The substantial range declines of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) are thought to have had dramatic effects on ecosystem processes in the Australian rangelands because of their impacts on surface soils. We studied the effects of their reintroduction on litter and seed capture and soil nutrient levels compared with two prevalent fossorial animals; the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the sand goanna (Varanus gouldii). Bilbies and bettongs dug deeper and wider pits and excavated significantly more soil than rabbits or goannas. Litter and viable seed was restricted almost exclusively to the pits and soil in the pits had significantly higher levels of labile carbon and mineralisable nitrogen than surface soils. ...
Anderson, L., van Klinken, R. D., and Shepherd, D. (2008). Aerially surveying Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) in the Pilbara. In: 'A Climate of Change in the Rangelands. Proceedings of the 15th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference'. (Ed. D. Orr) 4 pages. (Australian Rangeland Society: Australia).
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.