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Access to suitable roosts is critical for the conservation of tree-hollow roosting bats worldwide. Availability of roost sites is influenced by human land-use, but also by the roosting requirements and behaviour of species. We investigated roosting behaviour of the lesser long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) and Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) in a rural landscape in south-eastern Australia. Forty-five N. geoffroyi and 27 C. gouldii were fitted with radio-transmitters, resulting in the location of 139 and 89 roosts, respectively. Most (88%) roosts occupied by male N. geoffroyi contained only a single individual. During the breeding season female colonies were larger, with maternity roosts containing 18.3 ± 5.7 (s.e.) individuals. Mean colony sizes for C. gouldii were 8.7 ± 1.4 individuals. Both species shifted roosts frequently: on average, individual N. geoffroyi moved every 2.2 ± 0.23 days and C. gouldii every 2.2 ± 0.14 days. Notably, lactating female N. geoffroyi shifted roosts more frequently than non-breeding females. Individuals of both species roosted within a discrete area, with roosts typically <300 m apart; and consistently returned there from foraging up to 12 km distant. This roosting behaviour highlights three important requirements: (1) a relatively large overall number of hollows to support a population; (2) discrete roost areas with a high density of suitable hollows in close proximity; and (3) a range of hollow types to provide the specialised roosts required, particularly for breeding. Bats that roost in tree hollows are dependent on sufficient hollows being available to support their behavioural pattern of shifting roost site regularly. Two common and widespread species, the lesser long-eared bat and Gould's wattled bat, showed complex patterns of roost use that varied between and within species. To support populations of bats in rural landscapes of south-eastern Australia, relatively large numbers of hollow-bearing trees in close proximity are required, incorporating a range of hollow types, particularly those preferred for breeding. Photo by Lindy Lumsden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many species of Australian robins (Petroicidae) are declining in wooded landscapes across southern Australia, perhaps because they are unable or unwilling to disperse across the matrix between remnants, or because they experience high mortality while doing so. Eastern Yellow Robins Eopsaltria australis have declined in parts of southeastern Australia, and have gone extinct in some woodland remnants. We translocated adult Yellow Robins to remnants from which they had disappeared, and followed their survival and behaviour. Nine Yellow Robins were translocated to a 100 ha remnant in 2001 (seven birds) and 2002 (two birds). One bird disappeared immediately and a second after 2 weeks, but the rest stayed for at least 2 months, with two birds surviving to at least 4 and 5 years. One reintroduced pair bred each year from 2001 to 2005, producing six fledglings. Two colour-banded Yellow Robins also arrived unaided from another remnant 7 km away. Fifteen Yellow Robins were translocated to nine small remnants (<60 ha) in 2005- 06. Seven birds disappeared within 3 days of their release, apparently killed by predators. The remainder survived for up to 7 weeks, but none was found breeding. Translocated Robins moved up to 3 km from their release sites through natural or planted corridors, and up to 1 km through a matrix of scattered trees. Small remnants, which surviving Robins ultimately vacated, had fewer shrubs than sites where they bred. The results suggest that Eastern Yellow Robins can disperse through a landscape with corridors or scattered trees. However, they may suffer predation and reject sites that are too small or of poor habitat quality. Management to retain Eastern Yellow Robins in a fragmented landscape should enlarge remnants, protect scattered trees, plant or regenerate strategic clumps of trees and shrubs in gaps between remnants, and allow shrubs to regenerate within remnants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Land use planners, natural resource managers and policy-makers need to better anticipate and respond to the widespread changes and increasing pressures affecting land and seascapes. Social science and social–ecological research can play an important role in addressing these issues, as many – if not all – of the issues and solutions are human in nature. This paper explores the potential for utilising social profiles of a wide range of landholders in two rapidly changing agricultural landscapes in the Wet Tropics of Australia as a means to interpret historical land use change, and to assess the potential for future landscape change trajectories. The social profiles, developed from qualitative interview analysis, are based on key characteristics of different groups of landholders and include: (1) length of farm occupancy, (2) farm size, (3) farm ‘survival’ strategy, (4) commercial crops grown, and (5) landholder values attached to place. A set of social profiles emerged from the two locations that indicate an evolving agricultural and social landscape that is associated with changing perceptions and values—especially around the themes of rural space, land occupancy and use and management of that space. These profiles, in combination with an understanding of the changing economic and social context of the region, provide a means for improving land use planning, natural resource management and policy formulation, particularly in locations where a shift in the social profile may be occurring, creating opportunities for large-scale landscape change. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Future investment in Australia's countryside will greatly influence the appearance of the landscape, and the ecosystem services provided. Primarily, landowners will undertake this investment. Government investment in revegetation programs is likely to be relatively small. This paper is about research conducted on grazing properties in south-eastern Australia, and extrapolated to the region as a whole. Four strategies are reported: they involve increasing the perennial component of the pastures, fine-tuning grazing management, encouraging natural regeneration and more targeted application of fertiliser. Three of the strategies are profitable and also contribute substantially to the condition of native vegetation and to the ecosystem services it provides. The strategies are not as profitable as traditional pasture improvement, historically the main source of increased wealth. However, the availability of alternative strategies greatly reduces the opportunity cost of not pursuing the traditional pasture improvement approach. This means that incentives to adopt the alternative strategies may make good public policy sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scattered trees and small patches of vegetation among farmland are typical of rural landscapes throughout the world, often comprising a significant proportion of remaining habitats for native fauna. Insectivorous bats can use such isolated resources owing to the high mobility of most species, but little is known of the relationship between bats and tree density, or of the impact of incremental loss of trees in the landscape. Bats were surveyed at 30 sites in south-eastern Australia, in five habitat categories representing a range of tree densities from remnant woodland blocks (>35 trees/ha) to sparsely scattered trees (<1 tree/ha), and open paddocks devoid of trees. Sampling was undertaken by using harp traps and ultrasonic bat detectors. The abundance of potential arthropod prey was assessed by using light traps. Eleven species of insectivorous bats were recorded and bats were widespread in all habitat categories; all species were recorded around scattered trees. Overall activity, as revealed by detectors, did not differ significantly between the four treed categories, but in open paddocks there was a lower level of activity and a different community composition. However, a regression model revealed a significant quadratic relationship between activity of bats and tree density, with highest activity at 20–30 trees/ha. All species were recorded in open paddocks, but for eight of the ten species this represented <7% of their total activity recorded across all habitat categories. For six species, significant positive correlations were found between activity levels and the abundance of potential arthropod prey. In contrast to bat detectors, trapping results showed a significant difference in overall abundance of bats between wooded habitats, with decreased abundance as tree density declined. This study highlights the value of scattered trees as foraging habitat for bats, and emphasizes that, in rural land mosaics, such small and isolated habitat components have value for the conservation of biodiversity, and require greater recognition and protection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]