The study, published by the CSIRO in Australian Mammology earlier this year, used remote camera and spotlight surveys at six locations up to 15km from the possum’s prescribed range in the Central Highlands of Victoria.
Half the records occurred in fire-affected, mixed-species forest that differs markedly from the possum’s predominant habitat, which is late-mature forests dominated by mountain ash, alpine ash and shining gum.
The peer-reviewed study was conducted by two VicForests scientists and environmental consultants Ecology and Heritage Partners in an area where the Goulburn and Thomson River Basins meet, between Woods Point and Licola.
It comes after surveys led by the Arthur Rylah Institute have found thousands of Leadbeater’s Possum in forests within its core range.
The possum’s ‘critically endangered’ status has prompted environmentalists to demand a Great Forest National Park to save the species, which would destroy much of Victoria’s native forest timber industry.
The study, based on two three-monthly surveys, found Leadbeater’s possums at six independent sites 1-14.8km outside their prescribed range and 3.6-14.2km from the next nearest observation points.
“This represents a notable extension in the eastern distribution of the species,” the authors said.
Detections occurred in both mixed-species and ash-dominant forest regenerating after the Southern Great Divide fire (2006-07) and ash-dominant forest regrowing after timber harvesting.
“These findings are particularly significant because Leadbeater’s possums are considered highly susceptible to fire impacts and have small home ranges,” the authors said.
Since 2014 investigation had concentrated on unburned, ash-dominant forest within the possum’s known distribution range.
“Consequently management of mixed-species State Forest and Park areas for timber harvesting, recreation, road-building and fuel-reduction burns has been conducted under the assumption that Leadbeater’s possum is not present, or is not likely to be impacted by these activities,” the authors said.
“Timely integration of research findings will advance conservation research and planning for Leadbeater’s possum and support evidence-based forest management.”
For information about the research paper, visit http://www.publish.csiro.au/AM/AM18025