Palaeo-ecology of the Gap and Coturaundee Ranges, western New South Wales, using stick-nest rat (Leporillus spp.) (Muridae) middens

Pollen, plant and animal macrofossils recovered from nine Leporillus spp. (Muridae) middens found in the Gay and Cotuaundee Ranges, western New South Wales were examined. By comparing current vegetation, pollen from modern surface samples and pollen from midden samples, general vegetation characteristics over the last 6500 years sp were reconstructed. Evidence shows that a greater shrub cover was apparent between 6500 and 5200 sp, while other aspects of the vegetation cover were similar to present. An increase in tree pollen, possibly indicating greater tree cover, occurred around 3400-2600 BF, while vegetation in the last 1300 years was similar to present. These interpretations, particularly from the older samples, are tentative due to spatial and temporal limitations. Animal macrofossils from the middens indicate that several mammal species now extinct or uncommon in western New South Wales have occurred in the area in the past 3000 years. This study also confirms that reconstruction of vegetation from Leporillus spp. midden evidence should be seen as separate 'snapshots', rather than continuous records over a stratigraphically defined timescale.