DATA on Central Victoria's vulnerable species could be used to aid bushfire recovery in eastern Victoria.
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Researchers will continue a study this year near Bendigo and the Macedon Ranges, spotlighting nocturnal native animals, to find out population numbers across the region.
Upper Campaspe Landcare Network will run the study, using the research to make recommendation to future research and conservation efforts.
Network facilitator Rebekah Ritchie said the research would answer questions about the best way to let animal recolonise, and sites revegetate, after bushfires.
Ms Ritchie said this information could be applied over the next five years to recent fires in East Gippsland.
The research involves species for which baseline data exists, meaning Landcare can track changes in population.
Some sites are regenerating after fires five years ago.
The group has already spent a year spotlighting animals in the region using a pest and wildlife management company.
This year they continue, looking for animals such as brush-tailed phascogales, greater gliders, powerful owls, barking owls and yellow footed antechinus.
Ms Ritchie said the trends in population data would mean Landcare knew what work it could do in the area.
"I species are continuing to increase in numbers, we know that we're on the right track. If they're not we need to investigate why they're not," she said.
Ms Ritchie said the species under investigation were all vulnerable, meaning it was important to find where the remnant populations where.
She said unique, irreplaceable species would be lost if the populations became extinct.
Ms Ritchie said the ecosystem would be changed in those areas, if certain animal species were lost. For instance, she said the powerful owl kept in check the numbers of everything they hunted.
Results of the study will be published in early 2021.
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