Pan Xin Lei, Hoy Julia M, Brady Megan J, Manning Adrian D, Edwards Megan C
School of Agriculture and Environmental Science University of Southern Queensland Darling Heights Queensland Australia.
Hidden Vale Research Station Turner Family Foundation Grandchester Queensland Australia.
Ecol Evol. 2025 May 22;15(5):e71481. doi: 10.1002/ece3.71481. eCollection 2025 May.
Introduced predators in Australia are one of the major causes of native fauna species decline, with attempts to address this decline including predator control, wildlife reintroductions and predator-proof conservation fencing. The efficacy of conservation fencing means this tool is increasingly used to counteract species decline; however, there is growing awareness that fences can also contribute to issues such as overpopulation, prey naivety and restrictions to natural dispersal and genetic diversity. This research aimed to investigate the potential for two-way gateways within fences to help address these limitations, allowing movement of native wildlife while reducing introduced predators. Rufous bettongs () were used for this research as a model species representing 'critical weight range' mammals. Seven individually housed captive rufous bettongs were used to investigate interactions with and preference for five gateway designs. Using adaptive methodology, individual rufous bettongs were presented with four of the five gateways and their responses were analysed. The seven rufous bettongs at different life stages and sizes were all able to use all five gateway designs presented to them and showed a preference for designs made from PVC pipe. Gateway positions also significantly influenced the frequency of interactions with the gateways, with bettongs showing a preference for gateways along the edge of the fence rather than the middle. The results from this study are an important step in the development of innovative strategies for safe haven design and improving the performance of semi-permeable fenced areas for conservation of species impacted by introduced predators. Further testing of these gateways in situ will contribute to the field of 'coexistence conservation' - the long-term, iterative and adaptive process to enable the coexistence of threatened species and native or introduced predators.
澳大利亚引入的捕食者是本土动物物种数量下降的主要原因之一，为应对这种下降所做的努力包括捕食者控制、野生动物重新引入以及防捕食者保护围栏。保护围栏的有效性意味着这种工具越来越多地被用于应对物种数量下降的问题；然而，人们越来越意识到围栏也可能导致诸如种群过剩、猎物缺乏警惕性以及对自然扩散和遗传多样性的限制等问题。本研究旨在调查围栏内双向通道有助于解决这些限制的潜力，允许本土野生动物移动，同时减少引入的捕食者。赤褐袋狸被用作本研究的模式物种，代表“关键体重范围”的哺乳动物。七只单独饲养的圈养赤褐袋狸被用于研究它们与五种通道设计的相互作用和偏好。采用适应性方法，向每只赤褐袋狸展示五种通道设计中的四种，并分析它们的反应。处于不同生命阶段和大小的七只赤褐袋狸都能够使用展示给它们的所有五种通道设计，并表现出对PVC管制成的设计的偏好。通道位置也显著影响与通道相互作用的频率，袋狸表现出对围栏边缘而非中间的通道的偏好。这项研究的结果是为安全避难所设计开发创新策略以及提高受引入捕食者影响的物种保护的半透性围栏区域性能的重要一步。这些通道在实地的进一步测试将有助于“共存保护”领域——这是一个长期、迭代和适应性的过程，以实现受威胁物种与本土或引入的捕食者的共存。
