The habitat value and public perceptions of totem trees in Canberra urban parklands
Abstract
This thesis investigates Totem trees, i.e., standing dead trees that have been made "safe" through the removal of unstable or decayed branches, in seven Canberra parklands. To date, these trees have not been the subject of academic research, hence this thesis is the first study, aiming to assess their habitat value and public attitudes towards their safety and conservation. It employs a mixed methods approach, incorporating: silvicultural assessment; fauna appraisal by ad libitum sampling, focal sampling, and evidence for fauna presence; and a purposive questionnaire survey for evaluation of the public perceptions about the Totem trees’ habitat value, safety and conservation. This study demonstrates that the mixed methods approach to data collection is very effective, especially in research encompassing the intersection of human and natural habitats. The thesis has yielded a holistic assessment and comprehensive understanding of Totem trees’ diverse habitat and community values. The findings in the thesis demonstrate that the Totem trees, studied in the Canberra parklands, have significant habitat value: they provide perching, nesting, vocalisation, habitation, and feeding sites for Aves and arboreal Mammalia, as well as habitation and food for Invertebrata. In addition, this study shows that Totem trees with a greater number of hollows and structural complexity are notably more sought after habitat for fauna. The public survey indicates a generally positive attitude to Totem trees; most participants perceived them as a valuable habitat for fauna, Aves in particular, and appreciated the trees’ aesthetic appeal. However, many participants expressed uncertainty about the trees’ safety, indicating a lack of information and public awareness about their conservation and management policies. In conclusion, this study recommends conservation of the current Totem tree population and further "totemisation" of standing dead trees in urban forests, especially large old trees with great structural complexity. The survey indicates that the public needs to be better informed about the safety management of Totem trees and the importance of their conservation.