Grant Award View - GA91847-V2
Mapping fire-threatened fauna with scent detection dogs, cameras and...
Knowledge of distribution and abundance of many threatened species is lacking, preventing effective management. Filling this primary knowledge gap is a high priority after the drought and bushfires of 2019-2020, especially for recently discovered, highly threatened and poorly known species, such as the endangered Silver-headed and Black-tailed Dusky Antechinuses. Detection is key: in 2019, scent detection dogs markedly improved detectability of these species. Together with detailed camera and live trapping, we will compare detection methods to assess pre- versus post-fire distribution, predict abundance of the antechinuses and feral predators, and model how changes in habitat/climate/fire may affect these and co-occurring priority fauna.