| Abstract: |
FULL PROJECT NAME: Determining presence and distribution of southern brown bandicoots on the Fleurieu Peninsula using remote sensor cameras.
AIM:
This project aims to set up remote-sensor cameras in areas of potential Southern Brown Bandicoot habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula, near Adelaide, South Australia, to determine presence of the species. Monitoring will occur on public and private land (in consultation with landholders). The data collected will help provide strategic direction in the management of properties (and surrounding) where bandicoot are confirmed.
BACKGROUND:
Southern Brown Bandicoot (SA mainland and KI ssp) (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) are medium-sized marsupials with a short, pointed snout. Their average weight is approximately 700g in females, and 850g in males. They are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and/or dusk), but are also recorded to have some diurnal (daytime) activity.
In South Australia they are found predominantly in open forests, woodlands and tall shrublands. Dense ground cover is pivotal to habitat choice, and thus introduced blackberry can also be potential bandicoot habitat.
Nests are often found under mature Xanthorrhoea species. Since the time of European settlement the abundance of Southern Brown Bandicoot has reduced due to clearing of native habitat, inappropriate removal of blackberry (i.e. not staged removal allowing for natural regeneration, or no revegetation post removal), introduction of feral predators (e.g. cats and foxes), habitat degradation, changed fire regimes, disease and road mortality. Threats in this region are particularly exacerbated by the peri-urban environment and human land-use requirements, as well as limited understanding of the species and mistaken identification as vermin (i.e. rat). This species is listed as endangered under the EPBC Act 1999, and is classified as vulnerable in the NPW Act 1972. According to the Regional Species Conservation Assessment Project for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Region, the species is locally endangered. There is a gap in knowledge of the distribution and extent of Fleurieu Peninsula bandicoot populations, particularly on privately-owned property.
ACTIONS:
This project fits within seven of the Recovery Plan Actions in the Regional Recovery Plan for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, 2004-09 (Department for Environment and Heritage):
1. To increase knowledge of distribution, abundance and ecology;
2. Implement threat abatement strategies: pest animal species;
3. Implement threat abatement strategies: habitat loss and fragmentation;
4. Implement threat abatement strategies: habitat degradation;
5. Implement threat abatement strategies: road mortality;
6. Threat abatement strategies: fire regimes;
7. Enhance the public profile, and encourage community participation in the recovery.
Note to users of the data: it is possible duplicate records may exist under this project. |