The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve: Final

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2.1.3 Literature review As part of this project an effort was made to collate fauna records from various written sources that have not been entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. In addition to the reports produced for the fauna survey projects listed in section 2.1.1, a key resource was a report by Eddison (2008). This report collates observations of fauna on the reserve by guides, other staff, researchers and naturalists over several decades. This document includes an annotated inventory of species from Kinghorn (1970), supplemented by incidental observations made by the author and other individuals. 2.1.4 Unpublished and other information As part of this project fauna sightings were collated that had previously not been entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. These records were sourced from naturalists and park staff, in particular the cave guides, or sourced from other literature. Several people with long-term knowledge of the park were interviewed. Websites and forums were scanned for sighting information relevant to JKCR, including the forums of bird observers clubs: Birding Aus and NSW Birdline. 2.2 REVIEW OF EXISTING RECORDS 2.2.1 Reviewing the status of existing fauna records For each species, a compiled list of records from within and around JKCR was reviewed. Each species was then allocated to one of the following classes: Accepted: Species for which there are reliable and accurate records; or species for which there is some evidence and can reasonably be presumed to exist due to suitable habitat within the reserve and reliable records in the surrounding area. This includes species that are resident, visitors or vagrants. This category also includes species that have become locally extinct but have been reliably recorded in the past. Excluded (poor locational accuracy): Species for which all records had low spatial reliability (generally the accepted cut-off for records was those with a stated accuracy of 1000 m), or the description indicated that the species was actually seen elsewhere and for which there was no suitable habitat in the reserve or other supporting evidence of its occurrence. Excluded (misidentification or data entry error): Species that had either been misidentified or recorded via a data entry error. These were identified by highlighting all species that had no suitable habitat in the reserve, and/or were outside their known range and for which no supporting evidence existed to indicate they were actually reliably-recorded vagrants or recent extinctions. 2.3 ANALYSIS OF PREVIOUS SURVEY EFFORT Prior to the commencement of field surveys, an analysis was performed to identify gaps in the fauna survey effort previously undertaken within the study area. 2.3.1 Gap analysis of systematic survey effort The aim of systematic surveying is to ensure that each habitat type within JKCR is systematically sampled in proportion to the land area it occupies. The primary stratum used as a surrogate for habitat type for this project was statewide vegetation class, derived from vegetation mapping of the area. A gap analysis was conducted to identify the amount of previous OEH standard systematic fauna survey effort for each fauna group within each statewide vegetation class, to identify strata that had not previously been sampled or had been undersampled in proportion to the area they occupy within the reserve. In addition to this quantitative gap analysis, the distribution of existing survey sites and fauna sightings across the reserve was examined to identify ‘spatial gaps’ in fauna knowledge. The primary gaps identified in systematic fauna survey were: diurnal bird census in all vegetation classes reptile census in all vegetation classes nocturnal site spotlighting census in all vegetation classes nocturnal call playback census in all vegetation classes nocturnal streamside searches in several vegetation classes bat ultrasound call recordings (Anabat) in all vegetation classes 12 The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve
ground mammal surveys in all vegetation classes insectivorous bat surveys, in particular cave-roosting bats. 2.4 BIODIVERSITY SURVEY PRIORITIES (BSP) SURVEY PROGRAM 2.4.1 Systematic fauna survey techniques The systematic fauna survey techniques used for this survey are based on those developed for the Comprehensive Regional Assessments in 1997 (NPWS 1997) and have been adopted as the OEH standard ever since (NPWS 1997). In this document these systematic fauna survey techniques are referred to as OEH standard systematic survey techniques. These techniques sample the following vertebrate fauna groups: diurnal and nocturnal birds, diurnal and nocturnal reptiles, bats, arboreal and ground-dwelling mammals and amphibians. These OEH standard systematic survey techniques have been applied by the BSP program across the GBMWHA over the last eight years, including through neighbouring Kanangra-Boyd NP. Consistency in the use of these systematic techniques allows a comparison between fauna species detected in different vegetation communities and habitats, not only within JKCR but also across other reserves and environments. Field surveyors were supplied with field proformas to facilitate comprehensive, consistent recording of field data and to increase accuracy and efficiency of data entry into the OEH Biodiversity Sub-system (BSS) of the Atlas of NSW Wildlife computer database. The names of observers and recorders were noted on every data sheet to aid data verification and entry. Site Selection The site selection strategy aimed to fill the gaps identified in the gap analysis so that each statewide vegetation class present with the area was sampled in proportion to the area of land it occupies. Where possible repeat sampling within each class was undertaken to provide reasonable reliability that potential variation within each stratum was captured. Such replication of sites serves to strengthen the reliability of patterns derived from collected data. An effort was made to sample the full variety of vegetation communities comprising each broad vegetation class wherever possible. The selection of sites within specific broad vegetation classes was prioritised towards filling large spatial gaps where possible. Sites were initially selected using a Geographic Information System (ArcMap 9.3) with information gained from the derived vegetation map, topographic maps, access trails, and knowledge held by park staff. Where possible sites were placed a minimum of one kilometre apart, or two kilometres for nocturnal call playback surveys. In some cases, due to the A survey site on the Six Foot Track. Photo © C.H. Barker relatively small area of the reserve and the clustering of some habitat features such as the caves, survey sites were placed closer than one kilometre. The placement of harp trap sites to sample microbats was limited by the availability of suitable fly-ways, such as constrictions in taller vegetation types along roads and creek lines. Systematic surveys for bats were also performed on cleared or heavily disturbed lands as these areas often contained dams or open waterbodies, which frequently have high bat activity. In the field, proposed site locations were ground-truthed to ensure that they were representative of the mapped vegetation community/statewide vegetation class, that they had suffered minimal disturbance and comprised a single vegetation type. If these criteria were not met, an alternative location was selected for the site. Systematic survey sites were 100 metres by 200 metres (two hectares) in area. The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve 13
Page 1: The Vertebrate Fauna of the Jenolan
Page 4 and 5: Published by: Office of Environment
Page 7 and 8: CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION............
Page 9 and 10: 6.4.12 Inbreeding..................
Page 11 and 12: 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT RATIONAL
Page 13 and 14: Map 1: Location and features of Jen
Page 15 and 16: Hydrology JKCR encompasses the uppe
Page 17 and 18: 1.3.5 Vegetation Much of the vegeta
Page 19 and 20: wheel-driving and other motor sport
Page 21: Multiple banding trips undertaken b
Page 25 and 26: Bat Ultrasonic (‘Anabat’) Call
Page 27 and 28: undisturbed in situ. As agreed with
Page 29 and 30: Table 4: Statewide vegetation class
Page 31 and 32: Map 5: Location of OEH standard sys
Page 33 and 34: 3 METHODS USED TO ASSESS AND PRIORI
Page 35 and 36: Table 5: Factors used to calculate
Page 37 and 38: Common name Scientific name Reason
Page 39 and 40: species occur in the southern Blue
Page 41 and 42: The proximity of the reserve to mor
Page 43 and 44: extinct. A remnant population there
Page 45 and 46: Table 8: Comparison of detection ra
Page 47 and 48: Map 7: Distribution of introduced b
Page 49 and 50: 5.2 NATIVE SPECIES PROFILES This se
Page 51 and 52: STUTTERING FROG MIXOPHYES BALBUS EP
Page 53 and 54: FLAME ROBIN MELANODRYAS CUCULLATA C
Page 55 and 56: GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO CALYPTORHYNCH
Page 57 and 58: LITTLE EAGLE HIERAAETUS MORPHNOIDES
Page 59 and 60: REGENT HONEYEATER ANTHOCHAERA PHRYG
Page 61 and 62: SPECKLED WARBLER CHTHONICOLA SAGITT
Page 63 and 64: VARIED SITTELLA DAPHOENOSITTA CHRYS
Page 65 and 66: POWERFUL OWL NINOX STRENUA EPBC Act
Page 67 and 68: BETTONG SPECIES BETTONGIA SPP. EPBC
Page 69 and 70: BRUSH-TAILED PHASCOGALE PHASCOGALE
Page 71 and 72: Management Considerations Continue
Page 73 and 74:
EASTERN QUOLL DASYURUS VIVERRINUS E
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KOALA PHASCOLARCTOS CINEREUS EPBC A
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NEW HOLLAND MOUSE PSEUDOMYS NOVAEHO
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PLATYPUS ORNITHORHYNCHUS ANATINUS E
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SMOKY MOUSE PSEUDOMYS FUMEUS EPBC A
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SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL DASYURUS MACUL
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WHITE-FOOTED RABBIT-RAT CONILURUS A
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EASTERN BENTWING-BAT MINIOPTERUS SC
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EASTERN FALSE PIPISTRELLEFALSISTREL
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GREATER BROAD-NOSED BAT SCOTEANAX R
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LARGE-EARED PIED BAT CHALINOLOBUS D
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FERAL CAT FELIS CATUS Feral cat. Ph
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FERAL DOG CANIS LUPUS Feral dog. Ph
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FERAL PIG SUS SCROFA Occurrence in
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RABBIT ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS Occurr
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6.3 RELATIVE PRIORITY OF THREATS In
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6.4.6 Environmental degradation, co
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operations (particularly during mop
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7 MANAGEMENT OF THREATS 7.1 RECOMME
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Management response Target areas or
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8 FURTHER SURVEY AND MONITORING 8.1
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esolved and projects are rarely fun
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8.3.3 Suggested monitoring programs
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OVERVIEW Limestone karst is a limit
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Cook visited after limited installa
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adept climbers and may predate on b
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Interference by the public Some ver
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Predation and competition by the fo
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can also alter the temperature and
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Much of this data is then available
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Spotted-tailed quoll The spotted-ta
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Overall, the current study shows th
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Common Name Morris et al. (1997) OE
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DECC (2007) Terrestrial vertebrate
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Keith, D.A. (2004) Ocean shores to
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Soderquist, T.R., Traill, B.J., Far
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Common name Scientific name NSW leg
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Cave Date inspected Mattagang Cave
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