in employing these indicators. We found that beetle species traits gave several functional insights into their responses to reduced grazing, including responses to changes in vegetation structure and biomass. Species richness indicators and abundance indicators of beetle functional groups showed similar responses in many cases, whereas biomass indicators gave additional insights related to the extra biomass of vegetation and detritus resulting from the reduction in grazing. We found that most results were revealed by using family groups as indicators for functional change. This is because the traits that often define beetle families, such as size, flight ability and feeding guilds each have distinctive functional roles, allowing a link from family to function, and supporting the idea that phylogeny is often a useful shortcut to species ecology. We conclude that in our study system, the least-cost approach to identifying functional responses of beetles to reduced vertebrate grazing, and possibly other restoration actions, is to use abundance indicators of the most common family groups.

ACS Style

Maldwyn J. Evans; Saul Cunningham; Heloise Gibb; Adrian Manning; Philip Barton. Beetle ecological indicators – A comparison of cost vs reward to understand functional changes in response to restoration actions. Ecological Indicators 2019, 104, 209 -218.

AMA Style

Maldwyn J. Evans, Saul Cunningham, Heloise Gibb, Adrian Manning, Philip Barton. Beetle ecological indicators – A comparison of cost vs reward to understand functional changes in response to restoration actions. Ecological Indicators. 2019; 104 ():209-218.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maldwyn J. Evans; Saul Cunningham; Heloise Gibb; Adrian Manning; Philip Barton. 2019. "Beetle ecological indicators – A comparison of cost vs reward to understand functional changes in response to restoration actions." Ecological Indicators 104, no. : 209-218.

Letter
Published: 03 January 2019 in Conservation Letters
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In the last 30 years, islands and fenced exclosures free of introduced predators (collectively, havens) have become an increasingly used option for protecting Australian mammals imperiled by predation by introduced cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). However, Australia's network of havens is not expanding in a manner that maximizes representation of all predator‐susceptible taxa, because of continued emphasis on already‐represented taxa. Future additions to the haven network will improve representation of mammals most efficiently if they fill gaps in under‐represented predator‐susceptible taxa, particularly rodents. A systematic approach to expansion could protect at least one population of every Australian predator‐susceptible threatened mammal taxon by the addition of 12 new havens to the current network. Were the current haven network to be doubled in number in a systematic manner, it could protect three populations of every Australian predator‐susceptible threatened mammal taxon.

ACS Style

Jeremy Ringma; Sarah Legge; John C.Z. Woinarski; James Q. Radford; Brendan Wintle; Joss Bentley; Andrew A. Burbidge; Peter Copley; Nicholas Dexter; Chris R. Dickman; Graeme R. Gillespie; Brydie Hill; Chris N. Johnson; John Kanowski; Mike Letnic; Adrian Manning; Peter Menkhorst; Nicola Mitchell; Keith Morris; Katherine Moseby; Manda Page; Russell Palmer; Michael Bode. Systematic planning can rapidly close the protection gap in Australian mammal havens. Conservation Letters 2019, 12, 1 .

AMA Style

Jeremy Ringma, Sarah Legge, John C.Z. Woinarski, James Q. Radford, Brendan Wintle, Joss Bentley, Andrew A. Burbidge, Peter Copley, Nicholas Dexter, Chris R. Dickman, Graeme R. Gillespie, Brydie Hill, Chris N. Johnson, John Kanowski, Mike Letnic, Adrian Manning, Peter Menkhorst, Nicola Mitchell, Keith Morris, Katherine Moseby, Manda Page, Russell Palmer, Michael Bode. Systematic planning can rapidly close the protection gap in Australian mammal havens. Conservation Letters. 2019; 12 (1):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jeremy Ringma; Sarah Legge; John C.Z. Woinarski; James Q. Radford; Brendan Wintle; Joss Bentley; Andrew A. Burbidge; Peter Copley; Nicholas Dexter; Chris R. Dickman; Graeme R. Gillespie; Brydie Hill; Chris N. Johnson; John Kanowski; Mike Letnic; Adrian Manning; Peter Menkhorst; Nicola Mitchell; Keith Morris; Katherine Moseby; Manda Page; Russell Palmer; Michael Bode. 2019. "Systematic planning can rapidly close the protection gap in Australian mammal havens." Conservation Letters 12, no. 1: 1.

Research article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Wildlife Research
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Context Many Australian mammal species are highly susceptible to predation by introduced domestic cats (Felis catus) and European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). These predators have caused many extinctions and have driven large distributional and population declines for many more species. The serendipitous occurrence of, and deliberate translocations of mammals to, ‘havens’ (cat- and fox-free offshore islands, and mainland fenced exclosures capable of excluding cats and foxes) has helped avoid further extinction. Aims The aim of this study was to conduct a stocktake of current island and fenced havens in Australia and assess the extent of their protection for threatened mammal taxa that are most susceptible to cat and fox predation. Methods Information was collated from diverse sources to document (1) the locations of havens and (2) the occurrence of populations of predator-susceptible threatened mammals (naturally occurring or translocated) in those havens. The list of predator-susceptible taxa (67 taxa, 52 species) was based on consensus opinion from >25 mammal experts. Key results Seventeen fenced and 101 island havens contain 188 populations of 38 predator-susceptible threatened mammal taxa (32 species). Island havens cover a larger cumulative area than fenced havens (2152km2 versus 346km2), and reach larger sizes (largest island 325km2, with another island of 628km2 becoming available from 2018; largest fence: 123km2). Islands and fenced havens contain similar numbers of taxa (27 each), because fenced havens usually contain more taxa per haven. Populations within fences are mostly translocated (43 of 49; 88%). Islands contain translocated populations (30 of 139; 22%); but also protect in situ (109) threatened mammal populations. Conclusions Havens are used increasingly to safeguard threatened predator-susceptible mammals. However, 15 such taxa occur in only one or two havens, and 29 such taxa (43%) are not represented in any havens. The taxon at greatest risk of extinction from predation, and in greatest need of a haven, is the central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus). Implications Future investment in havens should focus on locations that favour taxa with no (or low) existing haven representation. Although havens can be critical for avoiding extinctions in the short term, they cover a minute proportion of species’ former ranges. Improved options for controlling the impacts of cats and foxes at landscape scales must be developed and implemented.

ACS Style

Sarah Legge; John C. Z. Woinarski; Andrew A. Burbidge; Russell Palmer; Jeremy Ringma; James Q. Radford; Nicola Mitchell; Michael Bode; Brendan Wintle; Marcus Baseler; Joss Bentley; Peter Copley; Nicholas Dexter; Christopher Dickman; Graeme R. Gillespie; Brydie Hill; Chris Johnson; Peter Latch; Michael Letnic; Adrian Manning; Erin E. McCreless; Peter Menkhorst; Keith Morris; Katherine Moseby; Manda Page; David Pannell; Katherine Tuft. Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators. Wildlife Research 2018, 45, 627 .

AMA Style

Sarah Legge, John C. Z. Woinarski, Andrew A. Burbidge, Russell Palmer, Jeremy Ringma, James Q. Radford, Nicola Mitchell, Michael Bode, Brendan Wintle, Marcus Baseler, Joss Bentley, Peter Copley, Nicholas Dexter, Christopher Dickman, Graeme R. Gillespie, Brydie Hill, Chris Johnson, Peter Latch, Michael Letnic, Adrian Manning, Erin E. McCreless, Peter Menkhorst, Keith Morris, Katherine Moseby, Manda Page, David Pannell, Katherine Tuft. Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators. Wildlife Research. 2018; 45 (7):627.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sarah Legge; John C. Z. Woinarski; Andrew A. Burbidge; Russell Palmer; Jeremy Ringma; James Q. Radford; Nicola Mitchell; Michael Bode; Brendan Wintle; Marcus Baseler; Joss Bentley; Peter Copley; Nicholas Dexter; Christopher Dickman; Graeme R. Gillespie; Brydie Hill; Chris Johnson; Peter Latch; Michael Letnic; Adrian Manning; Erin E. McCreless; Peter Menkhorst; Keith Morris; Katherine Moseby; Manda Page; David Pannell; Katherine Tuft. 2018. "Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators." Wildlife Research 45, no. 7: 627.

Research article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Wildlife Research
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Context Over the last 230 years, the Australian terrestrial mammal fauna has suffered a very high rate of decline and extinction relative to other continents. Predation by the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus) is implicated in many of these extinctions, and in the ongoing decline of many extant species. Aims To assess the degree to which Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species are susceptible at the population level to predation by the red fox and feral cat, and to allocate each species to a category of predator susceptibility. Methods We collated the available evidence and complemented this with expert opinion to categorise each Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species (extinct and extant) into one of four classes of population-level susceptibility to introduced predators (i.e. ‘extreme’, ‘high’, ‘low’ or ‘not susceptible’). We then compared predator susceptibility with conservation status, body size and extent of arboreality; and assessed changes in the occurrence of species in different predator-susceptibility categories between 1788 and 2017. Key results Of 246 Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species (including extinct species), we conclude that 37 species are (or were) extremely predator-susceptible; 52 species are highly predator-susceptible; 112 species are of low susceptibility; and 42 species are not susceptible to predators. Confidence in assigning species to predator-susceptibility categories was strongest for extant threatened mammal species and for extremely predator-susceptible species. Extinct and threatened mammal species are more likely to be predator-susceptible than Least Concern species; arboreal species are less predator-susceptible than ground-dwelling species; and medium-sized species (35 g–3.5kg) are more predator-susceptible than smaller or larger species. Conclusions The effective control of foxes and cats over large areas is likely to assist the population-level recovery of ~63 species – the number of extant species with extreme or high predator susceptibility – which represents ~29% of the extant Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal fauna. Implications Categorisation of predator susceptibility is an important tool for conservation management, because the persistence of species with extreme susceptibility will require intensive management (e.g. predator-proof exclosures or predator-free islands), whereas species of lower predator susceptibility can be managed through effective landscape-level suppression of introduced predators.

ACS Style

James Q. Radford; John C. Z. Woinarski; Sarah Legge; Marcus Baseler; Joss Bentley; Andrew A. Burbidge; Michael Bode; Peter Copley; Nicholas Dexter; Christopher Dickman; Graeme Gillespie; Brydie Hill; Chris N. Johnson; John Kanowski; Peter Latch; Michael Letnic; Adrian Manning; Peter Menkhorst; Nicola Mitchell; Keith Morris; Katherine Moseby; Manda Page; Jeremy Ringma. Degrees of population-level susceptibility of Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species to predation by the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus). Wildlife Research 2018, 45, 645 .

AMA Style

James Q. Radford, John C. Z. Woinarski, Sarah Legge, Marcus Baseler, Joss Bentley, Andrew A. Burbidge, Michael Bode, Peter Copley, Nicholas Dexter, Christopher Dickman, Graeme Gillespie, Brydie Hill, Chris N. Johnson, John Kanowski, Peter Latch, Michael Letnic, Adrian Manning, Peter Menkhorst, Nicola Mitchell, Keith Morris, Katherine Moseby, Manda Page, Jeremy Ringma. Degrees of population-level susceptibility of Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species to predation by the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus). Wildlife Research. 2018; 45 (7):645.

Chicago/Turabian Style

James Q. Radford; John C. Z. Woinarski; Sarah Legge; Marcus Baseler; Joss Bentley; Andrew A. Burbidge; Michael Bode; Peter Copley; Nicholas Dexter; Christopher Dickman; Graeme Gillespie; Brydie Hill; Chris N. Johnson; John Kanowski; Peter Latch; Michael Letnic; Adrian Manning; Peter Menkhorst; Nicola Mitchell; Keith Morris; Katherine Moseby; Manda Page; Jeremy Ringma. 2018. "Degrees of population-level susceptibility of Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species to predation by the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus)." Wildlife Research 45, no. 7: 645.

Journal article
Published: 09 October 2017 in Diversity and Distributions
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The biodiversity value of scattered trees in modified landscapes is often overlooked in planning and conservation decisions. We conducted a multitaxa study to determine how wildlife abundance, species richness and community composition at individual trees are affected by (1) the landscape context in which trees are located; and (2) the size of trees. Canberra, south-eastern Australia. Trunk arthropod, bat and bird surveys were undertaken over 3 years (2012–2014) at 72 trees of three sizes (small (20–50 cm DBH), medium (51–80 cm), large (≥80 cm)) located in four landscape contexts (reserves, pasture, urban parklands, urban built-up areas). Landscape context affected all taxa surveyed. Trunk arthropod communities differed between trees in urban built-up areas and reserves. Bat activity and richness were significantly reduced at trees in urban built-up areas suggesting that echolocating bats may be disturbed by high levels of urbanization. Bird abundance and richness were highest at trees located in modified landscapes, highlighting the value of scattered trees for birds. Bird communities also differed between non-urban and urban trees. Tree size had a significant effect on birds but did not affect trunk arthropods and bats. Large trees supported higher bird abundance, richness and more unique species compared to medium and small trees. Scattered trees support a diversity of wildlife. However, landscape context and tree size affected wildlife in contrasting ways. Land management strategies are needed to collectively account for responses exhibited by multiple taxa at varying spatial scales. We recommend that the retention and perpetuation of scattered trees in modified landscapes should be prioritized, hereby providing crucial habitat benefits to a multitude of taxa.

ACS Style

Darren S. Le Roux; Karen Ikin; David B. Lindenmayer; Adrian D. Manning; Philip Gibbons. The value of scattered trees for wildlife: Contrasting effects of landscape context and tree size. Diversity and Distributions 2017, 24, 69 -81.

AMA Style

Darren S. Le Roux, Karen Ikin, David B. Lindenmayer, Adrian D. Manning, Philip Gibbons. The value of scattered trees for wildlife: Contrasting effects of landscape context and tree size. Diversity and Distributions. 2017; 24 (1):69-81.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Darren S. Le Roux; Karen Ikin; David B. Lindenmayer; Adrian D. Manning; Philip Gibbons. 2017. "The value of scattered trees for wildlife: Contrasting effects of landscape context and tree size." Diversity and Distributions 24, no. 1: 69-81.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2017 in Applied Soil Ecology
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Kelly Hamonts; Andrew Bissett; Ben Macdonald; Philip Barton; Adrian Manning; Andrew Young. Effects of ecological restoration on soil microbial diversity in a temperate grassy woodland. Applied Soil Ecology 2017, 117-118, 117 -128.

AMA Style

Kelly Hamonts, Andrew Bissett, Ben Macdonald, Philip Barton, Adrian Manning, Andrew Young. Effects of ecological restoration on soil microbial diversity in a temperate grassy woodland. Applied Soil Ecology. 2017; 117-118 ():117-128.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kelly Hamonts; Andrew Bissett; Ben Macdonald; Philip Barton; Adrian Manning; Andrew Young. 2017. "Effects of ecological restoration on soil microbial diversity in a temperate grassy woodland." Applied Soil Ecology 117-118, no. : 117-128.

Journal article
Published: 28 July 2017 in Applied Vegetation Science
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S. McIntyre; A. O. Nicholls; A. D. Manning. Trajectories of floristic change in grassland: landscape, land use legacy and seasonal conditions overshadow restoration actions. Applied Vegetation Science 2017, 20, 582 -593.

AMA Style

S. McIntyre, A. O. Nicholls, A. D. Manning. Trajectories of floristic change in grassland: landscape, land use legacy and seasonal conditions overshadow restoration actions. Applied Vegetation Science. 2017; 20 (4):582-593.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. McIntyre; A. O. Nicholls; A. D. Manning. 2017. "Trajectories of floristic change in grassland: landscape, land use legacy and seasonal conditions overshadow restoration actions." Applied Vegetation Science 20, no. 4: 582-593.

Journal article
Published: 25 July 2017 in Journal of Zoology
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Stress is important in reintroduction biology because it can influence mortality, dispersal and recruitment and determine establishment success. As stress is unavoidable during reintroduction, it requires deliberate management. Release tactics (e.g. ‘delayed- and immediate-release’) are often selected specifically based on their presumed effect on physiological stress, yet, the actual physiological effects are seldom tested. Delayed-release involves pre-release confinement (in situ), or captivity (ex situ), which can improve post-release performance in some cases, or induce a detrimental effect in others, especially in wild animals. Quarantine is another common pre-release practice that requires captivity/confinement carrying similar post-release physiological implications. We use faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations (FGM) to evaluate how a delayed-release involving 95–345 days in captivity influences the stress physiology of wild eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi), compared to an immediate-release (within 24 h of capture), across the initial 18 months post-release. The results suggest that FGM concentrations were relatively higher in the delayed-release group at release, but significantly lower after ca. 2 months of release. We assessed seasonal fluctuations in FGM concentrations, the effect of release tactics on in-trap behaviour, and the relationship between those behaviours and FGM concentrations. We found that FGM concentrations fluctuated seasonally, but release tactics did not influence behaviour, and that behavioural variations had no relationship with FGM concentrations. Overall our results, coupled with previous research, suggest that an immediate-release is preferable when quarantine is not required.

ACS Style

W. G. Batson; Iain Gordon; D. B. Fletcher; T. J. Portas; A. D. Manning. The effect of pre‐release captivity on the stress physiology of a reintroduced population of wild eastern bettongs. Journal of Zoology 2017, 303, 311 -319.

AMA Style

W. G. Batson, Iain Gordon, D. B. Fletcher, T. J. Portas, A. D. Manning. The effect of pre‐release captivity on the stress physiology of a reintroduced population of wild eastern bettongs. Journal of Zoology. 2017; 303 (4):311-319.

Chicago/Turabian Style

W. G. Batson; Iain Gordon; D. B. Fletcher; T. J. Portas; A. D. Manning. 2017. "The effect of pre‐release captivity on the stress physiology of a reintroduced population of wild eastern bettongs." Journal of Zoology 303, no. 4: 311-319.

Journal article
Published: 21 July 2017 in Austral Ecology
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Environmental gradients have been shown to affect animal diversity, but knowledge of fine-scale drivers of insect diversity is, in many cases, poorly developed. We investigated the drivers of beetle diversity and composition at different microhabitats, and how this may be mediated by past agricultural activities. The study was undertaken in temperate eucalypt grassy woodland near Canberra, south-eastern Australia, with a 200-year history of pastoral land use. We sampled beetles using pitfall traps at three microhabitats (open grassland, logs and under trees). We analysed the effects of soil properties, vegetation structure, and plant composition on beetle composition, and compared beetle responses among the microhabitats. We found that microhabitat was a strong determinant of the way beetle communities responded to their environment. Soil nutrients (C, N and P) were the strongest drivers of beetle species richness, abundance and composition at open and log microhabitat, however vegetation structure (tree basal area) was more important for beetle richness, abundance and biomass under trees. We also found significant differences in beetle composition among distinct ground-layer plant communities at log and tree microhabitat. We show that prior agricultural land use, particularly fertilization, has altered soil and plant communities, and that these effects continue to flow through the system affecting beetle assemblages. These findings have implications for future management of microhabitat structures in temperate grassy woodlands with a history of agricultural use.

ACS Style

Catherine E. Ross; Philip S. Barton; Sue McIntyre; Saul A. Cunningham; Adrian D. Manning. Fine-scale drivers of beetle diversity are affected by vegetation context and agricultural history. Austral Ecology 2017, 42, 831 -843.

AMA Style

Catherine E. Ross, Philip S. Barton, Sue McIntyre, Saul A. Cunningham, Adrian D. Manning. Fine-scale drivers of beetle diversity are affected by vegetation context and agricultural history. Austral Ecology. 2017; 42 (7):831-843.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catherine E. Ross; Philip S. Barton; Sue McIntyre; Saul A. Cunningham; Adrian D. Manning. 2017. "Fine-scale drivers of beetle diversity are affected by vegetation context and agricultural history." Austral Ecology 42, no. 7: 831-843.