Browsing of Mountain Ash Regeneration by Wallabies and Possums in Tasmania

SUMMARY Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus) and wallabies (Thylogale biliardieri) browse on woody species in many areas of mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell) forest after logging and burning, and Wallabia rufogrisea var. frutica also is found in some areas. The browsing is most damaging if it completely defoliates the plants in autumn. Many plants are killed. Variations between plant species in palatibility and ability to survive defoliation result in alterations in the composition of the vegetation. The satisfactory regeneration of mountain ash requires prevention of excessive browsing in the first one to two years after germination. Attempts at ecological control of browsing have been unsuccessful and direct control by poisoning or capture is carried out.