subpopulations, and for Island (Davies et most islands (Tiwi, al 2017 in Groote, maybe Centre, suggests a Bentinck) negative relationship between detection of feral cats and rabbit-rat occupancy and a positive correlation between cat detection and the probability of rabbit rat extinction frequent, intense, high severe large extent: likely for all few studies, but extensive fire* mainland subpopulations; some some islands (Tiwi, correlative and Centre) experimental evidence habitat change due moderate moderate large extent: likely for not to exotic most mainland demonstrated, herbivores subpopulations, and some but increase in islands (Tiwi) some Kimberley subpopulations following cattle removal habitat change due minor severe minor extent: currently not to exotic invasive mostly in the demonstrated, grasses area but plausible vegetation minor catastrophic localised (especially Tiwi explicitly clearance & other islands, Groote Eylandt) demonstrated intensive on Tiwi islands development disease uncertain unknown uncertain, possibly large not extent demonstrated Competition with minor severe Island subpopulations not introduced demonstrated rodents, but possible. particularly trial rats * Fire regimes may vary in frequency, intensity, patchiness, regularity and timing. considered unsuitable for brush-tailed rabbit-rats are: (i) Intense fires resulting from high fuel loads. These can be infrequent but follow periods of fuel build up (ii) Intense fires under extreme fire weather such as high temperatures in the late dry season or strong winds in the mid-dry season; (iii) frequent fire events. Note that there may be some interactions and synergies amongst the above listed factors. For example there is recent evidence to suggest that hunting efficiency of feral cats is increased after fire (McGregor et al 2015, Leahy et al 2016)
subpopulations, and for most islands (Tiwi, Groote, maybe Centre, Bentinck) Island (Davies et al 2017 in suggests a negative relationship between detection of feral cats and rabbit-rat occupancy and a positive correlation between cat detection and the probability of rabbit rat extinction frequent, intense, extensive fire* high severe large extent: likely for all mainland subpopulations; some islands (Tiwi, Centre) few studies, but some correlative and experimental evidence habitat change due to exotic herbivores moderate moderate large extent: likely for most mainland subpopulations, and some islands (Tiwi) not demonstrated, but increase in some Kimberley subpopulations following cattle removal habitat change due to exotic invasive grasses minor severe minor extent: currently mostly in the area not demonstrated, but plausible vegetation clearance & other intensive development minor catastrophic localised (especially Tiwi islands, Groote Eylandt) explicitly demonstrated on Tiwi islands disease uncertain unknown uncertain, possibly large extent not demonstrated Competition with introduced rodents, particularly rats minor severe Island subpopulations not demonstrated but possible. * Fire regimes may vary in frequency, intensity, patchiness, regularity and timing. considered unsuitable for brush-tailed rabbit-rats are: (i) Intense fires resulting from high fuel loads. These can be infrequent but follow periods of fuel build up (ii) Intense fires under extreme fire weather such as high temperatures in the late dry season or strong winds in the mid-dry season; (iii) frequent fire events. Note that there may be some interactions and synergies amongst the above listed factors. For example there is recent evidence to suggest that hunting efficiency of feral cats is increased after fire (McGregor et al 2015, Leahy et al 2016) trial