MODELING HABITAT QUALITY FOR ARBOREAL MARSUPIALS IN THE SOUTH COASTAL FORESTS OF NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

We present a statistical model to predict habitat quality for arboreal marsupials (possums and gliders) in the Eden district (New South Wales, Australia). The model is based on foliage and soil nutrients, the amount of decorticating bark, the susceptibility of trees to develop holes, topographic position and forest structure. The results suggest that the main factor predicting the occurrence of arboreal marsupials is the availability of food (e.g. quality of leaves, nutrients). When food is not a limiting factor, forest structure (e.g. number of large trees) determines the habitat quality. Implications for forest management are also discussed.