The conservation value of Australia's Stock Route Network: A multi-taxonomic approach to management and planning Pia E. Lentini A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The Australian National University, June 2012 Cover image: Stock on the move at the “Moora Moora West” TSR, Driftway Rd, Warroo, NSW. Image: P. Lentini. Declaration This thesis is my own work, except where otherwise acknowledged (see Preface and Acknowledgements). Pia E. Lentini June 2012 i ii Table of contents Declaration..................................................................................................................................... i Table of contents ........................................................................................................................ iii Preface ........................................................................................................................................ vii Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... xi Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... xv Extended context statement ........................................................................................................ 1 Paper I. Australia’s Stock Route Network: 1. A review of its values, and implications for future management ............................................................................................................. 19 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 21 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 22 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 24 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Biodiversity conservation ..................................................................................................... 25 Cultural heritage .................................................................................................................. 26 Supporting rural communities .............................................................................................. 27 Other values for Australian society ...................................................................................... 28 Knowledge gaps ................................................................................................................... 29 Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 31 Management issues .............................................................................................................. 31 An uncertain future for the Stock Route Network................................................................. 33 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 34 References ................................................................................................................................ 35 Tables and Figures ................................................................................................................... 44 Paper II. Australia’s Stock Route Network: 2. Representation of fertile landscapes .......... 49 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 51 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 52 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 53 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 54 Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 55 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 57 References ................................................................................................................................ 58 Tables and Figures ................................................................................................................... 60 Paper III. Supporting wild pollinators in a temperate agricultural landscape: Maintaining mosaics of natural features and production ...................................................... 63 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 65 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 66 iii Materials and methods ............................................................................................................. 68 Study area and design .......................................................................................................... 68 Bee and vegetation surveys .................................................................................................. 69 Analyses ............................................................................................................................... 71 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 75 Habitat attributes that maximize bee diversity .................................................................... 75 Effect of landscape modification on individual species abundance .................................... 77 Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 77 What factors at landscape and local scales influence bee communities? ............................ 77 What management actions can be taken to encourage the persistence of wild bees in agricultural landscapes? ..................................................................................................... 80 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. 81 References ............................................................................................................................... 83 Tables and Figures ................................................................................................................... 88 Supplementary material ........................................................................................................... 97 Paper IV. Value of large-scale linear networks for bird conservation: A case study from travelling stock routes, Australia .................................................................................. 107 Abstract .................................................................................................................................. 109 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 110 Methods ................................................................................................................................. 112 Study design and site selection .......................................................................................... 113 Bird and vegetation surveys ............................................................................................... 115 Data analysis ..................................................................................................................... 117 Results ................................................................................................................................... 120 The habitat value of remnants compared to the matrix ..................................................... 120 Favorable linear remnant habitat for woodland birds ...................................................... 121 The influence of adjacent linear remnants on farmland .................................................... 121 Discussion .............................................................................................................................. 122 The value of linear remnants for woodland birds .............................................................. 122 Bird communities adjacent to linear remnants .................................................................. 124 The value and future management of the travelling stock route network .......................... 125 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... 126 References ............................................................................................................................. 128 Tables and Figures ................................................................................................................