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Atlas Iron Limited Hercules Project Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Baseline Survey May 2012 Outback Ecology Services 1/71 Troy Terrace Jolimont WA 6014 Ph: +61 (08) 9388 8799 Fax: +61 (08) 9388 8633 [email protected] Hercules Project Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Baseline Survey Distribution: Company Copies Contact Name Atlas Iron Limited 1 electronic Kevin McCormick, Brendan Bow Document Control for Job Number: AAP-FS-0211 Document Status Author Reviewer Signature Date of Issue B. Parsons, D. Draft Report M. Young Steane, M M Goldstone 10 February 2012 Goldstone Draft Report M. Young K. McCormick 30 April 2012 Final Report M. Young B. Parsons 01 May 2012 DISCLAIMER, CONFIDENTIALITY AND COPYRIGHT STATEMENT © Outback Ecology. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any material form or communicated by any means without the permission of the copyright owner. This document is confidential. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written approval of Outback Ecology and Atlas Iron Limited. Outback Ecology undertook the work, and prepared this document, in accordance with specific instructions from Atlas Iron Limited to whom this document is addressed, within the time and budgetary requirements of Atlas Iron Limited. The conclusions and recommendations stated in this document are based on those instructions and requirements, and they could change if such instructions and requirements change or are in fact inaccurate or incomplete. Outback Ecology has prepared this document using data and information supplied to Outback Ecology by Atlas Iron Limited and other individuals and organisations, most of whom are referred to in this document. Where possible, throughout the document the source of data used has been identified. Unless stated otherwise, Outback Ecology has not verified such data and information. Outback Ecology does not represent such data and information as true or accurate, and disclaims all liability with respect to the use of such data and information. All parties relying on this document, do so entirely at their own risk in the knowledge that the document was prepared using information that Outback Ecology has not verified. This document is intended to be read in its entirety, and sections or parts of the document should therefore not be read and relied on out of context. The conclusions and recommendations contained in this document reflect the professional opinion of Outback Ecology, using the data and information supplied. Outback Ecology has used reasonable care and professional judgment in its interpretation and analysis of the data. The conclusions and recommendations must be considered within the agreed scope of work, and the methodology used to carry out the work, both of which are stated in this document. This document was intended for the sole use of Atlas Iron Limited and only for the use for which it was prepared, which is stated in this document. Any representation in the document is made only to Atlas Iron Limited. Outback Ecology disclaims all liability with respect to the use of this document by any third party, and with respect to the use of and reliance upon this document by any party, including Atlas Iron Limited for a purpose other than the purpose for which it was prepared. Atlas Iron Limited Hercules Project: Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Baseline Survey Executive Summary Atlas Iron Limited (Atlas) commissioned Outback Ecology to undertake a baseline terrestrial vertebrate fauna survey of the Hercules Project Study Area (the Study Area), which consists of 1,319 hectares (ha) of land in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This report documents the results of a detailed vertebrate fauna survey conducted within the Study Area, in autumn 2011 from 17 to 28 March. For regional context, this report also presents a summary of terrestrial vertebrate fauna species recorded from relevant surveys previously conducted in the wider surrounds from 1991 to 2011. The overarching objectives of this baseline survey were to: • develop an inventory of terrestrial vertebrate fauna species identified or likely to occur within the Study Area and its surrounds; • assess the occurrence and likely distribution of vertebrate fauna of conservation significance within the Study Area; • identify, describe and map vertebrate fauna habitat and any significant habitat within the Study Area, consistent with mapping conducted during the 2009 Wodgina Direct Shipping Ore Project terrestrial vertebrate fauna assessment; and • assess survey findings in a regional context by comparing with available data from other surveys within the Pilbara bioregion. Within the Study Area, five broad fauna habitat types were identified, comprising: • Rocky Ridge; • Spinifex Stony Plain; • Scree Slope; • Drainage Line; and • Rocky Foothills. Systematic, targeted and opportunistic sampling were undertaken in each of the Rocky Ridge, Stony Plain and Drainage Line habitats. Systematic sampling methods included the use of pitfall, Elliott, funnel and cage trapping, hand searching, spotlighting and avifauna census. AnaBat echolocation recording devices were deployed in areas likely to support populations of bats. A total of 85 vertebrate species was recorded during this survey of the Study Area. This total comprises 12 species of mammal (of which 11 are native), 39 species of bird, 31 species of reptile and three species of amphibian. The vertebrate fauna species richness was as expected, based on the findings of database searches and a comprehensive literature review, and was comparable with previous surveys within the locality of the Study Area. One species of skink recorded during this survey, Ctenotus leonhardii, was not recorded during previous surveys in the locality or the wider region. This species is not of conservation significance. ES-1 Atlas Iron Limited Hercules Project: Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Baseline Survey During this field survey, six vertebrate species of conservation significance (ie species that are listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2002 (EPBC Act) and/or the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act), or are on the WA Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Priority Fauna list) were recorded: • Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus ; EPBC Act – Endangered, and WC Act – Schedule 1); • Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia ; EPBC Act – Vulnerable, and WC Act – Schedule 1); • Western Pebble-mound Mouse (Pseudomys chapmani ; DEC – Priority 4); • Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas ; DEC – Priority 4); • Australian Reed-warbler ( Acrocephalus australis ; EPBC Act – Migratory); and • the Rainbow Bee-eater ( Merops ornatus ; EPBC Act – Migratory). This baseline survey also identified 23 species of conservation significance that were not recorded during the field survey of the Study Area, but nevertheless possibly occur or are likely to occur within the Study Area. The likelihood of each of these species occurring was determined based on the habitat assessment performed during this survey, reported data on species distributions and habitat from previous surveys in the wider region, and published knowledge on the biology of individual species. Briefly, these fauna consisted of: • three species listed as threatened under Commonwealth and/or WA legislation; • eight species listed by the DEC as being Priority Fauna; • eight species that have no legislative protection, but are Pilbara endemics or have restricted distributions; and • four species of bird listed as migratory under Commonwealth and WA legislation. The fauna habitats found within the Study Area are represented throughout the Pilbara bioregion, although Rocky Ridge habitat can be uncommon in the broader landscape and can vary in its suitability for species of conservation significance, such as the Northern Quoll. The Rocky Ridge habitat within the Study Area had an abundance of outcroppings, caves, crevices, gorges and other associated features, and should thus be considered highly suitable for hosting species of conservation significance. This Study found three species of particular conservation significance (the Northern Quoll, Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat and Ghost Bat) within Rocky Ridge habitat. Drainage Line habitat should also be considered important from a biodiversity perspective, due to the fauna assemblages recorded therein and its relatively low extent within the Study Area. ES-2 Atlas Iron Limited Hercules Project: Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Baseline Survey TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Background and Location ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Report Scope and Objectives .............................................................................................................. 3 2. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................................ 4 2.1 Biogeographic Region .......................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Climate ................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Land Systems in the Study Area.........................................................................................................