Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions

Lewinia pectoralis brachipus (Lewin’s (Tasmanian))

You are invited to provide your views about:

1) the eligibility of pectoralis brachipus (Lewin’s rail (Tasmanian)) for inclusion on the EPBC Act threatened list; and

2) the necessary conservation actions for the above species.

The views of experts, stakeholders and the general public are welcome. Responses can be provided by any interested person.

Anyone may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) or for a transfer of an item already on the list to a new listing category. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes the assessment of species to determine eligibility for inclusion in the list of threatened species and provides its recommendation to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.

Draft information for your consideration of the eligibility of this species for listing starts at page 3 and information associated with potential conservation actions for this species starts at page 7. To assist with the Committee’s assessment, the Committee has identified a series of specific questions on which it seeks your guidance at page 8.

Responses to are to be provided in writing either by email to: [email protected] or by mail to:

The Director Marine and Freshwater Species Conservation Section Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division Department of the Environment PO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601

Responses are required to be submitted by 21 December 2014.

Contents of this information package Page General background information about listing threatened species 2 Information about this consultation process 2 Draft information about the Lewin’s rail (Tasmanian) and its eligibility for listing 3 Conservation actions for the species 7 References cited 7 Collective list of questions – your views 8

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General background information about listing threatened species

The Australian Government helps protect species at risk of by listing them as threatened under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Once listed under the EPBC Act, the species becomes a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and must be protected from significant impacts through the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act. More information about threatened species is available on the department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/index.html.

Public nominations to list threatened species under the EPBC Act are received annually by the department. In order to determine if a species is eligible for listing as threatened under the EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes a rigorous scientific assessment of its status to determine if the species is eligible for listing against a set of criteria. These criteria are available on the Department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/pubs/guidelines-species.pdf.

As part of the assessment process, the Committee consults with the public and stakeholders to obtain specific details about the species, as well as advice on what conservation actions might be appropriate. Information provided through the consultation process is considered by the Committee in its assessment. The Committee provides its advice on the assessment (together with comments received) to the Minister regarding the eligibility of the species for listing under a particular category and what conservation actions might be appropriate. The Minister decides to add, or not to add, the species to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act. More detailed information about the listing process is at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations.html.

To promote the recovery of listed threatened species and ecological communities, conservation advices and where required, recovery plans are made or adopted in accordance with Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Conservation advices provide guidance at the time of listing on known threats and priority recovery actions that can be undertaken at a local and regional level. Recovery plans describe key threats and identify specific recovery actions that can be undertaken to enable recovery activities to occur within a planned and logical national framework. Information about recovery plans is available on the department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery.html.

Information about this consultation process

Responses to this consultation can be provided electronically or in hard copy to the contact addresses provided on Page 1. All responses received will be provided in full to the Committee and then to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.

In providing comments, please provide references to published data where possible. Should the Committee use the information you provide in formulating its advice, the information will be attributed to you and referenced as a ‘personal communication’ unless you provide references or otherwise attribute this information (please specify if your organisation requires that this information is attributed to your organisation instead of yourself). The final advice by the Committee will be published on the department’s website following the listing decision by the Minister.

Information provided through consultation may be subject to freedom of information legislation and court processes. It is also important to note that under the EPBC Act, the deliberations and recommendations of the Committee are confidential until the Minister has made a final decision on the nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Minister.

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Lewinia pectoralis brachipus

Lewin’s Rail (Tasmanian)

Taxonomy Described here as Lewinia pectoralis brachipus (Lewin’s Rail (Tasmanian)), Swainson, 1838 after Christidis and Boles (2008) and Garnett et al. (2011). The species has also been placed under the (Clements, 2000) and (Marchant et al., 1993) and its generic position is unresolved. Christidis and Boles (2008) followed the assigning of the species to Lewinia as this made fewer implied assumptions regarding relationships. Further taxonomic work on this group is required.

Lewin’s Rail (Tasmanian) is one of seven extant subspecies of Lewin’s Rail, two of which are endemic to Australia (Clements, 2000).

Description Lewin’s Rail is a tubby, ground-dwelling dark with a longish pink, dark-tipped bill and fiery chestnut nape and shoulders. Its breast is plain olive-grey. Part of the wing, underparts and undertail are black with fine whitish bars. The female is duller, with a more streaked crown than the male.

The Tasmanian subspecies is larger than the other Australian subspecies Lewinia pectoralis pectoralis. The olive colour of its breast is stronger and the olive tips of its feathers are broader. Both subspecies have cream or buff bars on their underparts, but in Lewinia pectoralis brachipus the cream bars more commonly extend onto the lower breast and flanks (Marchant et al., 1993).

Distribution The subspecies has a scattered distribution in near-coastal environments around Tasmania and some offshore islands including Furneaux Island, King Island, and many small islands (Garnett et al., 2011). It mainly occurs in the north, east and south of Tasmania. It is less common in the west and south-west. It is widespread on the Furneaux Group, and widespread but uncommon on King Island (Marchant et al., 1993). Relevant Biology/Ecology The subspecies is secretive and wary and inhabits dense vegetation usually near water. It is most common in coastal or near-coastal permanent to ephemeral, fresh to saline wetlands that have dense emergent or fringing vegetation. It sometimes inhabits rainforest wetlands, riverine forest, thickets of wetland shrubs and wet heathlands, or dry habitats such as parks, agricultural land, grass or ferns under scrub, or thickets of brambles or Lantana (Garnett et al., 2011). On the Furneaux Group and Maatsuyker Island it occurs in dry grassy areas, among ferns and cutting-grass Gahnia, and under shrubs (Marchant et al., 1993). Its diet mostly consists of invertebrates, especially insects and crustaceans, and occasionally eggs and frogs. It forages in soft mud or shallow water at the edges of wetlands, in small pools, or channels. Occasionally it feeds in gardens, on lawns, short pastures and peaty areas. It usually forages near dense vegetation, or under the cover of vegetation (Marchant et al., 1993). It breeds at the edge of swamps and marshes, usually above water, in areas surrounded by low dense vegetation. A shallow cup or saucer-shaped nest is built which usually sits 10-60cm above mud or water, with a ladder or pathway from the water to the nest. Construction of the nest may take 4-5 days to over one week, and 3 to 8 eggs may be laid. Incubation is probably by the female only, who may leave the nest for 70-120 min when the sun shines on it. The young are precocial. Breeding in Tasmania occurs from mid-August to mid-December, and

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usually two broods are raised (Marchant et al., 1993). Generation time is estimated at 3.7 years and maximum longevity at 6.3 years (Garnett et al., 2011). Little is known about the species’ movements, as sightings are rare and observations difficult. The species is seldom seen to fly, having an awkward flight and preferring to drop back into cover after moving short distances. Some individuals are resident or sedentary, being present at a site all year. However, it is able to move longer distances and may be partly migratory. Numbers at some sites in Tasmania changes between years, which suggests that Lewin’s Rail (Tasmanian) may move when conditions alter, e.g. to refuges during droughts. Local movements are apparently nocturnal (Marchant et al., 1993). Threats Degradation of vegetation fringing wetlands, caused by grazing, inappropriate burning, or trampling by stock, is a threat to the subspecies. Predators of adults and young are feral cats (Felis catus) and kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus). The subspecies may also be vulnerable to predation by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (Marchant et al., 1993; Garnett et al., 2011).

How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations

Criterion 1: Reduction in numbers (based on any of A1 – A4)

A1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population very severe 90%, severe 70% or substantial 50% size reduction over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, where the causes of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on (and specifying) any of the following: (a) direct observation (b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon (c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat (d) actual or potential levels of exploitation (e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites. A2. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population very severe 80%, severe 50% or substantial 30% size reduction over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1. A3. A population size reduction very severe 80%, severe 50% or substantial 30%, projected or suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three generations (up to a maximum of 100 years), whichever is the longer, based on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1. A4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population size reduction very severe 80%, severe 50% or substantial 30% over any 10 year or three generation period (up to a maximum of 100 years into the future), whichever is longer, where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1.

Evidence Assessing population size and trends of the subspecies is difficult due to its secretive nature. Rapid declines are thought to have occurred during the previous two decades, but there have been few reports since 1998 (Garnett et al., 2011).

The available data are insufficient to assess the subspecies against this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation draft advice is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered tentative at this stage, as it may change as a result of responses to this consultation process.

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Criterion 2: Geographic distribution (based on either of B1 or B2) B1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be very restricted <100 km2, restricted <5000 km2 or limited <20 000 km2 B2. Area of occupancy estimated to be very restricted <10 km2, restricted <500 km2 or limited <2000 km2 AND Geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species, (based on at least two of a–c) a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at a limited location. b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following: (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat (iv) number of locations or subpopulations (v) number of mature individuals. c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy (iii) number of locations or subpopulations (iv) number of mature individuals.

Evidence As at 2010, the extent of occurrence is estimated to be 70 000 km2 and the area of occupancy estimated to be 240 km2 (Garnett et al., 2011). The population appears to be continuing to decline. However, the subspecies occurs at more than 10 locations and the distribution is not severely fragmented. Population fluctuations have not been extreme (Garnett et al. 2011).

The information presented above appears to demonstrate that the subspecies is not eligible for listing under this criterion. While it has a restricted area of occupancy and may be in decline, the subspecies does not occur at a limited location, its distribution is not severely fragmented and population fluctuations have not been extreme. However, the purpose of this consultation draft advice is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered tentative at this stage, as it may change as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low <250, low <2500 or limited <10 000; and either of (A) or (B) is true (A) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high (25% in 3 years or 1 generation (up to 100 years), whichever is longer), high (20% in 5 years or 2 generations (up to 100 years), whichever is longer) or substantial (10% in 10 years or 3 generations (up to 100), whichever is longer) rate; or (B) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival (based on at least two of a – c): a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at a limited location. b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following: (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat (iv) number of locations or subpopulations (v) number of mature individuals. c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy (iii) number of locations or subpopulations (iv) number of mature individuals.

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Evidence

As at 2010, the total number of individuals is estimated at 5000 (Garnett et al., 2011). The population appears to be continuing to decline. However, the subspecies occurs at more than 10 locations and the distribution is not severely fragmented. Population fluctuations have not been extreme (Garnett et al. 2011).

The information presented above appears to demonstrate that the subspecies is not eligible for listing under this criterion, as although the total number of individuals is limited and declining, there is no evidence to suggest that the number will continue to decline at a substantial or higher rate or that its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival. However, the purpose of this consultation draft advice is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered tentative at this stage, as it may change as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 4: Estimated total number of mature individuals: (a) Extremely low <50 (b) Very low <250 (c) Low <1000

Evidence

As at 2010, the total number of individuals is estimated at 5000 (Garnett et al. 2011).

The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the subspecies is not eligible for listing under this criterion, as the number of mature individuals is not extremely low, very low or low. However, the purpose of this consultation draft advice is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered tentative at this stage, as it may change as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild based on quantitative analysis is at least: (a) 50% in the immediate future, 10 years or three generations (whichever is longer); or (b) 20% in the near future, 20 years or five generations (whichever is longer); or (c) 10% in the medium-term future, within 100 years.

Evidence Population viability analysis has not been undertaken for this species, therefore there is insufficient information to assess against this criterion.

Recovery Plan There should not be a recovery plan for Lewinia pectoralis brachipus as conservation advice for the subspecies would provide sufficient direction to implement priority actions and mitigate against the key threats.

Recovery and Impact avoidance guidance

Primary Conservation Objectives

1. Stable numbers of birds recorded in standardised surveys at key sites.

Important populations The single population is of high conservation value.

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Important habitat for the survival of the subspecies Coastal or near-coastal permanent to ephemeral, fresh to saline wetlands that have dense emergent or fringing vegetation are important habitat for the subspecies.

Information required, research and monitoring priorities 1. Location and trends in populations 2. Improved understanding of movements 3. Principal breeding and non-breeding wetlands 4. Undertake a dedicated survey to determine distribution and relative abundance

Management actions required 1. Collaborate with land owners and managers to conserve swamps and other wetlands where the subspecies occurs. 2. Identify the extent of threats from invasive species, and implement measures to control predators and exclude introduced herbivores if necessary.

References cited in the advice

Christidis, L And Boles, WE (2008). Systematics and of Australian Birds. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Clements, JF (2000). Birds of the World: A Checklist, 5th edn. Ibis Publishing Company, California.

Marchant, S and Higgins, PJ, eds. (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Garnett ST, Szabo JK and Dutson G (2011). The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. Birds Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.

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Collective list of questions – your views 1. Do you agree with the current taxonomic position of the Australian Faunal Directory and Birdlife Australia for this species (as identified in the draft conservation advice)

2. Can you provide any additional references, information or estimates on longevity, age of maturity, average life span and generation length?

3. Has the survey effort for this species been adequate to determine its national distribution and adult population size?

4. Do you accept the estimate provided in the nomination for the current population size of the species?

5. For any population with which you are familiar, do you agree with the population estimate provided? If not, are you able to provide a plausible estimate based on your own knowledge? If so, please provide in the form: Lower bound (estimated minimum): Upper bound (estimated maximum): Best Estimate: Estimated level of Confidence: %

6. Can you provide any additional data, not contained in the current nomination, on declines in population numbers over the past or next 10 years or 3 generations, whichever is the longer?

7. Is the distribution as described in the nomination valid? Can you provide an estimate of the current geographic distribution (extent of occurrence or area of occupancy in km2) of this species?

8. Has this geographic distribution declined and if so by how much and over what period of time?

9. Do you agree that the species is eligible for inclusion on the threatened species list, in the category listed in the nomination?

10. Do you agree that the threats listed are correct and that their effects on the species are significant?

11. To what degree are the identified threats likely to impact on the species in the future?

12. Can you provide additional or alternative information on threats, past, current or potential that may adversely affect this species at any stage of its life cycle?

13. In seeking to facilitate the recovery of this species, can you provide management advice for the following:

 What individuals or organisations are currently, or need to be, involved in planning to abate threats and any other relevant planning issues?  What threats are impacting on different populations, how variable are the threats and what is the relative importance of the different populations?  What recovery actions are currently in place, and can you suggest other actions that would help recover the species? Please provide evidence and background information.

14. Can you provide additional data or information relevant to this assessment?

15. Can you advise as to whether this species is of cultural significance to Indigenous Australians?

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