Comparing the thermal suitability of nest-boxes and tree-hollows for the conservation-management of arboreal marsupials

摘要: Hundreds of species rely on tree-hollows for shelter and breeding, however land-clearing has reduced their availability worldwide. While nest-boxes are deployed extensively in hollow-deficient habitats, thermal value arboreal marsupials compared to is unclear, particularly temperate environments. We analysed regimes nest-box tree-hollow pairs during summer winter environmental conditions. Using a biophysical model, we quantified the relative suitability den-sites several marsupial species, estimating impact microclimates (and ambient conditions) predicted heat-production heat-loss. Nest-box temperatures were strongly influenced by solar radiation, whereas buffered external temperature fluctuations. On average, reached maximum 8 °C higher than summer, 3 winter, with 52 recorded nest-boxes, 38 tree-hollows. During estimated heat-loss required was 1.5–2.4 times Conversely, requirements slightly lower (0.95–0.97 hollow requirements). Our study emphasises importance retaining as refuges hollow-dependent zones reduce thermoregulatory costs heat-events. Current designs likely limited high radiation loads if they consistently reach exceeding upper critical temperatures, may provide suitable winter. With increasing more prolonged heat-events under climate change, future conservation-management programs should focus improving properties enhance wildlife.