Armstrong Reserve Level Two Fauna Survey [Dunsborough, Western Australia] (original) (raw)
Related papers
Armstrong Reserve, Dunsborough - Ctenotus ora Potential Impact Assessment
2012
Ctenotus ora, the ‘Coastal Plains Skink’, is a recently described species of medium sized skink with a restricted range in the south-west of Western Australia, most of which has been cleared for agriculture and urban development. It cannot reliably be distinguished from the more widespread C. labillardieri except by DNA sequences, but the two species appear to have disjunct distributions. C. ora is considered to be of high conservation significance (recently listed as Priority 1 by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation). It is thought to be dependent on sandy substrates, appears to have low population density where it occurs, and populations are fragmented both by the discontinuous distribution of sandy soils, and of remnant vegetation providing suitable habitat. Any clearing of suitable habitat within the range of this species could have at least temporary and potentially significant impacts on local populations, because of the low population density and prior fragmentation of habitat by urban and agricultural development. Review of locality records of museum specimens and survey reports indicates that additional populations of ‘Ctenotus labillardieri’ occur outside and between the known ranges of either species, and potentially represent C. ora. The identity of populations on and adjacent to the Whicher Scarp (northern margin of Blackwood Plateau) may be important in assessment of impact, because this area represents a large area of contiguous woodland habitat where the resident species (whichever that is) is likely to be secure. The identity of the Ctenotus species at Armstrong Reserve, Dunsborough, has yet to be confirmed genetically but it is likely to be C. ora. Maps are constructed indicating the estimated distribution of suitable habitat within Armstrong Reserve, based on vegetation structure (as related to known capture sites, and behavioural and ecological data on other Ctenotus species), and at local up to regional scales based on the distribution of sandy soil types and existing remnant vegetation. These maps indicate that the Dunsborough population is likely to extend to several contiguous blocks of bushland as well as Armstrong Reserve, but may be effectively isolated from larger areas of occupied habitat to the east and west. The proposed development area does not break any existing linkages that might be important to a population of C. ora.
Biodiversity and Conservation, 1999
Island biogeography theory, and the 50/500 rule of genetics, have effectively devalued small habitat fragments for species conservation. Metapopulation theory has given new value to small remnants but data on species persistence are scarce. This study examined the capacity of very small and sheepgrazed remnants of eucalypt woodland in agricultural Western Australia to support remnant-dependent terrestrial arthropods. We surveyed 53 sheep-grazed remnants of wheatbelt wandoo Eucalyptus capillosa for the presence of four species of arthropod with different dispersal strategies (terrestrial versus aerial) and diet (predaceous vs. herbivorous): the harvester and mound-building termite Drepanotermes tamminensis, the wood-eating and mound-building termite Amitermes obeuntis, the predaceous and burrowing scorpion Urodacus armatus and the predaceous 'bull' ant Myrmecia nigriceps. All species with the exception of the scorpion disperse aerially, and all construct above-ground structures that are easily recognized. Remnants ranged in size from 50 m 2 to 21 000 m 2 (mean 1791 m 2), in spatial isolation (distance to the nearest vegetation remnant) from 10 m to 500 m (mean 123 m) and in a lengthto-width ratio (shape) from circular (mean ratio 1.0) to linear (mean ratio 4.0). Observations in small and grazed remnants were compared with observations made in six wandoo woodland sites within a large (1040 ha) and ungrazed remnant. The total number of target species was highly correlated with remnant area (r = 0.68). Remnant isolation and remnant shape had no apparent influence on the total number of target species. The minimum area of grazed remnants in which individual species were recorded followed the large predator Urodacus armatus (4515 m 2) > smaller predator Myrmecia nigriceps (300 m 2) > harvester termites Drepanotermes tamminensis (102 m 2) > wood-eating termites Amitermes obeuntis (50 m 2). With the exception of U. armatus which occurred only in three of the four largest grazed remnants, the occurrence of all other species increased from small to large grazed remnants, suggesting a remnant-size effect for all species. Remnant isolation or remnant shape had no apparent influence on the occurrence of any one species. The terrestrially dispersing scorpion persisted in remnants despite their isolation from other remnants from 200 m to 500 m. For both termite species, mound heights were significantly greater in large, ungrazed woodlands than in small and grazed woodlands. The incidence of mound abandonment in smaller and grazed remnants was considerably higher for harvester than for wood-eating termite colonies. This suggests differences in spatial requirements and possibly diet-related susceptibilities to fluctuations in food availability. The diameter of Myrmecia nigriceps nests showed no relationship with remnant size or isolation. This study demonstrated that even very small remnant woodlands on farms may play an important role in sustaining small native animals, either as stepping-stones for dispersing individuals (termites, ants) or in providing adequate habitat to sustain populations for longer periods (all four species).
Austral Ecology
Taken literally, the aim of biodiversity monitoring is to track changes in the biological integrity of ecosystems. Given the overwhelmingly dominant contribution of invertebrates to biodiversity, no biodiversity monitoring programme can be considered credible if invertebrates are not addressed effectively. Here we review the use of terrestrial invertebrates, with a particular focus on ants, as bioindicators in Australia in the context of monitoring biodiversity in Australia's rangelands. Ant monitoring systems in Australia were initially developed for assessing restoration success following mining, and have since been applied to a wide range of other land-use situations, including grazing impacts in rangelands. The use of ants as bioindicators in Australia is supported by an extensive portfolio of studies of the responses of ant communities to disturbance, as well as by a global model of ant community dynamics based on functional groups in relation to environmental stress and disturbance. Available data from mining studies suggest that ants reflect changes in other invertebrate groups, but this remains largely undocumented in rangelands. The feasibility of using ants as indicators in land management remains a key issue, given the large numbers of taxonomically challenging specimens in samples, and a lack of invertebrate expertise within most land-management agencies. However, recent work has shown that major efficiencies can be achieved by simplifying the ant sorting process, and such efficiencies can actually enhance rather than compromise indicator performance.
The primary aim of this thesis was to investigate the decline of small and medium sized mammals in northern Queensland by: determining the population status of the endangered Bramble Cay melomys, Melomys rubicola and investigate the cause of any decline; collating all historical mammal relative abundance data (mammals ≤ The three surveys undertaken on Bramble Cay failed to detect any Bramble Cay melomys. The island had experienced a recent, severe reduction in vegetation, which is the primary food resource for the Bramble Cay melomys. Herbaceous cover on the cay decreased from 2.16 ha in 2004 to 0.065 ha in March 2014 before recovering somewhat to 0.19 ha in August-September 2014. For the NG region, combined datasets from 430 1-ha plots represented sampling efforts totalling 3,316 cage trap nights; 34,480 Elliot trap nights; 6,270 pitfall trap nights and 298.5 hours of spotlighting. A total of 461 individuals, from 24 species were captured. Of the 430 plots, 261 failed to detect any mammals. The majority of the records in the Einasleigh Uplands bioregion were restricted to Blackbraes National Park and a neighbouring property where 80.9% of the plots recorded mammals. Twenty-six (21 native and 5 introduced) mammal species were detected during the surveys in 2015-2016. Of the 732 captures that could be confidently identified, 85.1% (623 camera events from 20 species) were detected by camera trapping, and 14.9% (109 captures from 15 species) were captured using the standardised plot survey method. Camera traps were significantly more effective than the standard plot survey in detecting the dingo, Canis lupus dingo, pig Sus scrofa, northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus, northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus and short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus. The grassland melomys, Melomys burtoni, was detected on significantly more plots using the traditional survey method. Sampling efforts for the bait trial at MTSWRNR totalled 2,776 camera trap nights (CTN) with 16,531 images and 1269 events collected. A total of 39 species were identified in these events including 13 mammal species. Bait type significantly affected mean camera events for the agile wallaby, Notamacropus agilis (P = 0.039). Agile wallabies visited the sesame oil bait stations 1.5 times more than peanut wax bait (P = 0.030). Bait type significantly affected mean species richness of small native mammal species (P = 0.004). Peanut butter bait attracted 1.7 times more small native mammal species than sesame oil (P = 0.003). There was a significant association between bait type and mould (P = <0.001). Sesame oil bait had the best longevity with no mould present on any of the baits at the end of each trial period. Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, financial support and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my higher degree by research candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
Eprapah Creek Redland City Invertebrate Survey
Project Summary: This report represents the results of the second stage of the Redland City Invertebrate Study (RCIS), targeting the distribution of terrestrial invertebrates in the Eprapah Creek catchment, Redland City. Three bushland sites with different ecological profiles were chosen for study these being Eprapah Creek Corridor, Sandy Creek Conservation Area and Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area. The focus was on invertebrate groups renowned for their use as bio-indicators and that could also serve as surrogates for all in vertebrate biodiversity. These comprised ants, dung and ground beetles, selected groups of flies, spiders and land snails and to a lesser extent butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.