Visible and invisible impacts of emergencies: additional considerations to aid marsupial conservation and management after disasters

Emergencies are increasing in frequency, magnitude and severity, affecting wildlife populations on a global scale. In Victoria, disasters, including bushfires, floods, heat waves and droughts, affect marsupial populations and the survival of species, with issues expected to increase due to climate and other anthropomorphic changes. Many impacts from disasters are obvious, including animal injury, mortality and displacement, resource loss, habitat destruction and fragmentation, and increased risks from introduced predators. However, many impacts that could significantly affect health and recovery potential for individual animals to entire species – including genetic loss, behaviour change, stress and impacts outside declared emergency areas – are less visible and thus may receive reduced focus and investment. Here, I discuss both visible and less visible impacts of disasters on Victoria’s marsupials, and mitigation strategies required to protect and recover species. More long-term surveys and monitoring, evidence-based actions, adaptive management and preparation for emergencies, underpinned by increased and ongoing investment, are required to meet the challenges of increasing disasters. Greater support to promote healthy wildlife populations and habitats and improve their resilience now will help to protect Victoria’s diverse and remarkable marsupials into the future.