Dr Linda Broome ‘Relationships between the endangered Mountain Pigmy-possum, snow, moths and changing climate’

The endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) is a small marsupial that occurs only in alpine and sub-alpine regions of Australia. It hibernates from March to September (the Austral winter), much of the time under an insulating cover of snow. Its major food source upon waking in spring is the highly nutritious Bogong Moth (Agrotis infusa) which migrate, often in huge numbers, from their winter breeding grounds on the inland plains. Linda has been monitoring populations and undertaking research on the Mountain Pygmy-possum for over 30 years (since 1986) and will discuss interactions between the possums, snow, moths and projected impacts of climate change on this iconic alpine species.

Dr Linda Broome is Senior Threatened Species Officer, Ecosystems and Threatened Species, South East Regional Operations Group (South Branch), Office of Environment and Heritage, in Queanbeyan.  Linda has been monitoring and researching endangered species in her role in the southern region of New South Wales, including the Pygmy-possum in in alpine areas for more than 30 years, and the Smokey Mouse on the South Coast