Journal article
Chainsaw-carved cavities better mimic the thermal properties of natural tree hollows than nest boxes and log hollows
SR Griffiths, PE Lentini, K Semmens, SJ Watson, LF Lumsden, KA Robert
Forests | MDPI | Published : 2018
DOI: 10.3390/f9050235
Abstract
The creation of supplementary habitats that effectively mimic the physical and thermal characteristics of natural tree hollows should be a key priority for landscape restoration and biodiversity offset programs. Here, we compare the thermal profiles of natural tree hollows with three types of artificial hollows designed for small marsupial gliders and tree-roosting insectivorous bats: (1) 'chainsaw hollows' carved directly into the trunks and branches of live trees, (2) 'log hollows', and (3) plywood nest boxes. Chainsaw hollows had thermal profiles that were similar to natural tree hollows: they were consistently warmer than ambient conditions at night, while remaining cooler than ambient d..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We thank arborists from Treetec Arboriculture and Ecology, especially Mark Cashmore, for creating the chainsaw hollows and chainsaw-cut log hollows. This study was funded by the Australian Government's National Land Care Program (grant to S.R.G. and S.J.W.), the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment (grant to S.R.G.), the Parks Victoria Research Partners Panel (grant to S.R.G. and K.A.R.), the Wettenhall Environment Trust (grant to S.R.G.), and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning's Communities for Nature Grants (grant to S.R.G. and P.E.L.). S.R.G. is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. P.E.L. is supported by the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program Threatened Species Recovery Hub. Fieldwork was carried out under permits from La Trobe University Animal Ethics Committees (Ethics Permit AEC13-30) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria, Australia (Research Permit 10006790).