Feeding strategies and habitat utilisation of insular populations of the agile wallaby (Macropolis agilis) and the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor): Implications for management of a coastal ecosystem on South Stradbroke Island, Queensland

The feeding strategies and habitat utilisation of agile wallabies (Macropus agilis) and swamp wallabies ( Wallabia bicolo() were studied on South Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Utilisation of foredunes on the island was chiefly by agile wallabies with higher utilisation recorded on the more lush spinifex grass on the primary dune. The extent of grazing on the foredunes along the island was dependent on a number of factors, especially vegetation composition and abundance of grasses in habitats adjacent to the foredunes. In addition, higher feeding activity by both species of wallaby were found on more abundant areas of foredune. Grazing impact on the principal foredune stabilising species, sand spinifex grass ( Spinifex sericeus) was minimal. However, grazing resulted in a decreased abundance of other sand stabilising species on the foredune and could result in decreased species diversity