ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.
School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 25;12(1):5193. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08524-2.
A central principle of threatened species management is the requirement for detailed understanding of species habitat requirements. Difficult terrain or cryptic behaviour can, however, make the study of habitat or microhabitat requirements difficult, calling for innovative data collection techniques. We used high-resolution terrestrial LiDAR imaging to develop three-dimensional models of log piles, quantifying the structural characteristics linked with occupancy of an endangered cryptic reptile, the western spiny-tailed skink (Egernia stokesii badia). Inhabited log piles were generally taller with smaller entrance hollows and a wider main log, had more high-hanging branches, fewer low-hanging branches, more mid- and understorey cover, and lower maximum canopy height. Significant characteristics linked with occupancy were longer log piles, an average of three logs, less canopy cover, and the presence of overhanging vegetation, likely relating to colony segregation, thermoregulatory requirements, and foraging opportunities. In addition to optimising translocation site selection, understanding microhabitat specificity of E. s. badia will help inform a range of management objectives, such as targeted monitoring and invasive predator control. There are also diverse opportunities for the application of this technology to a wide variety of future ecological studies and wildlife management initiatives pertaining to a range of cryptic, understudied taxa.
受威胁物种管理的一个核心原则是要求详细了解物种的生境需求。然而，地形复杂或行为隐秘可能会使生境或微生境需求的研究变得困难，需要创新的数据收集技术。我们使用高分辨率的地面激光雷达成像技术来为原木堆建立三维模型，量化与一种濒危隐秘爬行动物（西部刺尾蜥，Egernia stokesii badia）的栖息地利用相关的结构特征。被占据的原木堆通常更高，入口洞穴更小，主原木更宽，有更多高悬的树枝，更少低垂的树枝，更多中层和底层植被覆盖，最大树冠高度更低。与占据有关的显著特征包括更长的原木堆，平均有三个原木，更少的树冠覆盖，以及悬垂植被的存在，这可能与群体隔离、热调节要求和觅食机会有关。除了优化移植地点选择外，了解西部刺尾蜥的微生境特异性还将有助于为一系列管理目标提供信息，例如有针对性的监测和入侵性捕食者控制。这项技术也为未来与各种隐秘、研究不足的类群有关的各种生态研究和野生动物管理计划提供了多样化的应用机会。
