Supporting Yellow-bellied Gliders on the Tingha Plateau.
Supporting Yellow-bellied Glider populations through habitat assessment, monitoring and hollow creation on the Tingha Plateau.
Capacity building - LEP23-024-3-5
The issue
The 2019–20 bushfires significantly impacted remnant forest habitat across the Tingha Plateau. The region supports a small and isolated population of Yellow-bellied Gliders, making them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss. Post-fire surveys highlighted concerns about the availability of suitable feed trees, shelter hollows and long-term habitat connectivity needed to support the survival of this important population.
The solution
Landcare, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, ecologists and local landholders worked together to identify and protect key glider habitat. Ecosystem Thinking conducted habitat assessments, focusing on important feed trees such as Blakely's Red Gum and smooth-barked eucalyptus. Ground surveys and acoustic monitoring were undertaken to assess glider activity. A community workshop at Mt Topper showcased habitat restoration techniques, including a practical demonstration of the Hollow Hog tool used to create artificial tree hollows.
The impact
Eight private properties were assessed for suitable Yellow-bellied Glider habitat across the Tingha Plateau. Acoustic song meters were deployed at each site and 32 hectares of habitat were surveyed. The project resulted in the establishment of 85 artificial hollows to help address the shortage of natural nesting sites. The workshop increased community awareness of the unique local glider population and highlighted the critical role tree hollows play in supporting native wildlife.
Learnings
Strong collaboration between landholders, ecologists and partner organisations was critical to the project's success. Combining habitat assessments, monitoring and practical demonstrations helped increase community understanding and engagement. The project demonstrated that artificial hollows can be an effective tool for supporting hollow-dependent wildlife while natural hollows recover over time following major bushfire events.
Key facts
- • 8 properties assessed and monitored
- • 32 hectares of habitat surveyed
- • 85 artificial hollows established
- • 23 participants attended the habitat hollow workshop