Impact of the 2019–20 drought, heatwaves and mega-fires on Greater Gliders ( Petauroides volans ) in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, New South Wales

The 2019–20 drought, heatwaves, and mega-fires in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area led to a staggering 61% decline in the population of the threatened Greater Glider (Petauroides volans). Researchers found no gliders on severely burnt transects where 100% of eucalypt foliage was killed, while those on low-to-moderate severity burns declined by 43%. Even unburnt areas saw a 34% drop, likely due to drought and heat stress. The study analyzed 773 fire-affected sites, revealing that 84% of glider habitats were burnt, with 50% at low-to-moderate severity and 34% at high-to-extreme severity. Gliders relied on trees with unburnt foliage, avoiding those with only epicormic regrowth, possibly due to predator vulnerability. This unprecedented decline underscores the severe impact of extreme weather events on vulnerable species in World Heritage Areas.

Smith, P., & Smith, J. (2022). Impact of the 2019–20 drought, heatwaves and mega-fires on Greater Gliders ( Petauroides volans ) in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, New South Wales. Australian Zoologist, 42(2), 164–181. https://doi.org/10.7882/az.2022.017