The 800-gram engineer transforming Perth's urban bushland
In short: A tiny marsupial is performing massive geological feats. Weighing just 800 grams, the quenda turns over four tonnes of earth every year. By digging conical pits, these industrious creatures are not just moving soil; they are fundamentally altering nutrient cycles and accelerating plant growth in Western Australia.
In the 56-hectare Craigie bushland reserve in Perth’s north, a recent ecological shift is underway. Following the 2010 installation of a predator-proof fence to exclude foxes and cats, the quenda—a species formerly classified as a subspecies of the southern brown bandicoot until a molecular study reclassified them—has returned to thrive. These marsupials utilize the dense understory of Balga (Xanthorrhoea preissii) as a refuge, but their impact extends far beyond simple shelter.
As 'ecosystem engineers,' quendas use long, sharp claws to excavate up to 45 soil pits per night. This fossicking breaks soil crusts and incorporates leaf litter into the earth, which accelerates decomposition and increases microbial activity. Research involving exclusion plots has shown that this process changes the soil's nutrient composition, specifically affecting phosphorus levels. In experiments using tuart seeds, researchers found that seedlings grew two to three times faster in soil processed by quenda digging compared to control samples.
The benefits extend into the surrounding suburbs. Dr. Anna Hopkins and her team have observed that quendas in smaller bushland fragments often venture into nearby gardens and yards. By foraging for bulbs, roots, and invertebrates, they disperse a variety of fungi through their drohens. These fungi are vital for helping native vegetation, such as Eucalyptus trees, absorb water and nutrients. Consequently, the presence of quendas serves as a visible indicator of the health of Perth's urban remnant ecosystems.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Quendas – cute little marsupials that help regenerate bushland and reduce fuel loads.
- Also: Quendas: The cute little helper keeping our gardens and bushland healthy
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