Science Reasons to for saving species be hopeful ISSN 2652-1334 New findings Autumn 2018 for refuges Issue 7 Protecting our mountain giants
Indigenous action for threatened species
Rusty plants
Tracking the far eastern curlew
IMAGE: BY GAVIN O’BRIEN Magazine of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub Recovering Australian threatened species Reasons to be hopeful
While media reports often focus on the doom and gloom of species sliding to extinction, it is important to also take note of where we are succeeding. Hub Deputy Director Professor Stephen Garnett talks about the importance of learning from conservation successes and celebrating how far we have come.
Changing attitudes are also reflected in our evolving legislation. Australia’s earliest environmental legislation was created to reduce hunting of birds and only became concerned with threatened species in the latter part of the 20th century. It is still evolving in response to societal expectations but both legislation and policy are increasingly explicit about preventing extinction. At the same time, governments, non- government organisations and private individuals have all made major contributions to ameliorating threats once they have become known. Often particular champions have stepped forward to ensure a species is not lost for future generations and put in extraordinary efforts to turn population trajectories around. As one of the editors of the Book of Hope, along with Peter Latch, David Lindenmayer and John Woinarski, I had enormous pleasure working with many such people, some of whom had dedicated over half a century of their lives to particular species. This says something about species recovery – it needs to be given time. Often declines have IMAGE: KARENRETA CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 FLICKR been slow, and their reversal can take decades. ABOVE: Co-ordinated conservation efforts by government agencies and the local community have given When a pair of glossy black-cockatoos produce the Oakland diuris (Diuris callitrophila), an endangered NSW donkey orchid, a much brighter future. one young a year at the most (see box), and often raise none, supporters of programs must A hundred years ago the global catastrophe inevitable, if slightly regrettable, have patience from the start. Even identifying that was the First World War came to an end. by-product of development. A book on how to reverse declines can take a long time. Today it is inconceivable that slaughter of successful conservation of threatened For example efforts to recover the Helmeted people on such a scale would be tolerated, species, such as Recovering Australian Honeyeater yielded dismal results until only as world views are changing. And so it is Threatened Species: A Book of Hope (CSIRO a few years ago when suddenly a new with conservation. A hundred years ago Publishing), could not have been imagined. technique, supplementary feeding of wild birds, seemed to push them into overdrive. most people would have been baffled by the Now it can. Surveys show over 80% conversations we now have about threatened of Australians do not want further A vital first step in any successful recovery species. Even fifty years ago conservation was extinctions, and they are willing to program is understanding the problems a new concept to many, extinction seen as an invest in preventing them. that need solving.
Inside the Autumn 2018 issue of Science for Saving Species Recovering Australian threatened species 2 Protecting our mountain giants 10 Kangaroo Island glossy black-cockatoos 3 Tracking the far eastern curlew 12 Refuges for threatened animals 4 New Chinese policy good for curlew 13 Myrtle rust is here 6 Indigenous threatened species action 14 The development frontier 8 Dan White - From genes to saving species 16
2 Science for saving species #7 An inspiring In the Book of Hope, each case study describes researchers wanting to learn from and share the research phase that has guided recovery existing successes in threatened species recovery showcase of action. The great thing is that knowledge work. The results, now compiled in the book, begets knowledge. What works on one species are 35 case studies of conservation success and conservation can work on others. New technologies – a framework of seven factors that were found to digital, genetic, electronic - are being applied be important to success. The book’s launch has success stories in ways that would have been unimaginable also brought many more people and examples a decade ago. In many ways it is a thrilling of successful conservation forward. time to be a researcher. Overall working on the Book of Hope was a Society is also changing. Indigenous people huge privilege, just as it is to be undertaking are becoming increasingly involved with threatened species research. The next step threatened species recovery on their land is to ensure that its messages reach the and sea country. Many Indigenous people right people so they too realise what a long have been greatly distressed by the loss of way we have come and that threatened small mammals that were abundant just a species recovery is possible when we have few decades ago. Now many Indigenous commitment and investment. The success ranger groups are seizing the opportunities stories are also a reminder to those supporting provided by threatened species management threatened species conservation that their to bring country back to life. investment of time and money is worthwhile. The Book of Hope began with a workshop in Professor Stephen Garnett 2016. The Threatened Species Recovery Hub Deputy Director, TSR Hub brought together 40 conservation managers and http://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/
Success for Kangaroo Island’s glossy-black cockatoos Against a relentless tide of threats to Glossy black-cockatoos on Kangaroo Island eat Brush-tail possums had proliferated in the our biodiversity, many Australians, and just one thing – seeds of the drooping she-oak. absence of foxes to eat them or rabbits to government and non-government agencies, To provide enough food for their nestlings, compete for fertilised pasture. The possums have devoted themselves to the challenge of breeding adults spend the entire day picking found a cockatoo egg or chick a fine snack before conserving and recovering plant and animal one cone after another until their crop is full sleep in a nest hollow. Protecting nesting trees species that now need our help to survive. with about 10,000 of the protein rich kernels. with collars of corrugated iron and trimming This dedication has been rewarded with The food is reliable and there are no real connecting branches from neighbouring trees some outstanding and inspiring successes. competitors but the price is a desperately reduced contact with possums and doubled Recovering Australian Threatened Species: low reproductive rate. the reproductive rate. A Book of Hope (edited by Stephen Garnett, By 1995 it became apparent that the Historic clearing of trees had removed many Peter Latch, David Lindenmayer and reproductive rate was even lower than nesting hollows, which was then compounded John Woinarski and published by CSIRO feared. A survey found just 150 birds with by competition with other parrots for the scarce Publishing) showcases 35 of these stories five begging chicks. So the islanders kicked remaining hollows. Nest box erection, casuarina and identifies the common factors that off one of Australia’s most successful recovery planting and the removal of corellas and galahs have been most effective in recovering programs. As a starting point research was competing for remaining scarce hollows helped. threatened species. undertaken to identify the key threats By 2017 there were nearly 400 birds and the The diverse case studies – dealing with causing such low reproduction. population continues to grow, expanding its threatened plants, invertebrates, fish, range across the island. reptiles, birds and mammals – show that IMAGE: DANIELLA TEIXEIRA The program had all key elements to succeed: the conservation of threatened species is strong local leadership; community involvement achievable: that it can be done and should and institutional commitment from government; be done. They collectively serve to inform, management built on research; and the ongoing guide and inspire other conservation efforts. investment over many decades that is essential The Book of Hope is available to purchase to recover a species that is so very specialised. online at: www.publish.csiro.au/book/7705 Kangaroo Islanders love their cockatoos and there is every chance that extinction has been averted.
BESIDE: The population of the South Australian subspecies of glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus) has more than doubled in the last two decades in response to conservation actions.
3 The what, where and how of refuges for threatened animals Ecological Society of Australia Refuges symposium IMAGE: A STEWART
As Australia recovers from another sizzling summer, have you ever wondered ABOVE: When cats, rabbits, foxes and stock make how our native animals get by when the going gets really tough? TSR Hub living hard for the plains mouse (Pseudomys australis) it can still hold on in the cracked clay and researchers from our refuges project are putting a lot of thought into that very stones of the gibber plains of the Lake Eyre Basin. question, they also organised a refuges symposium at the last Ecological Society of Australia conference. Here they talk about some exciting new findings in this space. Article by April Reside (UQ), Natalie Briscoe (UM), Luke Collins (Latrobe), Key messages Euan Ritchie (Deakin), Lauren Young (USyd), Geoffrey Heard (CSU) and Refuges enable species to survive Ben Scheele (ANU). hard times. Losing an important refuge may mean losing a species. Just as we head for the beach on those Where are refuges and how do heatwave days, many animals move to a refuge you identify one? Technological advances and satellite when faced by hard times. Hard times might To identify refuges that animals use, first you data are aiding the identification include drought, fire, introduced predators, need to find out where the animals normally and mapping of refuges. heatwaves or outbreaks of disease. live, and then determine where they are when faced with a major threat. This can prove Refuges are not only fixed places So, what are refuges? challenging. Years of searching for animals like a rocky gully, they can be places Refuges are places animals use until the when they disappear from their broader range with few predators, less disease or extreme conditions ease. This might be may be needed to find out where they find better resources. for a day, a week, or even years, and may refuge (which may be from extreme events even prevent extinctions. For example, or introduced threats like foxes or disease). animals restricted to refuges during drought And a refuge for one species may not be a IMAGE: NATALIE BRISCOE can re-expand when the drought breaks, refuge for another: a ground species like a moving back into the wider landscape. bush rat will need a different refuge than a So understanding where refuges are, greater glider in the tree tops to survive fire. and how to protect or even create them, is critical for managers charged with Advances in finding refuges conserving our native species. Advances in technology, and particularly At the end of 2017, scientists working on the availability of detailed satellite data, are refuges came together at EcoTas 2017 making the task of identifying refuges much (the Ecological Society of Australia’s joint easier. For example, Luke Collins (La Trobe conference with the New Zealand Society University and Arthur Rylah Institute) has of Ecology) to share their expertise on the been using satellite data to identify refuges what, where and how of refuges. Here’s some from wildfire in south-eastern Australia. of the exciting new findings shared at this By analysing high-resolution LANDSAT Burrows enable many animal species to survive Refuges Symposium (organised by TSR Hub images, he came up with a method to better the temperature extremes of arid and semi-arid researchers April Reside and Natalie Briscoe). map areas that are protected from wildfire. regions, including native animals and feral cats.
4 Science for saving species #7 Understanding predator refuges Finding the places that serve as refuges from heatwaves and drought can be aided by better understanding a species’ physiology and behaviour. As well as identifying refuges of threatened species like koalas and greater gliders from heatwaves and climate IMAGE: NATALIE BRISCOE change, Natalie Briscoe (The University of Warm and slightly saline wetlands provide growling Melbourne) showed that this approach can grass frogs with refuges from chytrid fungus. help understand refuges used by feral cats. He was also able to work out which types of The arid zone is a particularly challenging places provide fire refuges, and under what environment for cats, with surface conditions. Under mild fire weather conditions, Refuges created by species temperatures frequently reaching 50 to areas like gullies are often protected from fire – interactions 60°C and water scarce. Small-scale micro- yet under extreme fire weather, these refuges Refuges are often created by environmental environments, such as burrows, provide can also burn, highlighting the need for more factors but they can also be created by feral cats with cool refuges, and are targeted protection as the likelihood of interactions between species. For example, likely critical to their survival in these extreme fire weather increases. Euan Ritchie (Deakin University) and environments during times of stress. colleagues have shown that areas with dingoes Satellite data are also useful for identifying Identifying these refuges provides targets may provide refuges from predation for refuges from drought. The plains mouse is a for eradication campaigns under hot small mammals. This is because dingoes may threatened native rodent restricted to central conditions, and can be used to control suppress the density or activity of feral cats Australia. Using trapping data collected over cat populations more broadly by removing and foxes. In another example, Ben Scheele two years (from cameras and traps) and soil their access to landscape features they (ANU) has found that refuges from disease and vegetation data, PhD student Lauren need to survive in desert environments. for threatened northern corroboree frogs Young (Sydney University) was able to map occur in areas that are unsuitable for other refuges used by the plains mouse during a Refuges created by frogs that act as reservoir-hosts. dry period. These refuge areas likely provide environmental factors a relatively consistent and reliable supply In contrast, warm, dry and slightly saline Other favourable conditions of resources even in drought. environments can provide key refuges allowing a threat to be weathered April Reside (University of Queensland) for frogs threatened by chytridiomycosis, In contrast to the previous examples, some outlined how some landscape features, like an emerging disease caused by the chytrid environments act as refuges because they allow rocky outcrops, can provide critical refuge fungus that has decimated amphibian a species to tolerate a high level of a threat from multiple threats. Australia has 158 populations globally. Chytrid does not associated with an extreme event. An example vertebrates (10 amphibians, 10 birds, 60 prosper in hot, saline or dry environments, is the alpine tree frog, which has contracted mammals and 78 reptiles; 39 of which are and researchers have shown that these areas to perennial ponds following the emergence threatened) that are found only in areas with can act as disease refuges for threatened of chytrid fungus. The frogs experience very rocky habitats, and many more that seek frog species. Geoff Heard (Charles Sturt high mortality in these perennial ponds due refuge in rocky terrain. Rocky outcrops can University) showed that warm and slightly to favourable conditions for chytrid fungus. protect animals from drought, fire, heatwaves saline wetlands are refuges from chytrid However, adults are able to successfully breed and introduced predators. For example, large for growling grass frogs around Melbourne. before dying and the fungus has minimal rocky outcrop areas can break up a large His works suggests creating wetlands with impacts on tadpoles and juvenile frogs. wildfire; they can provide deep, shady and these characteristic could help protect this moist crevasses for refuge during drought; threatened species, as could manipulation Why we should protect refuges and they can provide places to hide from cats of existing wetlands to give them refugial Without refuges many species could not and foxes. Again, satellite data is used to find properties (for example, removing survive the tough times. Healthy refuges also out where these important rocky areas are shading vegetation to increase wetland mean having seed populations that can grow to help improve their management. water temperatures). and re-expand when conditions improve, which helps to recover depleted populations in the wider landscape. BELOW: The large gulbaru gecko (Phyllurus gulbaru) is restricted to two small patches of rocky rainforest in North Queensland. If fires and weeds degrade this refuge we could lose the species. How might we protect refuges so they can
IMAGE: ERIC VANDERDUYS protect species into the future? This is the focus of our work, so stay tuned. For further information April Reside [email protected]
Pavey et al. (2017). The role of refuge in the persistence of Australian dryland mammals. Biological Reviews, 92, 647–664. Scheele, B. et al. (2017). Niche contractions in declining species: mechanisms and consequences. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 32, 346–355.
5 Magazine of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub IMAGE: JOHN TANN CC2.0 FLICKR
What are we doing about a new fungal disease hitting Australia’s most iconic plant family? Myrtle rust is here LEFT: Myrtle Rust is infecting many important species across a broad geographic range.
A new contagious fungal plant disease has entered Australia, myrtle rust. It’s highly mobile, can reproduce rapidly and is infecting many species across a broad geographic range. Containment and eradication responses have so far been unsuccessful. In short, the risks posed by myrtle rust are a perfect storm for plant species within one of Australia’s most important plant families, the Myrtaceae. Jarrah Wills from the Queensland Herbarium describes why this plant disease poses such a threat and what we are doing about it.
Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is believed Detection, range and impacts to have originated in South America. It was Myrtle rust was first detected in Australia at first described in Brazil in 1884, where it was Gosford on the New South Wales coast just observed infecting the common guava, and north of Sydney in 2010. Since then, it has it has been infecting eucalypt timber species spread rapidly, particularly through air-borne on that continent since the 1970s. From spores, honeybees and the live plant trade.
that time, it has spread rapidly, impacting It has now been detected the entire length IMAGE: ROD FENSHAM many species of commercial and ecological of the eastern seaboard, from gardens in Boris Laffineur leaning on a dead native guava significance in the US (Hawaii, Florida and Tasmania and Victoria to Bamaga at the tip (Rhodomyrtus psidioides) at Tallebudgera Valley, California), New Caledonia, South Africa, of the Cape York Peninsula. More recently, Queensland, another victim of myrtle rust. Indonesia and Singapore. it has also been detected in the Tiwi Islands and Darwin in the Northern Territory. While the potential threat of this strain of Myrtaceae is a large and iconic plant family myrtle rust is enormous, its full impact on our Infection by myrtle rust is known to affect in Australia, with over 1600 described native species and ecosystems is not yet well more than 347 species. So far, occurrence species. It includes the eucalypts (Eucalyptus, understood. We do know the rust seems to be west of the Great Dividing Range is rare, and Corymbia and Angophora) and paperbarks particularly threatening to the fleshy-fruited (Melaleuca) and many other genera. The restricted to nurseries and urban gardens. myrtle species that occupy rainforests and leaves of these trees, often called myrtle The disease has crossed the Tasman to their margins. And it is believed the fungus species, have oil dots that usually yield a New Zealand, where it is likely to threaten could have a significant impact on more distinctive eucalypt-oil smell when crushed. another economically significant myrtle than 40 range-restricted myrtle species. The The family includes hard-fruited species that species, Manuka, which is important to the rust may dramatically decrease the range of are prominent in the open-forests and soft- honey industry. Successful monitoring and these species, even pushing some of them to fruited species that are particularly diverse in subsequent eradication has taken place on extinction within an estimated five to 10 years. rainforests. Members of the Myrtaceae family Lord Howe Island; however, reinfection is provide food and homes for nectar- and likely to occur. TSR Hub myrtle rust project fruit-eating birds and mammals. Some myrtle Globally, several different strains of myrtle The TSR Hub is supporting a six-month species have limited distributions and are rust occur which can infect different hosts, and pilot project that incorporates existing especially vulnerable to new disease. here in Australia we have the pandemic strain. data to generate and store broad baseline
6 Science for saving species #7 south of Maryborough, Queensland. Previous New Zealand is devoting considerable Key messages studies have identified that this species resources to the fight against the scourge of has declined by more than 50% in less than myrtle rust. In Australia, however, resources Since it arrived in 2010, myrtle rust five years, with further declines expected. were targeted to the potential commercial has infected many species across The database will identify guava populations consequences of the disease, but have that may be resistant to myrtle rust, or dwindled when it was realised that natural the Myrtaceae family. determine whether this species is at risk ecosystems would suffer the major impacts. The rust is particularly threatening of being lost in the wild and will require Given the wide range and rapid spread of speedy conservation actions. the disease it is essential that assessment for the fleshy-fruited myrtle species of impacts are extended in order to best in rainforests. It has the potential to The database will also help us to determine threats to other species and the impact on prioritise conservation action. significantly impact more than 40 ecosystems. It will point to where the disease For further information range-restricted myrtle species. has been particularly damaging, which species Jarrah Wills may be resistant in certain parts of their [email protected] Baseline information is being range, and which species are at greatest collated and collected to evaluate risk of extinction across their range. the geography of the disease and As myrtle rust evolves, the manner in assess its impact through time. which the disease impacts different plants will change. One aim of our research is to find populations that may show resistance information needed to evaluate the impact of or identify moves between host species. To the disease. It grows from a review of myrtle safeguard some species, we may need to BELOW: Jarrah Wills and Rod Fensham rust and its impacts and will build on baseline translocate them beyond their current ranges. assessing myrtle rust impact at D’Aguilar data generated by a small group of plant National Park, south-east Queensland. pathologists. It will help us identify which plant species or populations are at greatest risk, enabling us to prioritise our responses. The research team will gather information by interviewing botanists, researchers, bush regenerators, government scientists and engaged citizens. The research will also conduct targeted field surveys to fill the gaps in our knowledge. We will bring the information together in a database to assess the impact of myrtle rust on Australian plant species and ecosystems. This database will help inform decision-makers and managers on the fate of individual species such as the native guava (Rhodomyrtus psidioides).
From information to action Native guava was once common across its range, which extends north from Gosford in northern New South Wales to Tinana Creek, IMAGE: BORIS LAFFINEUR
Rusty Plants
Rusts are fungal plant diseases that infect living some myrtle species. The disease can cause plant tissues. Infections begin when a fungal deformed leaves, heavy defoliation of spore lands on the plant surface, germinates branches, reduced fertility, dieback, and invades its host. Rusts are named for their stunted growth and plant death. infections, which often make host plants look It is not known how myrtle rust entered Australia. rusty, an effect caused by deposits of powdery However, now that it is here, its spores are easily rust-coloured or brown spores on the plant’s spread via wind, people, infected plant material surface. Humans have been contending with and equipment. It can also be dispersed by rusts since the beginning of agriculture. IMAGE: JOHN TANN CC2.0 FLICKR insect/animal movement. These characteristics Myrtle rust on a thready-bark myrtle (Gossia inophloia). The strain of myrtle rust spreading through make it extremely difficult to control and This plant species is listed as Near Threatened. Australia is having a severe impact on impossible to eradicate from natural settings.
7 Magazine of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub Saving species at the development frontier
Strategic assessment, offsets and no-net-loss IMAGE: GREENS MP CC BY NC ND 2.0 FLICKR
The development frontier is where decisions on new land developments are made. ABOVE: Government approval for a Liquid It’s a space where conflicts between biodiversity and multi-tenure land-use needs are Natural Gas plant on Curtis Island QLD required at least 700 hectares of private constantly encountered. However, it’s also where ecological knowledge has some of its land to be secured and rehabilitated to greatest potential to reduce biodiversity losses by guiding development to locations compensate for environmental impacts. and practices with the least negative impact. Heini Kujala explains some of the developing science regarding biodiversity conservation at the development frontier.
In many countries, legislation already Our work showed that when biodiversity stipulates that development impacts on data are made available and used early in biodiversity are to be reduced through the planning process, significant reductions environmental impact assessments in development impacts can be achieved and offsetting of unavoidable impacts. (with lost habitat reducing from 60% to Yet, concerns have been raised about the less than10% for some species). Here, evaluation of development and their collaboration with stakeholders is central offsetting needs, particularly when for both validating input data and refining evaluations are considered project-by- and adopting research outputs. This was project in isolation from other development highlighted by the work of Dr Katherine in the same region. The lack of holistic Selwood (UM) with the TSR Hub on assessment and accounting of cumulative identifying biodiversity priority areas impacts mean that species are often faced on Christmas Island. with a ‘death by thousand cuts’. This means that biodiversity is degraded by many small IMAGE: RACHEL MORGAN A further challenge in sustainable impacts that individually do not appear to The symposium on ‘Putting ecology to work at the planning is how to retain ecological threaten species’ persistence; and, as such, development frontier’ was well attended at the last processes in human-dominated landscapes. these impacts are not met with adequate Ecological Society Conference. Dynamic processes are more difficult to mitigation or compensation through map in comparison to distribution patterns, offsetting mechanisms.1 they take place. This is because conservation as they require information on inter-site costs increase rapidly when species dependencies in the landscape. In our Facing and addressing impacts become less widespread and options symposium, Dr Mirela Tulbure from UNSW In the recent joint meeting of the ecological narrow for their conservation. showed how information on historic land societies of Australia and New Zealand As an example of such impact avoidance, use and surface water patterns can help (EcoTAS) in the Hunter Valley, the Threatened I presented our work from the University to explain how landscape connectivity is Species Recovery Hub ran a symposium of Melbourne. We used species distribution affected by human activities in comparison that focused on some of the key issues and models and spatial prioritisation tools to natural climatic variation in the Murray- recent advancements within this topic. to minimise development impacts on Darling Basin.3 Such information can be A cost-efficient way of reducing biodiversity 227 threatened species and ecological used to avoid the loss of critical connections losses is to anticipate and act on foreseeable communities in the Perth and Peel when planning development in highly development-conservation conflicts before region’s 30-year development plan.2 dynamic Australian landscapes.
8 Science for saving species #7 No-net-loss: Compensating impacts In Australia, offset policies are framed around But keeping an eye on the bigger picture the concept of native vegetation, used as a is also important after a development has proxy for biodiversity. In France, where native taken place. Associate Professor Martine vegetation bears little meaning, offsetting Maron (UQ) and Dr Ascelin Gordon (RMIT) has been built around a number of with their respective teams have studied environmental legislations and hence uses how the concept of ‘no-net-loss’ (i.e., the a more heterogeneous set of measures, benchmark at which development impacts targeting species, diverse elements related to are considered compensated), has been water, forests and the Natura 2000 network. defined in policy and used in practice in • lack of capacity to coordinate and align biodiversity offset schemes. Impact assessments and offsetting So how to move forward from here? In efforts across multiple jurisdictions Associate Professor Maron explained how Australia, the Strategic Assessment protocol and tenure. the selection of reference scenarios against already provides a tool for holistic impact These factors, as well as bridging the gap which no-net-loss is to be achieved can assessments; however, it can only be used for between impact assessments and offsetting, make for entirely different outcomes for large development projects where both the are some of the key challenges in moving the environment. Her team’s research has federal and relevant state governments agree to towards more efficient conservation of found that current offsetting policies tend to initiate the process. Strategic Assessments also biodiversity at the development frontier. relate no-net-loss to either overarching policy focus only on impacts on Matters of National goals (such as halting the loss of biodiversity) Environmental Significance. This restricts or responses to specific development impacts. For further information assessments and avoidance of impacts for Heini Kujala Each of these can have contradicting objectives species that are not yet listed but may become [email protected] if applied in same jurisdiction.4 so as a result of the proposed development. Work lead by Dr Gordon further highlighted More critically, the offsetting of final impacts that if and when no-net-loss is achieved is still predominantly approved under the IMAGE: RACHEL MORGAN depends on three factors: standard project-by-project EPBC Act process • the counterfactuals for determining rather than under Strategic Assessments. the development impact and the Interviews of government, industry and additionality of the offset non-gorverment stakeholders by Dr Megan • the scales at which offsetting activity Evans (UQ) indicate an appetite for moving is evaluated (whether site, program from project-by-project into more holistic or landscape) and strategic biodiversity offsetting across the Australian environment and development • the time horizon over which the offsets sector. are required to accrue their gains. However, several factors currently inhibit this Added to this is the comparison by Florence shift: Damiens (RMIT) of biodiversity offsetting schemes between Australia (Victoria) and • lack of interaction and information flow France. This work reveals that whereas within and between federal, state and offsetting as a compensation mechanism territory government departments has similarly long-rooted histories in both • the ‘focal species’ approach of federal countries, they have developed policies and state threatened species legislation Dr Katherine Selwood presenting research that that offset different types of nature. • policy uncertainty and inconsistency estimates the impacts of potential future land-use proposals for Christmas Island and how to maximise conservation outcomes for the island.
IMAGE: DOMINIC SHERONY CC BY-SA 2.0 WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
1. Hawke, A. (2009). The Australian Environment Act: Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts).
9 Magazine of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub
Protecting our mountain giants
Why losing large old hollow-bearing mountain ash trees matters
LEFT: Mountain brushtail possums use this IMAGE: DAVID BLAIR tree hollow - which bears their tracks.
Australia is losing large old hollow-bearing trees in our mountain ash forests due to logging, fires and climate change. A team at the Australian National University have been investigating the importance of these trees, the implications of their loss and things we can do to ensure we have enough mountain giants for the future.
Large old trees are keystone structures in Our old trees at risk IMAGE: DAVID COOK CC BY NC 2.0 FLICKR many of the world’s forests. Despite being These grand and critical trees are in rapid of great ecological importance and fulfilling and catastrophic decline. Chief among the critical roles in these forest ecosystems, threats to large old hollow-bearing mountain globally, large old trees are in decline. ash are logging, fire and climate change In the mountain ash forests of south-eastern (and the interaction of these drivers of Australia, the loss of large old trees has been decline). After 200 years of European rapid and is ongoing, with the average forest management, mountain ash ecosystems are age now younger than it has ever been. This now listed as Critically Endangered under the changes the fundamental dynamics of the IUCN Red Listed Ecosystem assessment. forest, as young forest is more fire-prone, Of the hollow-bearing trees standing in 1997, stores less carbon and has less water runoff. 41% had collapsed by 2015. Of 166 one- Old forests provide many features not found hectare long-term monitoring sites examined in smaller, younger trees like hollows, large in 2015, 50% had two or fewer large old lateral branches, buttresses, and extensive hollow-bearing trees. On current projections, canopies with large numbers of flowers. populations of such trees will decline by more They also provide vital habitat for cavity- than 90% from 1997 levels by 2040, even dependent animals such as Leadbeater’s assuming no further disturbance by fire possum and other species of arboreal and logging, although both are almost marsupials like the greater glider and certain to continue within that period. yellow-bellied glider. Remaining forests are experiencing competing and sometimes conflicting demands – for water supply, tourism, biodiversity conservation and timber harvesting. How forests are used, especially with respect to logging, is decided under the Regional Forest Agreement, which is currently under negotiation. The main threats to the survival of yellow-bellied gliders are fire and logging.
10 Science for saving species #7 IMAGE: DAVID BLAIR IMAGE: DARREN BELLERBY CC BY 2.0 FLICKR ABOVE: Old growth mountain ash forest in the O’Shannassy catchment. ABOVE: Greater sooty owls depend on tree hollows.
Room available – good views, The sheer logistics of installing boxes or Withdrawing large areas of forest from no heating chainsawing artificially cut hollows to suit timber harvesting is one of the most effective Mountain ash typically begin to develop the preferences of some species could be strategies that could be undertaken to protect hollows at around 120 years, with cavities prohibitive. For example, greater gliders both today’s large old hollow-bearing trees becoming suitable for use by arboreal typically use hollows up to 60 metres off and the younger forests that are the large old marsupials, like gliders and possums, the ground. Boxes also need to be checked hollow-bearing trees of the future. Increasing after around 190 years. regularly as damage or collapse of boxes is the overall age of the forests in the mountain an issue. Overall, nest boxes are expensive to ash ecosystem will also reduce fire risks, Arboreal marsupials typically use a number install and maintain, and the costs of rolling as older forests are less fire-prone than of hollow-bearing trees for dens within their out nest boxes at a meaningful scale across forests landscapes dominated by young trees. home range. Good habitat will have high densities of large old trees and a variety of the landscape needs to be factored in when In areas where logging remains, established hollow-bearing tree types, including live considering the economics of logging. live and dead trees should be protected by and dead trees. This is due to the different buffers. Current research indicates buffers What can we do? possums and gliders having different tree would need to be at least 100m in radius. preferences. For example, gliders prefer tall Strategies are required both to protect Large buffers should also be provided along live old trees with hollows high in the canopy, all remaining large old hollow-bearing stream lines, which generally contain more while many of the possums prefer dead trees mountain ash trees, as well as to recruit large old trees and are also vital for other with cracks and internal rot. more. Currently only 1% of the forest is in aspects of biodiversity and water quality. an old growth state. All existing live and Ecological reserves are also effective at Nest boxes are often proposed as a solution dead old trees must be adequately protected conserving large old trees and should to the dwindling number of natural tree from logging or regeneration fire damage. be expanded. hollows. But any strategies to use artificial Sufficient areas of the next oldest age cohort nest boxes need to take into account those For more information, please refer to the (regeneration from the 1939 fires) must individual species’ preferences. There are TSR Hub factsheet, “Implications of the rapid also be retained to rebuild the overall many hollow-bearing species (including loss of large old hollow-bearing trees in future area of old growth forest. birds) that are in decline and one type of Victorian Mountain Ash forests” box cannot satisfy the needs of every species. As climate change increases high fire-danger www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/ Current nest box programs target only weather, losing forests to fire is an ongoing publications-tools/factsheet-implications-of- Leadbeater’s possum, so do not overcome threat. What we can control is how much the-rapid-loss-of-large-old-hollow-bearing- the broader problem of hollow loss. forest is disturbed by timber harvesting. trees-in-victorian-mountain-ash
IMAGE: DAVID COOK CC BY NC 2.0 FLICKR BELOW: Even when retained within logging coupes, large old trees can be killed by follow up regeneration burns.
ABOVE: Leadbeater’s possum is dependent on tree hollows and prefers hollows in very old trees.
IMAGE: DAVID BLAIR
11 Magazine of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub Tracking the far eastern curlew
News from Darwin and beyond
IMAGE: GAVIN O’BRIEN
The Hub’s far eastern curlew project team has tagged a bird travelling as far as ABOVE: Inspecting wing moult North Korea this year. Along with other recent discoveries, the Darwin-based on a far eastern curlew project is succeeding in its aim of closing significant knowledge gaps in the breeding habits and migratory movement of the bird. Amanda Lilleyman provides an update on their latest research findings and activities.
The far eastern curlew is in rapid decline in grounds in Russia and China and non-breeding Australia – listed as Least Concern in 2004, habitats in south-east Asia, Australia and New it was upgraded to Endangered in 2015 and Zealand. Hub researchers focusing on one of Critically Endangered in 2016. But while Australia’s largest populations, which is found concerted effort is being made in Australia in Darwin Harbour, want to discover exactly to conserve the species, we will not succeed where their birds go to breed as well as the unless we also consider the threats facing the migration path they take. bird along other parts of its migration route. They also want to better understand their The exceptionally long-beaked bird is the local movements within Darwin Harbour
world’s largest migratory shorebird. It travels as this will provide valuable information IMAGE: CDU 9,000 to 12,000 km each way along the ‘East about the birds’ preferred habitats and GPS tags have revealed the migratory routes of Asian–Australasian Flyway’, between breeding how and when they use them. two far eastern curlew that left Darwin Harbour to travel to Northern Hemisphere breeding areas. One stopped in China to refuel mid-route, the other in South Korea.
This will include the most important feeding and roosting areas, and how these vary with tides.
Capture and tagging Researchers caught two far eastern curlew in December 2017 and fitted GPS tags to them so they could track their movements around Darwin Harbour. The birds also have coloured flags with number codes attached to their legs so they are individually recognisable in the field. The two birds were coded ‘00’ and ‘01’, respectively. IMAGE: AMANDA LILLEYMAN
Far eastern curlew make epic cross-globe migrations between breeding and non-breeding areas.
12 Science for saving species #7 New Chinese policy a big win for Australia’s curlew
The shorelines that many coastal shorebirds rely on have changed dramatically over the last several decades. Land reclamation has transformed much of the natural coastline of the Yellow Sea into hardened seawalls, inside which intertidal flats have been converted into hard land for ports, aquaculture and industrial zones. It was quickly discovered that the birds Seven threatened Australian shorebird were roosting at Darwin Port’s East Arm species pass through China on migration. Wharf during high tide and using very small Loss of tidal flats, including through land areas within Darwin Harbour for feeding reclamation, has driven steep population during lower tides. Curlew 00’s tag switched declines across many species, including off within a month of tracking as its solar IMAGE: MICHA JACKSON panel was obstructed by wing feathers and those listed as threatened in Australia. But Sea walls and land reclamation have greatly reduced prevented from recharging, staying off for a recent announcement from the Chinese the extent of mud flat habitats in China. several months. But Curlew 01 gave the government is a hugely positive development researchers five months of fine-scale for shorebirds and their coastal habitats. and allow for increased focus on the tracking from Darwin Harbour. China’s State Oceanic Administration stated maintenance and improvement of existing This bird would often roost in the dredge in early 2018 that henceforth the agency will intertidal and supratidal habitat to ponds at East Arm Wharf, and move only approve coastal wetland development foster shorebird recovery. between there and two saltpans nearby that is important for public welfare or national and four kilometres away in Charles Darwin defence (rather than for business-related Intertidal flats are also threatened by National Park. This extensive use of saltpans reasons), that unauthorized reclamation the invasion of Spartina cordgrass, was unexpected. The bird also used the projects will be stopped, damaging structures pollution and coastal erosion, requiring mudflats out the front of the mangroves on illegal reclamation areas torn down, and concerted management efforts, while less of this area, at low tide. It used these four already-reclaimed wetlands that have not developed supratidal areas have enormous sites exclusively over the five months of yet been built will be nationalised. potential to improve available coastal tracking and was often resighted at East shorebird habitat if strategically If systematically implemented, this new Arm Wharf during high tide. managed to benefit bird species. policy could greatly reduce one of the Northern flight largest pressures on intertidal shorebird For further information Curlew 00’s tag switched on again on 4 habitat (development-related reclamation), Micha Jackson [email protected] April 2018, where it was logged on the coast between Taiwan and Fujian. The next day it arrived on the coast of North Korea, where BELOW: A far eastern curlew being fitted with a GPS tag to track it stayed for four days, before flying over movements around Darwin Harbour and along its migration route. the border to South Korea. It spent its time IMAGE: GAVIN O’BRIEN feeding on the mudflats near Incheon. It has since moved on to breeding grounds on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far East Russia. Curlew 01 started its northward migration on 25 April. The researchers tracked it flying over the Philippines, then arriving on the coast between Hong Kong and Fujian before flying further north to Hangzhou Bay in China (which is the far southern part of the Yellow Sea). The late April departure date is very late for the species – curlew usually depart north in late February and early March. The team were expecting this bird to stay in Darwin as it was sub-adult, and were surprised to see it start migration and reach so far north so quickly. All eyes will be on whether it travels to the northern hemisphere breeding grounds.
For further information Amanda Lilleyman [email protected]
13 Magazine of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub Indigenous engagement vital to saving species
IMAGE: KANYIRNPA JUKURRPA (KJ)
ABOVE: KJ Jigalong rangers taking Enhancing Indigenous engagement Dr Anja Skroblin out searching for bilbies. in threatened species
The TSR Hub recognises that outcomes for threatened species will be improved by increasing Indigenous involvement in their management. In response to this, the Hub is guided by an Indigenous Reference Group and has a number of projects across Australia that are collaborating with Indigenous groups on threatened species research on their country. We also have a project that is looking at ways to enhance Indigenous engagement in threatened species conservation more broadly. Here we provide a brief look at what is happening in this space and a couple of recent events.
Indigenous Reference Group Why more Indigenous engagement of species of significance to them, and also In recognition of the valuable ecological is needed to non-Indigenous group, who benefit from knowledge that Indigenous people and Indigenous people and groups play a vital the knowledge, experience and input of the groups can bring to the management of role in protecting and saving threatened Indigenous groups. threatened species, the TSR Hub established species. The range of most threatened species an Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) overlaps with Indigenous lands; and many IMAGE: AMANDA LILLEYMAN in mid-2017. threatened species occur only or mainly on Indigenous land. In addition, Indigenous The IRG is coordinated by the Hub Indigenous people have deep cultural and spiritual Liaison Officer, Brad Moggridge, a Kamilaroi obligations towards their land and its species. man and hydrogeologist. It has four members, This makes engagement with Indigenous with one from Broome, two from far north people vital to the conservation of many Queensland and one from northern New threatened species. South Wales. The IRG provides advice and guidance to the Hub’s leadership group Many Indigenous people and groups are and project teams to help ensure that Hub already achieving biodiversity outcomes, often projects are delivering research that aligns without recognition. Enhanced engagement with Indigenous needs and that research with Indigenous people will help to provide outputs are culturally appropriate for formal recognition of the work these groups Indigenous end-users and stakeholders. are doing. It also provides opportunities for these groups to participate in broader planning and discussions about threatened species conservation, with researchers, government agencies and other conservation groups. This is of benefit to Indigenous groups, Larrakia Ranger Sarah Rolland holding a great knot who can have a greater say in the management caught during monitoring of migratory shorebirds.
14 Science for saving species #7 IMAGE: CAUL HUB LEFT: Melbourne’s MPavilion Indigenous knowledge and nature in our cities event.
Indigenous research collaborations MPavilion: Indigenous knowledge The bigger NESP picture The TSR Hub is undertaking or developing and nature in our cities The Australian Government’s Department collaborations with Indigenous partners The TSR Hub supported an MTalks event on of Environment and Energy hosted a two-day across Australia including Arakwal, Olkola, Indigenous Knowledge and nature in our workshop in February which brought together Martu, Tiwi, Larrakia, Ngunnawal, Kakadu cities. The high-profile event was held at the Indigenous representatives and leadership and Wreck Bay people and other groups. MPavilion in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria teams from every Hub in the National Partnerships cover a wide variety of Gardens in February. It brought together a Environmental Science Program (NESP). threatened species from shorebirds to parrots, panel of Indigenous speakers to discuss the The workshop focused on the importance and bilbies and other mammals to orchids. challenges of responding meaningfully to of Indigenous participation and engagement the expectations, rights and aspirations of While most of these are local collaborations, in the NESP program. Participants were Indigenous people and communities in cities. one Hub project is taking an overarching encouraged to identify things they can do look at ways to increase and formalise The event was initiated and led by the Clean now to improve Indigenous engagement Indigenous involvement in threatened Air and Urban Landscapes Hub. TSR Hub in the NESP, and opportunities to increase species management. This project will look involvement was led by our Indigenous Liaison Indigenous participation and engagement at threatened species habitat and existing Officer Brad Moggridge, who was one of the in future projects and programs. conservation activities on Indigenous land, presenters. The panel speakers explored a For further information and will identify new opportunities for range of questions about the significance of Brad Moggridge Indigenous people to participate in protecting nature in cities and maintaining a connection [email protected] and recovering Australia’s threatened species. to country, including implications for the conservation of threatened species. The research is being co-developed with Indigenous partners through four cross- cultural case studies, two in the Northern
Territory, one in Queensland, and one in IMAGE: NATASHA ROBINSON New South Wales. The project will develop a cross-cultural approach to plan, deliver and monitor on-ground threatened species recovery activities. It will also produce a framework for a national Indigenous people’s threatened species strategy. As the case study projects develop, the teams are also identifying barriers to Indigenous participation in threatened species research and conservation activity, and ways to overcome them. Another outcome will be a more detailed understanding of the range of views that Indigenous peoples hold towards threatened species.
RIGHT: Indigenous Rangers Shane (Chicko) Sturgeon and Phillip Brown bagging a quoll at Booderee National Park during monitoring.
15 From genes to saving species
You have to be pretty lucky to make a living by combining your passion and interests, and that’s exactly how Dr Daniel White feels about his current state of affairs. Dan began his career studying genes, and has since applied his science to saving species. Here he describes how.
of theoretical population and evolutionary to understand how many are needed for the genetics. And it was here that a flame was lit retention of important genetic diversity. on the subject of genetic variation and what it When the opportunity arose to work with can tell us about evolutionary forces in nature. Nicki Mitchell at the Threatened Species Next came a Masters degree (also at Edinburgh Recovery Hub at UWA, I jumped at it. Here University), where I delved further into was a chance to work on a whole new suite the subjects of population and quantitative of threatened species with a range of unique genetics, with research projects that assessed challenges. I’ve been with the Hub now for pedigrees in red deer and helped resolve the over half a year dividing my time between phylogeny of pigs around the world using UWA and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research mitochondrial DNA. To satiate a desire to learn back in NZ. In addition to working on New more about genetic anthropology, I chose a Zealand’s terrestrial biodiversity challenges, TSR Hub PhD on complex psychiatric traits in humans, I work with three threatened WA marsupials: Researcher which I completed at the University College the banded hare wallaby, western barred London. Having ‘done’ Homo sapiens, I then bandicoot and dibbler. Profile re-joined the molecular ecology fraternity as a postdoc, and I’ve never looked back. The focus of the UWA work is contemporary Dan White is demonstrating how critical genetic species genetic diversity and the application Over the next decade I worked at the analysis can be to our management of threatened of population viability analyses to help decide Universities of Canterbury and Otago in species. It’s a level of biodiversity often overlooked how many individual animals (and from New Zealand, UNSW in Sydney, and most by the broader public but basic to good outcomes. where in terms of genetic diversity) are recently at Manaaki Whenua Landcare needed for their successful reintroduction Research, NZ. I’ve been tackling a broad suite After a childhood that included watching to Dirk Hartog island (off the WA coast), an of conservation challenges using my training more nature documentaries than was probably integral part of the ‘Return to 1616’ initiative. in population genetics (with some up- healthy, I think I completely stumped our skilling in the area of population genomics). It’s an incredibly exciting project which has careers advisor at school when she asked, For example, I developed a molecular tool given me the opportunity to work with a “So, what would you like to do after school?” for monitoring all recognised species of range of conservation managers at the WA With her already pulling out what was kiwi (New Zealand’s iconic bird) using just Department of Biodiversity, Conservation required for a career in medicine I responded: feathers and scats. I worked on uncovering and Attractions, at the Australian Wildlife ‘Hmmm, I think zoology’. Since then I’ve the viral causes of different wildlife diseases Conservancy, and scientists from several other followed my dream of working with, and including exudative cloacitis (aka crusty bum universities. At the end of the day, effective hopefully conserving, wildlife. Sir David disease) in the critically-endangered kakapo conservation of our threatened fauna requires Attenborough had a lot to answer for that day. (another NZ icon). I applied population input from all these sectors, and I feel lucky to A zoology honours degree at the University genetics to understanding connectivity and have the chance to make a contribution to such of Edinburgh finished with a project on local adaptation in a species of recently lake- an important project. Thank you, Sir David. the evolution of sex chromosomes. I was locked diadromous fish. And I modelled the in the lab of Brian Charlesworth, where the genetics of translocated populations of the For further information tea-time chat was often spoken in a language giant weta (insects the size of a human hand) Daniel White [email protected]
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub is supported through funding from the Science A quarterly publication of the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program. for saving species Threatened Species Recovery Hub
Editor: Jaana Dielenberg [email protected]
www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au
COVER IMAGE: AMANDA LILLEYMAN HOLDING A FAR EASTERN CURLEW CAUGHT FOR GPS TAGGING. (SEE PAGE 12 FOR THE FULL STORY). IMAGE: BY GAVIN O’BRIEN