Correlates of Recent Declines of Rodents in Northern and Southern Australia: Habitat Structure Is Critical

作者: Michael J. Lawes , Diana O. Fisher , Chris N. Johnson , Simon P. Blomberg , Anke S. K. Frank

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0130626

关键词: Threatened speciesFeral catEcologyHabitatPopulation declineBiologyTropical savanna climateRange (biology)Mesopredator release hypothesisConservation status

摘要: Australia has experienced dramatic declines and extinctions of its native rodent species over the last 200 years, particularly in southern Australia. In tropical savanna northern significant have occurred only recent decades. The later onset these suggests that causes may differ from earlier south. We examine potential regional effects (northern versus Australia) on biological ecological correlates range decline Australian rodents. demonstrate been greater south than north, are strongly influenced by phylogeny, consistently for inhabiting relatively open or sparsely vegetated habitat. Unlike marsupials, where some much larger body size rodents, mass was not an important predictor All within prey-size cats (throughout continent) red foxes (in south). Contrary to hypothesis mammal related directly ecosystem productivity (annual rainfall), our results consistent with disturbances such as fire grazing, which occur non-rainforest habitats remove cover used rodents shelter, nesting foraging, increase predation risk. agree calls introduce conservation management limits intensity fires, increases patchiness reduces grazing impacts at scales appropriate Controlling feral predators, even creating predator-free reserves sparsely-vegetated habitats, is urgently required ensure survival species, yet severe those

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