Ward-Fear, G.Hayward, Matt W.L'Hotellier, K.Herman, K.Kabat, A.P.Gibbons, J.P.2016-12-152016-12Ward-Fear, G, Hayward, MW, L'Hotellier, K, Kabat, AP & Gibbons, JP 2016, 'The implications of biodiversity loss for the dynamics of wildlife in Australia', Animal Conservation, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 504-505.1367-9430 (print)1469-1795 (online)10.1111/acv.12326http://hdl.handle.net/2263/58413Our study aimed to identify the broad effects of native fossorial species on leaf litter, and make inferences about their mechanistic influence on fire behavior using simulation models (Hayward et al., 2016). This conceptual link has long been hypothesized, but here we present empirical evidence to support it; our results suggest that native fossorial mammals have fire-suppressive effects because their activity results in higher levels of litter decomposition, and a reduced fuel load across the landscape. The expert commentaries build on this study and raise pertinent points for further consideration.en© 2016 The Zoological Society of London. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article : The implications of biodiversity loss for the dynamics of wildlife in Australia, Animal Conservation, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 504-505, 2016. doi : 10.1111/acv.12326 . The definite version is available at : http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1469-1795.Biodiversity lossWildlifeAustraliaNative fossorial speciesLeaf litterMechanistic influenceFire behaviorSimulation modelsPostprint Article