How the Distribution of the Common Wombat has Changed in Australia

How the Distribution of the Bare‐Nosed or Common Wombat (Vombatus Ursinus) has Changed in Australia.
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Abstract
A declining population of the bare-nosed wombats, also known as the common wombats, signals failures in understanding the habitat and distribution of the species. The aim of this paper is to review information about the bare-nosed wombats, especially the population distribution, habitats, and the potential factors that result in the decline of their population. This information will be critical in the conservation efforts of the species and help protect the common wombat from extinction.
Introduction
Wombats are large marsupial herbivores commonly known for their burrowing, a trait that makes them referred to as ecosystem engineers, according to ecologists (Thorley & Old, 2020). The burrowing impacts soil turnover rates, facilitate the recycling of nutrients and water filtration and creates many habitats for different species. However, this activity has been known to cause conflict with people and other animals such as horses and cows, and permits can be obtained to reduce their numbers when they conflict with farmers (Old, Lin, & Franklin, 2019). There are three wombat species across Australia, the bare-nosed, also known as the common wombat (Vombatus Ursinus), and the other two species of the hairy-nosed wombats, the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) and the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons). Bare-nosed wombats were widespread in the past, but after the European settlement, their population has declined. While population numbers of bare-nosed wombats have in part contributed by the loss and contraction of habitats, these species are threatened by the introduction of species, roadkill, diseases, and both legal and illegal human activities (Thorley & Old, 2019). The aim of this paper is to review the available data on the habitat and distribution of Vombatus Ursinus and inform on the future management of the wombats.
Habitat and Distribution of Common Wombats
Common wombats live in temperate forest areas of Southeastern Australia and often avoid rainforests. In Northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, the species inhabits sclerophyll forests above 600 meters, while in Tasmania and South Australia, it lives in lower altitudes such as the coastal scrub, woodland, and heathland in open vegetation. In these habitats, wombats make burrows on slopes above gullies and creeks and often feed on grass clearings. About 200 years ago, during the European settlement, the distribution of the Common wombats was widespread in many places in Australia except the Northwestern corner of the Victoria state. The population of the species has since declined in New South Wales and Southeastern Queensland, as well as the southeast of South Australia, Tasmania, and the Bass Strait Islands (Australian Museum, 2021). Presently, the Common wombats have a fragmented and discontinuous distribution and have almost disappeared from the western areas of Victoria. Besides, bare-nosed wombats have completely disappeared from many regions of the New south wales that they ranged formerly. The Australian Museum (2021) reports that the species has decline...