Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management Implications

The population of the endangered southern greater glider (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) is rapidly declining across coastal lowlands in New South Wales, Australia. Here, we focus on a typical coastal lowland glider population in Seven Mile Beach National Park, New South Wales, that is decli...

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Main Authors: Brooke Mulley, Ana Gracanin, Katarina M. Mikac
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Conservation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/4/4/52
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author Brooke Mulley
Ana Gracanin
Katarina M. Mikac
author_facet Brooke Mulley
Ana Gracanin
Katarina M. Mikac
author_sort Brooke Mulley
collection DOAJ
description The population of the endangered southern greater glider (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) is rapidly declining across coastal lowlands in New South Wales, Australia. Here, we focus on a typical coastal lowland glider population in Seven Mile Beach National Park, New South Wales, that is declining primarily due to habitat fragmentation. This study aimed to assess the population’s status and viability in order to guide conservation efforts. Using the double-observer distance sampling method, we estimated the population size to be 347 gliders, with a density of 0.46 gliders/ha. Population viability analysis revealed a high extinction risk, with only a 1% chance of survival over the next 50 years. Fire was identified as the primary threat, followed by a low effective population size and inbreeding. The most effective conservation strategy involved genetic reinforcement through possible translocation and the installation of up to 50 nest boxes to improve habitat (hollow) availability.
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series Conservation
spelling doaj-art-c8339eda1719439a91b1ed5e65c2bc342025-08-20T02:55:45ZengMDPI AGConservation2673-71592024-12-014487188710.3390/conservation4040052Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management ImplicationsBrooke Mulley0Ana Gracanin1Katarina M. Mikac2Environmental Futures, School of Science, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, AustraliaFenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Science, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, AustraliaEnvironmental Futures, School of Science, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, AustraliaThe population of the endangered southern greater glider (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) is rapidly declining across coastal lowlands in New South Wales, Australia. Here, we focus on a typical coastal lowland glider population in Seven Mile Beach National Park, New South Wales, that is declining primarily due to habitat fragmentation. This study aimed to assess the population’s status and viability in order to guide conservation efforts. Using the double-observer distance sampling method, we estimated the population size to be 347 gliders, with a density of 0.46 gliders/ha. Population viability analysis revealed a high extinction risk, with only a 1% chance of survival over the next 50 years. Fire was identified as the primary threat, followed by a low effective population size and inbreeding. The most effective conservation strategy involved genetic reinforcement through possible translocation and the installation of up to 50 nest boxes to improve habitat (hollow) availability.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/4/4/52arboreal mammalextinctiongliding possumnest boxesfire
spellingShingle Brooke Mulley
Ana Gracanin
Katarina M. Mikac
Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management Implications
Conservation
arboreal mammal
extinction
gliding possum
nest boxes
fire
title Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management Implications
title_full Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management Implications
title_fullStr Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management Implications
title_full_unstemmed Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management Implications
title_short Population Viability of an Endangered Population of Greater Gliders (<i>Petauroides volans</i>) and Management Implications
title_sort population viability of an endangered population of greater gliders i petauroides volans i and management implications
topic arboreal mammal
extinction
gliding possum
nest boxes
fire
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/4/4/52
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