Long-term monitoring of arboreal mammals in coastal reserves on the south coast of New South Wales

ABSTRACT Replicated systematic surveys were conducted for arboreal mammals in several reserves on the south coast of New South Wales between 1995 and 2023. Nine species were detected including the Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis, Southern Greater Glider Petauroides volans, Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis and Eastern Pygmy Possum Cercatetus nanus which are listed on the Biodiversity Conservation Act (2016) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). The Southern Greater Glider population at Seven Mile Beach National Park (NP) is isolated as a consequence of clearing for agriculture but the population did not decline during the survey period. Greater Glider populations in Conjola NP, the Jervis Bay area, Meroo NP and Murramarang NP suffered severe declines in abundance and distribution during the monitoring period. Except for Seven Mile Beach, there has been a sharp decline in the abundance of Southern Greater Gliders in the coastal reserves surveyed. There was limited recovery of Southern Greater Glider in Meroo NP and Murramarang NP after the 2018-20 drought that culminated in the 2020 Currowan wildfire. The long-term persistence of the Southern Greater Glider and Yellow-bellied Glider in the Jervis Bay area, Corramy RP, Conjola NP, Meroo NP and Murramarang NP is not assured as they may be isolated because of urban developments, clearing for agriculture, private forestry, roads and electricity easements. The increased risk of wildfire due to climate change threatens the viability of these populations.