High Greater Glider Density at Coast Range/ Hepburns Road A report to Forest Compliance DELWP

Author: Rena Gaborov ([email protected])

Surveyors:

Rena Gaborov, Owen Hanson, Andy Caller

Abstract On the 8/12/2015 a spotlight count for Greater Gliders Petauroidies volans was carried out on Coast Range road adjacent to VicForests logging coupe 894-507-0003. The spotlighting survey recorded a count of 13 Greater Gliders. The animals were sited within 1300m of the transect. Within 1km of the transect 12 Greater Gliders were sited.

Introduction The Greater Glider was once considered common but has now declined in a large part of its range (Lindenmayer et al., 2011; Woinarski et al., 2006; Maloney, 2007; Kavanagh and Webb 1998). The loss of large hollow bearing trees and a reduction in preferred feed trees from; inappropriate logging, wild fire and possibly increased predation is believed to be the cause of the decline. In Victoria the Greater Glider is not listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 but is listed as vulnerable on the Government’s Scientific Advisory List 2013. There is currently a nomination being reviewed to list the Greater Glider as ‘vulnerable’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1998. The current management regime for the protection of Greater Gliders in Victoria is; ‘Establish a SPZ of approximately 100 ha of suitable habitat where verified records report more than 2 individuals per hectare, more than 10 individuals per km or more than 15 individuals per hour of spotlighting, or where substantial populations are located in isolated or unusual habitat.’ DEPI, 2014

This report details a spotlight survey by the Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO) at Coast Range Road on the Errinundra Plateau that found 13 Greater Gliders within 1300 metres.

Methods On the 8/12/2015 two teams spotlighted along the road an area of 1500 metres from Coast Range Road to Hepburns Road (Figure 1, Table 1). One team started on Hepburns Track (Hepburns team) and the other started on Coast Range Road (Coast Range team). The spotlight finished when the teams met which was approximately the middle (Figure 1). The Coast Range team was led by Owen Hanson and started at 22:29 and the Hepburn team was led by Rena Gaborov started at 22:57. They ended at 00:03am.

Records were made of each animal, the coordinate in GDA 94, and the number of individuals. For Greater Gliders the approximate distance and compass bearing of each animal spotlighted was also recorded. A Led Lensor H14 head torch of at least 200 lumens was used by the Hepburn team with 10 X 42 Nikon binoculars. The Coast Range team used a 50 Watt hand held halogen spotlight and binoculars.

There was no rain while spotlighting occurred despite a downfall prior. Wind however was apparent with branches moving. The night was overcast but clearing.

Table 1. Start and End points of transect Coordinate in GDA Start and End Points 94 Start Coast Range Team 55 H 682075 5878526 Start Hepburn Team 55 H 682699 5878495 End Point 55 H 682505 5878064

Figure 1 Aerial image of transect showing the two start points and the end as well as the area scheduled for logging

Results Combining results from both teams 13 Greater Gliders were seen on the spotlight this consisted of 8 from the Hepburns team and 5 from the Coast Range Team. Although the total transect was 1500 meters the area from the two furthest greater gliders was 1300metres. Within 1000m of the 1500m transect 12 Greater Gliders were seen. This is a high density of Greater Gliders, requiring a 100 hectare SPZ. The Greater Glider was the species with the highest number of individuals spotlighted. The only other species recorded by the Hepburn team was Mountain Brushtail Possums Trichosurus caninus with a count of 3, they also had 2 unidentified animals. The Coast Range team recorded five Greater Gliders, 1 Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus and 2 MountainBtushtail Possums. Refer to Table 2 for locations of all animals and Figure 2 for location of all animals and their position in relation to scheduled logging coupes and already proposed SPZ.

Table 2. Species and their locations Number of ~ distance from Species individuals Coordinate in GDA94 Bearing coordinate (m) Greater Glider 2 55 H 682159 5878312 250 5 CRT 1 55 H 682209 5878203 230 20 Greater Glider 1 55 H 682210 5878192 250 20 Greater Glider 1 55 H 682381 5878071 200 5 Greater Glider 1 55 H 682389 5878055 230 20 MBP 1 55 H 682408 5878043 190 10 MBP 1 55 H 682444 5878064 345 10 Greater Glider 1 55 H 682692 5878395 190 20 Greater Glider 1 55 H 682825 5878266 20 20 MBP 1 55 H 682835 5878241 - - Greater Glider 1 55 H 682842 5878214 110 30 MBP 1 55 H 682838 5878173 - - Greater Glider 2 55 H 682588 5878045 10 40 Greater Glider 1 55 H 682562 5878055 360 45 Greater Glider 1 55 H 682501 5878063 170 10 MBP 1 55 H 682501 5878063 - - Greater Glider 1 55 H 682505 5878064 10 65

MBP = Mountain Brushtail Possum, CRT = Common Ring Tail Possum

Figure 2(a) – Map by Andrew Lincoln

Figure 2(b) – Map by Andrew Lincoln

Figure 2 (c) – Map by Andrew Lincoln

Discussion: The spotlight transect shows a density which warrants protection under the Planning Standards, 2014. The area on the north side of Coast Range Road is scheduled for logging and there is much evidence to show that logging will negatively affect the density of greater gliders (Kavanagh, 2000; Tyndale-Biscoe and Smith, 1969). The imminent threat of logging high density Greater Glider habitat means an SPZ will need to be put in place promptly which will ensure the habitat for the greater Glider is not destroyed in logging operations. Considering the EPBC (1998) review on the current conservation status of the Greater Glider, the current management standards are quite possibly minimal.

References:

Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 2014. Planning standards for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests, 2014. Appendix 5 to the Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests 2014. Prepared by Land Management Policy Division for the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Kananagh, R and Webb, G. 1998. ‘Effects of variable-intensity logging on mammals, reptiles and amphibians at Waratah Creek, southeastern New South Wales’ Pacific Conservation Biology 4: 326-47. Kavanagh, R. 2000 . ‘Effects of variable-intensity logging and the influence of habitat variables on the distribution of the Greater Glider Petauroides volans in montane forest, southeastern New South Wales’ Pacific Conservation Biology 6: 18-30. Lindenmayer, D., Wood, J., McBurney, L., MacGregor, C. Youngentob, K. and Banks, S. 2011. ‘How to make a common species rare: A case against conservation complacency’ Biological Conservation 144:663–1672 Malhoney, K. 2007. The Status of the Greater Glider “Petauroides volans” in the Illawarra Region. University of Wollngong Thesis Collection, Research Online. Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H., and Smith, R. F. C. (1969a). Studies on the marsupial glider Schoinobates volans (Kerr). III. Response to habitat destruction. Journal of Animal Ecology 38:651-659. Woinarski, J, McCosker, J, Gordon, G., Lawrie, B., James, C., Augusteyn, J., Slater, L., and Danvers, T. 2006. ‘Monitoring change in the vertebrate fauna of central Queensland, Australia, over a period of broad-scale vegetation clearance, 1975-2002’. Wildlife Research, 33:263-274.

Appendix 1:

Photos of Greater Gliders taken on the transect by Andy Caller