Threat and response: A decade of decline in a regionally endangered rainforest palm affected by fire and introduced animals

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.04.028

Threat and response: A decade of decline in a regionally endangered rainforest palm affected by fire and introduced animals

Liddle, David T., Brook, Barry W., Matthews, Janet Mary, Taylor, S. M. and Caley, P. (2006). Threat and response: A decade of decline in a regionally endangered rainforest palm affected by fire and introduced animals. Biological Conservation,132(3):362-375.

Document type:	Journal Article

Citation counts:	Cited 11 times in Scopus Article \| Citations Search Google Scholar

Title	Threat and response: A decade of decline in a regionally endangered rainforest palm affected by fire and introduced animals
Author	Liddle, David T. Brook, Barry W. Matthews, Janet Mary Taylor, S. M. Caley, P.
Journal Name	Biological Conservation
Publication Date	2006
Volume Number	132
Issue Number	3
ISSN	0006-3207 (check CDU catalogue )
Scopus ID	2-s2.0-33745757465
Start Page	362
End Page	375
Total Pages	14
Place of Publication	Netherlands
Publisher	Elsevier
HERDC Category	C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract	The wild population of the palm Ptychosperma macarthurii near Darwin, in monsoonal northern Australia, is regionally endangered and provides a focus to illustrate a range of issues pertinent to conservation of rainforest habitat. Surveys in 1990 found that several populations exhibited a polarised size class structure typified by large adults and small juvenile plants. over the following decade, in the absence of wildfire and in a period of reduced disturbance from introduced buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), cattle (Bos indicus) and pig (Sus scrofa), sufficient small juvenile plants survived and grew so as to infill the intermediate size classes. Three stage (bifid, juvenile and adult) transition matrix models characterised the population as declining under all observed conditions (intrinsic rate of increase: unburnt + few animals 0.9850; unbumt + many animals 0.9584; burnt < 1 year 0.8737; burnt 1-2 years 0.9146; burnt > 2 years 0.9937). In the absence of fire, simulations conducted to explore management options revealed a positive rate of increase with exclusion of introduced animals. With only partial introduced animal control or supplementation with juvenile plants, the median rate of increase remained negative. The regional population is at risk by more frequent and more intense fire due to the invasion of exotic grass species and land use changes in the catchment which result in an increased drying of the rainforest habitat. Ongoing decline is the most likely outcome in the absence of effective management intervention. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords	arecaceae ptychosperma exotic animal impact fire impact monsoon rainforest groundwater kakadu-national-park northern australia ptychosperma-bleeseri arnhem-land territory management conservation ecosystem genetics buffalo
DOI	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2006.04.028 (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students )

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Threat and response: A decade of decline in a regionally endangered rainforest palm affected by fire and introduced animals

Charles Darwin University

CDU eSpace Institutional Repository

Threat and response: A decade of decline in a regionally endangered rainforest palm affected by fire and introduced animals

CDU eSpace
Institutional Repository