Factors influencing brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) damage in a Pinus radiata plantation on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Damage by introduced brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) to Pinus radiata trees was assessed in 41 compartments of a commercial forestry plantation on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. All the trees assessed were less than 3 years old. Possum damage in the compartments was low (median prevalence 3.3%) but highly variable (range 0–30%). Eight of 37 measured habitat factors differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the sites with damaged and undamaged trees.