DARLING RIVERINE PLAINS BIOREGION Background Report

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16/08/02 Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion Background Report (NPWS 2001a) defines clearing as: loss or modification of native vegetation for cropping, establishment of plantations or for improved pasture; loss or modification of native vegetation for urban development; loss or modification of native vegetation for development of industry and infrastructure (eg quarries, mines, factory sites, dams, roads, railways, powerlines); and clearing of understorey (and/ or replacement by exotic species) for example, along roadsides. EPA (2000) states that ‘vegetation clearance is the single greatest threat to terrestrial biological diversity in New South Wales and is still causing significant biodiversity losses in the State’. NPWS (2001a) outline the impacts of clearing on biodiversity as: destruction of habitat resulting in loss of local populations of individual species; expansion of dryland salinity; riparian zone degradation; increased greenhouse gas emissions; increased habitat for exotic species; loss of leaf litter layer; and loss or disruption of functioning ecological interactions. Many threatened species of flora and fauna and ecological communities occurring in the DRP are threatened by clearing. These include the seven mammals, three reptiles, 24 bird species and five plant species (NPWS 2001a). Dieback caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (cinnamon fungus) Dieback caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi is listed as a key threatening process under the EPBC Act. Dieback in plants caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi is mainly a problem in other bioregions and states or territories and it has not yet been recorded in western New South Wales. This lack of data on the fungus is justified by climatic variables not being suitable in the area because it is not humid enough and that the cost of undertaking extensive mapping of the fungus nationally is extreme (Environment Australia 1999a, 1999b). Several species present in the DRP have the potential to be adversely affected. Psittacine circoviral (beak and feather) disease Psittacine circoviral disease is listed as a key threatening process under the EPBC Act. Psittacine Circoviral disease affects parrots and their allies (Psittacines) and is usually fatal. The virus is long-lived and has the potential to persist in nest hollows causing their long-term contamination. The virus is widespread in wild Psittacines, including in galahs (Cacatua roseicapilla) and sulphur-crested cockatoos (C. galerita). Potentially catastrophic losses could occur if an infestation was to occur in bird populations that had been dramatically reduced (Environment Australia 2001c). It has been specifically listed as a KTP for nationally endangered parrots, none of which have been recorded within the DRP but species such as the superb parrot could also be at risk. No threat abatement plan has been prepared for this KTP. Removal of large woody debris Removal of large woody debris has been listed as key threatening process under the FMA 1994. Large woody debris includes “large masses of trees or shrubs that have fallen or that have been washed into rivers and streams” (FSC 2001a). Large woody debris (FSC 2001a): 124
16/08/02 Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion Background Report provide habitat for benthic plants; lead to organic enrichment by capturing detritus and contributing to secondary production by degradation of the debris itself; provide refuges from predators and interactions between competitors for fish and invertebrates; provide velocity refuges that minimise energy costs of swimming; provide spawning sites essential for successful reproduction; provide home range markers for territorial and migratory fish species; provide refuge and spawning habitats in the riparian zone during overbank flooding; assist in erosion prevention by stabilising sediments of stream banks and riparian zones; and assist in the scouring of deep holes adjacent to woody debris which acts as temperature and drought refuges. Threatened fish species that occur within the DRP and which are affected by this process include trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) (FSC 2001a). Degradation of native riparian vegetation along New South Wales water courses ‘Degradation of native riparian vegetation along New South Wales water courses’ has been listed as a key threatening process under the FMA 1994. The Fisheries Scientific Committee defines riparian vegetation as “any vegetation on land which adjoins, directly influences, or is influenced by a body of water” (FSC 2001b). Degradation of native riparian vegetation includes invasion of riparian vegetation by non-native species. Negative effects of degradation of native riparian vegetation include increased amounts of sediment and nutrients via runoff and increased light penetration to the waterbody leading to increased algal growth and smothering of benthic communities, reduced inputs of organic carbon which are a major energy source in most stream ecosystems, reduced inputs of large woody debris entering the system leading to a reduction in spawning and habitat sites of several fish and aquatic invertebrates, destabilisation of river banks, and reduced overhanging riparian vegetation leading to decreased shelter and shade for fish. Threatened fish species recorded within the DRP affected by this process include trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis), Murray hardyhead (Craterocephalus fluviatilis), and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) and the endangered populations of purple-spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa), and olive perchlet (Ambassis agassizii) (FSC 2001b). Introduction of fish to fresh waters within a river catchment outside their natural range ‘Introduction of fish to fresh waters within a river catchment outside their natural range’ is listed as a key threatening process under the FMA, 1994. Introduced fish recorded in the DRP (brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss), European carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) and redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis)) all have self-sustaining populations within the waterways of New South Wales (FSC 2001c). Introduced fish affect populations of native fauna and flora by direct predation, competition for food, competition for spawning localities, competition for habitat, habitat degradation through uprooting vegetation and disturbance of sediments and promotion of the spread of diseases in native species. Threatened fish species recorded within the DRP affected by this process include Murray hardyhead (Craterocephalus fluviatilis), trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis), and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) the endangered 125
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DARLING RIVERINE PLAINS BIOREGION B
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For more information data contact t
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3.2 Vegetation Mapping and Descript
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10 APPENDICES 166 A CLIMATIC DATA B
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List of Maps Chapter 1 Map 1 Locati
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PROJECT SUMMARY This report forms p
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abbits are listed as key threatenin
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16/08/02 Darling Riverine Plains Bi
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ainfall (mm) 900 800 700 600 500 40
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1500 1000 500 0 -500 -1000 -1500 -2
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Family Scientific Name Common Name
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Family Scientific Name cretica Comm
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APPENDIX E: Fauna Other than Those
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Common Name Scientific Name No Reco
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Common 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 198
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Common Name 1983 1984 1985 1986 198
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Taxa No Records Dataset Class Arach
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Taxa No Records Dataset Family Hebr
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Taxa No Records Dataset Tabanidae s
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Taxa No Records Dataset Berosus sp
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DARLING RIVERINE PLAINS BIOREGION Background Report

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