Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270:body:0:p29
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 79313–82103

such sites (Harley 2004b, 2006b). Nest boxes may also be useful during translocations, and at early post-disturbance successional stages. They can also facilitate the capture of animals for research, such as examination of genetic diversity across the range (Hansen et al. 2009).
There have been variable responses of Leadbeater's possum to the provision of nest boxes. The species has made extensive use of nest boxes in lowland swamp forest at Yellingbo, with more than 75% of the total possum population there making regular use of nest boxes for denning (Harley and Spring 2003; Harley 2004b, 2006b). High occupancy rates for nest boxes have also occurred in sub-alpine (snow gum) woodland, where Leadbeater's possums have constructed nests in 153 of 190 nest boxes (81%) installed in unburnt habitat (Harley 2016).
In contrast, historically there has been less uptake of nest boxes in montane ash forests, and it has been argued that nest boxes are unlikely to provide a significant boost to habitat quality due to the limited longevity of nest-boxes (Lindenmayer et al. 2009), and the impracticality of their application over large areas (Lindenmayer et al. 1991e; McKenney and Lindenmayer 1994). However, recent improvements in design have increased nest box longevity, and some studies have shown an increased use of nest boxes by Leadbeater's possums in montane ash forests (Harley 2016). The vegetation structure in older montane ash forest (for example, 1939 regrowth) makes it more difficult to position nest boxes at heights (of at least 15 m) matching movement pathways for the possum (Harley 2006a), although in younger regrowth they can be positioned lower. Of the nest boxes installed in montane ash forest recently, 30–40% show signs of use by Leadbeater's possum (Harley 2016; D. Harley pers. comm.).
Camera monitoring of nest boxes has revealed the potential for feral cats to sit on top of nest boxes, increasing the risk of predation of animals using the boxes (McComb et al. 2019). This has only been observed at a single site, where a single feral cat was observed at two occupied nest boxes set 3–4 m above the ground in dense regenerating ash forest. Later surveys in this area revealed that the Leadbeater's possum colonies using the cat-targeted boxes persisted, and no further predation attempts have been observed in subsequent more widespread camera monitoring at nest boxes (D. Harley, pers. comm.). It is currently not known how much of a threat feral cat predation is, and the extent to which use of nest boxes increases this risk.
Trials are currently underway to investigate if artificial hollows can be excavated in younger trees to simulate natural hollows used by Leadbeater's possum (LPAG 2014b). Initial results have been encouraging with 62% of the