Reconciling Farming with Wildlife —Managing diversity in the Riverina rice fields— RIRDC Publication No. 10/0007 RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia Reconciling Farming with Wildlife: Managing Biodiversity in the Riverina Rice Fields by J. Sean Doody, Christina M. Castellano, Will Osborne, Ben Corey and Sarah Ross April 2010 RIRDC Publication No 10/007 RIRDC Project No. PRJ-000687 © 2010 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 983 7 ISSN 1440-6845 Reconciling Farming with Wildlife: Managing Biodiversity in the Riverina Rice Fields Publication No. 10/007 Project No. PRJ-000687 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165. Researcher Contact Details J. Sean Doody Department of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, ACT 2601 Phone: 0418 599 719 Fax: 02 6125 5573 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6271 4100 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Electronically published by RIRDC in April 2010 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 634 313 ii Foreword Although the establishment of the Australian rice industry has led to an altered pastoral landscape, it has also resulted in the seasonal availability of extensive aquatic habitats in a previously drier landscape. Consequently, rice-farming areas are of considerable importance to a range of vertebrate fauna. The study aimed to begin farm management of biodiversity using the knowledge gained in the previous study. An experimental approach for incorporation into the Environmental Champions Program was used in tandem with monitoring and further research on selected significant species. However, the re-gripping of Australia’s worst drought on record had a significant impact on the project, through retraction of funding, and through the environmental impact on revegetation efforts on farm. Nevertheless, significant outcomes were achieved, and this publication details findings from (1) baseline monitoring of vertebrates on rice farms; (2) a study of frogs as natural pest control for rice crops; and (3) a study of how an iconic snake species utilises farms. The project concludes by integrating knowledge gained in these studies with that of other studies to formulate management strategies for rice farmers and other stakeholders in the region. This report is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 2000 research publications and it forms part of our Rice R&D program, which aims to improve the profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry through the organisation, funding and management of a research, development and extension program that is both market and stakeholder driven. Most of RIRDC’s publications are available for viewing, free downloading or purchasing online at www.rirdc.gov.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313. Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments We sincerely thank the following farmers for allowing continuous access to their properties, for advice and general assistance during the study: Barry Kirkup, David Pike, Gary and Marg Knagge, Jim and Caroline Maskus, June and Russell Mason, Michael McAliece, Mick Anderson and Rob Houghton. Rob, Jayne, Alice and Jacob Houghton and Barry, Gillian and Renee Kirkup also played instrumental roles in data collection on their homesteads. We also thank Marc Serafin for providing accommodation and Max O’Sullivan for conducting the bird surveys. Russell and Robin Ford were invaluable to us in many ways, including general needs, accommodation, local advice and exceptional cooperation. Without their help the study would not have been possible. We sincerely appreciate the time, energy and resources put forth by Russell Ford and we thank him for the construction of the experimental rice bays. For assistance in the field, we thank Rohan Rewhinkel, Imi Moore, Dave Rhind, Mitchell Sidwell, Geoff Sidwell, Tim Ross, Emily Ford, James Knight, Paul Read, Kirsten Wheatley, Glenn Murray, Dave Steer, Christy Davies, Brett Stewart and Brian Green. We are also grateful to Lesley Ishiyama and Dave Rhind for their assistance in the laboratory. Geoff Heard and Peter Robertson shared their knowledge of Morelia spilota with us and provided supporting literature. We are indebted to the Gardiner family for their support and hospitality and to David Pederson for assisting with the data analysis. The study would not have been possible without the assistance and support of Janelle McGufficke. We thank those showing an interest in the study and other members of the RIRDC Rice R&D Committee, members of the Biodiversity Steering Committee for the rice industry and Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd. The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia and Rice Research Australia funded this study. iv Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................. iv Tables and Figures .............................................................................................................................. vii Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. x Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Reconciliation Ecology ..................................................................................................................... 1 Importance of Biodiversity ............................................................................................................... 2 Revegetation ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Significant Species ............................................................................................................................ 3 Frog Species Under Study ................................................................................................................ 4 Dietary Habits of Frogs .............................................................................................................. 7 Feeding Mechanisms .................................................................................................................. 7 Ontogenetic Dietary Shifts ......................................................................................................... 8 Foraging Strategies ..................................................................................................................... 8 Prey Selection ............................................................................................................................. 9 Diet Overlap in Sympatric Species .......................................................................................... 10 Prey Availability ...................................................................................................................... 10 Top Predators ........................................................................................................................... 11 Space Use by Wildlife .............................................................................................................. 11 The Carpet Python .................................................................................................................... 12 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................