Conservation Action Planning
2020 Second edition (DRAFT)
Mallee Emu-Wren Stipiturus mallee Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis Western Whipbird (eastern) Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster Red-lored Whistler Pachycephala rufogularis Regent Parrot (eastern) Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata Mallee Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus
Threatened Mallee Birds Project
First edition compiled by: Rebecca Boulton and Jenny Lau Second edition compiled by: Gary Howling and Andrea Fullagar
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i. Acknowledgements
The delivery of the second edition of the Mallee Bird Conservation Action Plan would not have been possible without the generous support of the Scobie and Claire Mackinnon Trust, the Isaacson Davis Foundation and the Corella Fund.
Further, there has been financial support from the following organisations to facilitate the implementation of a range of on-ground recovery actions and strategies linked to seven key management interventions listed in the Mallee Bird CAP: Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (Victoria); Murraylands-Riverland Landscape Board (South Australia); Zoos Victoria, and; Parks Victoria
We thank them for supporting this important work.
We also thank all present and former members of the TMB CAP Steering Committee:
Rebecca Boulton (University of Adelaide), Simon Verdon (LaTrobe University), Jenny Lau, Andrea Fullagar, Dean Ingwersen, James O’Connor and Samantha Vine (BirdLife), Gary Howling (Great Eastern Ranges), Simon Nally (Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment), Wendy Stubbs and Luke Ireland (Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, South Australia), Chris Hedger (National Parks and Wildlife Service, South Australia), Liberty Olds (Zoos South Australia), Jill Fleming and Elise Kovac (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria), Katherine Selwood (Zoos Victoria), Kathryn Schneider (Parks Victoria), Michael Todd and Sarah Bell (Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment, New South Wales), Jennifer McCamley (Mallee CMA), Sarah Brown (Self), Vicki-Jo Russell (Trees for Life).
Cover photos by Rohan Clarke, Chris Tzaros and Indra Bone.
ii. Recommended citation
Boulton, R.L., Lau, J., Fullagar, A.N. and Howling, G.M. (2020) Threatened Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan, second edition. Report to the Threatened Mallee Birds CAP Steering Committee. BirdLife Australia, Melbourne.
iii. Abbreviations
Species
BEM Black-eared Miner MEW Mallee Emu-wren MF Malleefowl MSG Mallee Striated Grasswren
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RP Regent Parrot RLW Red-lored Whistler WW Western Whipbird
Organisations
ANU Australian National University ARI Arthur Rylah Institute BLA BirdLife Australia CAP Conservation Action Plan DELWP Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria DAWE Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment, Commonwealth MCMA Mallee Catchment Management Authority MRLB Murraylands-Riverland Landscape Board, South Australia NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service, South Australia OEH Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW PV Parks Victoria, Victoria TMB Threatened Mallee Bird ZSA Zoos South Australia ZV Zoos Victoria
iv. IUCN Protected Area Categories
Ia Strict Nature Reserve - Category Ia are strictly protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity and also possibly geological/geomorphic features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure protection of the conservation values.
Ib Wilderness Area - Category Ib protected areas are usually large unmodified or slightly modified areas, retaining their natural character and influence without permanent or significant human habitation, which are protected and managed so as to preserve their natural condition.
II National Park - Category II protected areas are large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible, spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational, and visitor opportunities.
III Natural Monument or Feature - Category III protected areas are set aside to protect a specific natural monument, which can be a landform, sea mount, submarine cavern, geological feature such as a cave or even a living feature such as an ancient grove.
IV Habitat/Species Management Area - Category IV protected areas aim to protect particular species or habitats and management reflects this priority.
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V Protected Landscape/ Seascape - A protected area where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant, ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value, and where safeguarding the integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting and sustaining the area and its associated nature conservation and other values.
VI Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources - Category VI protected areas conserve ecosystems and habitats together with associated cultural values and traditional natural resource management systems.
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CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 7 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 11 1.1 Context ...... 11 1.2 Project area ...... 13 1.2.1 Climate and rainfall...... 13 1.2.2 Vegetation...... 13 1.2.3 Native fauna ...... 15 1.2.4 Aboriginal associations and management ...... 17 1.2.5 European land use history ...... 19 1.2.6 Protected areas ...... 20 1.3 Conservation Action Planning ...... 23 2. PROJECT VISION AND CONTEXT ...... 26 2.1 Project team ...... 26 2.2 Scope ...... 27 2.3 Vision ...... 27 2.4 Identification of targets ...... 27 2.5 Target descriptions ...... 29 2.5.1 Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis ...... 30 2.5.2 Mallee Emu-wren Stipiturus mallee ...... 31 2.5.3 Mallee Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus striatus ...... 31 2.5.4 Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata ...... 33 2.5.5 Red-lored Whistler Pachycephala rufogularis ...... 33 2.5.6 Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides ...... 34 2.5.7 Western Whipbird Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster ...... 35 2.6 Viability of Conservation Targets ...... 35 2.7 Threats to Conservation Targets ...... 39 2.7.1 Catastrophic Wildfire (landscape scale, high proportion of reserve) ...... 42 2.7.2 Past Clearing and Reduced Connectivity (ongoing extinction debt) ...... 46 2.7.3 Drought (temporal suppression of critical resources)...... 46 2.7.4 Inappropriate Fire Management ...... 47 2.7.5 Grazing by Goat, Kangaroo, Rabbit and Pig ...... 47 2.7.6 Genetic Introgression with Yellow-throated Miner ...... 48 2.7.7 Loss of habitat complexity ...... 48 2.7.8 Inappropriate Water Management ...... 48 2.7.9 Grazing by Kangaroos ...... 49 2.7.10 Predation by Feral Animals (Fox and Cat) ...... 49 2.7.11 Ongoing Vegetation Clearance ...... 49 2.7.12 Human-Caused Mortality...... 49 2.7.13 Locust Spraying Knocking Out Invertebrates ...... 50 2.7.14 Predation or Competition from Native Species ...... 50 2.7.15 Grazing by Rabbits ...... 50 2.7.16 Grazing by Pigs ...... 50 2.7.17 Competition for Nest Hollows ...... 51 3. FOUNDATIONAL STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS ...... 51 3.1 Original Strategies and Objectives (TMB CAP Phase I) ...... 51 3.2 Progress and key achievements ...... 52 3.3 Outcomes from 2018 review ...... 53 4. CONSERVATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS - PHASE II ...... 55 4.1 TMB Management Program – Phase 2 ...... 56 4.2 Fire Program for all Threatened Mallee Birds ...... 57 4.3 Control genetic introgression in Black-eared Miner ...... 59 4.4 Translocation of Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner and Western Whipbird ...... 59 4.5 Habitat Improvement - Grazing Management ...... 61 5 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
4.6 Habitat Improvement – Restoration ...... 62 4.7 Species Knowledge Generation ...... 63 REFERENCES ...... 65 APPENDIX 1. CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR CAP ANALYSIS AND PLANNING ...... 70 APPENDIX 2. THREATENING PROCESSES‡ LISTED UNDER LEGISLATION ...... 71 APPENDIX 3. RESULTS CHAINS FOR THREATS TO MALLEE BIRDS ...... 73 APPENDIX 4. CURRENT STATUS OF DETAILED STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS (2019-2022) ...... 81 Important Note: The status of relevant strategies (in the tables below) are currently under review by the TMB CAP Steering Committee and will be included in the final version. A feasibility assessment is currently being undertaken to help identify strategies for early implementation. This assessment is due to be complete by April 2021...... 81
Figures & Tables
Figure 1. CAP Coverage: The Murray-Darling Depression Bioregion in SE Australia ...... 12 Figure 2. Location of Key Biodiversity Areas in the Murray Darling Depression ...... 19 Figure 3. Murray Mallee Region of south-eastern Australia showing key Mallee reserves ...... 22
TABLE 1. MEAN MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL FOR THE MURRAY-DARLING DEPRESSION ...... 14 TABLE 2. BIRD TAXA TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH MALLEE HABITATS, ...... 16 TABLE 3. KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS LISTED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR SIGNIFICANCE FOR MALLEE BIRDS ...... 18 TABLE 4. KEY PROTECTED AREAS IN THE TMB CAP AREA ...... 20 TABLE 5. ORGANISATIONS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PLANNING, COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ...... 26 TABLE 6. NATIONAL AND STATE CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE SEVEN TARGET SPECIES ...... 28 TABLE 7. GOALS, INDICATORS AND TARGET VIABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR THREATENED MALLEE BIRDS ...... 37 TABLE 8. STATUS OF THREATS ADDRESSED BY THE THREATENED MALLEE BIRDS CAP 39 TABLE 9. THREATS IDENTIFIED FOR EACH OF THE SEVEN TARGETS ...... 44
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The first edition of the Threatened Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan (‘TMB CAP’) was introduced in 2015 as a direct and coordinated response to the impact of catastrophic wildfire events on threatened mallee bird populations in 2014.
A conservation action planning process initiated by BirdLife Australia brought together key stakeholders to assess the reasons for the parlous state of TMBs and agree a multi- partner program. The planning process was based on best available information and a principle of shared capacity, and addressed 6 threatened mallee bird taxa: 1. Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis) 2. Mallee Emu-wren (Stipiturus mallee) 3. Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) 4. Red-lored Whistler (Pachycephala rufogularis) 5. Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides) 6. Western Whipbird (Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster)
In keeping with the findings of the 2015 CAP process, strong emphasis was placed on management of Mallee Emu-wren and Black-eared Miner, with complementary benefits and consideration of Red-lored Whistler and Western Whipbird. Regent Parrot and Malleefowl have been given lesser consideration, with the latter subject to continued investment under separate national recovery efforts led by the Australian government.
Implementation of the subsequent 3-year period concentrated on: o Planning and preparations for subsequent successful translocation of Mallee Emu- wren from stable populations in western Victoria to suitable areas in Ngarkat Conservation Park in eastern South Australia o Engagement and capacity building with rural fire authorities and public land managers in South Australia and Victoria to influence the location and practice of planned burns and better protect mallee reserves o Advocacy with fire planners and policy makers to incorporate mallee ecosystems, mature-aged stand reserves and remnant TMB populations as conservation assets in fire response plans o Planning and preparation for potential future captive breeding of Mallee Emu-wren, including through ongoing captive husbandry of Rufous-crowned Emu-wren o Closure and rehabilitation of priority dams/artificial water points on public land to assist management of Yellow-throated Miner populations and total grazing pressure in the vicinity of Black-eared Miner colonies o Field survey activities to add to our understanding of the distribution of remnant TMB populations o Preparation of educational materials for use in community engagement, education and awareness-raising
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A key feature of the implementation period has been a continued high level of collaboration and commitment to shared objectives and priorities by a diverse group of implementation partners. This has involved: o Quarterly steering committee meetings to enable information sharing, discussion on strategic directions and operational priorities, and trouble-shooting o Planning, coordination and resource mobilisation progressed by the day-to-day work of three very active advisory committees o A core team of highly dedicated and skilled staff and volunteers, supported in their efforts by a network of supportive managers and policy-makers
The first substantial review of the CAP was conducted via a workshop in March 2018, with subsequent offline review and planning activity; highlighted: key lessons learned and an evolution in the perspectives, priorities and aspirations of participants. The review identified the need for: o Inclusion of Mallee Striated Grasswren as a seventh target species o Greater emphasis on more activity addressing the recovery needs of other threatened mallee birds (particularly Mallee Striated Grasswren, Red-lored Whistler and Western Whipbird) while not lessening efforts for Mallee Emu-wren and Black- eared Miner o More concerted links with efforts for Mallee species in NSW under that state’s ‘Saving Our Species’ program o Increased emphasis on management and restoration of Mallee as an ecosystem and as habitat for a suite of threatened and at risk Mallee-dependent birds
In terms of strategic direction, the review: a. reaffirmed the relative significance of key threats identified in 2015 (catastrophic wildfire, poor connectivity, drought and inappropriate fire management) b. maintained a stable rating of target viability for all six original species, with Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner and Western Whipbird rated ‘Poor1’ in terms of viability, Malleefowl, Regent Parrot and Red-lored Whistler rated ‘Fair2’, and Mallee Striated Grasswren introduced as ‘Poor’ c. concluded the need for emphasis on Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner, Western Whipbird and Mallee Striated Grasswren with the remaining species (Red-lored Whistler, Regent Parrot and Malleefowl) requiring significant (albeit less pressing) intervention, based on target viability assessment d. clarified the relative importance of grazing by kangaroo and feral goat, pig and rabbit populations, highlighting the greater impact of goat grazing compared with other species contributing to total grazing pressure.
This second edition of the CAP outlines 21 strategies grouped according to 7 program areas:
1. TMB CAP program management – including communications, fundraising and coordination
1 The key part is unhealthy and if no intervention occurs soon it may never return to health 2 The key part of the target is not healthy and will continue to deteriorate if there is no intervention 8 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
2. Fire management – hazard protection and mitigating the risk of catastrophic wildfire
3. Controlling genetic introgression in Black-eared Miner – managing YTM numbers in priority Black-eared Miner colonies
4. Translocation of Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner and Western Whipbird – a second phase of works to build on successful efforts with Mallee Emu- wren in 2018
5. Habitat recovery - Habitat improvement through grazing management
6. Habitat restoration - Habitat improvement through active restoration following disturbance
7. Knowledge generation – addressing key knowledge gaps, including data and knowledge understanding of species’ ecology
Based on refinement and updating of operational priorities, this second edition of the TMB CAP has adopted an updated operational work plan that will guide activity for the coming five years (2018-2022). Priorities include:
1. Increased emphasis on coordinated cross-program messaging and external communications supporting a growing effort on fundraising for priority activities.
2. Continued preparations for a second phase of Mallee Emu-wren translocation, subject to confirmation of stable source populations
3. Continued advocacy and capacity-building with fire planners and rural fire authorities, combined with application of planned burns for priority areas
4. Progress towards implementing a program of captive breeding for Mallee Emu-wren based on guidelines to be inferred from Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, with decisions to be made on whether to pursue similar strategies for Western Whipbird and Black- eared Miner
5. Continued closure of artificial stock watering points in priority locations, combined with targeted suppression of introduced herbivores.
6. Greater leveraging of existing and future mallee restoration projects to better integrate habitat recovery for threatened mallee birds
7. Survey, mapping and monitoring to locate additional populations of threatened mallee birds on public and private lands across the project area
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8. Research to improve knowledge about habitat use, monitoring techniques and species ecology in response to current gaps in knowledge about where and why TMBs persist in some areas compared to others
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Threatened Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan
Second Edition
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Context
The first edition of the Threatened Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan (‘TMB CAP’) document was prepared and introduced in 2015 (Boulton and Lau, 2015). The process for its development commenced in May 2014, when an emergency summit was called after a number of wildfires wiped out large tracts of habitat for nationally threatened Mallee bird species.
Bringing together a variety of government, NGO and research organisations, the TMB CAP initiative was a direct and coordinated response to the impact of the wildfire events on threatened Mallee bird populations, particularly Mallee Emu-wren and Black-eared Miner. BirdLife Australia convened a Conservation Action Planning process (see Section 1.2) involving key stakeholders and subject experts to assess the reasons for the parlous state of TMBs and agree a multi-partner program based on best available information and a principle of shared capacity.
The group came together to determine the immediate and ongoing actions and funding needed to prevent these species from becoming extinct, and to align and prioritise actions across multiple species aided by both endorsed and draft National Recovery Plan objectives. Using a multi-species approach the process prepared an efficient and cost-effective Conservation Action Plan tackling both broader landscape threats and individual species’ threats for 6 threatened taxa:
Release of the original TMB CAP document was followed by a 3-year program of works. Strong emphasis was placed on management of Mallee Emu-wren and Black-eared Miner, with complementary benefits and consideration of Red-lored Whistler and Western Whipbird. Regent Parrot and Malleefowl were given lesser consideration, with the latter subject to continued investment under separate national recovery efforts led by the Australian government. Information on scope and achievements of management efforts are described in Section 3. In March 2018 participants involved in the TMB CAP participated in a 2-day workshop to review the status of mallee birds and consider possible revisions to the CAP document based on lessons learned over the previous 3 years.
The CAP model comprises a cyclical and iterative conservation planning and management cycle. This document summarises progress in application of the TMB CAP to December 2018. It builds on the original TMB CAP content by updating relevant
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information and incorporating new information where available. Attention is given to describing the scope of implementation efforts and evaluating status.
As a static record, the CAP document is complemented information on activity and progress which is updated on an ongoing basis and recorded in a CAP software platform called ‘Miradi’. Further detailed information can be obtained from that source maintained by BirdLife Australia.
Figure 1. CAP Coverage: The Murray-Darling Depression Bioregion in SE Australia
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1.2 Project area
The Threated Mallee Birds Project area is largely defined by the distribution of the threatened species it covers. It is centred on the Murray Mallee region of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia (Figure 1), within the Murray-Darling Depression bioregion. The region contains some of the most extensive and intact old-growth Mallee vegetation in the three States.
1.2.1 Climate and rainfall
Northern districts in the Murray–Darling Depression bioregion experience a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters with generally sparse rainfall occurring relatively evenly throughout the year. Mean monthly temperatures and annual maxima decrease in southern districts ensuring a slightly more Mediterranean climate with lower mean monthly maximum temperature warm to hot summers and cool moist winters when most of the rain falls. Mean monthly temperature and rainfall statistics (Table 1) highlight these trends, with average annual rainfall in the bioregion overall ranging from around 200 to 550 mm per year.
1.2.2 Vegetation
Native vegetation of the Murray Darling Depression is dominated by ‘tree mallee’, characterized by multi-stemmed Eucalyptus species occurring as low shrubby trees with a large subterranean lignotuber from which plants sprout after disturbance. The understorey is characterized by a continental-scale decrease in diversity and cover of scelophyllous shrubs and increasing cover of Triodia hummock grass toward the arid interior.
The topography and soil conditions of the Murray Darling Depression are highly varied. For example the region is characterized by extensive dune systems aligned different in the landscape: linear calcareous dunes follow an east–west orientation while siliceous parabolic/irregular dunes are more variable in form. As a result the vegetation communities are far from uniform in either floristic composition or structure.
Outlining a simple classification that reflects this complexity is made more difficult due to the three jurisdictions concerned (NSW, South Australia and Victoria) having adopted differing native vegetation classification systems. Haslem et al. (2010) developed a relatively simplified approach to describing and mapping the vegetation consistently across the region, describing four main vegetation types:
• Triodia Mallee, characterized by an understorey of the hummock grass Porcupine Grass (Triodia scariosa), and both Pointed Mallee (Eucalyptus socialis) and Congoo Mallee (E. dumosa) generally abundant in the canopy, shrubs included Nealie
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(Acacia rigens), Dwarf Nealie (Acacia wilhelmiana) and Dark Turpentine Bush (Beyeria opaca).
Table 1. Mean monthly temperature and rainfall for the Murray-Darling Depression3
Location* Climate variables Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ivanhoe Mean max temp (oC) 36.0 34.3 30.6 26.0 20.5 16.8 16.6 18.8 23.0 27.2 30.8 33.3 Mean min temp (oC) 20.7 19.9 16.4 12.3 8.2 5.8 5.0 5.9 8.7 12.0 16.0 18.2 Mean rainfall (mm) 14.5 13.2 20.2 10.4 13.9 15.0 13.0 11.9 10.0 12.9 23.6 14.8 Pooncarrie Mean max temp (oC 35.9 34.8 31.0 26.5 21.1 17.3 17.2 19.4 23.4 27.4 31.1 33.5 Mean min temp (oC) 19.1 18.4 15.2 11.3 7.5 5.1 4.4 5.5 7.8 11.0 14.5 16.7 Mean rainfall (mm) 23.1 23.1 17.9 17.7 25.8 25.5 22.0 22.7 21.7 25.7 20.9 21.5 Gluepot Mean max temp (oC) 33.9 32.8 29.4 25.0 20.6 17.1 17.0 18.9 22.6 25.9 29.2 31.4 Mean min temp (oC) 15.9 15.5 12.3 8.6 6.2 4.1 3.6 4.3 6.6 8.8 12.0 13.7 Mean rainfall (mm) 19.4 23.5 13.5 20.8 19.3 24.2 19.6 20.1 23.6 20.7 29.3 34.9 Mildura Mean max temp (oC) 32.4 31.8 28.5 23.7 19.1 16.0 15.5 17.3 20.6 24.1 27.7 30.3 Mean min temp (oC) 16.8 16.5 13.9 10.2 7.4 5.2 4.3 5.3 7.3 9.8 12.6 14.9 Mean rainfall (mm) 22.4 21.9 19.5 19.4 25.0 22.1 24.9 25.4 26.8 28.6 26.0 25.5 Lameroo Mean max temp (oC) 31.0 30.5 27.6 22.9 18.6 15.6 15.0 16.4 19.4 22.6 26.2 28.9 Mean min temp (oC) 13.5 13.6 11.6 9.0 7.0 5.2 4.4 4.8 6.0 7.8 10.1 12.2 Mean rainfall (mm) 19.5 21.9 18.8 27.2 39.4 40.6 41.2 43.7 41.4 36.4 26.8 24.6 Horsham Mean max temp (oC) 29.8 29.8 26.4 21.6 17.2 14.0 13.4 15.0 17.6 21.0 24.8 27.7 Mean min temp (oC) 13.1 13.3 11.2 8.3 6.2 4.4 3.7 4.3 5.5 7.1 9.5 11.5 Mean rainfall (mm) 24.2 25.1 23.4 31.3 46.1 49.1 47.0 48.1 45.8 43.4 34.2 28.5
*Locations are arranged from north to south
• Chenopod Mallee, dominated by the canopy species Kong Mallee (E. gracilis) and Red Mallee (E. oleosa), with a variable understorey including Olearia spp., Zygophyllum spp. and chenopod species such as Maireana pentatropis, Barrier Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa) and Sago Bush (Maireana pyramidata).
• Heathy Mallee, canopy species of Ridge-fruited Mallee (E. costata subsp. Murrayana) and Mallee Pine (Callitris verrucose) and ground strata commonly dominated by a diverse range of small woody shrubs, including heathy species such as Silvery Phebalium (Phebalium bullatum), Prickly Cryptandra (Cryptandra tomentosa) and Spyridium subochreatum var. subochreatum.
3 Source: Bureau of Meteorology: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/index.shtml?bookmark=200&view=map (Accessed 9 January 2019) 14 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
• Shrubby Mallee, canopy species of Pointed Mallee and Congoo Mallee and tall shrubs including Wait-a-while (Acacia colletioides), Senna spp., Narrow-leaf Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima), Dark Turpentine Bush and Turpentine Bush (Eremophila sturtii).
The vegetation classification system developed by Haslem et al. (2010) does not include the heath-dominated vegetation of the southern mallee parks: Ngarkat Conservation Park, Big Desert Wilderness Park and Wyperfeld National Park. The heath- like communities, typically found on the plains and swales here, are dominated by Desert Banksia (Banksia ornate) and Dwarf Sheoak (Allocasuarina pusilla), and typically lack a mallee eucalypt overstorey. In some areas Heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitose) is dominant.
The mallee-heath communities are mostly associated with the dunes and support sparse overstorey of Eucalyptus spp. The shrub layer is taller and often denser than found in heath and is characterised by Baeckea behrii, Leptospermum spp., Allocasuarina spp. among other species and Triodia. In areas where clay is relatively close to the surface (mainly in the north) the mallee heath trends toward dense Broombrush (Melaleuca uncinate).
The vegetation of the Murray Mallee region has changed dramatically since European settlement in the 1860s. Areas more favourable for agriculture, such as those with a higher rainfall, lightly wooded areas or fertile soils, have been selectively developed for agriculture (e.g. Gooseberry Mallee [Eucalyptus calycogona], Congoo Mallee, Pointed Mallee, March Mallee [E. leptophylla]). Consequently, the few relatively large tracts of intact mallee remaining today represent vegetation associated with poor soils and lower rainfall; areas perceived to be of little agricultural value.
Fire regimes, grazing regimes and climate variability interact to influence the dynamics of mallee through their influence on the establishment, growth and survival of plants. For example, fire and rainfall influence seed germination and seedling establishment, while fire, grazing and drought have selective impacts on plant survival. However, while high rainfall and drought also impact fuel dynamics and flammability these are largely beyond management control. The interaction of fire and grazing as a dominant influence on mallee structure, composition and habitat quality, on the other hand, are highly dependent on land tenure and land use
1.2.3 Native fauna
The Murray Darling Depression is an important region for vertebrate fauna, particularly bird species. As well as the seven conservation targets identified in the CAP a number of other vulnerable or restricted bird species inhabit the region.
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Table 2. Bird taxa4 typically associated with Mallee habitats5,6
Black Honeyeater Sugomel niger Black-eared Miner† Manorina melanotis Eastern Chestnut Quail-thrush† Cinclosoma castanotus castanotus
Eastern Grey-fronted Honeyeater† Lichenostomus plumulus graingeri Eastern Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo Lophochroa leadbeateri leadbeateri
Eastern Mallee Shy Heathwren† Calamanthus cautus cautus Eastern Regent Parrot† Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides
Eastern Slender-billed Thornbill† Acanthiza iredalei hedleyi Gilbert’s Whistler Pachycephala inornata
Inland Spotted Pardalote† Pardalotus punctatus xanthopyge Mallee Emu-wren† Stipiturus mallee
Mallee Striated Grasswren† Amytornis striatus striatus Mallee Western Whipbird† Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster Malleefowl† Leipoa ocellata
Northern Brown-headed Honeyeater† Melithreptus brevirostris pallidiceps
Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus
Purple-crowned Lorikeet Glossopsitta porphyrocephala Purple-gaped Honeyeater† Lichenostomus cratitius
Red-lored Whistler† Pachycephala rufogularis Redthroat† Pyrrholaemus brunneus
Scarlet-chested Parrot Neophema splendida South-eastern Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata cucullata
Southern Jacky Winter† Microeca fascinans assimilis Southern Scrub-robin† Drymodes brunneopygia
Splendid Fairy-wren† Malurus splendens Western White-eared Honeyeater† Lichenostomus leucotis novaenorcia
4 BirdLife Australia (2017). The BirdLife Australia Working List of Australian Birds; Version 2.1 Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org.au/documents/BWL-BirdLife_Australia_Working_List_v2.1.xlsx. 5 Boulton, R and Lau, J (2015) Threatened Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan, Report June 2015. Report to the Threatened Mallee Birds Implementation Team, BirdLife Australia. 6 ‘Victorian Mallee Bird Community’, Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 16 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater† Lichenostomus ornatus
† Included in the ‘Victorian Mallee Bird Community’ under the Fauna & Flora Guarantee Act 1988
While the mammal diversity is lower in comparison with birds, a number of small mammals inhabit the area including the Common Dunnart (Sminthopsis murina), Mallee Ningaui (Ningaui yvonneae), Western Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus concinnus), Little Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus Lepidus), Bolam’s Mouse (Pseudomys bolami), Mitchell’s Hopping Mouse (Notomys mitchelli), Silky Mouse (Pseudomys apodemoides), Giles' planigale (Planigale gilesi), and House Mouse (Mus musculus). The region has a rich reptile assemblage in global terms (approximately 60 species) including dragon lizards (Agamidae), venomous snakes (Elapidae), geckos (Gekkonidae), legless lizards (Pygopodidae), skinks (Scincidae), blind snakes (Typhlopidae), and goannas (Varanidae).
The Mallee has nine areas recognized as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) by international non-government organisations, including BirdLife International (Fig. 1 & Table 2). KBAs are sites considered to be of vital importance for the global persistence of biodiversity. Each is assessed based on globally-accepted guidelines and has been confirmed as having (a) more than 0.5% of the global population of an endangered species population, or (b) more than 1% of the total population of a species at a critical stage of their life cycle e.g. migration stopover (IUCN, 2016).
1.2.4 Aboriginal associations and management
Aboriginal people have occupied mallee landscapes for millennia. The region’s rich and diverse Aboriginal heritage has been formed through the historical and spiritual significance of sites associated with habitat. This significance is further strengthened through the strong connection that Traditional Owners continue to have with the mallee landscapes.
Detailed information in the use of mallee ecosystems by Aboriginal people in not widely documented. Permanent occupation of areas of the mallee were highly feasible due largely to the presence of water in soaks, rock holes, solution cavities and Red Mallee (Eucalyptus oleosa) roots supplementing access to riverine habitats and ephemeral wetlands. Suggestion has been made that the absence of vegetation around soaks is the result of prolonged use.
The Murray River and its associated lakes and waterways were important particularly for multiple Aboriginal groups as the abundance of food, water and shelter allowed for more permanent occupation; these areas also contain many places of spiritual significance. The high number of Indigenous cultural heritage sites throughout the Murray floodplain is particularly rich in Victoria.
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To date, more than 8,000 individual Aboriginal cultural sites have been recorded within the mallee. These include burial sites, freshwater shell middens, scarred trees, ochre pits and stone features. Aboriginal cultural heritage sites continue to be identified throughout the mallee. Areas with significant Indigenous heritage sites include the southern Raak Plains, Merbein Common, Nyah-Vinifera State Park Mounds, and Hattah- Kulkyne National Park.
Table 3. Key Biodiversity Areas listed on the basis of their significance for Mallee birds
KBA Name Area Mallee species contributing to basis for designation km2
Billiatt 591 Malleefowl, Mallee Emu-wren, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Western Whipbird and Red-lored Whistler
Central NSW 2,493 Malleefowl and Red-lored Whistler; the centre of distribution in Mallee NSW for Shy Heathwren, Mallee Striated Grasswren, Southern Scrub-robin and Chestnut Quail-thrush
Little Desert 1,356 Malleefowl and Diamond Firetail, and in excess of 200 other species of bird.
Murray-Sunset, 7,004 Malleefowl, Black-eared Miners, Mallee Emu-wren, Red-lored Hattah & Annuello Whistler, Regent Parrot and Purple-gaped Honeyeater
Peebinga 33.7 Malleefowl; Purple-gaped honeyeater; previously had a population of the Mallee Western Whipbird, which is now locally extinct.
Riverland Mallee 12,200 Largest population of Black-eared Miner, Malleefowl, Bush stone-curlews, Red-lored Whistler, Regent Parrot, Mallee Striated Grasswren, Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub- robin, Hooded Robin, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Purple-gaped Honeyeater
Southern NSW 8,232 Malleefowl (estimated at 500 individuals) Flame Robin, Mallee Black Honeyeater, Pied Honeyeater, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Regent Parrot, Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub-robins, Hooded Robin, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Gilbert's Whistler
Wandown 48 Malleefowl and foraging habitat for regent parrots; also Mallee Striated Grasswren, Shy Heathwren, Black Honeyeater, Flame Robin, Southern Scrub-robins, Chestnut Quail- thrush, Chestnut-crowned Babbler and Black Honeyeater
Wyperfeld, Big 9,743 Malleefowl, Black-eared Miners, Mallee Emu-wren, Red-lored Desert & Ngarkat Whistler, Regent Parrot and Purple-gaped honeyeaters; also thought to support Australian Bustard and Mallee Western
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Whipbirds
Figure 2. Location of Key Biodiversity Areas in the Murray Darling Depression
1.2.5 European land use history
Early European settlement of the mallee began in the 1840s and was focused on livestock grazing for meat and wool production. Explorers and squatters initially disliked the mallee because it contained little water or grass for stock. Land with access to the Murray River floodplain was the first to be used for sheep grazing. The first land offered for wheat-farming in the region was in close proximity to the Murray River and its river steamers which were essential in carting the wheat to market.
In the 1870s, the mallee took on enormous value when considered as an extensive farming system for cereal crops. However, the natural mallee vegetation cover was particularly difficult to clear as removing the top growth and leaving the tuberous 19 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
stump simply encouraged new shoots to emerge. The development of the mallee roller (1868) and the stump-jump plough (1876) together transformed the economics of clearing, enabling widespread cultivation and cropping across the mallee region.
The rate of mallee clearing remained relatively slow through the remainder of the era when it relied on horses or bullock teams to pull equipment. However, the advent of large crawler tractors and anchor chains in the 1950s facilitated the rapid transformation of large tracts of previously unoccupied country.
1.2.6 Protected areas
The Mallee ecosystems south and east of the River Murray in South Australia, have largely been cleared. Despite extensive fragmentation in the past, and continuing pastoralism, major tracts of vegetation remain relatively undisturbed including some of the largest conservation reserves in southeastern Australia. For example, Murray- Sunset National Park, at 666,815 ha, is the second largest National Park in Victoria.
Patterns of land use have contributed to reservation having been opportunistic. A number of reserves occur as relatively isolated remnants embedded in disturbed landscapes ranging from heavily cleared and fragmented agricultural landscapes to more continuously vegetated areas.
At the same time in several places such as the Riverland Biosphere Reserve, protected areas managed by government and non-government organisations occur form substantial contiguous conservation lands. Ngarkat, together with the Big Desert Wilderness Park, Wyperfeld National Park and other Victorian protected areas, form one of the largest areas of remnant native vegetation in southeast Australia (~885,000 ha).
Conserving the diversity of Mallee ecosystems in the context of fragmented landscapes requires a landscape approach that protects and manages remnant vegetation, increases ecological connectivity where appropriate, and integrates nature conservation and management of threatening processes across land tenures.
Table 4. Key protected areas in the TMB CAP area7
Protected area Established Area Managing IUCN (km2)† Body Category South 1. Billiatt CP 1940 8.02 DEWNR Ia Australia 2. Billiat WPA 1940 591.25 DEWNR Ib 3. Brookfield CP 1978 55.15 DEWNR Ia 4. Calperum Station* 1993 2,452.59‡ ALT IV
7 Commonwealth of Australia (2016) Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database (CAPAD). http://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/capad (accessed 9 January 2019) 20 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
5. Chowilla GR 1993 181.75 DEWNR VI 6. Chowilla RR 1993 752.21 DEWNR VI 7. Danggali CP 1976 484.16 DEWNR Ia 8. Danggali WPA 1976 2,828.15 DEWNR Ib 9. Gluepot Reserve* 1997 540 BLA III 10. Ngarkat CP 1979 266.23 DEWNR Ia 11. Taylorville Station* 2005 941.47‡ ALT IV Victoria 12. Big Desert WP 1979 1,417.49 PV Ib 13. Bronzewing FFR 1979 123.69 PV Ia 14. Bronzewing NFR 1979 6.22 PV IV 15. Hattah-Kulkyne NP 1960 500.60 PV II 16. Little Desert NP 1968 1,315.83 PV II 17. Murray Sunset NP 1979 6,668.15 PV II 18. Ned’s Corner Station 2002 300‡ TFNV - 19. Wyperfeld NP 1921 3,599.66 PV II NSW 20. Mallee Cliffs NP 1977 579.69 NSW NPWS Ia 21. Mungo NP 1979 1,217 NSW NPWS II 22. Mungo SCA 2011 57 NSW NPWS II 23. Nanya Station 2004 400 FUA Ia 24. Nombinnie NR 1977 700 NSW NPWS Ia 25. Nombinnie SCA 2005 460 NSW NPWS II 26. Round Hill NR 1960 136.30 NSW NPWS Ia 27. Scotia Wildlife 2002 649.37‡ AWC II Sanctuary# 28. Tarawi NR 1996 335.73 NSW NPWS Ia
† Area gazetted based on CAPAD 2016 unless WPA Wilderness Protection Area (South otherwise indicated Australia) FFR Flora and Fauna Reserve (Victoria) ‡ Total area protected (but not publicly GR Game Reserve (South Australia) gazetted) based on CAPAD 2016 NFR Natural Features Reserve (Victoria) * Heritage Agreement NP National Park # Private Nature Reserve NR Nature Reserve RR Regional Reserve (South Australia) SCA State Conservation Area WP Wilderness Park (Victoria) WS Wildlife Sanctuary CP Conservation Park (South Australia)
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Figure 3. Murray Mallee Region of south-eastern Australia showing key Mallee reserves
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1.3 Conservation Action Planning
The planning process for the Threatened Mallee Birds program uses the ‘Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation’, developed by the ‘Conservation Measures Partnership’ and applied through a process evolved by the Nature Conservancy referred to as ‘Conservation Action Planning’ (CAP).
The CAP framework assists conservation teams to systematically plan, implement, and monitor their conservation initiatives as part of an adaptive management cycle. The approach is being increasingly adopted as standard planning practice in Australia, and has been used by BirdLife Australia to inform program design for several themes including: migratory shorebirds, temperate woodland birds, urban birds, and, in this case, threatened Mallee birds.
The Open Standards are organized into a five-step project management cycle, very similar to the 10-step framework used within a CAP process. Steps are used as a guide and will vary under different conditions and between projects. Although presented as a sequential series of steps, the entire process is rarely applied in a linear fashion. The Open Standards process typically involves a series of conservation planning workshops with participants from multiple organisations. The process is often facilitated by a trained Open Standards or CAP coach and uses a standard step-by-step methodology (Conservation Measures Partnership, 2013).
Development of the first edition of the Threatened Mallee Birds spanned one year, during which the team held four workshops between May 2014 and February 2015. The outcomes were documented in the first edition of the Threatened Mallee Birds CAP (Boulton and Lau, 2015).
Subsequent implementation of key planning decisions over the following 3 years involved targeted actions for Mallee Emu-wren and Black-eared Miner with complementary benefits assumed for Red-lored Whistler, Western Whipbird and other Mallee birds. Significant progress was made in relation to: 1. Planning, preparation and subsequent successful translocation of Mallee Emu-wren from stable populations in western Victoria to suitable areas in Ngarkat in eastern SA. Over two periods in April and August 2018 a total of 78 birds were successfully translocated with follow-up monitoring confirming their establishment in Ngarkat. 2. Engagement and capacity building with rural fire authorities and public land managers in SA and Victoria to influence the location and practice of planned burns to better protect Mallee reserves. 3. Advocacy with fire planners and policy makers to incorporate Mallee ecosystems, mature-aged stands reserves and remnant TMB populations as conservation assets in fire response plans. 4. Planning and preparation for potential future captive breeding of Mallee Emu-wren, including through ongoing captive husbandry of Rufous-crowned Emu-wren.
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5. Closure and rehabilitation of priority dams/artificial water points on public land to assist management of Yellow-throated Miner populations and total grazing pressure in the vicinity of Black-eared Miner colonies 6. Field survey activities to add to our understanding of the distribution of remnant TMB populations. 7. Preparation of educational materials for use in community engagement, education and awareness-raising including schools teaching materials
The TMB CAP has now completed one planning-implementation-review cycle, and so the review process has taken governance and coordination into account in addition to the status of Mallee birds and progress with CAP implementation. In doing so the review reflects the recognition that CAP is as much about the ongoing process of implementation, the art of collaboration, and the science of applied evaluation as it is concerned with effective conservation planning.
Box 1. Key steps in the Conservation Action Planning process
STEP 1 Conceptualize the Project Vision and Context Define Planning Purpose and Project Team Define Scope, Vison, and Conservation Targets Identify Critical Threats Analyse the Conservation Situation STEP 2 Plan Actions and Monitoring Develop a Formal Action Plan: Goals, Strategies, Assumptions, and Objectives Develop a Formal Monitoring Plan Develop an Operational Plan STEP 3 Implement Actions and Monitoring Develop a Detailed Short-term Work Plan and Timeline Develop and Refine your Project Budget Implement your Plans STEP 4 Analyse Data, Use the Results, and Adapt Prepare your Data for Analysis Analyse Results Adapt your Strategic Plan STEP 5 Capture and Share Learning. Document what you learn Share what you learn Create a Learning Environment
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CLOSE THE LOOP
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2. PROJECT VISION AND CONTEXT
2.1 Project team
With application across three state jurisdictions and involving species listed at national and/or state levels, the TMB CAP program necessitates collaboration across jurisdictions as well as across organisations and land tenures.
A key feature of the project’s planning and implementation period has been the continued high level of collaboration and commitment to shared objectives and priorities by a diverse group of implementation partners. Collaboration and coordination will continue through: o Quarterly steering committee meetings to enable information sharing, discussion on strategic directions and operational priorities, and trouble-shooting o Planning, coordination and resource mobilisation progressed by the day-to-day work of three very active advisory committees o A core team of highly dedicated and skilled staff and volunteers, supported in their efforts by a network of supportive managers and policy-makers
Table 5 lists the organisations actively involved in planning, coordination and implementation of the Threatened Mallee Birds CAP.
Table 5. Organisations actively involved in planning, coordination and implementation
Organisation Type Jurisdiction
Australian Land Trust NGO National
BirdLife Australia NGO National
Department of Environment, Land, Water & Govt Department Victoria Planning
Dept of Environment & Energy Govt Department National
Dept of Environment, Water & Natural Govt Department South Australia Resources
La Trobe University Research Institution Victoria / National
Mallee Catchment Management Authority NRM Body Victoria
Monash University Research Institution Victoria / National
Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin Govt agency South Australia
Office of Environment & Heritage Govt agency New South Wales
Parks Victoria Govt agency Victoria
Trees for Life NGO South Australia
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Zoos SA NGO South Australia
Zoos Victoria Statutory Authority Victoria
2.2 Scope
The scope of the TMB CAP is:
To protect and maintain Mallee birds through management of habitat quality, control and mitigation of threats, and active species-focused interventions for seven threatened Mallee-dependent taxa: 1. Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis) 2. Mallee Emu-wren (Stipiturus Mallee) 3. Mallee Striated Grasswren (Amytornis striatus striatus) 4. Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) 5. Red-lored Whistler (Pachycephala rufogularis) 6. Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides) 7. Western Whipbird (Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster)
As part of the 2018 review, participants noted that management and restoration of Mallee ecosystems is inextricably linked with the task of recovering threatened bird populations. The scope and subsequent vision statement place greater emphasis on habitat restoration as a focus for the CAP program.
2.3 Vision
The TMB CAP adopts as its vision:
Protect, improve and conserve threatened mallee bird species and appropriate habitat to increase species’ resilience and decrease their extinction risk.
2.4 Identification of targets
Seven conservation targets were confirmed by the 2018 TMB CAP review (Table 6). In addition to the six taxa addressed by the original plan, these include Mallee Striated Grasswren based on confirmation by BirdLife Australia as having undergone rapid decline of up to 80% during the last three generations (Ehmke, in prep.).
All seven targets are threatened bird taxa that exhibit one, or all, of their key life- history components within relatively long-unburnt mallee. The review reconfirmed that it would not be appropriate for any of the targets to be captured under a single landscape target such as ‘Murray Mallee Region’ or under the habitat target ‘old-growth mallee’, as many of the species have specific stand-alone habitat requirements, varied 27 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
distributions across the region, or varied degrees of existing recovery investment and activity.
At the time of writing all targets have been the subject of endorsed national recovery plans, with the exception of Mallee Striated Grasswren: • Black-eared Miner, 2002-2006 (Baker-Gabb, 2003) • Mallee Emu-wren, Red-lored Whistler and Western Whipbird (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 2016). • Malleefowl, 2007-2011 (Benshemesh, 2007) • Regent Parrot, 2011-2015 (Baker-Gabb and Hurley, 2011)
Table 6. National and State conservation status of the seven target species
Mallee Black- Red- Mallee Western Regent Emu- eared lored Malleefowl Striated Whipbird Parrot wren Miner Whistler Grasswren
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act E E V V V V - 1999
National Parks and Wildlife Act E E E R V V - 1972 (South Australia)
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act T T T T T T - 1988 (Victoria)
Biodiversity Conservation Act - CR - CR E E V 2016 (New South Wales)
Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria E CR CR E V E NT 2013
Garnett et al. (2011) E E V V E V NT
CR Critically Endangered; E Endangered; T Threatened; V Vulnerable; R Rare; Mallee Emu-wren Mallee-emu Wren; Black-eared Miner Black-eared Miner; Western Whipbird Western Whipbird (eastern); Red-lored. Whistler Red-lored Whistler; Regent Parrot Regent Parrot (eastern); Malleefowl Malleefowl; Mallee Striated Grasswren Mallee Striated Grasswren
Where relevant to guiding day-to-day priorities, these plans helped form the basis of the CAP’s original development, implementation and review. There are National Recovery Teams for the Black-eared Miner, Regent Parrot and Malleefowl, however the first two are considerably less active than the Malleefowl Recovery Team. There are no existing Recovery Teams for Mallee Emu-wren, Western Whipbird or Red-lored Whistler.
The TMB CAP project will not replace the Recovery Plans for these species, nor duplicate activities currently undertaken by active Recovery Teams. The TMB CAP aims
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to complement and help foster actions between the teams while adopting an adaptive management framework.
The TMB CAP Implementation Team has a diverse set of skills and expertise allowing it to tackle some of the broader landscape actions needed to conserve these species. Species specific actions will be undertaken in consultation with regional recovery groups.
BOX 2. Method for Identifying Conservation Targets8
Projects select a limited number of conservation targets (also known as biodiversity targets). Conservation targets are specific species or ecological systems/habitats that are chosen to represent and encompass the full suite of biodiversity in the project area for place-based conservation or the focus of a thematic program. They are the basis for setting goals, carrying out conservation actions, and measuring conservation effectiveness. For place-based conservation, a complete suite of conservation targets will – in theory – ensure the conservation of all native biodiversity within the project site.
Thematic-based projects have a narrower focus on a species, threat, or other theme, teams implementing these projects will, by definition, not be working to conserve all native biodiversity. As a result, most place-based projects can be reasonably well defined by eight or less well-chosen conservation targets. Thematic projects are often characterized by focusing on one main conservation target – or one main threat that affects multiple conservation targets.
The issue of whether to lump individual ecosystems and communities together or split into individual conservation assets is often a difficult one. In general, ecosystems and communities are lumped together if they co-occur across the landscape or share similar ecological processes and threats. Rare, threatened, and endemic species or communities are often not well ‘nested’ within the broader set of ecosystems or communities and may need to be considered as separate conservation assets.
2.5 Target descriptions
In CAP terminology, a ‘conservation target’ is a suite of species, communities, and ecological systems that are chosen to represent and encompass the full array of biodiversity found in a project area. They are the basis for setting goals, carrying out conservation actions, and measuring change. As noted earlier, each of the species addressed by the CAP comprises a conservation target in and of itself.
8 Source: CMP (2013) and TNC (2007) 29 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
The following is intended as a brief introduction to each species comprising the seven conservation targets addressed by the TMB CAP. For full species accounts and up-to- date please refer to the following sources: • Species Profile and Threats Database Mallee Emu-wren • National Recovery Plan for Black-eared Miner • Species Profile and Threats Database Western Whipbird • Species Profile and Threats Database Red-lored Whistler • National Recovery Plan for Regent Parrot • National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl • Species profile and recovery statement for Mallee Striated Grasswren
2.5.1 Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis
The Black-eared Miner is a stockily built honeyeater, about 20 cm long, and like the other species in the genus Manorina is colonial and co-operatively breeding. Black-eared Miners can interbreed with Yellow-throated Miners, resulting in fertile hybrids that display a range of intermediate plumages (Ford, 1981; McLaughlin, 1990). Clarke et al. (2001) showed that, prior to extensive modification of mallee habitat after 1950, Black-eared and Yellow-throated Miners were clearly separable on phenotypic characters and developed a simple guide to distinguish Black-eared Miners from hybrids and Yellow-throated Miners in the field.
Over 95% of all known Black-eared Miner colonies are located in the Riverland Biosphere Reserve with an estimated 501 (270–927) colonies containing 3,758 (2026– 6954) Black-eared Miners, and 2,255 (1215–4170) hybrids. Most of the remaining birds are located in about 53 (32–85) Black-eared Miner/hybrid colonies in the Murray- Sunset National Park (Clarke et al., 2005). However, with a skewed adult sex ratio (1 female: 1.8 males) and complex social organization, the number of mature Black-eared Miners is only about 10% of its total population size. Population estimates have not been updated since two large wildfires in the Riverland Biosphere Reserve (2006 and 2014) in which the species lost up to a third of its breeding habitat.
The Black-eared Miner inhabits shallow-sand mallee and chenopod mallee in both the Sunset Country of Victoria and the Riverland Biosphere Reserve in South Australia (McLaughlin, 1992; Muir et al., 1999). They display a distinct preference for mallee habitats that have not been burnt for at least 45 years (Clarke, 2005), although the frequency of miner detections in the then six-year-old fire scar in the Riverland population was only slightly lower than old growth mallee areas (Cale, 2012). Recent observations (2014-15) within the 2006 fire scar reveal colonies nesting in unburnt patches within the fire scar (R. Boulton pers. comm.).
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2.5.2 Mallee Emu-wren Stipiturus mallee
The Mallee Emu-wren is a tiny (4–6 g) sexually dimorphic passerine endemic to the semi-arid mallee vegetation in the southern Murray Mallee region of south-eastern Australia (Higgins et al., 2001). With their short, rounded wings and long filamentous tails they are poor flyers and are adapted to scurrying through dense undergrowth of prickly spinifex grass (Triodia scariosa) or medium- sized, dense heaths and shrubs with scattered Triodia.
In Victoria, the Murray-Sunset National Park and adjacent State forests contain 92% of the global population of the Mallee Emu-wren, with an estimated 15,709 individuals (range 7939-35,702)(Brown et al., 2009) and Hattah-Kulkyne National Park supports a moderate population (526, range 238-1776). While they were thought to be rare in Wyperfeld National Park (Brown et al. 2009), a small number have recently been discovered (C. Hedger pers. comm., 2015) with further studies required to determine the significance of the population to the species. Refinement in modelling (Watson, 2011; J. Connell, unpublished data) and changes in the total amoun/t of suitable habitat available indicate that these figures are over-estimates and more probable towards the lower range. Due to wildfire in 2014 the current situation for the Mallee emu-wren in South Australia is dire, with the species now likely extinct from both Billiatt and Ngarkat Conservation Parks (D. Paton pers. comm., 2014).
Brown (2011) conducted a detailed assessment of habitat preferences and found that in Victoria, the Mallee Emu-wren exhibits a mixed response to fire age-classes and has a strong preference for older habitats, with highest densities in those areas unburnt for 16-29 years. In the heath-dominated areas there appears to be a preference for habitats that have been unburnt for 10-29 years (Clarke, 2005).
2.5.3 Mallee Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus striatus
The Mallee Striated Grasswren is a medium-sized grasswren (14.5-19cm; 15-23g; Rowley et al., 2019) distributed throughout the spinifex of inland Australia. Three subspecies are recognised, with the southeastern Mallee Striated Grasswren (Amytornis striatus striatus) restricted to mallee communities in western Victoria, eastern South Australia, and southwest and central NSW (Menkhorst et al., 2017). It
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is coloured in various shades of brown, with white and black striations on its upper parts, and a distinctive black stripe on either side of its throat. It is exceptionally well camouflaged in its mallee habitat, though it often calls attention to itself with its lovely song and quick, scurrying movements. If it senses danger it will vanish into the vegetation and can remain silent and motionless for long periods.
Mallee Striated Grasswrens are restricted to spinifex (Triodia) associations, which may or may not include shrubs or tree cover. While sometimes seen in other vegetation types, they have an apparently strong preference for open mallee over a sparse layer of shrubs and a ground layer dominated by tall dense spinifex hummocks (Menkhorst et al., 2017). The spinifex is an important component as it is where they forage, build their nests, and seek shelter. Diet consists mainly of beetles, ants, and spinifex seeds.
Mallee Striated Grasswrens live in pairs, or occasionally groups of three. Generally shy and secretive they have territories of around three hectares and spend most of their time on the ground hopping around to catch insects, patrolling the edges of their territory, or interacting with grasswrens from nearby territories. They are apparently able to recolonise burnt areas after about six or seven years and the habitat remains suitable up to around 40 years after fire, when the spinifex deteriorates and the shrub layer starts to die out.
Mallee Striated Grasswrens have declined significantly in the southeast of its range where suitable habitat has been substantially cleared, fragmented, or modified, with management of grazing and fire identified as potentially significant management needs. Garnett et al. (2011) estimated a 20-30% population decline over three generations; more recently, analysis by Ehmke (in prep.) indicates a decline of up to 80% in the Murray Darling Depression over three generations. In NSW, the population is thought to be restricted to several localities: • Yathong Nature Reserve, although records exist on private land from within the last 15 years and the species is thought to persist under off-park conservation measures (M Todd, pers. comm. in Ehmke, in prep); • Scotia Sanctuary, a partially predator-fenced reserve managed by Australian Wildlife Conservancy; and • Tarawi Nature Reserve, where encountered opportunistically by survey teams.
In South Australia, Mallee Striated Grasswren are found within the Riverland Biosphere Reserve, Pooginook, Cooltong and Billiatt Conservation Parks, as well as surrounding private properties and Crown land. Historically their range extended further south into Ngarkat Conservation Park, and west of Billiatt to Murray Bridge. In Victoria, populations are known from Murray-Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne and Wyperfeld national parks and Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve. There are however areas in the Victorian Mallee that are under-surveyed and may contain viable Mallee Striated Grasswren populations.
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2.5.4 Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata
The Malleefowl is a large and distinctive ground-dwelling bird that grows up to 60 cm in length and can weigh up to 2.5 kg. Malleefowl dedicate 9-11 months per year to building and maintaining a large incubation mound of sand, usually 3-5 metres in diameter and one metre high, within which up to a cubic metre of moist litter is buried. They breed in solitary pairs, rarely flying, instead preferring to walk slowly across the terrain. Malleefowl appear to disperse on foot using corridors of relatively thick vegetation when dispersing through open landscapes. Similarly, birds have been reported to use strips of dense unburnt vegetation when dispersing through an otherwise burnt landscape (Benshemesh, 1992).
The Malleefowl inhabits semi-arid regions of southern Australia. Over the past decade there has been a general increase in Victoria and south-west NSW and numbers have levelled out in South Australia, especially since 2007 following the breaking of a long drought. However, the long generation time and historical losses means the species remains Vulnerable despite their large population (c. 100,000) size (Garnett et al., 2011).
Habitats on sandy substrates that support Triodia are of greatest importance (e.g. Woorinen and Red swale mallee sands) to Malleefowl in the Murray Mallee. Chenopod mallee, which typically forms on heavy soils, and heath-dominated habitat, which usually forms on nutrient-poor sand (e.g. Lowan sands), are among the least preferred mallee habitats for Malleefowl (Clarke, 2005). The effect of fire on Malleefowl is severe, and breeding in burnt areas is usually reduced for at least 30 years. However, the deleterious effect of fire appears to be mitigated if fires burn patchily.
2.5.5 Red-lored Whistler Pachycephala rufogularis
The Red-lored Whistler grows to 20 cm in length and up to 37 g in weight. The species has a conspicuous whistle followed by an indrawn ‘see-saw’ breath like sound. They have very large territories of around 100 ha in Triodia mallee and 20 ha in mallee heath, with territories overlapping by about one-third with their neighbour’s (Moise, 2008). The species is generally solitary and its population density is low; about one bird per 50 ha (Woinarski, 1987). Red-lored Whistlers are largely sedentary, although some autumn and winter movements may occur (Higgins and Peter, 2002).
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Garnett et al. (2011) estimated the total breeding population to be no greater than 2,000 birds in six subpopulations. The largest population of about 1,000 birds is in South Australia’s Riverland Biosphere Reserve (Garnett et al., 2011). There were about 100-200 pairs in the Ngarkat/Big Desert/Wyperfeld complex and 100+ pairs in the Murray-Sunset/Hattah complex (Garnett et al., 2011), with small numbers in Round Hill and Nombinnie Nature Reserves in central New South Wales. The South Australian fires in 2014 have likely reduced numbers in this State, with the species now probably eliminated from at least Billiatt Conservation Park, with few in Ngarkat Conservation Park.
In the Murray-Sunset reserve complex, areas that have remained unburnt for 21–44 years are important for the species (Clarke, 2005). In the Riverland Biosphere Reserve, the Red-lored Whistler has been recorded predominantly in long-unburnt mallee (Moise 2008), with habitats that have remained unburnt for 46–52 years most important, with some ability to utilise habitats last burnt 20–23 years ago (Clarke, 2005). In heath- dominated mallee of Ngarkat Conservation Park the species appears to occupy more recently burnt habitats, with apparent preferences for areas last burnt 10–24 years ago (Clarke, 2005). At least in the Riverland Biosphere this species occurs >6 km from water points and their associated grazing impacts (Harrington, 2002; Moise, 2008).
2.5.6 Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides
The eastern Regent Parrot is a medium-sized, slender, long- tailed parrot from 37–42 cm in length and 160–190 g in weight. Despite its fast flying speed, Regent Parrots are reluctant to fly over open areas, particularly during the breeding season. The total adult breeding population of eastern Regent Parrots is estimated at 1,500 pairs, with 600 in NSW, 500 in Victoria and 400 in South Australia (Baker- Gabb and Hurley, 2011). These population estimates are based on the only survey data collected to date and do not include counts of juveniles or non-breeding adults.
Regent Parrots mainly occur in three distinct, widely separated areas: southeast of Mildura, along the Murray River and its hinterland; along the lower reaches of the Wimmera River, centred on Wyperfeld National Park; and in South Australia, along the Murray River between Renmark and Cadell. The species nests almost entirely in River Red Gum forest and woodland. Colonies contain up to 73 pairs (Smith, 2011) (usually 2-10 pairs), where they mostly forage in large blocks of intact mallee woodlands within 20 km (usually 5–10 km) of nest sites (Burbidge, 1985; Webster and Leslie, 1997). Relatively little is known about the habitat utilised by Regent Parrots during the non- breeding season, though they are known to remain within the Murray-Darling Basin all year round.
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2.5.7 Western Whipbird Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster
The eastern Western Whipbird is a stoutly built bird growing to about 25 cm in length and 45 g in weight. It has a long graduated tail, short rounded wings and a short triangular erectile crest (Higgins and Peter, 2002). These shy and elusive birds dwell mainly on the ground in dense, low shrubbery and are usually only detected by their loud, unusual squeaking gate like call. They are probably sedentary (Higgins and Peter, 2002), and are weak fliers with restricted dispersal ability across cleared areas (Woinarski et al., 1988).
The total population has been estimated at around 6,000 birds (Garnett et al., 2011). The largest subpopulation of about 5,000 birds is on southern Eyre Peninsula (Innes National Park and Warrenben Conservation Park), with most of the remainder on southern Yorke Peninsula (Lincoln and Coffin Bay National Parks). It is likely that <100 birds remain in South Australia’s Murray Mallee, with recent large fires in Ngarkat and Billiatt Conservation Parks reducing the already small populations (C. Hedger and D. Paton pers. comm., 2014). In Victoria Western Whipbird was confined to the Big Desert and Sunset Country. There have been no confirmed records since 1974 (Higgins and Peter, 2002), and it is likely to be extinct in the State (Garnett et al., 2011).
Habitat structure rather than floristics appears to be the most important factor determining habitat preference (Smith, 1991). Preferred habitat consists of a dense shrubby understorey 1.5–2 m tall below an open mallee eucalypt layer 2–5 m tall. Age post-fire is also important, with most records in vegetation 10–25 post-fire (Woinarski et al., 1988).
2.6 Viability of Conservation Targets
The next step is an assessment of the ‘viability’ (or overall health) of the conservation targets. Viability analysis asks you to look at each of your conservation targets carefully to determine how to measure its "health" over time (indicator). And then to identify how the target is doing today and what a "healthy state" might look like (goal). This step identifies which of your targets are most in need of immediate attention.
The viability assessment involved a seven-step process (see Box 3) that began with definition of key ecological attributes (KEAs) for each conservation target. KEAs are aspects of a target's biology or ecology that if present, defines a healthy target and if missing or altered, would lead to the outright loss or extreme degradation of that target over time. They can be grouped into three classes: o Size - a measure of the area or abundance of the conservation target's occurrence.
35 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
o Condition - a measure of the biological composition, structure and biotic interactions that characterize the target. o Landscape context - an assessment of the target's environment including ecological.
A small number of indicators were selected that allowed the planning process to define the current and preferred future status of each KEA. These were in turn used to assign a current status that, during the 2018 review, could be used to evaluate relative change in health. The resulting indicators, status measures and target viability conclusions are detailed in Table 7.
Box 3. Assessing the viability of conservation targets9
A key step in managing any system is to develop a good understanding of what one is trying to accomplish. In particular, there is a need to clearly define specific future goals, assess the current status of the system, and measure progress towards these goals.
This process of setting measurable goals is particularly challenging for the focal conservation targets used by biodiversity projects. Most focal conservation targets are themselves very complex systems that vary naturally over time. It is thus not easy to define or measure the “health” of a bear or migratory fish population, a forest, or a coral reef in a systematic and repeatable fashion.
Target Viability Assessment is a flexible and yet powerful methodology that has been developed to help solve this problem, based on sound ecological principles. It provides a consistent framework for defining the current status, and desired future condition of focal conservation targets.
A complete viability assessment involves 7 steps: Step 1. Select a target and identify a limited set of key ecological attributes Step 2. Select indicators for each key ecological attribute Step 3. Determine acceptable range of variation and rating scale for each attribute Step 4. Determine current and desired future status of each attribute Step 5. Record any assumptions Step 6. Repeating this process for all your targets Step 7. Review viability assessments and adjust as necessary
Assigning one rating to represent the overall status of most conservation targets is a difficult task that involves making many assumptions. As a general rule, this rating process
9 Source: TNC, 2007. Guidance for Step 3: Assess Viability of Focal Conservation Targets in Conservation Action Planning Handbook: Developing Strategies, Taking Action and Measuring Success at Any Scale. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA. 36 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
involves determining one or more attributes and/or indicators that represent the health of the target and then assessing the status of these indicators against a predetermined rating scale:
Very good: Ecologically desirable status; requires little intervention for maintenance. Good: Within acceptable range of variation; some intervention required for maintenance. Fair: Outside acceptable range of variation; requires human intervention. Poor: Restoration increasingly difficult; may result in extirpation of target.
Table 7. Goals, Indicators and target viability assessment for Threatened Mallee Birds
Overall Status Target/Goal/Indicator
Original Current Trend
measure measure BLACK-EARED MINER Goal Five subpopulations with a combined effective population of 1000 high- Fair quality birds by 2034, each subpopulation with habitat of sufficient quality and extent to maintain these subpopulations. Indicators 1. At least five separate locations 2014: Poor (1-2) 2018: Fair (3) 2. Degree of introgression with Yellow-throated Miners 2014: Fair 2018: Fair 3. Habitat available for each subpopulation 2014: Fair 2018: Fair (age class + size + quality vegetation type) 4. Combined total Effective Population size (>1,000) 2015: Poor 2018: Poor MALLEE EMU-WREN Goal Establish and maintain at least four separate reserve populations, each Poor with a minimum effective population size of 250 birds that are stable or positive trending across northern and southern reserve systems by 2034. Indicators 1. Number of populations at the reserve scale 2014: Poor (2) 2018: Good (3) 2. Distribution of high-quality habitat in each 2014: Good 2018: Poor (2) population 3. Trend in population 2014: Poor 2018: Poor
MALLEEFOWL Goal Malleefowl abundance and breeding densities increase or remain stable Fair across its south-eastern range by 2034. Indicators 1. Population distribution of Malleefowl 2015: Fair 2018: Fair
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2. Availability of high-quality habitat 2014: Good 2018: Good
MALLEE STRIATED GRASSWREN‡ Goal Existing subpopulations are located, and their numbers ascertained by Poor 2022 and stabilised by 2028. Indicators 2018: Fair (4) 1. Number of subpopulations with >200 individuals Not assessed ? 2. Population trajectory Not assessed 2018: Poor ? 3. Suitable habitat present for each subpopulation Not assessed 2018: Poor? (age class + size + quality vegetation type) ?
RED-LORED WHISTLER Goal Five subpopulations of 500 by 2034 each with habitat of sufficient quality Fair and extent to maintain these subpopulations. Indicators 1. Number of subpopulations 2014: 5+? 2018: Fair 2. Vegetation age-class structure in each 2015: Fair? subpopulation 2018: Fair 3. Population trend 2015: Poor? 2018: Fair
REGENT PARROT Goal Secure and improve core habitat within 20 km of breeding sites to Fair increase known populations of Regent Parrots by 2034. Indicators 1. Extent and distribution of foraging habitat 2014: Poor 2018: Poor 2. Indicators Extent distribution of high-quality 2014: Poor 2018: Fair breeding habitat
3. Total population trend 2014: Fair 2018: Fair 4. Connectivity between foraging and breeding habitat 2015: Poor? 2018: Fair
WESTERN WHIPBIRD Goal Four subpopulations of 500 by 2034 each with habitat of sufficient quality Poor and extent to maintain these subpopulations. Indicators 1. Number of subpopulations with >500 individuals 2014: Poor (3) 2018: Poor (3) 2. Suitable habitat present for each subpopulation 2014: Fair (age class + size + quality vegetation type) 2018: Fair 3. Population trend 2014: Poor 2018: Poor
‡ Mallee Striated Grasswren was not assessed in 2015 as part of the original TMB CAP
38 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
2.7 Threats to Conservation Targets
The TMB CAP was initiated in the first instance as a response to the impacts of catastrophic wildfire on threatened species – most notably their direct effect in removing the final populations of Mallee Emu-wren in South Australia. While all seven species addressed by the CAP exhibit similarities in their reliance on mature, long- unburnt Mallee, their status has been greatly influenced by a number of other widespread pressures and direct threats.
The first edition of the TMB CAP highlighted 13 such threats, the most pressing of which being: • Catastrophic wildfire, specifically when experienced at landscape scale and impacting a high proportion of reserved mature-age Mallee; • Past habitat loss and reduced connectivity, manifesting as an ongoing extinction debt acting upon already-depleted populations; • Drought resulting in the temporal suppression of vital resources; and • Inappropriate fire management whereby Mallee structure and composition is changed by regular, poorly-timed or overly intense hazard reduction burns.
Each was found to still have a ‘very high’ summary threat rating based on the intensity of their impact impact on threatened Mallee birds in general, along with total grazing pressure which impacted some of the targets to a slightly lesser degree (ie with a ‘high’ summary threat rating). The remaining threats were considered to affect either a subset of targets or had a lower or more patchy influence on target health.
The 2018 TMB CAP review included consideration of these threats. It reaffirmed concerns over the continuing pressures exerted by the original threats while introducing several important refinements:
1. Total grazing pressure was separated into grazing by goats, rabbits, pigs and kangaroos. This decision was based on recognition of the varied grazing strategies, impact on vegetation and preferred treatment methods involved in each.
2. Inclusion of a new threat ‘loss of habitat complexity’ based on assessment of factors thought likely to be impacting on Mallee Striated Grasswren.
Table 8. Status of threats addressed by the Threatened Mallee Birds CAP
Listing under current legislation ‡ Threat C’wealth NSW Vic SA*
1. Catastrophic wildfire‡
2. Past habitat loss and reduced connectivity‡
39 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
3. Drought
4. Inappropriate fire management‡
5. Grazing by goats
6. Genetic introgression with YTM‡
7. Loss of habitat complexity
8. Inappropriate water management‡
9. Grazing by Kangaroos
10. Locust spraying knocking out inverts
11. Feral Predation
12. Human-caused mortality
13. Ongoing vegetation clearance
14. Predation or competition from native species
15. Grazing by rabbits
16. Grazing by pigs
17. Competition for nest hollows
‡Details of specific threatening processes listed under current legislation are provided in Appendix 2. *No comparable listing provision exists in South Australia
Box 4. Methodology for Assessing Threats
After defining a series of conservation targets the next step is to identify the high priority, or critical threats to each. There are a number of threat rating and ranking tools that can be used to help in this prioritization process. Most of these assess the scope or extent of the threat and its severity on the conservation targets. Taken together, these two criteria assess overall threat magnitude.
The CAP methodology assesses the impact of direct threats on targets. ‘Summary Threat Rating’s’ are derived using a rule-based system based on combining values for the ‘scope’, ‘severity’ and ‘irreversibility’ of the threat upon each target.
Scope – Defined spatially as the proportion of the target that can reasonably be expected to be affected by the threat within ten years given the continuation of current circumstances and trends. For species, measured as the proportion of the target’s population.
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Very High: The threat is likely to be pervasive in its scope, affecting the target across all or most (71-100%) of its occurrence/population. High: The threat is likely to be widespread in its scope, affecting the target across much (31-70%) of its occurrence/population. Medium: The threat is likely to be restricted in its scope, affecting the target across some (11-30%) of its occurrence/population. Low: The threat is likely to be very narrow in its scope, affecting the target across a small proportion (1-10%) of its occurrence/population.
Severity – Within the scope, the level of damage to the target from the threat that can reasonably be expected if current circumstances and trends persist. For species, usually measured as the degree of reduction of the target population within the scope.
Very High: The threat is likely to destroy or eliminate the target, or reduce its population by 71-100% within 3 years or 3 generations. High: The threat is likely to seriously degrade/reduce the target, or reduce its population by 31-70% within 10 years or 3 generations. Medium: The threat is likely to moderately degrade/reduce the target, or reduce its population by 11-30% within ten years or three generations. Low: The threat is likely to only slightly degrade/reduce the target, or reduce its population by 1-10% within ten years or three generations.
Irreversibility – The degree to which the effects of a threat can be reversed and the target affected by the threat restored.
Very High: The effects of the threat cannot be reversed and it is very unlikely the target can be restored, and/or it would take more than 100 years to achieve this. High: The effects of the threat technically can be reversed and the target restored but it is not affordable and/or it would take 21-100 years to achieve this. Medium: The effects of the threat can be reversed and the target restored with a reasonable commitment of resources and/or within 6-20 years. Low: The effects of the threat are easily reversible and the target can be easily restored at a relatively low cost and/or within 0-5 years.
Once threats have been identified and ranked it can be useful to brainstorm the contributing factors (Indirect threats and Opportunities) for each. This enables the preparation of a conceptual model showing the relationships between each underlying circumstance that leads to one or more direct threat.
A total of 17 identified threats (Table 8) were highlighted during the 2018 review, the results of which are presented in Table 9. In summary:
• ‘Catastrophic wildfire’, ‘Past habitat loss and reduced connectivity’, ‘Drought’ and ‘Inappropriate fire management’ are still considered to be impacting the full suite of conservation targets and continue to have a ‘very high’ summary threat rating. 41 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
• ‘Grazing by goats’ similarly impacts all seven targets, particularly Mallee Emu-wren, Malleefowl and Red-lored Whistler, and is considered to have a ‘high’ summary threat rating.
• Four threats are considered to have a ‘medium’ summary threat rating based on their more specific influence on individual species: o ‘Genetic introgression with Yellow-throated Miner’ - Black-eared Miner o ‘Loss of habitat complexity’ - Mallee Striated Grasswren o ‘Inappropriate hydrological management’ - Regent Parrot o ‘Grazing by kangaroos’ - Black-eared Miner and Red-lored Whistler
• The remaining threats, while significant to a greater or lesser degree for individual targets, where found to have a ‘low’ summary threat rating: o Locust spraying knocking out invertebrates – impacting only Mallee Emu-wren, for which it has a ‘medium’ threat ranking o Feral Predation – impacting 5 targets and rated a ‘medium’ threat to Mallee Striated Grasswren o Human-caused mortality - impacting 2 targets and rated a ‘medium’ threat to Regent Parrot o Ongoing vegetation clearance - impacting all targets and rated a ‘medium’ threat to Regent Parrot o Predation or competition from native species - impacting 3 targets o Grazing by rabbits - impacting all targets aside from Western Whip-bird (not specified) o Grazing by pigs - impacting all targets aside from Western Whip-bird (not specified) o Competition for nest hollows – impacting only Regent Parrot
Contributing factors were identified for each of the highest ranked threats (very high, high and medium) aside from drought (see ‘Conceptual Model’, Appendix 2). The latter will be the subject of ongoing discussion and exploration during the next phase of CAP implementation in order to seek innovative solutions to how natural climate variability, exacerbated by climate change, might be better understood and addressed.
2.7.1 Catastrophic Wildfire (landscape scale, high proportion of reserve)
Wildfire is a natural and fundamental process within Mallee ecosystems, shaping vegetation structure and composition across the landscape. However, most mallee birds have no special adaptations to cope with fire, they either perish or flee to unburnt areas. Consequently, large wildfires that burn a high proportion of a reserve have an immediate and marked impact on bird numbers.
42 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
As the capacity for species to recolonise from within the reserve may be lost, the larger the fire, the slower the rate of recolonization (Watson et al., 2012). Threatened species that are already few in number or patchily distributed may not be capable of recolonizing areas after fire. When this is coupled with the poor dispersal capabilities of some species (e.g. Mallee Emu-wren), large-scale wildfires pose a very high risk of species extinction.
Such extinction events have already been observed in Billiatt and Ngarkat Conservation Parks (South Australia) and Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve (Victoria) in early 2014 when all known habitat containing populations of Mallee Emu-wren and Black- eared Miners within these reserves were burnt.
43 Threatened Mallee Bird CAP, second edition
Table 9. Threats ratings for each of the seven TMB CAP targets
Mallee Black-eared Mallee Red-lored Regent Western Summary Threats \ Targets Striated Malleefowl Miner Emu-wren Whistler Parrot Whipbird Threat Rating Grasswren
1. Catastrophic wildfire‡ Very High Very High High High High High Very High Very High
2. Past clearing and reduced Very High Very High High Low High Medium Very High Very High connectivity‡
3. Drought Very High Very High Very High High High High Very High Very High
4. Inappropriate fire Very High Very High High High High Medium Very High Very High management‡
5. Grazing by goats High Medium High Medium Medium Low Not Specified High
6. Genetic introgression with High Medium Yellow-throated Miner‡
7. Loss of habitat complexity High Medium
8. Inappropriate water High Medium management‡
9. Grazing by Kangaroos Medium Low Low Low Medium Low Not Specified Medium
10. Predation by feral animals Low Medium Low Low Low Low
11. Ongoing vegetation Low Low Low Low Low Medium Low Low Clearance
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Mallee Black-eared Mallee Red-lored Regent Western Summary Threats \ Targets Striated Malleefowl Miner Emu-wren Whistler Parrot Whipbird Threat Rating Grasswren
12. Human-caused mortality Low Medium Low
13. Locust spraying knocking out Medium Low invertebrates
14. Predation or competition Low Low Low Low from native species
15. Grazing by rabbits Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
16. Grazing by pigs Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
17. Competition for nest hollows Low Low
Overall threat rating for each Overall Very High Very High Very High High High High Very High target Project Rating
VERY HIGH
‡Contributing factors were subsequently identified for these threats. See Appendix 2.
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The potential for large-scale catastrophic wildfires to occur remains very high. Such large (>10,000 ha) events accounted for 89% of the Murray Mallee burnt between 1972 and 2007 (Avitabile et al., 2013). The frequency and intensity of wildfire is expected to increase with climate change, particularly in south-eastern Australia as the number of extreme fire danger days are predicted to increase (Hughes and Steffen, 2013).
2.7.2 Past Clearing and Reduced Connectivity (ongoing extinction debt)
This threat includes the impacts of past actions that have resulted in habitat loss and fragmentation, causing a reduction in extent of habitat and the ongoing demise of species in what is referred to as ‘extinction debt’ (Tilman et al., 1994). Prior to European settlement, mallee habitats were extensive and nearly contiguous across the region. Large-scale clearing has largely diminished throughout much of the mallee, however past clearing for agriculture has resulted in a highly fragmented landscape. With little opportunity for dispersal between fragments, small isolated populations are vulnerable to local extinction via demographic stochasticity.
Such extinction events have been observed in Mallee Emu-wren, Red-lored Whistler and Western Whipbird from mallee blocks surrounded by cleared land (e.g. Clarke, 2004; Possingham and Possingham, 1997). A common cause of local extinction in the mallee environment is wildfire. At the landscape scale, remnants need to be linked so that dispersing birds have a greater chance of recolonising suitable habitat.
2.7.3 Drought (temporal suppression of critical resources)
Climate change models predict an increase in the frequency of drought in the Murray Mallee. This is likely to have a negative impact on both the fauna and flora of the region.
Drought conditions affect reproductive performance and survival of birds, and in extreme situations some species such as Malleefowl and Black-eared Miners will not breed at all. This is not surprising, given that drought conditions will also impact the growth and survival of many plant species and consequently species food availability (invertebrates and nectar). In Ngarkat Conservation Park, post-fire recovery of mallee heathlands can be hampered by drought conditions, with Mallee Emu-wren population declines attributed to both fire and drought and the interaction between the two (Paton et al., 2009).
Lowland mallee species appear to be very sensitive to climate change, with the predicted disappearance of Western Whipbird and Mallee Emu-wren bioclimates from Victoria and a >90% decline in bioclimatic range for Malleefowl and Red-lored Whistler (Bennett et al., 1991; Brereton et al., 1995).
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2.7.4 Inappropriate Fire Management
The key to reducing fire risk for threatened birds centres on the prevention of extensive wildfires, with management focussed on the requirements of species that are known to be sensitive to fire, rather than managing for overall species richness (Bennett et al., 2010). In fact, the ‘conventional’ strategy of maintaining a mosaic of different post-fire age classes in the landscape to conserve species diversity appears ill-founded in the Murray Mallee region, with Taylor et al. (2012) finding bird species richness only associated with increased amounts of older mallee.
Maintaining threatened birds that are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and fire requires landscape-scale management (Woinarski and Recher, 1997). Management objectives that may benefit most mallee bird species include the provision of an ongoing supply of mid-age vegetation in the landscape and the maintenance of extensive areas of older vegetation (Taylor et al., 2013; Watson et al., 2012). Employing fires that maintain unburnt patches will further benefit mallee birds, with the unburnt patches providing important refuges and sources of recolonization (Watson et al., 2012).
2.7.5 Grazing by Goat, Kangaroo, Rabbit and Pig
Total grazing pressure from domestic stock and feral and native herbivores is sufficiently high on most reserves and pastoral properties that it limits the regeneration of many mallee plants, removes understorey plants, modifies vegetation structure, leads to soil disturbance and erosion, decreases leaf litter cover, and reduces invertebrate diversity and abundance (Ford et al., 2001; Forward and Robinson, 1996). This habitat degradation has negative effects on biodiversity, particularly ground- dwelling fauna. In areas grazed by Sheep (Ovis aries), Malleefowl densities were reduced by 85–90% compared to similar ungrazed habitats (Frith, 1962).
At present grazing of mallee, often in remnant patches, is widespread on public and private land, particularly in New South Wales and South Australia on public land under pastoral lease. In 2010, goat numbers in the semi-arid and arid rangelands where estimated at 3.3 million (Pople and Froese, 2012). Analysis of aerial survey data in the Eastern Pastoral Province (SA) indicate that goat populations have shown a consistent, increasing trend of 3-15% since 2005 (Delean et al., 2014). These increases in population growth have occurred despite more than 310,000 goats being removed between 2005 and 2013.
The strategic closure of artificial water points is a key means of reducing total grazing pressure and enhancing biodiversity conservation (Harrington, 2002; Landsberg et al., 1997). This strategy has occurred across Gluepot Reserve and most of the neighbouring Taylorville and Calperum Stations, and is a viable option for conservation managed land, offering a permanent and cost effective means of reducing the capacity of the area to support goat populations (Cale et al., 2014). These closures may benefit many native species, including Red-lored Whistler, that are negatively impacted by the
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presence of artificial water points. For example, Harrington (2002) found that Red-lored Whistler were only found more than 6 km from artificial water points in the Riverland Biosphere Reserve.
2.7.6 Genetic Introgression with Yellow-throated Miner
One of the major threats to the Black-eared Miner is hybridisation or ‘genetic swamping’ by the conspecific Yellow-throated Miner (McLaughlin, 1990). Current hybridisation is a recent development facilitated by human disturbance of the birds’ habitat after 1950. Prior to this Black-eared Miners and Yellow-throated Miners were clearly separable on phenotypic characters (Clarke et al., 2001).
Further habitat degradation due to grazing pressure, exacerbated around artificial watering points, increases the likelihood of Yellow-throated Miner incursion into areas of continuous mallee. This, coupled with the negative impact of grazing (see above), facilitated the closure of artificial watering points on Gluepot Reserve and many on the neighbouring stations Taylorville and Calperum.
2.7.7 Loss of habitat complexity
Time since fire has a demonstrably high influence on the diversity and abundance of fauna with tree and log hollows and fallen timber volume markedly more abundant in long-unburnt vegetation (Croft et al., 2016). In healthy mallee, shrubby mallee and Triodia mallee the volume of vegetative material increases markedly during the first 10- 20 years after fire but does not increase substantially after that (see Yates et al., 2017). In hummock grass understoreys Triodia and litter may reach peak cover at an intermediate time since fire of ~20-80 years. Similarly, long unburnt vegetation has wider and taller tree crowns but fewer stems in the dominant mallee eucalypts.
Species of birds and other small vertebrates respond to these changes in vegetation structure demonstrating distinct preferences for vegetation at specific times (Watson et al., 2012). A number of mallee-dependent species are highly sensitive to the impacts of even a single fire on vegetation structure and composition. Burning coupled with subsequent grazing by kangaroos, domestic stock or feral herbivores thus has a significant impact on threatened mallee birds through their influence on the short- to medium-term structure and composition of the habitat.
2.7.8 Inappropriate Water Management
River Red Gum forests and woodlands throughout the range of the eastern Regent Parrot are under great stress and many living nest trees are likely to die because of prolonged immersion, reduced flooding and ongoing drought (Smith, 2004). Alterations to river-flow may also reduce or prevent the regeneration of River Red Gums, decreasing successful seedling germination.
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In Victoria, a survey of the condition of River Red Gums along the Murray River floodplain found only 30% of stands to be in good condition (Cunningham et al., 2007). Wetlands surveyed throughout Wyperfeld National Park recorded 53% of Black Box and 49% of River Red Gums to be stressed or dead (Hurley, 2006). Overall, the percentage of healthy trees since these surveys has increased from 13% to 36% following the 2010 La Nina rainfall event (V. Hurley pers. comm.)
2.7.9 Grazing by Kangaroos
The impacts of high density grazing by Kangaroos has been widely documented in parts of southeastern Australia (see ACT Government, 2015, for a rapid synthesis of relevant research). They include reducing the occurrence, height and seeding rates of some native grasses, as well as reducing the diversity and cover of native shrubs following fire. While Kangaroo densities in mallee generally occur at relatively low levels due to the limited availability of feed, numbers in some areas (notably in South Australia) do periodically increase to a level at which they begin to exert significant pressure on the structure and complexity of habitat (R. Boulton, pers. Comm., 2018) to the likely detriment of already-stressed bird populations.
2.7.10 Predation by Feral Animals (Fox and Cat)
While considered a secondary factor in the decline of those species for which it was assessed in the TMB CAP, it is likely adding additional strain to already-stressed populations.
Ground-foraging behaviours are understood to put species such as Malleefowl and Regent Parrot as risk of predation by cats or foxes (Baker-Gabb and Hurley, 2011). Predation by fox, and to a lesser extent by cats, is a major cause of mortality of Malleefowl at all stages of the bird’s life cycle (egg, chick and adult).
2.7.11 Ongoing Vegetation Clearance
Clearing of habitat still remains a threat to some Threatened Mallee Bird populations, particularly outside of reserves even though controls for clearing mallee on private land has been imposed in New South Wales (Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016), Victoria (Planning and Environment Act 1987- Clause 52.17) and South Australia (Native Vegetation Act 1991).
2.7.12 Human-Caused Mortality
Human activities, whether deliberate or accidental, have impacted significantly on Eastern Regent Parrot populations (Baker-Gabb, 2011). The species is readily attracted
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to spilt grain on roadsides during wheat harvesting periods, putting them at danger of impact from traffic. The laying of poisoned grain to control rabbits and mice has likely had a lesser, though still substantial, impact on eastern Regent Parrot populations in previous times and may continue in some places. Persecution by orchardists has also been cited as a potential cause for concern.
2.7.13 Locust Spraying Knocking Out Invertebrates
Over-spraying of threatened mallee birds and their habitat is unlikely, as spraying normally occurs in paddocks, however it has been recommended that the fungal biocontrol agent Metarhizium be used when undertaking locust control in the vicinity of any threatened mallee bird habitats.
2.7.14 Predation or Competition from Native Species
Native predators such as currawongs (Strepera spp.) and ravens (Corvus spp.) may be exerting increased pressure on threatened birds in remnants with high edge to area ratios and with artificial water points (see DELWP, 2016). The impact of predation, especially that by raptors, on the eastern Regent Parrot is unknown, although observers have recorded seeing eggs and/or chicks being taken by Australian Ravens (Corvus coronoides) and Lace Monitors (Varanus varius) (see Baker-Gabb and Hurley, 2011).
2.7.15 Grazing by Rabbits
Rabbits have severe impacts on mallee ecosystems through overgrazing and general damage such as ring-barking, digging up of roots, and removal of material that restricts the regeneration of trees and shrubs. Their activity also promotes the growth of introduced weeds, particularly around warrens where high levels of grazing and soil disturbance, and an increase in nutrients promote introduced species. Rabbits have also been found to reverse the normal process of change in plant species structure over time. This significantly alters the structural complexity of mature mallee communities through removal of the most nutritious species, creating poor habitat consisting of annuals, short grasses or bare-ground.
2.7.16 Grazing by Pigs
Feral pigs eat a range of native and exotic plants, including their foliage and stems, rhizomes, roots or other underground associates such as native fungi; they also undermine shrubs and trees causing them to topple in subsequent high winds (DoEH, 2005). In mallee ecosystems this is most of note in association with major rivers, impacting most on Regent Parrot breeding habitat.
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2.7.17 Competition for Nest Hollows
Competition for nest hollows is likely to be occurring with feral birds such as Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and Rock Dove (Columba livia), and with native birds including Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) and Yellow Rosella (Platycercus elegans flaveolus) (Smith 2001, 2004 in Baker-Gabb, 2011). Feral Honey Bees have similarly been found to occupy nest hollows of the size preferred by Regent Parrots as have Long-billed Corellas (Cacatua tenuirostris)(Baker-Gabb, 2011).
3. FOUNDATIONAL STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS
A powerful driver for the original TMB CAP was the recognition for a well-coordinated collaborative approach to species recovery and threat mitigation. The CAP model was chosen as the preferred framework as it embodies a full implementation cycle based on identification of targeted priorities and management needs.
3.1 Original Strategies and Objectives (TMB CAP Phase I)
Guided by the CAP methodology (see Box 4) the original TMB CAP identified 12 strategies arranged in 5 work areas with clearly defined objectives:
1. Threatened Mallee Birds Foundational Program 1.1 By the end of 2015, gain sufficient funding for the successful implementation of key strategies highlighted within the CAP.
2. Fire Management Program 2.1 By 2020, ecological burns increase the extent and quality of habitat available to all six target species across the Murray Mallee region, stabilizing current subpopulation trajectories and increasing the number (+1) of subpopulations for (a) Mallee Emu-wren and Black-eared Miner by 2020 and (b) Red-lored. Whistler and Western Whipbird by 2025.
2.2 By 2020, reduce the risk of significant habitat loss, of both occupied and potential suitable habitat, from unplanned fire at >50% of identified key sites for all 6 target species across the Murray Mallee region.
3. Genetic Introgression Program 3.1 By 2025, increase the phenotypic quality of 40 core Black-eared Miner colonies.
4. Translocation (Wild or Captive Bred) Program 4.1 By mid-2017 >80% of translocated Mallee Emu-wren survive during the initial capture and transfer phase. 4.2 By the end of 2017, four translocated Black-eared Miner colonies show 95% survival during capture and transfer phase.
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4.3 Three years after translocation, the reintroduced or reinforced populations (either wild or captive bred birds) are stable and able to persist without further intervention.
5. Habitat Improvement Program 5.1 Within 5 years of targeted artificial water point closure an associated reduction in grazing pressure leads to an increase in palatable perennial plants within 1 km of closure sites and 30% vegetation cover in the 'sacrifice zone'. 5.2 By 2020, achieve improved vegetation condition via herbivore control across 10 priority sites heavily impacted by feral goats and abundant kangaroos.
5.3 By 2025, the extent of the target species habitat has increased by >15% via well-informed revegetation programs, including breeding and foraging sites and the number of vegetated flyways/corridors connecting them
3.2 Progress and key achievements
The 3 years since release of the TMB CAP involved a coordinated program of works implementing actions. Strong emphasis was placed on management of Mallee Emu- wren and Black-eared Miner, with complementary benefits and consideration of Red- lored Whistler and Western Whipbird. Regent Parrot and Malleefowl were afforded less attention with the latter in particular being already subject to substantial investment under separate national recovery efforts led by the Australian government, as well as state-based initiatives such as the NSW ‘Saving Our Species’ program.
Implementation over the intervening 3-year period since preparation of the original TMB CAP has placed particular emphasis on a mix of both short-term achievable actions (e.g. preparation of interpretive materials to raise community awareness of Mallee bird conservation issues) and longer-term preparatory works (e.g. important exploratory efforts to lay the groundwork for future ex situ conservation of Mallee Emu-wren). Key areas having experienced significant progress include:
1. Planning and preparations for subsequent successful translocation of Mallee Emu- wren from stable populations in western Victoria to suitable areas in Ngarkat in eastern South Australia;
2. Engagement and capacity building with rural fire authorities and public land managers in South Australia and Victoria to influence the location and practice of asset protection burns and better protect mallee reserves;
3. Advocacy with fire planners and policy makers to incorporate mallee ecosystems, mature-aged stands reserves and remnant TMB populations as conservation assets in fire response plans;
4. Planning and preparation for potential future captive breeding of Mallee Emu-wren, including through ongoing captive husbandry of Rufous-crowned Emu-wren;
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5. Closure and rehabilitation of priority dams/artificial water points on public land to assist management of Yellow-throated Miner populations and total grazing pressure in the vicinity of Black-eared Miner colonies;
6. Field survey activities to add to our understanding of the distribution of remnant TMB populations; and
7. Preparation of educational materials for use in community engagement, education and awareness-raising
A key feature of the implementation period has been a continued high level of collaboration and commitment to shared objectives and priorities by a diverse group of implementation partners. This has involved: • Quarterly steering committee meetings to enable information sharing, discussion on strategic directions and operational priorities, and trouble-shooting • Planning, coordination and resource mobilisation progressed by the day-to-day work of three very active advisory committees • A core team of highly dedicated and skilled staff and volunteers, supported in their efforts by a network of supportive managers and policy-makers
3.3 Outcomes from 2018 review
The first substantial review of the CAP was conducted via a workshop in March 2018, with subsequent continued offline review and planning activity highlighted key lessons learned and an evolution in the perspectives, priorities and aspirations of participants. On a conceptual level the review identified the need for:
1. Increased emphasis on management and restoration of mallee as an ecosystem and as habitat for a suite of threatened and at risk Mallee-dependent birds;
2. Inclusion of Mallee Striated Grasswren (Amytornis striatus striatus) as a seventh target;
3. Greater emphasis on more actively addressing the recovery needs of other threatened mallee birds (particularly Mallee Striated Grasswren, Red-lored Whistler and Western Whipbird) while not lessening efforts for Mallee Emu-wren and Black- eared Miner; and
4. More concerted links with efforts for mallee species in NSW under that state’s ‘Saving Our Species’ program.
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BOX 4. Methodology for developing and prioritizing Conservation Strategies
The next phase in CAP development is to identify strategies to achieve the intended goals. Strategies are linked to chains of factors showing the sequence of contributing factors affecting direct threats and, ultimately, targets.
Step 1: Using your conceptual model determine at what points intervention will occur, prioritizing where action is needed. Step 2: Brainstorm draft strategies that a team could use at various points along the chain. A ‘strategy’ describes a group of actions with a common focus that work together to reduce threats, capitalize on opportunities, or restore natural systems. Step 3: Rate each draft strategy in terms of its Potential Impact and Feasibility
Potential Impact – If implemented, will the strategy lead to desired changes in the situation at your project site?
Very High: Strategy is very likely to completely mitigate a threat or restore a target. High: Strategy is likely to help mitigate a threat or restore a target. Medium: Strategy could possibly help mitigate a threat or restore a target. Low: Strategy will probably not contribute to meaningful threat mitigation or target restoration.
Feasibility – Would your project team be able to implement the strategy within likely time, financial, staffing, ethical, and other constraints?
Very High: Strategy is ethically, technically, AND financially feasible. High: Strategy is ethically and technically feasible, but may require some additional financial resources. Medium: Strategy is ethically feasible, but either technically OR financially difficult without substantial additional resources. Low: Strategy is not ethically, technically, OR financially feasible.
Results chains are a key tool for developing strategies as they clarify assumptions about how conservation activities are believed to contribute to reducing threats and achieving the conservation of biodiversity or thematic targets. They are diagrams that map out a series of causal statements that link factors in an "if...then" fashion.
Results chains are composed of a strategy, desired outcomes including intermediate results (blue rectangle) and threat reduction results (purple rectangle), and the ultimate impact that these results will have on the biodiversity target.
In terms of strategic direction, the review:
1. Reaffirmed the relative significance of key threats identified in 2015 (catastrophic wildfire, poor connectivity, drought and inappropriate fire management);
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2. Maintained a stable rating of target viability for all six original species, with Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner and Western Whipbird rated ‘Poor10’ in terms of viability, Malleefowl, Regent Parrot and Red-lored. Whistler rated ‘Fair11’, and Mallee Striated Grasswren introduced as ‘Poor’;
3. Concluded the need for emphasis on Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner, Western Whipbird and Mallee Striated Grasswren with the remaining species (Red-lored. Whistler, Regent Parrot and Malleefowl) requiring significant (albeit less pressing) intervention, based on target viability assessment; and
4. Clarified the relative importance of grazing by kangaroo and feral goat, pig and rabbit populations, highlighting the greater impact of goat grazing compared with other species contributing to total grazing pressure.
4. CONSERVATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS - PHASE II (2018-2022)
This second edition of the TMB CAP outlines 21 strategies grouped according to 7 program areas:
1. TMB CAP program management – including communications, fundraising and coordination
2. Fire management – hazard protection and mitigating the risk of catastrophic wildfire
3. Controlling genetic introgression in Black-eared Miner – managing YTM numbers in priority Black-eared Miner colonies
4. Translocation of Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner and Western Whipbird – a second phase of works to build on successful efforts with Mallee Emu-wren
5. Habitat improvement through grazing management
6. Habitat improvement through active restoration following disturbance
7. Knowledge generation – addressing key knowledge gaps, including data and knowledge understanding of species’ ecology
Based on refinement and updating of operational priorities, this second edition has adopted an updated operational work plan that will guide activity for the coming three years. Priorities include: o Continued preparations for a second phase of Mallee Emu-wren translocation, subject to confirmation of stable source populations
10 The key part is unhealthy and if no work is done soon to make it better then it may never be healthy again 11 The key part of the target is not healthy and needs work to be done if no work is done it will get worse
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o Progress towards implementing a program of captive breeding for Mallee Emu-wren based on guidelines to be inferred from RCE, with decisions to be made on whether to pursue similar strategies for Western Whipbird and Black-eared Miner o Survey, mapping and monitoring to locate additional populations of TMBs on public and private lands across the project area o Continued advocacy and capacity building with fire planners and rural fire authorities, combined with application of controlled asset protection burns for priority areas o Research to improve knowledge about habitat use, monitoring techniques and species ecology in response to current gaps in knowledge about where and why TMBs persist in some areas compared to others
4.1 TMB Management Program
Targets: Black-eared Miner, Mallee Emu-wren, Mallee Striated Grasswren, Malleefowl, Red-lored. Whistler, Regent Parrot, Western Whipbird Threats: N/A Contributing factor(s): N/A
Corresponding recovery plan objectives:
Recovery Plan for the Black-eared Miner, 2002 – 2006
Objective 1. Manage, Progress towards meeting the Recovery Plan objectives review and report on the and actions is achieved on time with high levels of Recovery Program community, institution and Government stakeholder support and involvement. Progress is evaluated and reported on annually to relevant organisations
National Recovery Plan for the Regent Parrot (eastern subspecies)
Objective 5. Increase There is an increase in community awareness of and community involvement in involvement in the eastern Regent Parrot recovery the eastern Regent Parrot program recovery program
Objective 18. Manage the Recovery process is coordinated and managed effectively recovery process by the recovery team
National Recovery Plan for the Mallee Emu-Wren, Red-lored Whistler, & Western Whipbird*
Objective 7: Establish a Successful implementation of the recovery plan over five recovery team to years. coordinate implementation
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of the recovery plan.
Objective 8. Enhance High levels of community involvement in monitoring and community involvement programs to enhance habitat for threatened mallee birds. and awareness.
TMB CAP Objectives: 1.1 By July 2021 mobilise resources and deliver key strategies identified for early implementation (based on feasibility assessment conducted in early 2021) 1.2 By December 2022, complete a review of the scope, strategies & priorities for TMB recovery effort
TMB CAP Strategies (2018-2022): 1.1 Undertake a 5-year review of CAP content* 1.2 Undertake sub-CAP process for Mallee Striated Grasswren 1.3 Coordinated messaging & communications 1.4 Implement a coordinated fundraising effort 1.5 Strategic oversight and guidance for implementation – review CAP in context of species recovery plans and the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy (including the first of two 5-yr Action Plans [2021-2026])
*The first review was conducted in 2018 as the basis for this current (second edition) TMB CAP. A second review will be conducted in March 2021 to guide preparation of a future updated TMP CAP (third edition).
4.2 Fire Program for all Threatened Mallee Birds
Targets: Black-eared Miner, Mallee Emu-wren, Mallee Striated Grasswren, Malleefowl, Red-lored Whistler, Regent Parrot, Western Whipbird Threats: Inappropriate fire management: Catastrophic wildfire Contributing factors: Fire management policy; Weak or subverted legislation; Lack of knowledge; Inappropriate suppression of wildfire; Climate change; Lack of habitat restoration; Lack of population maintenance (ie limited contingency options)
Objectives of national and state recovery plans:
National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl
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3. Reduce fire threats Fire management plans which consider the habitat requirements of Malleefowl are developed and implemented for all reserves in which Malleefowl occur Broad-scale agricultural burning is reduced in areas that harbour Malleefowl Fires in Malleefowl habitat are mapped and their effects monitored to inform future planning
Recovery Plan for the Black-eared Miner, 2002 - 2006
3. Maintain and enhance A coordinated Fire Response Plan for the Bookmark habitat Biosphere Reserve produced. Fire history mapping completed for the Bookmark Biosphere Reserve mallee and
a Fire Management Plan completed.
National Recovery Plan for the Mallee Emu-Wren, Red-lored Whistler, & Western Whipbird
2. Incorporate threatened Fire management plans and annual works plans mallee bird fire scale and acknowledge the need to maintain or increase the area of frequency requirements long-unburnt mallee to support the recovery of these into all fire management species. plans and annual works plans.
TMB CAP Objective(s): 2.1. Increase extent and quality of habitat - By 2025, fire management results in increase the extent and quality of habitat available to all seven target species across the Murray Mallee region, stabilizing current subpopulation trajectories and increasing the number (+1) of subpopulations for Mallee Emu-wren and Black- eared Miner, Red-lored Whistler and Western Whipbird by 2025. 2.2. Reduce risk of habitat loss - By 2025, reduce the risk of significant habitat loss, of both occupied and potential suitable habitat, from unplanned fire at >50% of identified key sites for all six target species across the Murray Mallee region.
TMB CAP Strategies (2018-2022): 2.1 Engage with the wider community on threatened species conservation and fire management 2.2 Apply knowledge for developing ecological burn strategies for target species 2.3 Improve fire suppression response to Mallee fire for TMB outcomes
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4.3 Control genetic introgression in Black-eared Miner
Target: Black-eared Miner Threat: Genetic introgression with Yellow-throated Miner Contributing factor(s): Artificial water points; Widespread (past) clearing and fragmentation; Habitat degradation; Poor quality habitat; Lack of knowledge; Lack of funding; Lack of habitat restoration.
Objective(s): 3.1. Improve overall phenotypic quality - By 2025, increase the phenotypic quality of 40 core Black-eared Miner colonies (Black-eared Miner).
Objectives of national and state recovery plans:
Recovery Plan for the Black-eared Miner, 2002 - 2006
5. Control genetic Key threatening process controlled through the removal of introgression of the Black- selected colonies of Yellow-throated Miners and eared Miner decommissioning of dams.
TMB CAP Strategies (2018-2022): 3.1 Map & prioritise areas for removal of Yellow-throated Miner 3.2 Remove artificial water access 3.3 Control Yellow-throated Miner colonies of concern
4.4 Translocation of Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner and Western Whipbird
Targets: Black-eared Miner, Mallee Emu-wren, Western Whipbird Threats: Catastrophic wildfire; Poor connectivity; Lack of knowledge / confidence in ability to effectively intervene. Contributing factors: Lack of suitable habitat; Lack of population maintenance.
Objectives of national and state recovery plans:
Recovery Plan for the Black-eared Miner, 2002 - 2006
6. Maintain captive Zoo staff participate in annual translocations, achieve populations of Black- captive breeding success similar to wild populations,
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eared Miners produce a husbandry manual, and help raise community awareness.
7. Increase numbers and Increase numbers and quality of Black-eared Miner quality of Black-eared colonies in Victoria and New South Wales Miner colonies in Victoria and New South Wales
National Recovery Plan for the Mallee Emu-Wren, Red-lored Whistler, & Western Whipbird
7. Investigate the need Genetic relationships between widely separated for translocations, subpopulations determined and requirement for including the degree of translocations or other strategies to reduce isolation genetic isolation of clarified. geographically separate subpopulations, and develop trigger points and translocation programs where necessary.
TMB CAP Objectives: 4.1a&b Mallee Emu-wren subpopulation transfer - By Autumn 2018, reintroduce a second Mallee Emu-wren subpopulation at Ngarkat Conservation Park 4.2 Captive breeding practice - By 2020, effectively demonstrate the effective captive husbandry of a surrogate species (Rufous-crowned Emu-wren) Captive breeding facilities - By 2022, captive breeding facilities established for Mallee Emu-wren have been maintained and operated for the purpose of establishing an ex situ population 4.3 Successfully translocate Black-eared Miner - By the end of 2021, four translocated Black-eared Miner colonies show 95% survival during capture and transfer phase. 4.4 Western Whipbird monitoring – further research needed 4.5 Translocated populations are self-sustaining - Three years after translocation, the reintroduced or reinforced populations are stable and able to persist without further intervention.
TMB CAP Strategies (2018-2022): 4.1a Mallee Emu-wren Translocation Program - Phase 1 4.1b Mallee Emu-wren Translocation Program - Phase 2 4.2 Ex situ captive breeding program 4.3 Black-eared Monitoring and Translocation Program
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4.4 Western Whipbird Monitoring and Translocation Program
4.5 Habitat Improvement - Grazing Management
Targets: Black-eared Miner, Mallee Emu-wren, Mallee Striated Grasswren, Malleefowl, Red-lored Whistler, Regent Parrot, Western Whipbird Threats: Total grazing pressure; Genetic introgression with Yellow-throated Miner Contributing factors: High numbers of introduced and native mammals; Artificial water points; Pastoral properties and land uses in the region.
Objectives of national and state recovery plans:
Recovery Plan for the Black-eared Miner, 2002 - 2006
3. Maintain and enhance All non-essential artificial water points in mallee closed and habitat revegetated, and replaced with above- ground tanks as necessary for firefighting. An agreed system of strategic fire
breaks commenced.
National Recovery Plan for the Mallee Emu-Wren, Red-lored Whistler, & Western Whipbird
4. Manage total grazing Feral herbivore impacts on mallee vegetation are markedly pressure from all reduced in areas containing threatened mallee birds. herbivores by decommissioning artificial water points and controlling introduced herbivores.
National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl
2. Reduce grazing Goat and sheep are removed or in low numbers in pressure conservation reserves Artificial sources of water in conservation reserves are closed or fenced
TMB CAP objectives: 5.1 Increase in palatable plants - Within 5 years of targeted artificial water point closure an associated reduction in grazing pressure leads to an increase in palatable perennial plants within 1 km of closure sites and 30% vegetation cover in the 'sacrifice zone'.
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5.2 Improved vegetation condition - By 2022, achieve improved vegetation condition across 10-15 priority sites heavily impacted by feral goats and abundant kangaroos.
TMB CAP Strategies (2018-2022): 5.1 Remove artificial water access 5.2 Manage herbivore numbers
4.6 Habitat Improvement – Restoration
Targets: Mallee Emu-wren, Malleefowl, Regent Parrot Threats: Insufficient area of habitat available; Poor connectivity Contributing factors: Widespread (past) clearing and fragmentation; High numbers of introduced and native non-target species; Continued habitat degradation; Declining extent of habitat; Insufficient extent of restored habitat; Lack of knowledge on restoration techniques; Insufficient funding.
Objectives of national and state recovery plans:
National Recovery Plan for the Mallee Emu-Wren, Red-lored Whistler, & Western Whipbird
3. Enhance habitat Establishment of functional corridors and adequate reserve connectivity and quality. systems.
National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl
5. Reduce isolation Habitat links between remnants are increased in priority areas as identified in regional Malleefowl conservation plans
National Recovery Plan for the Regent Parrot (eastern subspecies)
2. Reduce environmental There is an increase in population size and range impacts and restore habitat
TMB CAP objectives: 6.1 Increase in suitable target species habitat - By 2025, the extent of the target species habitat has increased by 10-20% via well-informed revegetation programs, including breeding and foraging sites and the number of vegetated flyways/corridors connecting them.
TMB CAP Strategies (2018-2022):
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6.1 Implement a campaign to harness existing revegetation projects for target species 6.2 Target available resources to enhance post-fire rehabilitation of habitat
4.7 Species Knowledge Generation
Targets: Black-eared Miner, Mallee Emu-wren, Mallee Striated Grasswren, Malleefowl, Red-lored Whistler, Regent Parrot, Western Whipbird Threats: Lack of knowledge to effectively intervene in the right places; Inappropriate fire management. Contributing factors: Lack of knowledge about fire regimes and species response; Lack of knowledge on restorative techniques
Relevant recovery plan objectives*:
Recovery Plan for the Black-eared Miner, 2002 - 2006
2. Refine knowledge of Colony numbers refined in the Bookmark region, and distribution and potential translocation sites in Victoria (3) and New South abundance Wales (1).
4. Monitor Black-eared At least ten community volunteers and agency staff trained Miner colonies each year and contributing essential monitoring data. Biological samples collected from over 50 birds each year.
8. Use population viability A Population Viability assessment model is produced which modelling helps refine targets, particularly with respect to translocations and genetic introgression.
National Recovery Plan for the Regent Parrot (eastern subspecies)
1. Determine population Monitoring protocols are developed and adopted and an trends in the eastern accurate measure of population trends is obtained Regent Parrot
2. Reduce environmental Identify and map critical habitat components (i.e. breeding impacts and restore and non- breeding season foraging habitats and the habitat vegetated flyways or the flyways required to link these)
4. Investigate key aspects Key ecological information including food resources, foraging of the biology and ecology sites, flyways and traditional watering points are identified, of the eastern Regent mapped and protected Parrot
National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl
9. Monitor Malleefowl and Monitoring data is analysed and reviewed and national manage adaptively adaptive management design is developed through collaboration
10. Determine the current The distribution and status of Malleefowl in remote areas is
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distribution of Malleefowl clarified and local involvement is encouraged
11. Examine population The feasibility of automatic recorders for identifying dynamics Malleefowl is examined and efficient capture techniques are developed
12. Describe habitat The habitat requirements and preferences of Malleefowl are requirements described, important habitat components are identified, and a habitat suitability model is produced
National Recovery Plan for the Mallee Emu-Wren, Red-lored Whistler, & Western Whipbird
6. Monitor trends in Population changes are quantified with sufficient precision to subpopulations in determine subpopulation trends and the effectiveness of response to management management work. actions, particularly rates of recovery from fire.
*Individual time-bound objectives that precede this CAP but remain relevant are included without reference to the original objective date.
TMB CAP objectives: 7.1 Habitat and occupancy mapping - By 2022, significant progress is made towards mapping and validating the location and extent of habitat for threatened mallee birds. 7.2 Standardised monitoring practices - By 2022, a standardised, cost-effective procedure to reliably monitor threatened mallee bird population numbers has been prepared, tested and mobilised. 7.3 Identify priority knowledge needs - By 2022, successfully address four priority knowledge gaps to inform active species recovery efforts. 7.4 Summarise key findings in relation to species monitoring methodology, data and its application to conservation management – By 2022 have a summary of key findings for each of the seven target species
TMB CAP Strategies (2018-2022): 7.1 Clarify the location & extent of potential habitat, & factors influencing their occupancy 7.2 Explore options to monitor status and distribution via cost-effective, tenure-blind techniques 7.3 Address targeted knowledge gaps for specific species or issues 7.4 Synthesise improved knowledge, data & interpretation to inform threat management
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APPENDIX 1. CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR CAP ANALYSIS AND PLANNING
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APPENDIX 2. THREATENING PROCESSES‡ LISTED UNDER LEGISLATION
‡Listed as a Key Threatening Process under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Commonwealth) or Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), or Fauna and Flora Guarantee Act 1988 (Victoria).
Australia – Key Threatening Processes
• Competition and land degradation by rabbits • Competition and land degradation by unmanaged goats • Land clearance • Predation by European red fox • Predation by feral cats • Predation, Habitat Degradation, Competition and Disease Transmission by Feral Pigs
NSW – Listed Key Threatening Processes
• Clearing of native vegetation • Competition and grazing by the feral European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus • Competition and habitat degradation by feral goats, Capra hircus • High frequency fire resulting in the disruption of life cycle processes in plants and animals and loss of vegetation structure and composition • Loss of hollow-bearing trees • Predation and hybridisation by feral dogs, Canis lupus familiaris • Predation by the European red fox, Vulpes vulpes • Predation by the feral cat, Felis catus • Predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs, Sus scrofa
Victoria - Potentially Threatening Processes
• Habitat fragmentation as a threatening process for fauna in Victoria • High frequency fire resulting in disruption of life cycle processes in plants and animals and loss of vegetation structure and composition • Inappropriate fire regimes causing disruption to sustainable ecosystem processes and resultant loss of biodiversity • Loss of hollow-bearing trees from Victorian native forests. • Predation of native wildlife by the cat, Felis catus.
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• Predation of native wildlife by the introduced Red Fox Vulpes vulpes. • Reduction in biomass and biodiversity of native vegetation through grazing by the Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus.
Sources: DEE (2019), OEH (2017) and DELWP (2016)
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APPENDIX 3. RESULTS CHAINS FOR THREATS TO MALLEE BIRDS
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Fire Management
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Genetic Introgression with Yellow-throated Miner
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Translocation of Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner and Western Whipbird
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Habitat Improvement – Grazing Management
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Habitat Improvement - Restoration
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Knowledge Generation
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APPENDIX 4. CURRENT STATUS OF DETAILED STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS (2018-2022)
Important Note: The status of relevant strategies (as per Section 4.0) are currently under review by the TMB CAP Steering Committee and will be included in the final version of this document. A feasibility assessment is currently being undertaken to help identify strategies to implement from now until 2022.
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