The ecosystem effects of burrowing by translocated boodies

Date: 25, Aug, 2021
Author(s): Bryony Palmer   Cheryl Lohr  

Boodies are a commonly translocated medium-sized species once found across Australia’s arid and semi-arid zones but now restricted to islands and fenced mainland reserves. The species creates large, complex warrens, but how the warrens affect soil properties and vegetation communities was unknown. We investigated key ecosystem properties (soil, vegetation communities, and fauna) on warrens at three translocation sites across the boodies’ former range - Matuwa-Kurrara Kurrara Indigenous Protected Area, Faure Island Wildlife Sanctuary and Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary.