Black summer wildfires devastated a large glider habitat in south-eastern Australia, but researchers hope a new nest box will help their recovery.
Key points:
- A new research project is installing high-tech nest boxes in the areas around Bendoc
- Black summer forest fires wiped out nearly a third of the natural habitat of southern gliders
- Researchers hope the modified boxes will help increase the number of gliders as forests regenerate
A modified nesting option is expected to help increase the number of larger gliders in Gippsland as the forest begins to regenerate about 18 months later.
Kara Youngentob, a researcher at the National University of Australia, said about a third of the southern glider’s habitat was severely burned by the fires.
“Some areas of these forests may be recovering because eucalyptus has adapted to the fire,” Dr. Youngentob said.
“But in some cases, it will be so extreme that drought and heatwave and previous fires will prevent them from returning.”
This female, nicknamed Gertie, had burnt legs and was breastfed to regain health by volunteers. (Provided by: George Lemann / WWF Australia)
A more sophisticated solution
A more sophisticated nest box has been developed as part of a study by the World Wildlife Fund – Australia, Greening Australia and the National University of Australia.
It will provide an alternative refuge to the natural gaps found in old trees.
“Gliders depend on tree gaps and the types of gaps they like are only formed in very old trees,” Dr. Youngentob said.
“It can take 50 to 100 years for trees to form these gaps and we are losing these trees and landscapes.”
The boxes are completely insulated, which will protect the gliders from extreme temperatures.
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WWF’s endangered species ecologist Kita Ashman said larger gliders needed special nest boxes because they had thermal requirements.
“They basically can’t get too hot or too cold,” Dr. Ashman said.
“So I’ve been affectionately calling these nest boxes ‘golden hedgehog boxes’ because they’ll keep the gliders at the perfect temperature to be more resistant to the changing climate.”
Brad Blake installs a nest box in East Gippsland. (Provided by: Tim Clark / WWF Australia)
Boxes ready for nesting
There are 120 boxes mounted in the forests affected by the fire in Talliganda National Park and the State Forest in New South Wales, and 120 closer to Bendoc in East Gippsland.
Larger gliders are listed as vulnerable by the Australian Conservation Foundation, and the population has declined by 80% in just 20 years.
Drought, extreme heat and logging have had an impact on the population of East Gippsland.
Dr. Yougentob said that while nest boxes can be a useful temporary measure, more needs to be done to ensure the preservation of the species.
“We hope this intervention will keep the gliders in these forests until the forests can be reclaimed,” he said.
“But I see this as a temporary measure to recover these populations as the forests regrow.
“If we hope to have a few years of rest, then the forests have a chance to recover.”
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