1. Spatial and temporal synchrony in
small mammal populations: the role
of intrinsic and extrinsic factors
Aaron C. Greenville, Glenda M. Wardle and Chris R. Dickman
Desert Ecology Research Group
School of Biological Sciences
University of Sydney
@AarontheEcolog

2. Spatial dynamics
Abund
4
Time
2
Abund
3
Abund
Abund
1
Time
Time
Time
i
Introduction
Methods
= growth rate
Results
Conclusion

3. Moran effect
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion

4. Aims
1. Spatial structure of
small mammal
populations
– Moran effect?
2. Density dependence and extrinsic
factors
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion

5. Study species
Rodents:
Sandy inland mouse, Ps.
hermannsburgensis, 12 g
Photo by Bobby Tamayo
Dasyurid marsupials:
Mulgara, Dasycercus
blythi, 100 g
Introduction
Ningaui, Ningaui ridei, 8 g
Lesser hairy-footed dunnart,
Sminthopsis youngsoni, 10 g
Methods
Results
Conclusion

6. 1. Spatial structure
•
•
•
•
•
Asynchronous
Oasis
Wildfire
Productivity
Synchronous
3
2
1
3
1
2
4
1
2
1
3
2
5
• Multivariate
autoregressive statespace (MARSS)
models
Introduction
Methods
1
9
1
1
2
3
1
6
2
3
1
7
Results
1
8
Conclusion

7. 2. Covariates
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
Introduction
1
Methods
Results
Conclusion

8. Sandy inland mouse, Ps.
hermannsburgensis, 12 g
Results:
Results:
Abundance (log)
0 1 2 3 4
Photo by Bobby Tamayo
1
1
1
40
60
80
100
120
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 1 2 3 4
1
1
20
0
1
0
1
1
1
Trips
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion

9. 2
1
2
1
1
20
40
60
80
100
120
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2.0
2
1
0
1.0
1
0.0
Abundance (log)
1.0
2.0
Results:
1
0.0
1
1
1
1
Trips
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion

10. 120
3.0
40
80
120
40
80
120
40
80
120
Shitty Site
0.0
1.5
3.0
1.5
0.0
1.5
0
0
Kunnamuka Swamp East
3.0
South Site
0
3.0
80
0.0
1.5
3.0
Field River South
1.5
40
0.0
Abundance (log)
0
3
Carlo
0.0
0.0
1.5
3.0
Main Camp
0
40
80
120
0
40
80
120
4
7
0
8
40
80
120
3.0
Tobermorey West
1.5
3.0
0.0
1.5
1
Field River North
0.0
1.5
9
6
Tobermorey East
3.0
5
0.0
2
0
40
80
120
0
40
80
Trips
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
120

11. 100
2.0
0 20
60
100
60
100
60
100
1.0
2.0
Shitty Site
0.0
1.0
0.0
1.0
0 20
0 20
Kunnamuka Swamp East
2.0
South Site
2.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
Field River South
1.0
60
0.0
Abundance (log)
0 20
3
Carlo
0.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
Main Camp
0 20
60
100
0 20
60
100
4
7
Introduction
0 20
8
Methods
60
100
2.0
Tobermorey West
1.0
2.0
0.0
1.0
1
Field River North
0.0
1.0
9
6
Tobermorey East
2.0
5
0.0
2
0 20
Results
60
100
Trips
0 20
60
Conclusion
100

12. Extrinsic factors:
Sandy inland mouse, Ps.
hermannsburgensis, 12 g
0.27 ( 0.44, 0.1)
Photo by Bobby Tamayo
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion

13. Extrinsic factors:
1.79 (0.46, 3.12)
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion

14. Conclusion
• Moran effect present for rodents -synchronous
– Landscape-scale
– Density dependency
• Mulgara similar to their prey + wildfire
– Landscape-scale
– Density dependency
• Insectivorous dasyurids – asynchronous
– Local-scale
– Weak density dependency
• Management
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion

15. Acknowledgements
•
•
•
•
•
Bobby Tamayo and the DERG team.
All our volunteers.
Bush Heritage Australia.
Bedourie Hotel.
ARC, APA and Paddy Pallin Science Grant.
@AarontheEcolog
Volunteer info: http://bit.ly/1fxVOhH
For more:
www.AarontheEcolog.wordpress.com