Post-fire habitat use of the golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) in the northwest Kimberley, Western Australia

Fire regimes are changing throughout the world. Changed fire patterns across northern Australian savannas have been proposed as a factor contributing to recent declines of small- and medium-sized mammals. Despite this, few studies have examined the mechanisms that underpin how species use habitat in fire-affected landscapes. We determined the habitats and resources important to the declining golden-backed tree-rat (<em>M</em><em>esembriomys macrurus</em>) in landscapes partially burnt by recent intense fire. We aimed to (i) compare the relative use of rainforest and savanna habitats; (ii) examine the effect of fire history on use of savanna habitats; and (iii) identify key foraging and denning resources. Habitat selection was examined by comparing the availability of eight habitat types around real (used) and generated (available) location points. Individuals used a range of habitats, but consistently selected long unburnt rainforest in preference to recently burnt savanna (1–12 months post-fire); however, recently burnt savanna was used in preference to long unburnt savanna. Tree-rats foraged in <em>T</em><em>erminalia hadleyana</em>, <em>P</em><em>lanchonia rupestris</em>, <em>C</em><em>eltis philippensis</em> and <em>O</em><em>wenia vernicosa</em>, tree species that are found in a variety of habitat types. Individuals used a range of den sites, including cliffs, trees, logs, scree and stags found throughout the study area. Although multiple factors may have led to the decline of <em>M</em><em>es. macrurus</em> across its range, these results are consistent with the idea that changes in the savanna structure as a consequence of contemporary fire patterns could also have a role. The continued persistence of <em>M</em><em>es. macrurus</em> in the northwest Kimberley may be supported by land management strategies that conserve fruiting and hollow-bearing trees, and maintain the availability of fire-sensitive vegetation types.