Book Chapter
Clearing, grazing and reservation: assessing regional impacts of vegetation management on the fauna of south western New South Wales
By
Murray Ellis
;
Murray Ellis
Department of Environment and Conservation, NSW PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220
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Michael Drielsma
;
Michael Drielsma
Department of Environment and Conservation, NSW PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220
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Liz Mazzer
;
Liz Mazzer
Department of Environment and Conservation, NSW PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220
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Erica Baigent
Erica Baigent
Department of Environment and Conservation, NSW PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220
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Published:2007
Citation
Murray Ellis, Michael Drielsma, Liz Mazzer, Erica Baigent, 2007. "Clearing, grazing and reservation: assessing regional impacts of vegetation management on the fauna of south western New South Wales", Animals of Arid Australia: Out on their own?, Chris Dickman, Daniel Lunney, Shelley Burgin
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A panel of people who were familiar with the vertebrate fauna of south western New South Wales was formed to assess the status of the extant fauna and to provide details on their habitat requirements and movement ability. They determined that nine percent of the fauna was tolerant of the agricultural systems in place in the region, while 64% required retention and management of the native vegetation to ensure their survival. A further 18%, primarily floodplain and wetland dependent fauna, required water management in addition to native vegetation. These species often rely on flooding to promote breeding. Nine percent needed specific management activities, such as predator control, if their populations were not to become extinct.
Modelling of the habitat requirements and movement abilities for the native vegetation dependent species predicted that there have been widespread reductions in population densities where grazing has occurred. There has also been some fragmentation of populations in the south eastern parts of the study area in response to clearing for cropping. It is envisioned that the modelling will be used to predict the impacts of various landuse proposals for the region being assessed by the catchment management authority.
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