Ecological attributes and conservation of native rodents in New South Wales

In: Wildlife research, Band 27, Heft 4, S. 347

Abstract

In New South Wales, at least 28 species of native rodents have been recorded
since European settlement. Four of these are extinct nationally, six are
extinct in the State, six are vulnerable and four are endangered; only eight
remain non-threatened. Declines and losses have been greatest in central and
western New South Wales and least in the State's north-east. Neither
body weight nor habit are associated with status, but taxa such as
Rattus species with broad diets and habitat preferences
remain generally less threatened than ecological specialists. Threatening
processes affect all vulnerable and endangered species, with predation from
introduced carnivores, grazing from livestock, clearance of vegetation and
changed fire regimes being among the most severe. No species occur entirely on
reserved land, while two endangered species have no secure land tenure. A
program of survey, research, management and education is proposed to help
achieve recovery.