Mammal populations in mountain ash(Eucalyptus regnans)forests of various ages in the Central Highlands of Victoria

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Abstract
The presence, abundance and habitat preference of mammal species in Eucalyptus regnans forests of various ages in the Central Highlands of Victoria were studied in order to determine the probable effects on them of forest management for timber production. The forest areas investigated were found to support a rich mammal fauna; 24 native and 5 introduced species were detected. Results showed that young regrowth up to 20 years of age resulting from recent logging operations contained many mammal species, some of which occurred at high population densities (e.g. bush rat Rattus fuscipes, brown antechinus Antechinus stuartii and swamp wallaby Wallabia bicolor). Extensive areas of regrowth resulting from the 1926 and 1939 wildfires contained most of the mammal species known to occur in E. regnans forests in the region. High populations of many species were found to inhabit these areas of regrowth, particularly where hollow trees were abundant. Mature forest (Petauroides volans and bobuck Trichosurus caninus), although two small non-gliding arboreals (Leadbeater's possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri and common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus) were noticeably absent or uncommon due to the lack of a well defined middle storey. Gullies and areas of multi-aged forest were found to provide excellent habitat for all arboreal mammals and have in the past served a vital role in providing refuge when adjacent forest has been affected by wildfire or logging operations. Of all the mammal species present, hollow-dependent arboreal species were those most affected by logging operations. However, past management activities do not appear to have threatened the survival of any mammal species.