Microhabitat use by the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) and burrowing bettong (B. lesueur) in semiarid New South Wales: implications for reintroduction programs

Abstract

Detailed studies of how endangered species use their environments at varied habitat scales are crucial if they are to be conserved and managed effectively. In this study, we used spool-and-line tracking to investigate the microhabitats used by the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) and the burrowing bettong (B. lesueur), two species with geographical ranges that have been dramatically reduced since European settlement in Australia. The study was carried out at Scotia Sanctuary, in semiarid western New South Wales, where both species have been recently reintroduced. The nocturnal movements and foraging of bettongs were associated with sites containing more canopy cover (mean 10–25%) than was available on average (0–10%). Models generated to predict the probability of bettong movements or activity points showed positive correlations with ground vegetation cover and ground vegetation height. Other microhabitat components of varying importance, including sand cover, litter cover, litter depth, crust cover, and distance to shrub/tree, were incorporated into these models. Species comparisons indicated that, although slight differences occurred in the way each species moved through the habitat, both species foraged in areas with similar microhabitat characteristics. While the models should have broad utility for the selection of favourable habitat for future release sites for B. penicillata and B. lesueur, further studies of diet and food availability are recommended to refine them further.