Brush-tailed Rabbit-rat  |  

This grass species may be particularly sensitive to fire and the impacts of introduced herbivores (Crowley Garnett 2001 Crowley 2008).
Threat factor Threat type and Evidence base status Fire High frequency known Some correlative; experimental and modelling evidence of extensive current demonstrates the detrimental effects of frequent; high and intense intensity and extensive fires on this species (Firth et al.; fires 2006a; 2010).
Studies have demonstrated that frequent burning in eucalypt forests in northern Australia (the habitat of the brush tailed rabbit rat) leads to a reduction in grass species diversity and an increase in understorey dominance by a small number of annual grasses; notably the now regionally pervasive annual Sorghum spp. (Russell Smith et al.; 2003).
An increase in Sorghum spp. is likely to trigger a fire grass cycle of ever increasing fire intensities (Rossiter et al.; 2003).
Increased fire frequency will also lead to reduction in the incidence; size and productivity of understorey shrubs that produce fleshy fruits; a dietary component that may be critical for the species at certain times of the year (Firth 2007; pers. comm.; cited in TSSC 2008) and destroys hollow logs required for denning (Firth et al.; 2006b).
Invasive species (including threats from grazing; trampling; predation and competition) o Ensure immediate and ongoing post fire predator control occurs within the species habitat after fires occur. o Design prescribed fires to limit the spread of invasive grasses.
Precise fire history records must be kept for the habitat and extant populations (confirmed and suspected) of this threatened species.

Download

Climate change may impact on the species by increasing the incidence of destructive cyclones throughout the species range (Firth; 2007; pers. comm.); although cyclones may also be beneficial for the species by increasing tree fall and resulting in more logs for shelter (Kemper; 2008; pers. comm.).
Description of Threats Threats to the Brush tailed Rabbit rat may include habitat alteration due to inappropriate fire regimes and grazing by introduced herbivores; habitat destruction resulting from forestry and mining operations and predation by feral cats.
Habitat alteration It is possible that broad scale habitat change; resulting from altered fire regimes and grazing by introduced herbivores; may have contributed to the apparent decline in the Brush tailed Rabbit rat (DNREA; 2007).
Studies by Russell Smith et al. (2003) have demonstrated that frequent burning in eucalypt forests in northern Australia (the habitat of the Brush tailed Rabbit rat) leads to a reduction in grass species diversity and an increase in understorey dominance by a small number of annual grasses; notably the now regionally pervasive annual Sorghum spp.
An increase in Sorghum spp. is likely to trigger a fire grass cycle of ever increasing fire intensities (Rossiter et al.; 2003).
Increased fire intensities and or frequency will also lead to reduction in the incidence; size and productivity of understorey shrubs that produce fleshy fruits; a dietary component that may be critical for the species at certain times of year (Firth; 2007; pers. comm.) and may destroy hollows logs required for denning.
The subspecies is likely to decline both through the direct impact of habitat clearance; but also due to changed fire regimes and increases in exotic grasses; both of which are indirectly related to forestry development (Firth; 2007; pers. comm.).
As discussed under the Threats section; the likely causes of the decline of the Brush tailed Rabbit rat are alteration of habitat through changes in fire regime and grazing by introduced herbivores; and predation by feral cats.
However; this conclusion was qualified by noting that comparisons to previous survey effort were qualitative and that declines due to altered fire regimes; introduced stock; feral predators and weeds may occur in future (Start et al.; 2007).

Download