Surveys for arboreal mammals, Long-Footed Potoroo and Spiny ...
Surveys for arboreal mammals, Long-Footed Potoroo and Spiny ...
Surveys for arboreal mammals, Long-Footed Potoroo and Spiny ...
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<strong>Surveys</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>arboreal</strong> <strong>mammals</strong>, <strong>Long</strong>-<strong>Footed</strong><br />
<strong>Potoroo</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish in proposed<br />
logging coupes 840-502-0015 <strong>and</strong> 840-502-<br />
0019, Brown Mountain Creek Catchment,<br />
Brodribb Forest Block, Errinundra Plateau<br />
January-March 2009
Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability <strong>and</strong> Environment. Melbourne, August 2009<br />
© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability <strong>and</strong> Environment 2009.<br />
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.<br />
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne.<br />
ISBN 978-1-74242-151-3<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186.<br />
Disclaimer<br />
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria <strong>and</strong> its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw<br />
of any kind or is wholly appropriate <strong>for</strong> your particular purposes <strong>and</strong> there<strong>for</strong>e disclaims all liability <strong>for</strong> any error, loss or other consequence<br />
which may arise from you relying on any in<strong>for</strong>mation in this publication.
SURVEYS FOR ARBOREAL MAMMALS, LONG-FOOTED<br />
POTOROO AND SPINY CRAYFISH IN PROPOSED LOGGING<br />
COUPES 840-502-0015 AND 840-502-0019, BROWN<br />
MOUNTAIN CREEK CATCHMENT, BRODRIBB FOREST BLOCK,<br />
ERRINUNDRA PLATEAU, JANUARY-MARCH 2009<br />
Stephen Henry <strong>and</strong> Tony Mitchell<br />
Biodiversity Group<br />
Department of Sustainability <strong>and</strong> Environment<br />
Orbost Office<br />
Background<br />
Brown Mountain Creek is a small catchment (approximately 450 ha) on the edge<br />
of the Errinundra Plateau in East Gippsl<strong>and</strong>. With the exception of about 50 ha at<br />
the northern end of the catchment which is part of The Gap Scenic Reserve, the<br />
area is State <strong>for</strong>est which is General Management Zone in the East Gippsl<strong>and</strong><br />
Forest Management Plan. The part of the catchment west of Legge Road is in the<br />
North Goongerah Icon Area identified <strong>for</strong> addition to National Park as part of the<br />
2006 Labour Party Election policy plat<strong>for</strong>m.<br />
The vegetation of the catchment is mapped as Wet Forest dominated by Shining<br />
Gum <strong>and</strong> Messmate with scattered Errinundra Peppe rmint.<br />
In 2007 three coupes (the two subject to this survey <strong>and</strong> 840-502-0020) were<br />
approved as part of an amendment to the East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> Timber Release Plan.<br />
Between October 2008 <strong>and</strong> January 2009 coupe 840-502-0020 was harvested <strong>and</strong><br />
the other two were scheduled to be harvested in late summer <strong>and</strong> early autumn.<br />
Conservation groups conducted protests in coupe 840-502-0020 while it was being<br />
logged. They also conducted or sponsored surveys in the other proposed coupes<br />
targeting <strong>arboreal</strong> <strong>mammals</strong>, large <strong>for</strong>est owls, <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s <strong>and</strong> Orbost<br />
<strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish. All these animals have prescriptions <strong>for</strong> the protection of sites<br />
through Action Statements or the East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> Forest Area Management Plan.<br />
These surveys indicated that sufficient Greater Gliders <strong>and</strong> Yellow-bellied Gliders<br />
may be present to trigger the prescription <strong>for</strong> protection of the surrounding <strong>for</strong>est.<br />
1
The surveys also claimed to have found evidence of <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s <strong>and</strong> the<br />
presence of the Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish.<br />
DSE Biodiversity Group staff were instructed to undertake surveys to investigate<br />
the reports.<br />
The status of target species <strong>and</strong> relevant prescriptions<br />
Arboreal Mammals – Greater Gliders <strong>and</strong> Yellow-bellied Gliders<br />
The Greater Gliders <strong>and</strong> Yellow-bellied Glider are not listed on Flora <strong>and</strong> Fauna<br />
Guarantee Act 1988 or the Advisory List Of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna In<br />
Victoria (DSE 2007).<br />
Greater Gliders are found in <strong>for</strong>est from Victoria to Queensl<strong>and</strong>. They den in tree<br />
hollows, eat eucalypt leaves <strong>and</strong> are most abundant in Wet Forest.<br />
Yellow-bellied Gliders are found in <strong>for</strong>est in South Australia, Victoria, New South<br />
Wales <strong>and</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong>. They also den in tree hollows <strong>and</strong> eat eucalypt sap,<br />
insects, nectar, honeydew <strong>and</strong> pollen. They utilise a wide variety of <strong>for</strong>est types.<br />
Both species are regarded as sensitive to intensive logging.<br />
No Action Statements exist <strong>for</strong> Greater Gliders or Yellow-bellied Gliders as they are<br />
not listed under FFG Act.<br />
The East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> Forest Management Plan prescription <strong>for</strong> <strong>arboreal</strong> <strong>mammals</strong> is:<br />
“Arboreal <strong>mammals</strong>. For each of the following occurrences, approximately 100<br />
ha of suitable habitat will be included in the SPZ (Special Protection Zone):<br />
- resident Koala populations.<br />
- Greater Glider <strong>and</strong> Common Brushtail Possum - >2 individuals per ha, >10<br />
per km, or >15 per hour of spotlighting.<br />
- Yellow-bellied Glider - >0.2 per ha, >5 per km, or >7 per hour of<br />
spotlighting.<br />
- Eastern Pygmy Possum - >5 per st<strong>and</strong>ard pitfall line over 5 days.<br />
- substantial populations of the above species that are isolated or in unusual<br />
habitat.”<br />
Previous surveys<br />
2
DSE undertook extensive flora <strong>and</strong> fauna surveys across East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> from<br />
1983-1993.<br />
The Brown Mountain Creek catchment is in Brodribb Forest Block which received a<br />
prelogging survey in 1986 (report no 19). This site of the proposed coupes was<br />
not surveyed <strong>for</strong> <strong>arboreal</strong> <strong>mammals</strong>, nor was it identified as a Site of Significance.<br />
The extreme northern end of the catchment was identified as a Site of<br />
Significance. This is now part of The Gap Scenic Reserve.<br />
In 25.6 hours of spotlighting during the survey undertaken in 1986, 5 Greater<br />
Gliders <strong>and</strong> 13 Yellow-bellied Gliders were detected. No sites had observed<br />
<strong>arboreal</strong> <strong>mammals</strong> densities which met above thresholds <strong>for</strong> high density.<br />
Environment East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> states that surveys undertaken on 22-25 January<br />
2009 achieve the glider densities required <strong>for</strong> this prescription to be applied.<br />
Neither DSE or VicForests routinely undertake pre-logging coupe surveys.<br />
<strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong><br />
The <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong> is listed on Flora <strong>and</strong> Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 <strong>and</strong> it is<br />
listed in the Advisory List Of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna In Victoria (DSE 2007)<br />
as endangered.<br />
It is also listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection<br />
<strong>and</strong> Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.<br />
<strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s are restricted to the <strong>for</strong>ests of Great Dividing Range in<br />
eastern Victoria. They are ground dwelling <strong>and</strong> are strongly associated with <strong>for</strong>est<br />
with a dense understorey. They live almost entirely on hypogeous fungi. There<br />
are about 60 confirmed <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong> site in East Gippsl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Prescription<br />
An Action Statement (No 58) was published in 1995.<br />
Under the current Action Statement, <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong> sites generate a Special<br />
Management Area (SMA) of 450-500 ha until 17,500 ha of SMAs is reached.<br />
Timber harvesting <strong>and</strong> new roading is not permitted in SMAs. Each SMA is to have<br />
3
a core zone of 150 - 200 ha. Once 17,500 ha is reached, any new sites are to be<br />
assessed <strong>for</strong> habitat quality <strong>and</strong> the SMA system adjusted so that in lesser priority<br />
sites the core zone is protected, <strong>and</strong> 17,500 ha is not exceeded.<br />
17,500 ha of SMAs was reached several years ago <strong>and</strong> new sites found since then<br />
have generated the adjustment process.<br />
In this case any SMA would include the two proposed coupes on either side of<br />
Brown Mountain Creek.<br />
The Action Statement is currently under review. Under the proposed revised<br />
Action Statement, a record such as this would generate a 150 ha Special<br />
Management Zone of which a minimum of 50 ha of the best <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong><br />
habitat would be protected from disturbance.<br />
DSE undertook extensive flora <strong>and</strong> fauna surveys across East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> from<br />
1983-1993. Brown Mountain Creek catchment is in Brodribb Forest Block which<br />
received a prelogging survey in 1986 (report no 19). This particular site was not<br />
surveyed <strong>for</strong> LFP. It was not identified as a Site of Significance.<br />
There have been extensive systematic <strong>and</strong> ad hoc targeted surveys <strong>for</strong> <strong>Long</strong>footed<br />
<strong>Potoroo</strong>s in East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> since 1985. The Brown Mountain area west of<br />
Legge Road was surveyed in 2001 <strong>and</strong> a <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong> was confirmed.<br />
<strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s have also been detected at two sites along Errinundra Rd<br />
since 2000. No surveys <strong>for</strong> these animals have been undertaken by DSE in this<br />
area since.<br />
Environment East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> reported to DSE on 3 February 2009 that a <strong>Long</strong>footed<br />
<strong>Potoroo</strong>s had been detected (using hairtubing). The hair sample was<br />
identified as <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s by an expert in this field (Barbara Triggs).<br />
The sample was reported as collected within 100m of Brown Mountain Creek at<br />
approx grid ref 6560 E 58744. This is on the western side of Brown Mountain Ck<br />
on the edge of proposed coupe 840-502-0019.<br />
Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish<br />
Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish is listed as threatened under the Flora <strong>and</strong> Fauna Guarantee<br />
Act 1988.<br />
4
No invertebrates are listed in Advisory List Of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna In<br />
Victoria (DSE 2007).<br />
An action statement (no 128) has been prepared <strong>for</strong> the Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish.<br />
The action statement prescription is “Linear Reserves consisting of an undisturbed<br />
buffer of approximately 100m on each bank of the stream <strong>for</strong> one kilometre<br />
upstream <strong>and</strong> downstream of the detection site will be established at all sites on<br />
public l<strong>and</strong> where Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish are recorded … These measures will be<br />
reviewed once 20 sites have been located.”<br />
<strong>Surveys</strong> <strong>for</strong> freshwater crayfish in the presumed distribution of the OSC have<br />
occurred periodically between 1986 <strong>and</strong> the present. The species is recorded from<br />
12 sites in the upper Brodribb River catchment <strong>and</strong> 1 site in Y<strong>and</strong>own Creek in the<br />
Queensborough River catchment. There are no records of previous surveys in<br />
Brown Mountain Creek.<br />
The <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish genus comprises many closely related species which are<br />
difficult to tell apart. Three species occur in East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong><br />
Crayfish is very similar to one of these, Bidwalls <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish. Identification of<br />
these species requires the animal to be in-h<strong>and</strong> or high quality photographs of the<br />
appropriate features. The taxonomy of this group is apparently under review at<br />
present.<br />
Environment East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> reported the collection of an Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish on<br />
6 January 2009. The specimen linked to this report was identified by DSE on<br />
13/1/09 as a Bidawal <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish (Euastacus bidawalus).<br />
Environment East Gippsl<strong>and</strong> reported record of 2 nd suspected Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong><br />
Crayfish specimen on 10 th January. EEG was to provide photographs to DSE <strong>and</strong><br />
return specimen to stream. DSE did not receive photographs.<br />
DSE received advice from EEG on 27 January 2009 that a 3 rd Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish<br />
specimen had been located. Photographs of the specimen were provided to DSE,<br />
however, the photos were not adequate to accurately determine the identity of the<br />
species.<br />
5
DSE Survey Program<br />
Greater Glider <strong>and</strong> Yellow-bellied Glider (<strong>and</strong> other nocturnal<br />
vertebrates)<br />
DSE conducted surveys on the nights of 21 January, 5 February <strong>and</strong> 12 March.<br />
Personnel involved were Tony Mitchell (all surveys), Stephen Henry (all surveys),<br />
Lucy Clausen (5 February) <strong>and</strong> Jonathon Ricciardello (5 February). Barry Vaughan<br />
(VicForest Regional Manager, East Gippsl<strong>and</strong>) accompanied the survey team on 5<br />
February.<br />
Methods<br />
The surveyors operated in pairs. The selected transects were at least one km<br />
long. Each transect was walked slowly by the surveyors <strong>and</strong> the trees surveyed<br />
with 50 watt portable spotlights. Animals were located by sighting or sound<br />
(either call or movement). Both surveyors checked the identity of a sighting or<br />
call. Locations were recorded by GPS <strong>and</strong> in a notebook.<br />
Greater Gliders are fairly sedentary <strong>and</strong> are generally readily detected by their<br />
bright eyeshine in a spotlight.<br />
Yellow-bellied Gliders are much more difficult to see but have loud calls. However<br />
they are very mobile <strong>and</strong> it can be difficult to distinguish different individuals<br />
based on calls unless the calls are detected more or less simultaneously. Thus<br />
counts of individuals were conservative.<br />
Other species detected were also recorded.<br />
6
Results<br />
Summary of animals detected (<strong>and</strong> numbers per km <strong>for</strong> species with a<br />
prescription) is in Table 1. The attached map(s) indicate the locations of detections<br />
<strong>and</strong> details of detections are provided in the Appendix.<br />
Table 1 – Nocturnal animals detected by spotlighting in the study area.<br />
Date: 28.1.09 5.2.09 5.2.09 5.2.09 5.2.09 12.3.08<br />
Time: 2135-0130 2105-2400 0030-0315 2115-2400 0040-0330 1950-2355<br />
Observers: TM, SH JR, SH, BV JR, BV, SH TM, LC TM, LC TM, SH<br />
Route: Transect 1<br />
1100m<br />
(no/km)<br />
Transect 1<br />
1100m<br />
(no/km)<br />
Transect 2<br />
1800m<br />
(no/km)<br />
7<br />
Transect 2<br />
1800m<br />
(no/km)<br />
Transect 1<br />
1100m<br />
(no/km)<br />
Transect 3<br />
1000m<br />
(no/km)<br />
Greater Glider 10 (9.1) 10 (9.1) 3 (1.7) 6 (3.3) 9 (8.2) 11 (11)<br />
Yellow-bellied Glider 5 (4.5) 4 (3.6) 8 (4.4) 9 (5) 4 (3.6) 7 (7)<br />
Bobuck 3 1 2 5 5 3<br />
Sugar Glider 0 2 1 1<br />
Common Ringtail 1<br />
Feathertail Glider 1 1<br />
<strong>Long</strong>-nosed B<strong>and</strong>icoot 1 1 1<br />
Boobook Owl 2 1 1 2<br />
Powerful Owl 1 (distant)<br />
Owlet Nightjar 1 1 2 3 2<br />
Tawny Frogmouth 1<br />
Numbers above prescription threshold in bold<br />
Transect 1 – 1.1 km long. Legge Rd along western edge of proposed coupe 840-502-0015 <strong>and</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mal<br />
walking track through proposed coupe from Legge Rd to Brown Mountain Creek.<br />
Transect 2 – 1.8 km long. Dozer track around boundary of proposed coupe 840-502-0019.<br />
Transect 3 – 1.0 km long. In<strong>for</strong>mal walking track through proposed coupe 840-502-0015 from Legge Road to<br />
Brown Mountain Creek, then across creek <strong>and</strong> east to the dozer track along the western edge of proposed<br />
coupe 840-502-0019.<br />
<strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong><br />
A survey using remote cameras was undertaken by Tony Mitchell (DSE Biodiversity<br />
Group, Orbost)<br />
Method<br />
<strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s were surveyed by placing remote cameras at six sites<br />
spaced out across the survey area (see map). There were left in place <strong>for</strong> two<br />
sessions of 16 days <strong>and</strong> 11 days respectively. The cameras are tripped by a heat
sensor aimed at a bait station. The bait station is baited with a mix of peanut oil<br />
<strong>and</strong> pistachio essence on an absorbent strip of material.<br />
The cameras have been a successful method of detecting <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s in<br />
East Gippsl<strong>and</strong>, with a higher rate of detections than hair-tubing <strong>and</strong> trapping.<br />
8
Results<br />
The remote cameras were active <strong>for</strong> a total of 97 camera/nights. Five species<br />
were detected by the cameras (see table 3). No <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s were<br />
detected.<br />
Table 3 Species detected by remote survey cameras.<br />
Camera Coupe Location Dates Number<br />
of nights<br />
Camera 1 840-502-0019 18/02/09 – 6/03/09<br />
Camera 2 840-502-0015 18/02/09 – 6/03/09<br />
Camera 3 840-502-0015 18/02/09 – 6/03/09<br />
9<br />
16 Bushrat<br />
Species detected<br />
16 Mountain Brushtail Possum<br />
<strong>Long</strong>-nosed B<strong>and</strong>icoot<br />
16 Bushrat<br />
Camera 4 840-502-0019 18/02/09 – 6/03/09 16 Mountain Brushtail Possum<br />
Feral Cat<br />
Camera 2B 840-502-0015 6/03/09 – 17/03/09 11 Nil<br />
Camera 3 840-502-0015 6/03/09 – 17/03/09 11 Nil<br />
Camera 4B 840-502-0019 6/03/09 – 17/03/09 11 <strong>Long</strong>-nosed B<strong>and</strong>icoot<br />
Red Fox<br />
The non-detection of <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s must be interpreted with caution. The<br />
survey was implemented using st<strong>and</strong>ard methodology <strong>and</strong> level of ef<strong>for</strong>t <strong>and</strong> it had<br />
a high probability of detecting the species if it was present. However, the species<br />
can be very difficult to detect – often detections are not confirmed until a third or<br />
even fourth return visits to a site, despite the presence of diggings which are<br />
strongly suggestive of the species presence. Some diggings of this type were seen<br />
in the study area, <strong>and</strong> the <strong>for</strong>est type was assessed as good quality habitat <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s. A confirmed <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong> site also occurs<br />
immediately to the west of the study area, on the other side of Legge Rd, <strong>and</strong> thus<br />
it is plausible that that the species may be present at the site.<br />
Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish<br />
Method<br />
A reconnaissance survey was undertaken by Andrew Murray (DSE Biodiversity<br />
Group, Orbost) on 27 March 2009. The survey used 10 baited box traps<br />
complimented by active h<strong>and</strong> searching along approximately 500m of Brown
Mountain Creek upstream <strong>and</strong> downstream of the point where the in<strong>for</strong>mal<br />
walking track meets the stream.<br />
The stream was found to be particularly shallow, <strong>and</strong> it was very difficult to locate<br />
pools deep enough (ie greater than 15cm) in order to place the box traps.<br />
Nonetheless, 10 traps were set <strong>and</strong> left in situ <strong>for</strong> approximately 3 hours.<br />
Results<br />
None of traps yielded any crayfish (neither Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish or Bidawal <strong>Spiny</strong><br />
Crayfish) or any species of fish. <strong>Surveys</strong> of this type also usually yield freshwater<br />
amphipods or shrimp, but neither of these were detected.<br />
Active h<strong>and</strong> searching also failed to detect any crayfish.<br />
Brown Mountain Creek is a first-order creek that lacks a great deal of complexity in<br />
terms of both instream structure <strong>and</strong> deep pools, both of which tend to be<br />
important to freshwater crayfish in the genus Euastacus. The habitat present was<br />
considered to be sub-optimal <strong>for</strong> Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish.<br />
No <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish were detected at the site <strong>and</strong> the habitat at the site was<br />
assessed as unlikely to provide the appropriate habitat. However, <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish<br />
can also be hard to find, especially as steam levels had dropped through the<br />
summer. Further survey work is recommended to clarify both the presence of<br />
freshwater crayfish in the catchment <strong>and</strong> the identity of species present.<br />
CONCLUSIONS<br />
The survey program produced the following key results:<br />
1. Sufficient Greater Gliders <strong>and</strong> Yellow-bellied Gliders were detected to achieve<br />
the thresholds <strong>for</strong> a high density population of these species as stipulated in<br />
the “Conservation Guideline – Arboreal Mammals” within the East Gippsl<strong>and</strong><br />
Forest Area Management Plan.<br />
2. No <strong>Long</strong>-footed <strong>Potoroo</strong>s were detected.<br />
3. No Orbost <strong>Spiny</strong> Crayfish were detected.<br />
Spotlight surveys were conservative estimates of the numbers of animals actually<br />
present. The consistent detection of high numbers of Greater Gliders <strong>and</strong> Yellowbellied<br />
Gliders confirms that the site supports a high density population.<br />
10
Given the relatively short amount of time available <strong>for</strong> the surveys of <strong>Long</strong>-footed<br />
<strong>Potoroo</strong> <strong>and</strong> the presence of nearby records <strong>and</strong> suitable habitat, it is possible that<br />
a more intensive <strong>and</strong> longer survey may record the species at the site.<br />
Further survey may also detect Orbost Spincy Crayfish, however, the habitat was<br />
considered to be sub-optimal <strong>for</strong> the species.<br />
11