Small mammals decline with increasing fire extent in northern Australia: evidence from long-term monitoring in Kakadu National Park

摘要: Small mammal (<2 kg) numbers have declined dramatically in northern Australia recent decades. Fire regimes, characterised by frequent, extensive, late-season wildfires, are implicated this decline. Here, we compare the effect of fire extent, conjunction with frequency, season and spatial heterogeneity (patchiness) burnt area, on declines Kakadu National Park over a decadal period. extent – an index incorporating size frequency was best predictor declines, superior to proportion surrounding area patchiness. Point-based commonly used for characterising effects, weak declines. Small-scale burns affected small mammals least all. Crucially, most important aspects regimes that associated ones; extensive fires (at scales larger than home ranges mammals) detrimental, indicating may not easily escape effects large less patchy fires. Notwithstanding considerable management effort, current regime conservation reserve is detrimental native fauna, more targeted required reduce size.