Under fire – nature’s response to the Black Saturday bushfires, February 2009

Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program

Stephen Platt and Stephen Smith Under fire – nature’s response to the Black Saturday bushfires, February 2009 This document summarises the results of projects commissioned under the program ‘Rebuilding Together’ funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments Statewide Bushfire Recovery Plan, launched October 2009. Published by the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary Industries, August 2013. © The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2013. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any person except in accordance with the provision of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson St, East Melbourne. Print managed by Finsbury Green. Printed on recycled paper. ISBN 978-1-74287-904-8 (Print) ISBN 978-1-74287-905-5 (pdf) For more information contact the DEPI Customer Service Centre 136 186. Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Accessibility: if you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print or audio, please telephone 136 186, 1800 122 969 (TTY), or email [email protected] Citation: Platt, S.J. and Smith, S. (2013) Under fire – nature’s response to the Black Saturday bushfires: Black Saturday Victoria 2009. Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne, Victoria. Photographs remain copyright of the photographers as indicated in the text. Front cover photo: Post fire regeneration at Steels Creek, November 2010 (Stephen Platt). Contents

Acknowledgements ii The event 1 Natural values at risk – the fire aftermath 2 The response 4

Short-term response 4

Longer-term response 10

Threatened species – mammals 10

Threatened species – birds 18

Threatened species – reptiles and amphibians 20

Threatened species – fish and aquatic invertebrates 24

Threatened species – plants 29

Pest plant and animal management 41

People and natural values recovery 46

Recovery so far – 2012 50 Appendices 53

Appendix 1 – List of natural values recovery reports 53

Appendix 2 – National and State listed species within 2009 bushfire areas 56

i Acknowledgements

This project summarises reports of the program ‘Rebuilding Together’ funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments’ Statewide Bushfire Recovery Plan, launched October 2009. Special thanks go to all the authors of individual reports (listed in Appendix 1), whose work underpins this document. We also wish to thank all those volunteers and workers whose enthusiasm and effort assisted with delivery of the program outcomes. We acknowledge and thank the many people and agencies who contributed to the recovery of natural values on fire affected private land through the Australian Government’s concurrent Caring for our Country bushfire recovery program. Samantha Strong contributed to early drafts of this report. Andrew Blackett prepared species distribution maps. Photographers are acknowledged in figure credits. In 2013, the former Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Department of Primary Industries (DPI) became the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI). To avoid confusion, this report retains the names of the former departments where it refers to arrangements at the time the projects were conducted. This report documents natural values projects initiated in response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires. It should not be interpreted as representing government policy.

ii The event

On 7 February 2009, following a prolonged and severe heatwave, 14 major bushfires burnt 430,000 hectares of Victoria. This dramatic event occurred at the end of a decade-long drought that had seen very large fires occur in 2003 and 2006. Tragically, 173 lives were lost and many other people were affected by what had occurred. There was also great concern for the effect of the fires on natural bushland and its plants and animals. This is an account of the natural environment’s response to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. It recalls the projects and people who assisted in the recovery of natural values on public land and summarises what was learnt about natural values recovery.

Figure 1. Post-fire landscape at Robertson Gully, south of Marysville, 27 March 2009 (Stephen Platt).

1 Natural values at risk – the fire aftermath

Key points • On 7 February 2009, 14 bushfires burn 430,000 hectares of Victoria. • Over two thirds of the area burnt (69%) is public land and 25% of this is conservation reserves. • 27 national and 19 state-listed, threatened species are potentially affected. • Around half of the Wet Forest Ecological Vegetation Class of the Highlands – Northern Fall Bioregion, which contains prime Leadbeater’s Possum habitat and nationally significant rainforest stands, is burnt. • Extensive areas of vegetation are burnt below their Tolerable Fire Interval posing a potential risk to plant species that have not yet reached reproductive maturity.

Fire is a natural event in most of the wildlife habitats of south-eastern Australia, and most species are adapted to survive fire. However, the burnt area (Figure 2) contained the habitat of species considered ‘at risk’ from fire, including 27 nationally-listed and 19 state-listed threatened plant and animal species (Appendix 1) and many other species of concern. Core habitat of iconic and endangered species such as Leadbeater’s Possum (Victoria’s state emblem, Figure 3), Barred Galaxias fish and the Spotted Tree Frog was encompassed within the fire area. It was feared that fire sensitive and nationally significant ecological communities such as rainforest, alpine wetlands and tall wet forests, had been burnt.

Figure 2. Map of major areas burnt on Black Saturday, 7 February 2009.

2 Extensive areas of vegetation had been burnt below the Tolerable Fire Interval for the vegetation type, indicating a potential risk to some fire sensitive plant species (Figure 4). Immediately following the fire people were asking: Given that the bush is so badly burnt, would it ever recover? Have Leadbeater’s Possum, Barred Galaxias and other threatened species survived? Would predators, such as foxes and cats, kill the surviving wildlife? Will regenerating threatened plants be eaten by introduced deer and goats? Will weeds be promoted by the fire and change wildlife habitats forever? Figure 3. Map of fire area in relation to Leadbeater’s Possum records. When will well-known and loved species, such as lyrebirds, return? BurntBelowMinTFI-Murrindindi-rev.pdf 1 13/08/13 12:04 PM The answers were unknown.

Burnt Area Above and Below Minimum Tolerable Fire Interval: Kilmore East - Murrindindi

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Figure 4. Map of areas burnt above and below Tolerable Fire Interval in the Kilmore East – Murrindindi fire area.

3 The response

Short-term response

Urgent ecological recovery activities • Temporary relocation of native fish species (Barred Galaxias, Macquarie Perch) to safe refuges • Control of predators at key sites (e.g. foxes and cats at Wilsons Promontory, foxes at Kinglake) • Assessment of threatened species to determine their specific needs (e.g. endangered Leadbeater’s Possum at Lake Mountain and the endangered plant Shiny Nematolepis in the O’Shannassy Catchment) • Replacement of protective fencing around threatened plants to exclude browsing and grazing animals such as rabbits, deer, goats and kangaroos • Replacement of nest boxes where they are part of a monitoring or research program (e.g. Leadbeater’s Possum at Lake Mountain, Brush- tailed Phascogale at Kinglake) • Supporting the welfare of fire-affected wildlife.

Protecting natural values during the fire emergency During the fire, Natural Values Officers in Incident Management Teams provided advice on natural values at risk within the path of the fire and options for protecting them. For example, at one point it was feared that the critical Yellingbo population of Helmeted Honeyeater, Victoria’s bird emblem, would be affected and discussions were held about whether to evacuate the birds. Fortunately, the fire did not get to this location. These officers also provided advice on how to avoid unnecessary damage to values during fire fighting that could result from back burning, track construction, machinery and chemical use.

In the immediate aftermath Immediately following the fires, specialist teams assessed the natural values that might have been affected and potential risks to species and their habitat. Their reports assisted with the early identification of urgent recovery actions and helped identify issues that required immediate action. Of particular concern was the potential that threatened populations of certain mammals would lack places to hide from predators, including the introduced Red Fox and feral cat. Also of concern was the risk that rainfall following the fires would wash sediments and ash into streams containing surviving populations of threatened fish, thereby starving them of oxygen. Thus, in the immediate days after the fire: • A team of fish biologists was dispatched to search for, and bring into short- term protection in an aquarium, surviving threatened fish (Barred Galaxias and Macquarie Perch) • Fox and cat control was undertaken at strategic locations to protect threatened mammal populations such as Southern Brown Bandicoot and New Holland Mouse.

4 Teams also went to rapidly assess the effects of the fire on other species such as the Leadbeater’s Possum population at Lake Mountain (Figure 5). Leadbeater’s Possums normally live together as a communal family with up to twelve possums sharing a hollow, usually in tree trunks large enough to hold their basketball size nest. At Lake Mountain, nest boxes had been placed in the forest prior to the fire as a method of monitoring the population. These nest boxes were inspected immediately after the fire to determine whether any possums had survived. All the boxes had been burnt to varying degrees and dead possums were found in the surrounding bushland and boxes. In subsequent days, six animals were observed to have survived the fire. In order to give them some immediate support, nest boxes were replaced and feeding stations established. In these early days, it was found that the finger-sized, nationally endangered Barred Galaxias fish had survived, though the numbers appeared to be much fewer than surveys prior to the fire. For example, a survey of a 500m reach of the drought-affected Robertson Gully, just outside Marysville, yielded just four individual galaxias. When surveyed, the stream was a few centimetres deep and choked with sediments. The remaining fish had survived in little pools beneath small waterfalls (Figure 6). Within a short period, heavy rains would turn the creek into a torrent of water, washing away an access bridge and bringing tons of ash lying in the catchment into the stream. Figure 5. Burnt nest boxes previously occupied by Leadbeater’s Possum at Lake Nevertheless, by visiting numerous Mountain (Stephen Smith). affected sites, it was possible to obtain sufficient numbers of fish from several populations and place them successfully into a government aquarium in Heidelberg.

5 Figure 6. Barred Galaxias fish located in a little pool (at left front), Robertson’s Gully, Marysville, 27 March 2009 (Stephen Platt).

6 Some threatened plant populations were assessed immediately, including Shiny Nematolepis Nematolepis wilsonii which was then known from only a single population of about 200 plants in the O’Shannassy Catchment, Yarra Ranges National Park. At the time, it was unknown how this plant would respond to fire or whether surviving plants would be affected by browsing animals returning post fire. The site was cleared of fire debris (fallen bark/branches) and some areas were fenced to protect them from potential browsing. The nationally endangered Buxton Gum Eucalyptus crenulata site near Alexandra was also inspected to determine how it had been affected and its long-term recovery needs (Figure 7).

Figure 7. a) Buxton Gum resprouting from rootstock, Buxton, 5 August 2009 (Stephen Platt).

Figure 7. b) Map of Buxton Gum records in relation to fire area.

7 Despite the ferocity of the fire in some locations, the bush surprised many people by starting an age-old and wonderful process of regeneration. Within days to weeks of the fire the first signs of fungi and plants, reshooting from rootstocks protected beneath soil, and from buds under charred bark, appeared. Mushrooms specially adapted to fire, including the stonemaker, morel and bracket fungi appeared, allowing their spores to disperse, settle and invade newly-damaged, standing and fallen timber (Figure 8). Many individual animals also reappeared, such as wombats that had survived in their burrows, and wallabies (Figure 9). Natural recovery was underway.

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Figure 8: a) The Stonemaker Fungus (Laccocephalum tumulosum) colonises rotten logs from which it grows into the soil. Here the fungal threads form a solid ball, or stone-like mass (hence the name) called a pseudosclerotium. After fire removes the host log, the fungus fruits from its protected underground ‘stone’ (Stephen Platt, Marysville); b) Finger Fungus (Neolentinus dactyloides) is also a stone-making fungal species that only fruits after fire. The underside of the pileus has gill-like ridges. (Gordon Friend, Bunyip);c ) The Morel Fungus (Morchella sp.) (Gordon Friend, Bunyip); and d) the Bracket Fungus (Schizophyllum sp.) (Stephen Platt, Kinglake) are also examples of fire-adapted fungi.

8 Figure 9. Black Wallaby (frame 6) photographed by a remote camera that surprisingly survived bushfire in the Big River catchment, February 2009. Sequence shows fire approaching to post fire landscape (Stephen Smith and Rowhan Marshall).

9 Longer-term response The natural values fire recovery program Following a detailed analysis of the issues and proposed recovery actions, in October 2009 the Australian and Victorian governments announced ‘Rebuilding Together – a Statewide Plan for Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery’. The Plan, co-ordinated by the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA) provided funding for a range of projects to protect threatened species and manage the threat of pest plants and animals on public land. Thirty-one natural values recovery projects were identified based on criteria that assessed the significance of the asset, degree of threat and practicality of addressing the threat. Of these, eight projects included significant components related to community interest and volunteer involvement, to facilitate a link between environmental and community recovery. Other projects employed contractors from fire affected communities. Some projects were designed to complement others funded through the Australian Government’s concurrent Caring for our Country bushfire recovery program. These projects sought to assess the impact of fire on threatened species and communities and localised flora and fauna populations. Project results are documented below and in the reports listed in Appendix 1.

Threatened species – mammals

Highlights • Long-nosed Potoroo, Southern Brown Bandicoot, New Holland Mouse and Long-nosed Bandicoot populations are faring well at Wilsons Promontory • Relative abundance of microbats is high two years after the fires • The first record of a dunnart at Cathedral Range State Park is recorded by volunteers.

Mammals vary in their ability to survive fire. Wallabies are relatively mobile and can move away from fire quickly, or jump small flames to burnt ground. Wombats are usually secure in their daytime burrows. Species that occupy trees – such as brushtail and ringtail possums, sugar gliders, phascogales and koalas tend to be more vulnerable to fire. So too are small mammals that might retreat to fallen logs, such as dunnarts and antechinus. Species that survive the immediate effects of fire may be vulnerable to predators in the open post-fire environment, such as potoroos and bandicoots. After the fires, some of the questions were: • Did the small population of Leadbeater’s Possum, restricted to two pockets of vegetation at Lake Mountain and Mt Bullfight, all perish in the fires? What were the wider implications for the reserve system? • Would small mammals such as the Eastern Pygmy Possum and New Holland Mouse be able to repopulate burnt areas in Wilsons Promontory National Park, which also experienced a severe burn in 2005–06? • Had microbats survived as they sheltered from fire in the deep recesses of caves? Would they have enough food to keep them going in the months after fire? • What of rare and threatened species that were hard to detect before the fires – how could their survival be monitored?

10 Leadbeater’s Possum – a survivor with challenges ahead Leadbeater’s Possum is restricted to the Central Highlands of Victoria across an area of approximately 70 kms × 80 kms straddling the Great Dividing Range. It mostly occurs in ash eucalypt forests as well as smaller areas of sub alpine forest. The Black Saturday fires burnt approximately half of the mountain forests and sub alpine forests in which the possum occurs. About half the area burnt was under very intense fire. One of the first recovery actions was conducted at Lake Mountain. This sub alpine population of Leadbeater’s Possum was affected by high intensity fire. Before the fire, nest boxes had been used as a survey tool to study the extent of the population and to conduct genetic studies (Figure 10). There were an estimated 150 to 300 possums present pre-fire. After the fire, only six possums were known to have survived. Most nest boxes and most of the known natural hollows had been destroyed so recovery crews erected new boxes, many donated by the public, and artificial feeding was conducted during winter. Surviving animals are known to have bred since the fire, however, following a loss of half the remaining animals, a decision was made to move the survivors into captivity at Healesville Sanctuary. Understanding population recovery at Lake Mountain will involve long term monitoring. Colonies of Leadbeater’s have survived in small areas of unburnt forest approximately 2 kms from the Mountain. A number of fire recovery programs contributed to this early work. a b

Figure 10. A Leadbeater’s Possum nest box site at Lake Mountain: a) monitoring in 2004; b) the same site in March 2009 (Stephen Smith).

11 Figure 11. Leadbeater’s Possum and its distribution in relation to the Murrindindi fire area (Joanne Antrobus).

To determine the extent of the 2009 fire impact on Leadbeater’s Possum habitat, a spatial analysis of fire extent and severity across the full range of Leadbeater’s Possum occurrence was conducted (Figure 11). A number of surveys since the 2009 fires have failed to detect Leadbeater’s Possum in burnt areas regardless of fire severity, so the following summarised, approximate figures combine all fire severity classes. Ash eucalypt forest provides approximately 90% of the total habitat in which Leadbeater’s Possum occurs. Some 36% of all Ash Forest was burnt. For high quality habitat, previously placed in reserves, the figure rises to 45% burnt. Sub alpine habitat comprises approximately 4% of all Leadbeater’s Possum habitat. Of this, approximately 24% was burnt. The time required for recovering burnt forest to become suitable for Leadbeater’s Possum is unknown but likely to be many decades. Leadbeater’s Possum is a species that can be difficult to detect in the wild. Recovery funds supported a project to trial the use of remote cameras as an additional, cost effective, tool to monitor populations. Trials were conducted in unburnt forest where Leadbeater’s Possums were known to be present. The project report concluded that remote cameras are able to record the presence of Leadbeater’s Possum but that a reliable lure is needed to consistently attract animals to within camera range. The project trialled many, mainly scent-based lures. One lure shows promise of reliability and work continues to refine the best options. In 2012, an unrelated project conducted by the Arthur Rylah Institute had success detecting Leadbeater’s Possum using call playback (broadcast recordings of Leadbeater’s Possum calls and Boobook Owl calls) and were able to detect approaching animals using thermal imaging camera equipment. These methods, in addition to dusk observation of hollow-bearing trees, provide a suite of options to detect Leadbeater’s Possum in its natural environment. This program and others have begun to understand the impacts of fire on Leadbeater’s Possum and the ability of populations to recover, including invaluable, ongoing studies carried out by Professor David Lindenmayer, Australian National University, and his team, since 1983. We need to continue work over longer time periods to truly understand how Leadbeater’s Possum is directly impacted and responds to fire.

12 Prom mammal surveys Wilsons Promontory National Park has seen its fair share of extreme weather events in the past six years, from severe fire to debilitating floods. Despite this, in 2010 the area showed some promising signs that native mammals were making a steady recovery following the 2005 and 2009 fires (Figure 12). The Prom is home to a range of threatened mammals including, in the 2009 fire-affected area, the nationally listed, endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot, Isondon obesulus obesulus, vulnerable Long-nosed Potoroo Potorus tridactylus, vulnerable New Holland Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae and threatened Swamp Antechinus Antechinus minimus maritimus. With the help of enthusiastic volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia, a small mammal monitoring program found that Long-nosed Potoroos, Southern Brown Bandicoots, New Holland Mouse and Long-nosed Bandicoot populations were still present in the Park after the 2009 fire. Immediately after the fire and before monitoring works began, targeted predator control programs were implemented to help protect specific native mammals. Over 20 days, three cats (1 male, 2 female) and 23 foxes were caught. Ongoing fox control was implemented near to known populations of at-risk species, such as New Holland Mouse. Rabbits were controlled to protect vegetation regrowth.

Figure 12. Parks Victoria ranger Dave Bone checking a small mammal trap in a post fire, mammal survey (2009 ‘Cathedral’ fire area), April 2010.

13 In 2010 it appeared that the work had paid off, as Parks Victoria’s Chief Ranger Craig Stubbings reported: “It’s a testament to the success of the post-fire pest animal program that we saw five different species of native mammals. Our technique was to put sand pads around each bait station to record the footprints of animals taking the bait. We’re happy to report that predator numbers are relatively low in the Park.” Not only has the natural environment benefited from the work – local volunteers have also enjoyed making a significant contribution to the monitoring program, as Leesa Ridley, Conservation Volunteers Australia Manager highlighted: “It was a great to see the volunteers out at the Prom, contributing to critical research, connecting with nature and watching the smiles it brings to peoples faces. The Park is looking great and it was really rewarding to see the animals in such great numbers.” This collaborative program will help to increase our understanding of the intricate relationships between mammal species and fire. Without the help of volunteers, the project could not have been conducted on such a large-scale.

Microbats find unburnt areas a refuge The Black Saturday fires severely burnt the habitat of fourteen microbat species (Figure 13). Two of these, the Eastern Bent-Wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii and Eastern Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus megaphyllus, are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. These species roost in caves or mines, whilst the other twelve species depend on tree hollows for roost sites. The extent of mortality resulting from the fire is unknown. However, the high intensity and rapid movement of the 2009 bushfires is likely to have led to a high loss of life among microbats. Species may have been affected differently based on their roosting habits and behavioural response to the threat of bushfire. The fire may also have led to indirect effects on microbats through changes to roosting habitat, foraging habitat and insect prey availability.

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Figure 13. a) Lesser Long-eared Bat, which appears to be more susceptible to the impact of fire than other bat species;b ) burnt forest habitat (Lindy Lumsden).

14 As no previous information existed on the impact of bushfire on microbats, this project assessed which bats had survived and the areas they were populating after the fires at 68 sites near Eildon, Kinglake and Tallarook. Anabat detectors – a specialised computer connected to an ultrasonic microphone – were used to identify species and their level of activity in areas of different burn severity. The detectors sense and record the calls of bats as they fly past, which are then converted into an electronic file. This allows thousands of calls to be collected when the detector is left in the bush over several nights. Fourteen taxa of microbats were recorded. The three most commonly recorded species (comprising 60.1% of the overall activity of identified species) were the White-striped Freetail Bat Tadarida australis, Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus and Large Forest Bat Vespadelus darlingtoni. Whilst microbat activity was recorded at every site, a significantly greater index of activity was recorded in unburnt habitats compared to burnt habitats. There was no statistical difference in overall bat activity between sites of the two burnt fire categories (i.e. burnt once within the last 41 years, versus burnt two or more times within the last 41 years). Fire severity was found to be a strong influence on the total bat activity, with greater activity recorded at less severely burnt sites. Similar relationships were found for several individual species in their responses to fire. Species that had higher activity levels at less-severely burnt sites included the Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus morio, Eastern Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis, Large Forest Bat, Southern Forest Bat Vespadelus regulus and long-eared bats Nyctophilus spp. The other nine species recorded in this study did not show any significant relationship between activity levels and burn intensity. No species showed a positive relationship with higher fire intensities. The factors influencing the observed responses are not fully understood, but are likely to be related to both direct and indirect impacts of fire on microbat populations and habitat features. Chloe Scammell, a DSE Cadet student who worked on the project said: “It was great to be part of a project that recognises fire does have an impact on the ecosystem structure, and in this case really looking at different species of bats and how some are able to deal with burnt areas while others have to move. Everything is connected; from the landscape, to the food source and shelter – it’s not just about a burnt patch of land. I learnt a lot about the field work involved and I hope it helps to make a difference in protecting these species.”

15 Microbat numbers in mines decline Trapping and banding of mine-dwelling bats was undertaken at two, currently inactive mines in the Kinglake area at the burnt Mt Slide and unburnt One Tree Hill (Figure 14). Trapping and banding of bats was undertaken between late 2010 and October 2011. A total of 149 Eastern Bent-wing Bats were captured at the two roosts – 90 at One Tree Hill and 59 at Mt Slide. Of the 149 captures, 15 were recaptures (i.e. already banded). It appears that the population numbers at the Mt Slide roost has reduced post the 2009 fires when compared to historical, pre- fire data. Three recaptures of bats banded at One Tree Hill, and recaptured at Mt Slide, indicate that there is movement between the two mine roost sites. No Mt Slide banded bats have been caught yet at One Tree Hill.

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Figure 14. a) Eastern Bent-wing Bat showing wing band used to identify individuals; and b) Harp Trap at mine entrance, One Tree Hill (Rob Gration).

16 Discovery of dunnart To survey bushland recovering from the 2009 fires, remote cameras were set up at Cathedral Range State Park with the aid of community volunteers, including St Mary’s Primary School and Cathedral Range State Park Friends Group. A camera captured an image of what researchers believe could be a White-footed Dunnart Sminthopsis leucopus (Figure 15). The species is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. The other possibility is the Common Dunnart which is classified as vulnerable in the Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria (DSE 2007). This recording was the first in the Park, and represents an extension of their known range. As identification requires close examination of hand-held individuals, follow-up trapping was undertaken to determine which species of dunnart was detected. Sites were resurveyed using Elliott traps and high resolution remote cameras. Despite this, there were no further dunnart records in the State Park. The project was subsequently expanded to look at distribution and current status of dunnarts more broadly in Lake Eildon National Park and adjoining State Forest. Of the fifteen sites surveyed, dunnarts were recorded at four sites. Two of these were close to the locations of historic records of White-footed Dunnarts collected in 1989. The four sites where dunnarts were recorded were all burnt in the 2009 bushfires, highlighting their ability to persist in fire-affected areas. By determining the current status of dunnarts in areas burnt in the 2009 bushfire, as well as unburnt areas nearby, the impacts of fire on dunnarts are now better understood. The project also facilitated the development of land management recommendations, such as the intensity and frequency of planned burns.

Figure 15. Unidentified dunnart (possibly White-footed Dunnart) photographed by remote camera at Cathedral Range State Park.

17 Threatened species – birds Whilst most birds have the capacity to flee fire by taking to the air, some birds are poor flyers and may not have escaped the fast-moving Black Saturday bushfires. Importantly, the effects of fire on remaining habitat can have lasting effects, particularly for resident birds that maintain territories. A particular opportunity arose to better understand the effect of fire on bird species when owl monitoring sites in Gippsland, established before the 2009 fires, were burnt. This provided the pre-fire data necessary to interpret any post- fire changes.

Highlights • Increased understanding of Powerful Owl habitat needs in relation to fire • New Masked Owl records for Gippsland

Owlers shed light on populations in south Gippsland Since February 2009, Rolf Willig (Biodiversity team leader, DSE) and his dedicated troupe of ‘Owlers’ spent many nights listening for the calls of owls – Powerful Owl Ninox strenua (Figure 16) and Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa (Vulnerable), Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae (Endangered) and Southern Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae (not threatened). They traversed all over South Gippsland, from Wilsons Promontory to the Holey Plains and Strzelecki Ranges hoping to hear the call, or get a glimpse, of these nocturnal creatures. The night search team, which included staff from DSE, Parks Victoria and local volunteers, were working to get a better understanding of owl population numbers after Black Saturday. By more accurately assessing owl numbers and locations, the best protection and management actions that are needed for their continued survival could be identified. Before the breeding season each year between March and May, research teams visited 26 established ‘owl management areas’ as well as new sites owls might occupy after changes to their hunting and roosting sites caused by the fires. At each site, the researchers spent about an hour at dusk listening and watching for signs of owls, focusing mainly on the Powerful Owl. Recordings of the owls’ terrifying, murderous-sounding calls were played at night in the forest to encourage a response, and then followed up with a visual search using spotlights. The Black Saturday fires burnt six of 35 sites surveyed and had indirect impacts on an additional six sites. Since the fires, Powerful Owls were recorded at 20% of sites in 2011, the same as in 2010 but considerably fewer than pre-2009 fire levels of 60%. It appears that some birds may have been killed by the fires or have been displaced, possibly permanently if significant habitat features, such as hollow-bearing trees, are lost. An alternative or complementary explanation is that breeding has been disrupted and recruitment has not replaced birds lost by attrition. Whilst it is possible that drought or other factors may have contributed to this result, it is likely that the current results reflect, at least partially, the impact of the 2009 fires on the number of Powerful Owls recorded. No Sooty Owls or Barking Owls were recorded during monitoring in 2011. However, Masked Owls were recorded at two sites. Yellow-bellied Gliders were recorded on both visits to the Joyces Rd site in Mullungdung State Forest. This population of gliders was first recorded in 1999 by McNabb, Willig and McNabb (2000) and is the only currently known population in South Gippsland. 18 Southern Boobook owl results were compared with those for Powerful Owl. Southern Boobook response rate overall was far higher than that for the Powerful Owl. Whilst a small drop is seen in the Boobook response rate immediately post fire, it increased again in 2010 and 2011. Given the 2009 monitoring was conducted in the months immediately following the fire, it is quite likely that results would reflect direct impacts of fire, probably as a result of mortality and/or displacement. Indirect impacts, (those which occur in the medium term following a fire), such as starvation, increased predation, or migration within the post-fire environment, are those which will determine population viability. These are the effects most likely reflected in the 2011 results. Impacts such as loss of hollow- bearing trees and reduction in prey species are also discussed. Results since 2006 have shown that, at sites where abundant prey species occur, Powerful Owls are regularly recorded. While based on a limited dataset, results to this point suggest post-fire recovery for Powerful Owls takes more than three years. Anecdotal observations around the Stradbroke area, south of Sale, suggest that following an intense, large-scale fire, arboreal mammal numbers remain low for up to seven years. Therefore, it is likely to take at least this long before Powerful Owls return to severely burnt areas. Most importantly, this monitoring project has revealed the importance of retaining unburnt owl habitat on public and private land, especially in a fragmented landscape like south Gippsland – as there may well be owls that fled their previous homes in fire-affected or nearby areas and are now relying on this vegetation.

Figure 16. Powerful Owl (Rolf Willig).

19 Threatened species – reptiles and amphibians

Highlights • Alpine Bog Skinks recovering well at Lake Mountain • Spotted Tree Frog juvenile recruitment immediately post fire lower than ever recorded previously but adult survivorship increased • A new population of Alpine Tree Frogs, which have not been present at Lake Mountain for almost 20 years, free of Chytrid Fungus discovered only eight kilometres away at Mt Bullfight • Very few threatened toadlets recorded but pre-fire numbers unknown.

Reptiles and amphibians, including a number of threatened species, occur through the fire areas. Whilst individuals can die in the fire itself, they are also potentially prone to post-fire effects arising from changes to their habitat after fire including loss of refuges, food, increased predation and exposure.

Threatened Alpine Skinks The Alpine Bog Skink Pseudemoia cryodroma is only known from the north-east highlands of Victoria, and is listed as endangered (Figure 17). The Mountain Skink Liopholis montana is a recently-described, burrowing species that inhabits rock outcrops and screes at high elevation. Searches were conducted for these species at Lake Mountain and Mt Bullfight. At Lake Mountain, only 10 Alpine Bog Skinks were found in 2010 but this number rose to 57 in 2011. This species was not detected at Mt Bullfight. Mountain Skinks were not detected during the survey and may not occur at these locations. Failure to detect Mountain Skinks may be due to the areas lacking their specific habitat requirements, or due to the specific areas targeted for survey.

Figure 17. Alpine Bog Skink found at Lake Mountain and its habitat (Katie Howard).

20 The highs and lows of the Spotted Tree Frog The nationally endangered Spotted Tree Frog Litoria spenceri, which occupies a small number of mountain streams in north-eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales, has suffered serious population declines in recent decades due to a number of threats including introduced trout and the deadly chytrid fungus (Figure 18). Since 2003, all the catchments supporting populations of the Spotted Tree Frog have suffered severe disturbance from bushfire, culminating in the 2009 fires, which burnt the Taponga River catchment in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Fortunately, a population monitoring program had been undertaken for Spotted Tree Frogs in the Taponga catchment for 17 years prior to the 2009 fire, providing an opportunity to evaluate the effects of the fire on the population by comparing the demography of the population before and after the 2009 fire event. Juvenile recruitment immediately post fire was lower than ever previously recorded, but improved in the subsequent year. In contrast, adult survivorship increased compared with pre-fire survivorship estimates. These life history differences possibly reflect differences in microhabitat use or differences in the ability of adults and juveniles to evade fire events. It does not appear that the fire has had a significant adverse impact on Spotted Tree Frogs. However, the absence of control sites or adequate replication limits interpretation of these observations.

Figure 18. Taponga River, December 2010 and [inset] Spotted Tree Frog (Graeme Gillespie).

21 Fungus-free population of threatened Alpine Tree Frogs discovered at Mt Bullfight Surveys for frogs at Mount Bullfight Nature Conservation Reserve and Lake Mountain were conducted in the late summer of 2009/10 to see which frog species had survived the intense bushfires. The threatened Alpine Tree Frog (Figure 19) had not been recorded at Lake Mountain for almost 20 years, and was not detected at Lake Mountain during these surveys. However, a population of Alpine Tree Frogs was discovered only 8 km away at Mt Bullfight. More surveys in 2010/11 revealed that Alpine Tree Frog numbers at this site were high. Significantly, testing for disease suggests that this newly discovered population is likely to be free of Amphibian Chytrid Fungus, which has been linked to widespread decline in frog species throughout Australia. As the fungus is widespread across Lake Mountain, these Chytrid-free frog populations are precious. Keeping Mt Bullfight free of Chytrid is crucial for the survival of this population, and will be both a challenge and priority for the area’s future management.

Figure 19. Juvenile Alpine Tree Frog at Mt Bullfight (Katie Howard).

22 Toadlets in low numbers Surveys of 106 sites with historical records of the vulnerable Bibron’s Toadlet Pseudophyrne semimarmorata and endangered Southern Toadlet P. bibroni were undertaken in the Kinglake-Murrindindi fire area. Just four male toadlet’s were located – two Bibron’s, one Southern and one unidentifiable as it was based on a call record, and the calls of these species are very difficult to differentiate from each other. These new records were collected in comparatively undisturbed habitat in unburnt areas. It is likely that the decline of these species happened before the fire, but that the fire placed additional stress on remaining populations. a b

Figure 20. a) Bibron’s Toadlet, and b) Southern Toadlet, detected during surveys in Broadford and Yan Yean, respectively (Katie Howard).

23 Threatened species – fish and aquatic invertebrates

Highlights • Barred Galaxias rescue and return to the wild • New populations of Barred Galaxias established • Barred Galaxias spawning sites discovered • New and existing populations of Barred Galaxias doing well • New fish translocation protocol created • The Dargo Galaxias is confirmed as a viable and abundant population but restricted to just one known location. Potential translocation sites to protect the population are identified. • Highly significant Macquarie Perch spawning site found • Non-destructive threatened Crayfish monitoring method developed • Threatened Crayfish found to have survived the fire.

The fires burnt the habitat of nationally endangered fish species including the Barred Galaxias. Whilst fish, in their watery habitats, can survive the immediate effects of fire the follow-on effects can have serious consequences. Ash washed into streams reduces oxygen availability and changes water chemistry. Eroded sediments washed into waterbodies clog gills and smother feeding and breeding sites. Increased nutrients can lead to algal blooms. After the fires, some of the questions were: • Have nationally endangered fish survived the fires? • What would happen when ash and sediment washed into the rivers and streams? • Have predators been given access through removal of in-stream barriers?

Victoria’s Nemo – repopulating mountain streams Only twelve populations of Barred Galaxias Galaxias fuscus (Figure 21a), an Endangered, nationally-listed, endemic fish, still exist in the Victorian central highlands, with at least five historic populations now extinct. When the area between Lake Mountain to Mt Disappointment was severely burnt on Black Saturday (Figure 21d), 45% of catchments in the known distribution were affected. Responding quickly, DSE staff collected 394 Barred Galaxias from eight, fire-affected sites and transferred them to DSE’s Arthur Rylah Institute for safe keeping. Two projects were then commenced, the first focussing on translocating Barred Galaxias to establish new populations, the second at identifying key spawning areas, which might have been impacted by post-fire sedimentation or debris, to improve spawning success. To give this tiny fish the greatest possible chance of survival in a new location, suitable streams for translocation needed to be unaffected by the fire, be predator free and contain a physical barrier downstream to prevent predator access – such as a waterfall (Figure 21c). Two sites east of Lake Mountain, Shaw Creek and Taponga River, were selected and the fish were released into these streams in December 2010, following procedures developed to guide the translocation to ensure the greatest chance of success.

24 Monitoring of the two sites found the new populations were flourishing and that their range had extended both upstream and downstream of the original translocation sites. By identifying suitable sites for Barred Galaxias translocation, and using an appropriate translocation method (Ayres et al. 2012, Appendix 1), this breakthrough has reduced the need for expensive captive housing, though captive breeding may still be required. This project was an exciting chance to establish methods to increase population numbers and reduce risks to the species. In a second project, spawning sites were identified in fast flowing, well oxygenated water in riffle sections immediately upstream of pools. Egg clusters were found close to the stream bed attached to the down side of cobbles (Figure 21b). Eggs were found to take up to 49 days to hatch. Artificial cobbles proved effective in providing additional egg deposition sites and will be used in fire-affected streams to improve spawning habitat, and reproductive success of recovering populations. a b

c d

Figure 21. a) Barred Galaxias (Tarmo Raadik); b) egg cluster (Joanne Kearns); c) waterfall barrier to predators (David Bryant); and d) distribution in relation to fire area.

25 Dargo Galaxias hangs on The Dargo Galaxias, Galaxias sp. 6, is a recently identified small native fish, endemic to Victoria and only found in a small area of the upper Dargo River catchment in central Gippsland. Surveys conducted after the 2009 Dargo fire have confirmed that the species is critically endangered, existing in one 4 km stretch in the headwaters of a mountain stream. Fortunately, fire had not significantly affected the site where it occurs. The population was found to be abundant, viable and reproducing. Potential translocation sites to secure the species from extinction were identified in the upper Dargo River catchment.

Figure 22. Dargo Galaxias and its alpine habitat in the upper Dargo River catchment (Tarmo Raadik).

26 Macquarie Perch find a special spot in King Parrot Creek Over the past 50 years, a decline in the range and abundance of Macquarie Perch has been documented, with the species currently listed as Endangered under national legislation. When heavy sediment loads from the 2009 fires flowed into King Parrot Creek (between Flowerdale and Kerrisdale, north of Melbourne), a number of Macquarie Perch were removed and temporarily housed at the Department of Primary Industries hatchery at Snob’s Creek near Eildon (Figure 23). They were returned in late 2009 when water quality within the Creek had sufficiently improved. However, there were concerns for Macquarie Perch recruitment in King Parrot Creek due to ongoing sediment loads entering the creek. This project aimed to identify key spawning areas of Macquarie Perch and determine the extent of sedimentation of these spawning sites. It also provided an opportunity for local community members to actively contribute to the study (Figure 24) (see ‘Community and fish recovery pathways run in parallel’ page 48). Of the sites sampled along King Parrot Creek, 95% of breeding activity occurred at a single location. Now that this important site has been identified, future recovery efforts can be focussed at this location and management groups will work to ensure the site is protected as much as possible. a b Figure 23. a) King Parrot Creek, habitat for Macquarie Perch; b) adult Macquarie Perch; c) eggs among leaf litter; and d) day old Macquarie Perch hatchling (Joanne Kearns).

c d

Figure 24. Sorting through the contents of a larval drift net sample with the assistance of members from the Strath Creek Landcare Group (Fern Hames).

27 Threatened crayfish Ten species of burrowing crayfish Engaeus spp. and four species of freshwater spiny crayfish Euastacus spp. are known to occur in the fire affected area in the Gippsland region. Eight of these species are of conservation significance. Both genera are only found in Australia. The lack of sampling methods for burrowing crayfish and a poor understanding of the success of spiny crayfish survey techniques were challenges in assessing the effects of the 2009 fire on these cryptic animals. Following a series of trials using various methods, a trap used overseas (Norrocky trap) was tailored for the capture of Engaeus. This modified trap was used to survey fire affected and unaffected areas in Gippsland and returned a capture rate significantly higher than the original Norrocky trap. The success of the modified trap was also demonstrated across a range of habitat types. Improved knowledge on the ability of electrofishing and bait traps to detect freshwater spiny crayfish was another outcome. Burrowing and spiny crayfish were found at fire affected and unaffected sites. The species found and their distributions approximated those previously recorded. The age of the spiny crayfish species captured could not be confidently Figure 25. a) Narracan Burrowing Crayfish determined. However their size, used as a surrogate measure for age, suggests Engaeus phyllocerus (T.A. Raadik); they were present during the fire. It is likely that their underground burrows b) South Gippsland Spiny Crayfish provided refuge for burrowing crayfish during the fire. Spiny crayfish may have Euastacus neodiversus (Tom Ryan); taken refuge in deep water or complex instream habitats and/or recolonised from c) burrowing crayfish chimney (Di Crowther); and d) Engaeus captured in neighbouring areas which were not severely burnt. modified Norrocky trap (Di Crowther). a b

c d

28 Threatened species – plants

Highlights • Natural regeneration of vegetation is occurring across the fire area • 42 rare or threatened plant species monitored are recovering, other species not located • 94 new population records of rare or threatened plant species • Rainforest extensively burnt but will recover given time and no repeat fire • Buxton Gum, discovered to be a ‘wet mallee eucalypt’, recovering well • Relocation and survival of the rare liverwort Pedinophyllum monoicum • Discovery of thousands of rare orchids that responded to fire • Snow gum demography reveals the importance of protecting long- unburnt stands • Alpine peatlands are recovering but at risk from another fire event • Black Cypress-pines found to be dependant on long inter-fire intervals • Myrtle Wilt infection not detected at higher rates and some previously infected trees unexpectedly found alive.

“I was continually struck by the response to fire by plants. Some plants, which were rare before the fire, came up in their tens of thousands, forming dense populations. As the decades pass they will once again retreat to the background, testimony not only to the ever-changing nature of the bush, but also nature’s resilience in the face of fire.” Arn Tolsma, Senior Scientist at the Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Sustainability & Environment.

29 In a miraculous demonstration of resilience and adaptation to an extreme event – severe fire – Victoria’s plants have responded as shown in the time series photographs below.

a b c d

Figure 26. Photo sequences showing vegetation recovery after the 2009 fires, March 2009 to approx. mid 2012 –a ) Jehosephat Gully, Kinglake (Tony Fitzgerald); b) Mt Bishop walk, Wilson’s Promontory (Stephen Platt); c) Kinglake ranges, Steels Creek (Stephen Platt); d) Robertson’s Gully, Marysville (Stephen Platt).

All about the fire area vegetation is flourishing, as it has over millennia following fire. It is a remarkable natural event that involves the astounding ability to regrow following the combustion of most above ground parts in temperatures around 700-800°C. This remarkable plant life persists via living rootstocks and protected buds, in the soil seedbank, in unburnt patches within and surrounding the fire area. Plant regrowth is evident for everyone to see and should allay the concerns people had about plant communities not recovering from such an intense fire. The process is still continuing, and will do so for many years to come. The length of the cycle, from juvenility to senescence, varies among plant communities. In some cases it will take tens to hundreds of years for the vegetation to mature to a form similar to its pre-fire state. By monitoring the effects of fire on rare and threatened plant species, and ‘at fire risk’ vegetation communities, we have increased our knowledge of how they recover and have identified appropriate management actions that will help regeneration and survival after this and future fire events.

30 Photo sequences record recovery In addition to photographic sequences taken by individuals and agency staff, a project was completed to systematically set up photo points across the Kilmore-Murrindindi and Bunyip fire areas to track recovery across different vegetation types and the habitat of various threatened species. The photo sequences (Figure 27), along with pictures depicting many of the projects described in this publication, have been submitted to the Public Records Office of Victoria. a b

Figure 27. a) pictures taken at a photo point near Lake Mountain, showing death of Snow Gum trunks and recovery by basal resprouting; b) pictures taken at a photo point at Tommy’s Bend near Marysville showing death of Mountain Ash Eucalyptus regnans trees and recovery by seedling establishment (Stephen Smith).

31 Threatened plant recovery Surveys of threatened plant populations likely to be affected by the Black Saturday bushfire found that the 42 species located were all recovering (Figure 28). Known populations of another 25 species have not yet been located and the effect of fire on them remains unknown. Many populations, especially legumes, are germinating profusely from seed and are thus temporarily in high numbers, although these numbers are expected to decline substantially in coming years through natural attrition and competition from recovering vegetation. Few immediate threats, except blackberries, were identified but another fire, browsing by deer and road widening were potential threats to many populations. Some alpine shrub species, which tend to mature relatively slowly, may require a fire-free period of at least a decade before they begin to re-establish their seed reserves.

a b

Figure 28. a) The rare Rush Lily Sowerbaea juncea at Wilsons Promontory flowering 20 months after fire (Arn Tolsma); b) Creeping Grevillea Grevilliea repens, a rare plant of the Kinglake ranges, has sprouted new branches from surviving taproots and some plants were flowering in December 2011 (Stephen Platt). Some species began flowering within a year of the fire whilst others, especially alpine ones, may take 5-10 years.

32 Rainforest – a fire sensitive vegetation type Cool temperate rainforest was significantly affected by the 2009 Black Saturday fires. The Kilmore East–Murrindindi fire complex burnt 2,559 ha of rainforest. This equates to 47% of cool temperate rainforest in the Central Highlands and 8.5% of all rainforest in Victoria. Over 50% of this fire-affected rainforest was severely burnt (i.e. experienced a moderate to severe crown scorch and a burnt understorey). Landscape position was found to be an important determinant of the fire severity experienced by a rainforest patch. The richness and cover of rainforest plant dominants and bryophytes (e.g. mosses, liverworts) showed significant declines in fire-affected rainforest. At the most severely burnt sites, there was a mean reduction in canopy cover of 82%, in bryophyte cover of 93%, and an average loss in bryophyte richness of 90% from pre-fire values. Vegetative regeneration of the rainforest canopy and sub-canopy dominants – Myrtle Beech Nothofagus cunninghamii, Southern Sassafras Atherosperma moschatum and Soft Tree-fern Dicksonia antarctica – was observed at all sites post-fire (Figure 29). This result indicates a potential for the recovery of rainforest at these sites given a sufficient fire-free interval. Management of climate change and its effects on fire regime are crucial for the protection and recovery of cool temperate rainforest in the Victorian Central Highlands after the 2009 Black Saturday fires. a b

c

Figure 29. a) A typical rainforest gallery (Cement Creek, Mt Donna Buang); with b) resprouting Myrtle Beech; and c) Myrtle Beech seedling showing recovery post-fire. Photos: (a, c Marianne Worley, b Stephen Platt).

33 Buxton Gum The endangered Buxton Gum Eucalyptus crenulata – also known as Silver Gum or Buxton Silver Gum – is a ‘naturally rare’ endemic to Victoria confined to a specific, uncommon habitat. The species is known from only two natural populations, one at Yering and the other on the periodically swampy alluvial flats of the Acheron River at Buxton. The Buxton Silver Gum Conservation Reserve was severely burnt in the 2009 fire. All understorey vegetation, above ground Buxton Gum stems, and much of the topsoil were completely burnt. A survey was conducted in 2010 as part of an ongoing baseline monitoring project with DSE, local field naturalists and the Threatened Species Network. As a result, the species was identified as a Wet Mallee Eucalypt, with many of the trees in the reserve hundreds of years old – as indicated by the size of their lignotubers – and survivors of many earlier fires, such as those of 1939. Buxton Gums are recovering well after the fire. Prolific but patchy seed germination occurred after the fires. The population is potentially vulnerable to another fire within the next five years before new stems have reached reproductive maturity. Grazing exclusion fencing, weed management and browser assessment has been undertaken to support the recovery, and to increase knowledge of the species’ recovery after bushfire.

a b c

Figure 30. a) Resprouting Buxton Gum at the Buxton Silver Gum Nature Conservation Reserve in August 2009; b) Narrow- leaf Peppermint, also in the Reserve, showing browsing line (leafless area at base), probably due to Black Wallaby, August 2009; c) Buxton Gum site, almost impenetrable at May 2012 (Stephen Platt).

34 A rare rainforest treasure A very special little plant was re-located after the 2009 Black Saturday fires, a species of liverwort – a group of ancient land plants similar to mosses – known as Southern Pedinophyllum Pedinophyllum monoicum. Before 2000, when the liverwort was first discovered in Australia, it was thought the species only occurred in New Zealand. Amid great excitement, the liverwort (listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and considered vulnerable in Victoria) was found in two Victorian locations in the Yarra Ranges National Park. It is possible that these two populations are remnants from the Gondwanan era, when Australia and New Zealand were connected. The two sites where the liverwort occurs were within the 2009 fire area. Incredibly, the specific locations were found to be undamaged by fire, whilst both the canopy and understorey of forest within 50 metres of each site was severely burnt. The cold, humid microclimate at these locations is probably the reason that this delicate rainforest liverwort managed to survive. These particularly significant sites are unlikely to have been burnt for many hundreds of years.

Figure 31. Marianne Worley inspects Southern Pedinophyllum (Jason Edwards), Southern Pedinophyllum, a very rare liverwort species confined to two locations in Victoria, survived the 2009 fires (Bill Malcolm).

35 Diverse response of orchids to fire Victoria’s native orchids responded in amazingly diverse ways to the 2009 fires – being killed, sensitive, neutral, stimulated, or dependent on fire for reproduction. From Wilsons Promontory to Bunyip and Beechworth, locals were amazed by the enormous variety of orchids that appeared after the fires. Across many fire-affected areas, some types of orchids created large expanses of colour and vibrancy. Project officer Mike Duncan described how these fires had a positive impact on many of the affected species: b “Before the Black Saturday fires we only knew of about 200 Eastern Spider Orchid plants on the planet, distributed between Wonthaggi and Wilsons Promontory. Since the fires we’ve seen mass flowering by this and other threatened species, and we now know of nearly 1000 Eastern Spider Orchid plants at Wilsons Promontory alone.” The Eastern Spider Orchid is a great example of how fire can have a positive impact on a threatened species. Before a fire, many plants of this species will have spent years dormant underground. Ethylene, a chemical that is produced in smoke during a fire front, helps stimulate this and other orchid species to flower. As a result we witnessed the spectacular sight of hundreds of flowering Eastern Spider Orchids – and other species such as the Lizard, Red Beak, Hare and Austral Leek Orchids – following the Black Saturday fires. Responses to fire, differing from that previously recorded, were observed for some species. Post-fire grazing was shown to be an important post-fire threat, limiting seed production, for four nationally threatened species.

a c

Figure 32. a) Thynninorchis huntianus flowers prior to Kilmore East – Murrindindi Complex South fire. This species is highly susceptible to fire and was not seen at this site since the fires (Mike Duncan);b ) Pyrorchis nigricans mass flowering after fire at Wilsons Promontory (Stephen Platt);c ) Seed production of Caladenia orientalis, a nationally threatened species, was found to be reduced by post fire grazing (Mike Duncan).

36 Three alpine mountain tops compared Multiple fires at Mt Buffalo, the 2009 fire at Lake Mountain and long absence of fire at Mt Baw Baw created an opportunity to compare the post-fire recovery of Snow Gum Eucalyptus pauciflora forests and woodlands across these three mountain peaks. A comparison of stand structure revealed three regeneration types: (i) long- unburnt stands with a single establishment phase in response to fire disturbance, most likely the 1939 fires; (ii) long-unburnt stands with continuous regeneration and ongoing seedling recruitment independent of major disturbances; and (iii) multi-burnt stands with multiple stem establishment phases (Figure 33). Although snow gum forests and woodlands comprise the most widespread vegetation type in the Victorian sub-alps, the recent frequency and extent of fires have led to a potentially irreversible degradation of stand structure, to the extent that old growth, long unburnt woodlands are now rare. Pre-fire forest structure at Lake Mountain will only be restored in the prolonged absence of future fires for at least 70 years and it is crucial that stands at Mt Baw Baw and Mt Buffalo are protected from fire as far as is practicable if landscape quality and representation of unique, long-unburnt snow gums in the parks and reserves estate is to occur.

a b

Figure 33. a) Mallee-form snow gums at Mt Buffalo burnt in 1972 and 2003; b) Long unburnt snow gums at Mt Baw Baw (no record of fire at this site) need protection if we are to maintain these unique aspects of our parks (Fiona Coates).

37 Sub-alpine peatlands recover The risks to, and rates of recovery of, threatened peatland vegetation at Lake Mountain after the 2009 bushfires were compared to long-unburnt peatlands at Mt Baw Baw 72 years after fire and frequently-burnt peatlands at Mt Buffalo two, five and seven years after fire (Figure 34). The study found that vegetation at Lake Mountain is likely to recover more rapidly than comparable vegetation at Mt Buffalo. There was no evidence of significant threats to vegetation recovery at Lake Mountain, other than the potential threat of another fire. The results of the study demonstrated that peatlands are able to regenerate after a single fire but frequent fire maintains peatland vegetation in an early successional state. The outlook for vegetation recovery at Lake Mountain is positive. High soil moisture and organic content in peatlands and a history of infrequent fire suggest that the vegetation will eventually recover following a similar trajectory to Mt Baw Baw, provided there is no re-occurrence of fire. However, continued high fire frequency at Mt Buffalo and the threat of fire at Mt Baw Baw are of significant concern.

Figure 34. Alpine peatland recovering post-fire, 15 November 2011 (Fiona Coates).

38 Black Cypress-pine adopts tortoise strategy Black Cypress-pine Callitris endlicheri is a fire-sensitive Australian native conifer that usually dies when exposed to high intensity fire, such as in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park in 2003 and the 2009 Beechworth – Mudgegonga fires. Yet high intensity fires can also kick-start an important adaptation process, as fire triggers the release of life-giving seeds that are protected between fires in hard cones on branches. This is an evolutionary adaptation that regenerates the next generation of Cypress-pines. After fire, Cypress-pines grow in competition with eucalypts when they occur in mixed-species stands (Figure 35). Trees can regenerate in three ways after fire – regrowth from existing branches via epicormic buds, regrowth from the underground root crown (lignotuber) and by seed regeneration. Eucalypts use two of these strategies – regrowing from buds and lignotubers – and so are better adapted to quickly re-colonise and initially out-compete slower growing Cypress-pines, which only regenerate from seed. It was found that grazing affected the growth rate of Pines, with seedlings in grazing exclosures being significantly taller. Interestingly, the production of viable seed in Cypress-pines was related to plant height rather than age. The time taken to reach this height varied from 7-15 years, depending on conditions and competition. Thus, slow-growing Cypress-pines, in competition with eucalypts, are at more risk from a subsequent fire event as life-giving seeds may not have been produced pre-fire. However, in the long-term absence of fire (and other disturbances), the more drought-resistant Cypress-pines can eventually catch up, then overtake eucalypts and dominate areas, particularly in rocky shallow soil. In this sense, post-fire recovery of native pines and eucalypts is like the story of the ‘hare and tortoise’. Long inter-fire intervals favour dominance of a suitable site by Black Cypress-pine.

Figure 35. Black Cypress-pines recovering on a burnt site currently dominated by eucalypt regeneration (David Cheal).

39 Myrtle wilt infection Myrtle Wilt is a disease of Myrtle Beech Nothofagus cunninghamii (Figure 36), a dominant rainforest tree, caused by the pathogen Chalara australis. The disease has, until recently, been regarded as strictly fatal with infected host trees succumbing within six months to two years of infection. There was concern that the effect of the 2009 bushfires in the Central Highlands of Victoria may exacerbate the impacts and spread of Myrtle Wilt in burnt rainforest areas. The Black Saturday bushfires of January 2009 burnt one of three Myrtle Wilt monitoring sites established in 1993 in the Central Highlands of Victoria. This provided a unique opportunity to resample the three sites and compare the impact of Myrtle Wilt over a nineteen year interval on two unburnt sites and the combined impact of bushfire and wilt on one burnt site in the immediate post fire recovery period. Some trees regarded in 2003 as fatally infected were found to be alive in 2011. This observation was repeated at sites in the Otway and Strzelecki Ranges. It means that we must fundamentally reassess the anticipated results of infection. Mosses and liverworts had declined significantly at the burnt site, particularly those species that thrive under a closed rainforest canopy. An increase in infection rates arising from fire was not detected. However, detection of infected trees was complicated by the unexpected retention of scorched, orange-coloured foliage, that mimics the first stage of infection, for two years after the fire.

Figure 36. Myrtle Beech Nothofagus cunninghamii showing epicormic resprouts following the 2009 bushfire (Lucille Turner).

40 Pest plant and animal management

Highlights • New method for targeting on-ground fox control after fire developed • Fox diet after fire determined • Timeframe for measuring effectiveness shown to need longer investment • Deer numbers reduced initially but deer return to fire areas within two years • Registration of a feral cat bait one step closer • Close collaboration between agencies and local contractors • Increasing baseline data of fire-affected public land for future weed management • Weed triage manual and information system developed • Increased public awareness of the potential hazards of weed invasion after fire.

Native animals protected from fox predation Our knowledge of how native animals survive after fire in the presence of predators is very limited. It is likely that the removal of vegetation cover places native species at much greater risk. We do know that effective control of foxes, which are very mobile predators, requires ongoing, low intensity baiting over large areas. A project to protect and assist recovery of native fauna by reducing the impact of introduced Red Foxes (Figure 37a) in fire-affected areas following the 2009 bushfires, during the period when ground-level vegetation recovery was underway, was initiated. To begin with, a new evidence-based method for identifying strategic areas for fox control was developed. A computer model identified the eastern section of the Kilmore East–Murrindindi Fire Complex as the prime location for Red Fox control and associated monitoring and evaluation (Figure 37b). Following consultation with park managers, fox control was implemented at four fire areas – Beechworth, Kilmore East-Murrindindi, Bunyip Ridge, East Tyers-Thomson – covering 295,985 ha. Some 15,092 baits were deployed of which 3,094 were taken. Contractors, under supervision, undertook the work 19 months after the fire event. Fox scats were collected using trained dogs and the DNA analysed to determine whether foxes survived the baiting period (Figure 37c). Insufficient scats were found (only 55) so it was not possible to determine how effective the baiting had been. However, it is known that two foxes survived the baiting. There was a significant positive effect of Red Fox control on Superb Lyrebirds Menura novaehollandiae and a significantly negative effect on small mammals. A substantial, but not statistically significant, decrease in Feral Cats Felis catus post- control was detected. Fox scat analysis revealed that in the Kilmore East-Murrindindi fire area, Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula, Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolor and Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus made up most of the fox diet. Birds, insects and plants were also consumed.

41 The most commonly-captured species on camera traps were Swamp Wallaby and Mountain Brushtail Possum. The threatened Smoky Mouse Pseudomys fumeus was recorded from only one site, and this was in a severely scorched area. The ability of the monitoring program to provide robust evidence of a native species response to post-fire Red Fox control was constrained by the reporting timeframe and the time since fire before it got underway. This suggests that arrangements for fast-tracking predator control programs following bushfire need to be implemented. Fortunately, ongoing baiting and monitoring is occurring as part of a new Central Highlands Ark project.

a

b

c Figure 37. a) Red Fox (Stephen Platt; b) computer model of fox control areas (Graeme Newell); c) fox scat collection handlers and dogs (Luke Woodford).

42 Deer – mixed news Sambar Deer Cervus unicolor are an introduced species that have flourished in recent years in Victoria. Following Black Saturday, there was concern that they may pose a threat to recovering endangered plant populations through selective browsing. Sambar Deer abundances were found to be greatly reduced by the large-scale and high intensity Black Saturday fires (Figure 38). However, nearly all burnt habitat was reoccupied by deer within two years of the fires. It will take a number of years before they return to pre-fire abundance. Surveys of rare or threatened plants indicated that some species are being browsed by deer following the fire including Tree Geebung Persoonia arborea, Tuft Rush Oreobolous oxycarpus subsp. oxycarpus, Alpine Sedge Carex blakei and Coast Wirilda Acacia uncifolia. These effects were not found to be limiting population recovery but need to be monitored over time.

Figure 38. A Sambar Deer killed by the Black Saturday bushfires in February 2009 (Greg Young).

43 Feral Cats – a step closer to controlling an elusive wildlife predator Land managers of conservation areas have few techniques that can be used to effectively manage the impacts of Feral Cats on native wildlife species. Large fire events can cause significant immediate loss of wildlife and can also increase the likelihood of predation of surviving native fauna over the longer term, given the loss of vegetative cover. This study investigated the effectiveness of a new bait (Curiosity®) to assist in the management of feral cats after The Cathedral fire at Wilsons Promontory National Park in February 2009. Baits were applied over a 90 km2 area from a helicopter and also along management tracks. Heavy rain and hail fell across the site within 30 hours of bait application and rendered the baits unattractive to cats, limiting the effectiveness of the baiting and potentially affecting the results. b Four of eight radio-collared Feral Cats were successfully poisoned in this study. There did not appear to be a relationship between the home range used by feral cats and the fire history at this site. However, this could be an artefact of the two year interval between the fire event and the start of this study. Despite inconclusive results achieved in this study, it is believed that the a Curiosity® bait could be used to manage Feral Cat and possibly also fox populations after large fire events following registration of the product as an agricultural chemical. This project was another step toward having a practical, humane means of managing Feral Cats over large areas.

Figure 39. a) Home range of a cat at Wilsons Promontory with; b) a radio- collared, feral cat. This study advances the registration of a new method of controlling feral cats – the Curiosity® bait (Michael Johnston).

44 New approach to post fire weed a management Some 269,205 ha of public land was burnt in the 2009 fires. Of this, 132,621 ha was surveyed and mapped for weeds using a new Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis method. This method produced maps which outlined ‘very high’ and ‘high’ value vegetation communities and species that were at risk after fire, as well as the likely pathways of weed spread following fire. Because both valuable plants and pathways of weed spread were represented, the maps gave a clear indication of the most important areas to be targeted for management, and a b total area of 5,614 ha was designated for priority weed control works. Priority was given to controlling new and emerging weeds (Figure 40), some of which were in locations that were difficult to access, and weeds that posed a significant long term risk to values. New weed control methods were investigated and one of these, which targeted Tutsan, was effectively implemented. Tutsan forms dense stands and aggressively infests moist forests, woodlands and riparian areas. Using the yellow spores of a particular fungus (Tutsan Rust) and mixing Figure 40. a) English Holly Ilex aquifolium; and b) Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum. these with water, the underside of Tutsan leaves were sprayed and then wrapped in plastic for several days. This new method greatly reduced Tutsan infestation in bushland regenerating after the fires and will continue to be used in weed control projects, whether fire related or not. To improve the prioritisation of weed management actions in future fire events, a weed triage tool was developed and published in electronic form (Figure 41). The tool classifies weeds according to the level of risk they pose and practicality of achieving control. It will be invaluable in guiding weed risk assessment in future fire recovery programs. Figure 41. Primary screen, electronic version of the new post-fire weeds triage manual.

45 People and natural values recovery

Highlights • Collaboration between community and government agencies • Supporting local communities through employment and reconnecting with the environment • Increased understanding of fire ecology and the shared journey of recovery

“The Parks Victoria and DSE Natural Values Fire Recovery Community Engagement Program has been vital in working towards fostering a process to gradually reconnect people to place, and has been achieved through strategies in social network building. In our role as land managers, we have an important job to provide leading roles in the ongoing phases of recovery, not only ecologically, but ones that contribute socially and economically. Supporting and strengthening relationships between people within agencies and those who engage with agencies means confronting challenges, and of observing and being aware of how communities can change. Part of this process is to allow appropriate community involvement in decision making, but respecting people’s availability to do so in a time of flux.” Samantha Strong, Community Engagement Officer, Parks Victoria.

As people deal with the trauma of fires and try to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, the environment in which they live is on a parallel journey. The blackened, apparently ‘devastated’ surrounds begin to change, as greenery emerges and fauna returns symbolizing a renewal of life. Creating strong social connections and giving people opportunities to be involved in the recovery process allows people to reconnect to the local environment. In doing so, community involvement aids individual recovery, resulting in social and environmental benefits.

Community groups help to combat weeds Community groups helped to rehabilitate and restore Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) managed areas of Crown land in and around Bendigo which were burnt by the ‘Bracewell Street’, Black Saturday bushfire in February 2009 (Figure 42). Weed control and revegetation works were conducted on 55 parcels of land totalling 123 hectares. Approximately 12,000 native seedlings were planted and other areas were direct-seeded. An ongoing management framework was established to ensure the effective, future maintenance of public land. Community groups included Conservation Volunteers Australia, Green Gym, Amicus and Eaglehawk High School. These groups primarily helped with plantings, weed removal and, where appropriate, spraying. Local service providers included arborists, earth movers and nurseries. These activities promoted Crown land benefits throughout the community and supported local contractors. Continued close collaboration between DSE and Parks Victoria will enable ongoing management.

46 a

b

Figure 42. a) Pre fire Bridal Creeper infestation; andb ) post treatment in August 2011.

47 Community and fish recovery pathways run in parallel Species survival often relies on people. This was particularly true for the endangered fish – Barred Galaxias (a Victorian endemic) and Macquarie Perch – following the Black Saturday bushfires (Figure 43). Already threatened prior to the fires, direct fire effects, such as ash and sediment entering waterways, and indirect effects, such as the removal of barriers enabling the introduction of predatory fish and the loss of habitat and shading, posed real risks. The Australian Trout Foundation, Flowerdale Environment Engine and Strath Creek Landcare Group helped through revegetating a stretch of stream, home to the Barred Galaxias in Marysville, helping identify spawning sites for Macquarie Perch in King Parrot Creek, and building strong local advocacy and support for these species in the longer term. Participants experienced the challenges, risks and opportunities associated with recovery work and increased their knowledge and understanding of fish. Project leader Fern Hames describes the immense benefits that were created among fire affected communities through this project: “The fires created a unique opportunity to assist threatened species’ recovery. Many people were deeply troubled by the impacts on the bush around them in the aftermath of the fires and identified strongly with the recovery journeys faced by local flora and fauna in local streams and forests. In particular, the story of the tiny, nationally threatened freshwater fish, Barred Galaxias, hit home with many people, who could relate to the fish losing their homes, their translocation to an alternative and safe location while their habitats recovered, and their significant come-back two years after the fires. The story of the Barred Galaxias’ recovery, and those of other animals returning post fire resonated with the local community and facilitated their own recovery. These linkages and ‘journey sharing’ supported a surge in advocacy for local threatened species, which led to Figure 43. Strath Creek Landcare communities taking ownership of projects and creating meaningful actions which Group helping to retrieve and set will go beyond the life of this program.” nets as part of an investigation into spawning of Macquarie Perch in the Fern Hames, Project Leader, Department of Sustainability & Environment. King Parrot Creek (Fern Hames).

48 Community comes to the aid of fauna Scientists at the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) collaborated with three Melbourne-based, non-government naturalist groups to contribute to research on responses of fauna to various fire histories, and to build capacity for such work in the community. Nearly 50 members of the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria (FNCV), Bird Observation and Conservation Australia (BOCA), Birds Australia (BA) [now Birdlife Australia], and local area groups, guided and supported by ARI staff, conducted fauna surveys in 2009 fire affected areas (burnt once or twice in the last 40 years) and nearby long-unburnt forest in north east Victoria at Taggerty and Beechworth. The study was designed to evaluate the effects of time since fire (2 versus 30+ years) and fire frequency (0, 1 or 2 fires recorded in the last 40 years) on various fauna species or groups. Eighteen mammal and fifty-eight bird species were recorded from sites during formal surveys, with an additional eleven bird and one reptile species recorded outside of these surveys either on site or close by (Figure 44). Some of these records were of species that had only been previously recorded from the area on a few occasions (e.g. Bush Rat, Dusky Antechinus and Long-nosed Bandicoot near Beechworth). Birds were about two thirds as abundant in recently burnt forest as in long-unburnt forest, and responses varied between species. Some mammal species were encountered more often in long-unburnt forest, notably the Common Brushtail Possum and European Rabbit, whereas others (e.g. Black Wallaby and Common Wombat) showed little difference. Bat activity was a third as high in recently burnt forest as in long-unburnt forest. The project exposed a large number of people to research on the impact of fire on fauna and the methods used to collect data. The benefits to participants included improving and learning new fauna survey skills, the opportunity to Figure 44. Remote camera images contribute to fire research, the feeling that their skills and experience were of fauna taken at Taggerty and valuable, and personal satisfaction in what was achieved. In this way, and Beechworth a) Long-nosed Bandicoot; through direct field experience of the recovering bush, it contributed to b) Common Brushtail Possum; c) Red community recovery following the fires. Fox; d) Superb Lyrebird. a b

c d

49 Recovery so far – 2012

Three years on from the Black Saturday bushfires, it is evident to all that the bush is returning rapidly (Figures 45 to 47). In the wetter, nutrient rich locations, growth is vigorous and has rapidly transformed the post-fire landscape. Birds, including lyrebirds, and insects, such as Plague Soldier Beetles Chauliognathus lugubris, have returned rapidly, many taking advantage of new opportunities in the regrowth. Other species, such as echidnas and wombats can be seen living in areas that had been severely burnt. However, it will take decades, and in some cases centuries, for the bush to return to something like its pre-fire state. Some fauna species, that prefer mature vegetation, may take many years to return. Prolific regrowth of native plants throughout the fire areas demonstrates how well adapted most species are to a single fire. It is the cumulative effects of fires, the ‘fire regime’, that determines the outcome for plants and animals. Another severe fire in quick succession could have severe consequences for many ecosystems.

a Figure 45. a) Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus (Feb 2012); and b) Plague Soldier Beetles Chauliognathus lugubris (May 2012) at Mt Everard fire area (Stephen Platt).

b

50 Figure 46. Regrowth vegetation at 3 May 2012, Robertson Gully, Marysville; at roughly the same location as inset (27 March 2009) – and also shown Figure 1 (Stephen Platt).

51 b

b

a

Figure 47. Mountain Ash Forests regenerating at Wallaby Creek with a) mature Ash forest; and b) on 8 July 2012, post 2009 fires (Stephen Platt). These majestic forests will take centuries to regain their former status.

52 Appendix 1 – List of natural values recovery reports

Adams, R. and Simmons, D., (2012). Survival, Health and Recruitment of Eucalyptus crenulata (Buxton Gum) – Monitoring results 2000 – 2010: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria. Ayres, R.M., Nicol, M.D., and Raadik, T.A. (2012). Establishing new populations for fire-affected Barred Galaxias (Galaxias fuscus): site selection, trial translocation and population genetics. Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Bryant, D., Crowther, D. and Papas, P. (2012). Improving survey methods and understanding the effects of fire on burrowing and spiny crayfish in the Bunyip and South Gippsland catchments: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Coates, F., Cullen, P. J., Zimmer, H. and Shannon, J. (2012). How snow gum forests and sub-alpine peatlands recover after fire: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Duncan, M. (2012). Response of Orchids to Bushfire: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Fitzgerald, T., Brida, N. and Sanders, T. (2012). Watson’s Creek Habitat Link, Kinglake National Park – revegetation following the 2009 Black Saturday fires: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Forsyth, D. M., Gormley, A. M., Woodford, L. and Fitzgerald, T. (2011). Effects of the Black Saturday fires on Sambar Deer occupancy and abundance: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Gillespie, G.R. and West, M. (2012). Evaluation of Impacts of Bushfire on the Spotted Tree Frog Litoria spenceri in the Taponga River Catchment, Northeast Victoria: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Hames, F. (2012). Engaging the community in native fish recovery following bushfire: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Howard, K., Cleeland, C. and Clemann, N. (2010). Assessment of the status of the threatened Bibron’s Toadlet and Southern Toadlet in areas affected by the Kilmore East-Murrindindi fires: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Howard, K., Clemann, N and Antrobus, J. (2012). Assessment of the status of threatened herpetofauna following fire in sub alpine habitat at Lake Mountain and Mount Bullfight, near Marysville, northeast Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Jemison, M.L., Lumsden, L.F., Nelson J.L., Scroggie, M.P. & Chick R.R. (2012). Assessing the impact of the 2009 Kilmore East-Murrindindi Complex fire on microbats. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.

53 Johnston, M.J. (2012). Field assessment of the Curiosity® bait for management of Feral Cats after fire at Wilsons Promontory National Park: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Kearns, J., Tonkin, Z., O’Mahony, J. and Lyon, J. (2012). Identification and protection of key spawning habitats for Macquarie Perch in King Parrot Creek: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Macak, P.V., Bruce, M.J. and Loyn, R.H. (2012). Community Finding Fauna – naturalist groups contributing to research on the response of fauna to fire. Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Mackinnon, N., Olive, C. and Flack, J. (2012). Dunnarts and Buxton Gums – involving community in bushfire recovery at Cathedral Range State Park: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Messina, A., Scott-Walker, G. and Francis, R. (2011). Management Plan for Blunt- leaf Pomaderris Pomaderris helianthemifolia ssp. minor in Big River State Forest, Eildon, Victoria. Prepared for the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Report 11029-1, Version 1.1. ABZECO, Eltham. Nelson, J. L. and Jemison, M. L. (2012). Surveys and management guidelines for dunnarts in Cathedral Range State Park and the Big River Catchment: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Raadik, T.A. and Nicol, M.D. (2012). Assessment of the post-fire status and distribution of the Dargo Galaxias (Galaxias sp. 6), affected by the White Timber Spur fire, upper Dargo River system: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Robley, A., Newell, G., White, M., MacDonald, A., Sarre, S., Triggs, B. Currie, J. and Smith, S. (2013) Strategic Red Fox control on bushfire affected public land in Victoria – Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne, Victoria. Scott-Walker, G., Messina, A., Whittaker, K., Just, K., Pegg, J. & Francis, R. (2011). 2009–2011 Natural Values Fire Recovery Program: Post Fire Vegetation Survey. Prepared for the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Report 11029-1, Version 1.1. ABZECO, Eltham. Stoessel, D. J., Ayres R. M. and Raadik T. A. (2012). Improving spawning success for Barred Galaxias (Galaxias fuscus) in streams affected by bushfire – an aid to recovery: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Tolsma, A., Sutter, G., and Coates, F. (2012). Recovery of Victorian rare or threatened plant species after the 2009 bushfires – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Walker, C. J. and Sedger, A.H. (2012). Post fire weed control and revegetation following bushfire in an urban environment at Bendigo, Victoria: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Willig, R. and Atkins, S. (2013). Monitoring owls in South Gippsland after Bushfire: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne,Victoria.

54 Worley, M. (2012). Impacts of the 2009 Kilmore East-Murrindindi bushfires on cool temperate rainforest in the Victorian Central Highlands: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Zimmer, H, Cheal, D., and Cross, E. (2012). Post-fire Weeds Triage Manual: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. Zimmer, H., Cheal, D., Johnson, G. and Lunt, I. (2012). Black Cypress-pine Callitris endlicheri firesensitive vegetation recovery following high intensity bushfire. Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.

Unpublished reports DEPI, (in prep.). Strategic weed control on bushfire affected public land in Victoria: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne, Victoria. Gration, R. (in prep.). Monitoring mine-dwelling bats following bushfires near Kinglake: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Melbourne, Victoria. Lester, K.P., Cameron, D.G., Turner, L.A. and Mason B. (in prep.). Survey and monitoring of Myrtle Wilt within burnt and unburnt Cool Temperate Rainforest in the Central Highlands of Victoria: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne, Victoria. Smith, S.J., Sedger, A.H., Smith, F.Marshall, R. and Fowler, D. (in prep). A Photo Point Library to record flora and fauna habitat recovery after bushfire: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Smith, S.J.(Ed.), Holland, G.J., Harley, D.K., Antrobus, J.S. and Hradsky, A.K. (in prep). Leadbeater’s Possum projects following bushfire; spatial analysis of fire impacts on habitat and the effectiveness of remote cameras for determining site occupancy – Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria.

55 Appendix 2 – National and State listed species within 2009 bushfire areas

State listed species (Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 & DSE Advisory Lists)

Species/communities EPBC status FFG status DSE Advisory List status Kilmore East Kilmore Murrindindi South Fire Bunyip Ridge Fire NP Wilsons Prom – Cathedral Fire Dargo Fire

Critically Barred Galaxias Endangered listed ✓ Endangered Macquarie Perch Endangered listed Endangered ✓ Critically Helmeted Honeyeater Endangered listed ✓ Endangered Leadbeater’s Possum Endangered listed Endangered ✓ Spot-tailed Quoll Endangered listed Endangered Near Southern Brown Bandicoot Endangered ✓ threatened Eucalyptus crenulata Endangered listed Endangered ✓ Australian Grayling Vulnerable listed Endangered ✓ Critically Alpine Tree Frog Vulnerable listed ✓ Endangered Astelia australiana Vulnerable listed Vulnerable ✓ Nematolepis wilsonii Vulnerable listed Vulnerable ✓ Cool Temperate Rainforest Listed ✓ ✓ ✓ community community Alpine Sheoak Skink listed Endangered ✓ Ground Parrot listed Endangered ✓ Powerful Owl listed Vulnerable ✓ Sooty Owl listed Vulnerable ✓ Brush-tailed Phascogale listed Vulnerable ✓ New Holland Mouse listed Vulnerable ✓ Ancient Greenling Damselfly listed Endangered ✓ ✓ Adiantum diaphanum listed Endangered ✓ Wet Forest – old growth ✓ Lace Monitor Vulnerable ✓ Broad-toothed Rat Data def ✓ Common Dunnart Vulnerable ✓ Carex alsophylla Rare ✓ ✓ Grevillea barklyana listed Vulnerable ✓ Persoonia arborea Vulnerable ✓ ✓ Pimelea drupacea Vulnerable ✓

References: Department of Sustainability and Environment (2005) Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria – 2005. Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2007) Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2007. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2009). Advisory List of Threatened Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2009. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria.

56 Bendigo

1

Hwy Hwy 10 10

Glenelg

Coleraine- Coleraine- 17

Dargo Dargo 1 2

32 Promontory

1 7

Wilsons Wilsons 27

Bunyip 1 4 3 Murrindindi

1 1 2 1 1 1 1 5 5 8

Kilmore- 19 46 10

262 151

buffer fire and 5km 5km and fire

3.8 4.2 4.1 3.9 4.4 7.5 7.2 8.7 0.1 2.8 0.0 4.8 0.3 3.1 9.6 7.2 3.9

%records %records 17.5 12.5 12.1 13.2 12.0 11.5 13.2 49.5 67.8 28.7 records

7 6 8 7 2 5 9

5km buffer buffer 5km 84 10 44 13 34 79 68 31 55 49 24 15 27

179 140 102 124 449 251 fire

0.3 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.6 1.0 0.7 0.7 1.8 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.7 2.9 3.6 5.3 3.1

%records %records 40.3 46.5 20.9 fire records fire 4 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 7 9

11 23 16 15 27 46 11 21

267 183

records

total total 68 99

237 251 320 180 137 273 905 641 624 160 886 460 939 662 874 208 250 688

111 1340 2238 2399 2404 6293 1157 status Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered

Critically Endangered Latin

Maccullochella peelii Stipiturus mallee Pedionomus torquatus Pteropus poliocephalus Lathamus discolor Pachycephala rufogularis Litoria raniformis Rostratula australis Pseudomys fumeus Isoodon obesulus Lichenostomus melanops cassidix Calyptorhynchus banksi Polytelis anthopeplus Leipoa ocellata Perameles gunnii Prototroctes maraena Galaxiella pusilla Anthochaera phrygia Dasyurus maculatus Potorous tridactylus Synemon plana Gymnobelideus leadbeateri Litoria verreauxii alpina Litoria spenceri Galaxias fuscus Macquaria australasica Delma impar

S pecies Murray Cod Mallee Emu-wren Plains-wanderer Flying-fox Grey-headed Swift Parrot Red-lored Whistler Red-lored Growling Grass Frog Growling Australian Painted Snipe Smoky Mouse Southern Brown Bandicoot Southern Brown Helmeted Honeyeater Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Regent Parrot Malleefowl Eastern Barred Bandicoot Eastern Barred Australian Grayling Dwarf Galaxias Regent Honeyeater Spot-tailed Quoll Long-nosed Potoroo Golden Sun Moth Leadbeater’s Possum Leadbeater’s Alpine Tree Frog Alpine Tree Frog Spotted Tree Barred Galaxias Barred Macquarie Perch Striped Legless Lizard ) by percent records in fire area in fire records Nationally listed fauna species ( Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ) by percent

57

Bendigo

Hwy Hwy Glenelg

2 Coleraine- Coleraine-

Dargo Dargo Promontory

2 3 3

Wilsons Wilsons

Bunyip 1

63

Murrindindi

Kilmore- 34 13

buffer fire and 5km 5km and fire

8.9

%records %records 31.1 21.8 36.4 27.3 82.6 91.1 92.9 records

4 6 5

5km buffer buffer 5km 38 19 38 13

112 fire

1.6 1.1 3.6

%records %records 27.3 13.6 51.2 73.9 92.9 fire records fire

2 1 3 3 2

63 34 13

records

total total 87 11 22 56 46 14

122 123 status

Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Endangered Endangered Latin

Pterostylis cucullata Eucalyptus strzelecki Caladenia orientalis Caladenia tessellata Caladenia concolor Astelia australiana Nematolepis wilsonii Eucalyptus crenulata

S pecies Leafy Greenhood Strzelecki Gum Eastern Spider-orchid Thick-lip Spider-orchid Crimson Spider-orchid Tall Astelia Tall Shiny Nematolepis Buxton Gum ) by percent records in fire area in fire records Natinally listed flora species ( Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ) by percent

58 www.depi.vic.gov.au