Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

BYRON FLORA AND FAUNA STUDY, 1999
(Callaghan et al. 1994). The Long-nosed Potoroo is particularly susceptible to predation by Foxes once
understorey shelter is removed or modified and a number of examples of localised extinctions as a result
have been documented.
A study on the diet of the Fox, Dog and Cat (Triggs et al 1984) found that the Common Ringtail Possum was
the main prey for these predators. The Fox and Cat also took the Bush Rat, the Brown Antechinus and the
Echidna. The Dog’s diet included larger mammals such as the Red-necked and Swamp Wallabies in addition
to the Brown Antechinus and Echidna. The abundance of the Cat was the best predictor of decline in small
native rodents such as Pseudomys and Melomys spp. (Smith and Quinn 1996).
Mammal declines are less severe where the Dingo is abundant, possibly because the latter species actively
excludes Foxes (Smith and Quinn 1996). Retaining natural shelters such as rockpiles and logs has been
shown to allow the co-existence of small terrestrial fauna with the Fox (Kinnear et al. 1988). The maintenance
of understorey and ground cover vegetation, is also important in providing shelter and refuge from these
introduced predators for terrestrial frogs and reptiles, particularly the larger skinks, for small mammals and
for ground-dwelling birds.
Shallow ponds and dams, grassy swales with closely mown or grazed edges, lawns, roadways and cleared land
create ideal breeding and foraging areas for the Cane Toad (Seabrook 1993). This species is known as a
voracious predator of small terrestrial vertebrates including the Threatened Common Planigale (Covacevich
and Archer 1975) and is also toxic to frog-eating snakes such as the Red-bellied Black Snake. Methods for
controlling Cane Toad populations include the planting of dense vegetation such as sedges and rushes
around dams to reduce their suitability as breeding habitat and restricting areas of mown lawns, particularly
where electric lighting is installed, limits areas suitable for foraging.
7.7 DEVELOPMENT
Development can have obvious direct effects on native vegetation since clearing is frequently required to
locate buildings and infrastructure. Changes to drainage and increased nutrient run-off may modify adjacent
vegetation. Rubbish, which sometimes includes environmental weeds, may be dumped in neighbouring
bushland. Trampling of vegetation is likely when informal walking tracks are created, and Dogs and Cats
may have access to surrounding bush.
These impacts can be minimized or compensated for by appropriate location of development sites and
providing information that encourages interest in, and respect for, the surrounding vegetation. Minimum
habitat buffers need to be developed for developments in areas adjacent to extant habitat. The planting of
suitable native species should be encouraged or required, and the planting of species with environmental
weed potential prohibited in all newly developed areas.
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