A 26-year study at the Arid Recovery Reserve in South Australia has shown how fenced feral-free zones can transform desert ecosystems.
By excluding feral cats, foxes and rabbits across 12,300 hectares, native small mammal numbers have risen dramatically—up to 33 times higher than in unfenced areas.
Key Findings
Six fenced enclosures were established to create predator-free habitats.
Native species such as the spinifex hopping mouse and plains mouse thrived, outcompeting invasive species.
Changes in small mammal populations occurred without any major vegetation shifts, highlighting the role of predator exclusion rather than habitat change.
Why It Matters
The research shows that secure fencing combined with invasive species removal can restore natural population cycles and habitat use, offering a blueprint for protecting threatened native wildlife in Australia’s deserts.
