The conservation of arboreal marsupials in the Albury-Wodonga region of south-eastern Australia

Urban expansion is a major cause of land use change and presents a significant
threat to biodiversity worldwide. Agricultural land is often acquired by local councils
and developers to expand urban growth boundaries and establish new housing estates.
However, many agricultural landscapes support high biodiversity values, especially farmlands
that feature mosaics of native vegetation and keystone habitat such as hollow-bearing
trees. In south-eastern Australia, many arboreal marsupials including the threatened Squirrel
Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) have populations within peri-urban zones of expanding
rural cities. A key challenge to planners, developers and conservation organisations is
the need to maintain habitat for locally rare and threatened species as land undergoes
changes in management. Critical to the sustainable development of peri-urban landscapes
is a thorough understanding of the distribution, habitat requirements and resources available
to maintain and improve habitat for species dependent on limited resources such as
tree cavities. In this management report, we present background information on an integrated
research programme designed to evaluate potential impacts of urban development
on fauna in the Albury Local Government Area, NSW. We mapped hollow-bearing trees,
erected nest boxes and monitored arboreal marsupials. Information presented in this report
provides a blueprint for monitoring arboreal marsupials, including threatened species in
other developing regions, and will assist the Albury-Wodonga local governments in future
planning of sustainable living environments.