Relict surface-soil features in semi-arid mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands [New South Wales]
1993
Noble, J.C. (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Lyneham (Australia). Div. of Wildlife and Ecology)
The physical dimensions and locations of 2 forms of circular surface-soil features, believed to be constructed by animals now locally extinct, are described for a 200 ha site and its environs in a semi-arid mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland in north-western New South Wales. The most common were 48 circular (c. 10 m diameter) features, some with well-defined central depressions carrying vigorous grass tussocks. Soil chemical analysis indicated the relatively high fertility of these central depressions. Surface pebbles were analysed for comparison with similar lithological data in the literature. The evidence suggests that the malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) is the most likely agent responsible for building these features. While only 4 of the larger features (c. 30 m diameter) were located in the study site, they were particularly conspicuous on higher ridges in adjoining paddocks because of the abundance of highly reflective, calcrete fragments visible on the surface of subcircular mounds. It is postulated that they were constructed by the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur).
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