Response of the tiger quoll Dasyurus maculatus to disturbance from selective logging

Abstract

Summary Data from a trapping and radio-tracking study were used to analyse use of selectively logged and unlogged forest by tiger quolls in moist tableland forest in south-eastern New South Wales. Both male and female tiger quolls were found to use unlogged and some age classes of logged forest significantly more than would be expected from the availability of those classes, and to avoid or use some age classes of logged forest significantly less than their availability would indicate. The use of different age classes of logged forest is discussed in relation to habitat use, ecological requirements and previous logging practices. The results are compared with the response to logging of ecologically similar species, such as American martens (Martes americana), fishers (M. pennanti) and pine martens (M. martes). Forest management implications are discussed in relation to conservation of the tiger quoll and their prey.