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Broad-scale environmental influences on the abundance of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in Australia

Fukuda, Yusuke, Whitehead, Peter J. and Boggs, Guy S. (2007). Broad-scale environmental influences on the abundance of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in Australia. Wildlife Research,34(3):167-176.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Scopus Citation Count Cited 5 times in Scopus Article | Citations

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IRMA ID A00009xPUB13
Title Broad-scale environmental influences on the abundance of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in Australia
Author Fukuda, Yusuke
Whitehead, Peter J.
Boggs, Guy S.
Journal Name Wildlife Research
Publication Date 2007
Volume Number 34
Issue Number 3
ISSN 1035-3712   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-34249942188
Start Page 167
End Page 176
Total Pages 10
Place of Publication Melbourne, Australia
Publisher CSIRO Publishing
Field of Research 0602 - Ecology
0608 - Zoology
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus) populations have recovered strongly across northern Australia over the 30 years since the species was protected from hunting. However, monitoring studies show large geographical variations in abundance across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. The Northern Territory has considerably higher densities, raising questions about constraints on recovery in the other states. We examined broad- scale environmental influences on population abundance by modelling the species - environment relationships across northern Australia. The hypothesis- based models showed strong support for the linkage to ( 1) the ratio of total area of favourable wetland vegetation types ( Melaleuca, grass and sedge to total catchment area, ( 2) a measure of rainfall seasonality, namely the ratio of total precipitation in the coldest quarter to total precipitation in the warmest quarter of a year, and ( 3) the mean temperature in the coldest quarter of a year. On the other hand, we were unable to show any clear negative association with landscape modification, as indicated by the extent of high- impact land uses or human population density in catchments. We conclude that geographical variations in crocodile density are mostly attributable to differences in habitat quality rather than the management regimes adopted in the respective jurisdictions.
Keywords northern territory
queensland
management
floodplain
reptilia
wetlands
impacts
coast
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR06110   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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Created: Mon, 08 Sep 2008, 16:16:22 CST