Factors Affecting Flora Conservation - Victorian Environmental ...

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frog, and metallic skink. Haswells froglet,
more commonly found along the eastem
Victorian coast, has been recorded in the
study area only in heathland vegetation.
Coastal vegetation
This category includes coastal grassy forest,
swamp scmb, dry coast complex
(incorporating coastal dune scmb, coastal
banksia woodland, and coastal tussock
grassland), and coastal salt-marsh (including
mangroves). Many of these communities
occur as small and often linear areas, that are
surrounded by several other communities,
making it difficult to determine precise
habitat utilisation. The faunal fists for some
of diem may be incomplete.
Two uncommon species of mammal, the
swamp antechinus and white-footed dunnart,
occur in coastal tussock grassland. Sea caves
along the southern coast of the Mornington
Peninsula provide roosting sites for the
common bent-wing bat. For other species of
non-cave dwelling bats, the lack of suitable
roosting sites (free hollows) restricts use of
these areas, bul individuals roosting nearby
are likely to forage here.
The ability of the common ringtail possum to
constmct nest-like dreys, and so not depend
on tree hollows, has allowed it to become the
most widespread arboreal mammal. The
common bmshtail possum and sugar glider
are found in coastal grassy forest where tree
hollows are more abundant. Very few native
mammals utilise coastal salt-marsh; however,
the swamp wallaby wUl forage in this
community.
Coastal bird species such as the red-capped
plover, hooded plover, and pied oystercatcher
feed and nest on die beach and in die
foredunes of this vegetation category. On die
southern coast of PhUlip Island, die extensive
areas of dry coast complex contain nesting
sites for large numbers of short-tailed
shearwaters and little penguins. In coastal
dune scmb, the coastal tea-tree provides
dense cover for forest birds such as grey
fantalls as well as two species, the singing
honeyeater and spiny-cheeked honeyeater,
that (in the study area), specialise in coastal
vegetation. Coastal banksia woodland offers
abundant foraging opportunities for
lorikeets and honeyeaters (such as the little
watflebird).
The extensive coastal salt-marsh in Western
Port is the primary habitat of the
calamanthus, and also supports Lewins rail
and Japanese snipe. On French Island,
coastal salt-marsh is used in autumn by
orange-bellied parrots, and by the Australian
pelican for nesting. Mangrove vegetation is
also used by Lewins raU, as well as by black
swans, sacred ibis, white-faced heron, and
other water- and wading birds, such as greytailed
tattler. Pied cormorants have nested in
mangroves on French Island. Some forest
birds such as the brown thornbUl also forage
in mangroves.
Coastal vegetation provides habitat for 21
reptile and 7 amphibian species. Coasta)
grassy woodland supports the most diverse
herpetofauna, with 77% found here. Species
associated with this community include die
southern water skink (CTF), delicate skink,
weasel skink, eastem small-eyed snake,
eastern three-lined skink, and southern
toadlet.
The glossy grass skink, listed as a threatened
species in Victoria, apparenfly occupies
swamp scmb almost exclusively. Another
threatened species with a restricted
distribution, the swamp skink, occurs wiihin
this community and also inhabits the tidal
coastal salt-marsh areas within Westem Port.
The only other species able to tolerate these
tidal conditions are the metallic skink and
glossy grass skink. The common scaly-foot,
a cryptic legless lizard, occurs as remnant
populafions in coastal tussock grassland on
the Momington Peninsula, where cracking
soils and grassy tussocks appear to be
important.
Coastal embayments and oceans
A large number of marine mammals have
been recorded in coastal regions of the study
area. Seal Rocks, off' Phillip Island, supports
the largest Victorian breeding colony of the
Australian fur-seal. The coastal waters are
used by a number of whales and dolphins,
some of which, such as common dolphin and
bottle-nosed dolphin are resident, while
others, such as southern right whale and
humpback whale use the area on a seasonal
basis.
Westem Port has an extensive coasfline, large
areas of shallow waters, and at low tide
substantial mud and sand flats. Together