Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on Pikes Hill Track in East Gippsland

Transcription

1 Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on Pikes Hill Track in East Gippsland Coupes surveyed: District Coupe Number Orbost Orbost Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Wildlife Unlimited Pty Ltd

2 1 INTRODUCTION Wildlife Unlimited was commissioned by VicForests to conduct surveys for spiny crayfish (Euastacus sp.), galaxiids (Galaxias sp.), Black-fellow s Hemp (Androcalva rossii), Slender Tree-fern (Cyathea cunninghamii) and Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis) in and adjacent to two active harvesting coupes ( and ) on Pikes Hill Track near Orbost, East Gippsland. Both coupes have been partially harvested. 2 METHODS 2.1 Riparian surveys for Crayfish and Galaxiids Aerial imagery and topographical maps were used to identify streams in the survey area that could provide habitat for either crayfish or galaxiid species. These were then assessed during daylight hours to confirm the presence of suitable habitat before nocturnal surveys were conducted for these species. Nocturnal surveys were undertaken on February 25 th by two observers (Jim Reside and Hayley Davis) and included spotlighting pools of slow-flowing water with good visibility, and actively searching by carefully moving and inspecting underneath potential refuge habitat such as flat rocks, overhanging but submerged vegetation, and submerged logs. 2.2 Black-fellow s Hemp and Slender Tree-fern surveys Black-fellow s Hemp and Slender Tree-fern surveys were conducted on February 18 th and 25 th 2016 by up to three Wildlife Unlimited staff with experience identifying a range of plants in the East Gippsland region (Jim Reside, Aileen Collyer and Hayley Davis). Surveys for Black-fellow s Hemp involved walking transects approximately metres apart through suitable habitat, while Slender Tree-fern surveys involved searching accessible gully lines. A GPS was used to record all Black-fellow s Hemp or Slender Tree-ferns detected. The species identification of each plant was confirmed by all observers. 2.3 Yellow-bellied Glider and other nocturnal fauna survey A spotlight transect survey was conducted on February 19 th 2016 by three Wildlife Unlimited staff, two with significant experience surveying Yellow-bellied Gliders and other nocturnal fauna (Jim Reside and Aileen Collyer), and one less experienced staff member working under supervision (Hayley Davis). This involved surveying along a snig track through coupe and along Pikes Hill Track (Map 2). One observer commenced surveying along the snig track and then north along Pikes Hill Road (Spotlight A), while the other two observers started at the second coupe and made their way south along Pikes Hill Track (Spotlight B), ending the survey when the two parties met. The survey transect was 50 metres wide, i.e. 25 metres either side of the transect. The survey was commenced after last light as recorded in Orbost. All observers used a LED Lenser brand head torch to search trees visible from the transect for nocturnal fauna, which included looking for eye-shine or signs of movement. All fauna species detected either visually or by call were recorded by marking the location of the observer with a GPS and recording the bearing and estimated distance of the animal from the observer. A GPS was also used to record the location and distance of the survey transect. 3 RESULTS 3.1 Weather conditions The weather conditions for nocturnal surveys on February 18 th were as follows: Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 2

3 Temperature: 17.5 C Relative humidity: 81 % Cloud cover: 90 % Wind speed: Calm Rain: None The weather conditions for nocturnal surveys on February 25 th were as follows: Temperature: C Relative humidity: 80 % Cloud cover: 100 % Wind speed: Calm Rain: Some light drizzle 3.2 Riparian surveys Three streams were targeted during the current survey (Map 1): along the southern edge of coupe (Stream 1); along the northern edge of coupe and across Pike Hill Tk into the main gully (Stream 2); and along the northern edge of coupe (Stream 3). During the diurnal assessment, Stream 2 was found to be subterranean west of Pikes Hill Tk (i.e. along the coupe boundary) but flowing strongly downstream of the road. Only the latter section of the stream was therefore included in the survey effort. Both Stream 2 and Stream 3 were flowing strongly during the current survey. Table 1 Details of riparian surveys conducted during the current survey Site Start time Start Easting* Start Northing* End time End Easting* End Northing* Stream : : Stream 2 19: : Stream 3 21: : Distance (m) * There was some discrepancy between data recorded by GPS units carried by field staff and existing spatial data (such as creeks layers or aerial imagery). This may have been due to the reduced accuracy of GPS units when working along stream lines. Coordinates for the start and end of transect surveys have therefore been estimated based on GPS track logs, existing GIS data and aerial imagery. + A crayfish was located in Stream 1 during the diurnal assessment; the stream was therefore not re-surveyed after dark Crayfish detections A female crayfish of an undescribed species was detected in Stream 1 during the diurnal assessment (Table 2). s had planned to survey from downstream heading towards the coupe, however the quick detection of the crayfish meant this was deemed unnecessary; the survey transect is hence some distance from the actual coupe boundary (Map 1). Photos of the specimen were forwarded to two aquatic biologists/taxonomists for confirmation (Appendix 1). Table 2 Location and identification of crayfish species detected during the current survey Site Species Easting Northing Stream 1 Undescribed crayfish species Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 3

4 3.2.2 Galaxiid detections Up to three small galaxiid fish (<10cm in total length) were observed in Stream 2 but unable to be captured. They matched the general description of galaxiid in overall colour and pattern, particularly the vertical broad stripes and blotches, body shape being long and thin, and colour being very pale around the mouthparts and ventral surface. No galaxiids were detected in Stream 1 or Stream 3. Table 3 Approximate location of galaxiid fish species detected during the current survey Site Species Easting Northing Stream 2 Galaxiid species Black-fellow s Hemp Black-fellow s Hemp was detected at three locations within the area surveyed in coupe (Table 4 and Map 1). This included both juvenile and adult plants. Numerous other plants were seen (but not recorded) along the edge of Pikes Hill Tk between the most southerly and northerly coupe. Table 4 Location and number of Black-fellow s Hemp plants detected during the current survey BFH detection number Number of plants Description Easting Northing 1 1 Juvenile plant to ~1.5m tall x adult to 4m tall, 10cm DBH 1 x juvenile to 4m tall, but DBH only ~3cm 8 x juvenile plants (including seedlings) 4 x adult plants Slender Tree-fern A survey was conducted for Slender Tree-fern in the gully south of coupe (Map 1). No Slender Tree-ferns were located during the current survey. 3.5 Yellow-bellied Glider survey Survey effort The total length of the survey transect was approximately 3.35 kilometres however this included bends in the track. Spotlight A covered approximately 1280 metres, while Spotlight B covered 2070 metres (Map 2). Spotlight A was commenced at 20:38, while Spotlight B was commenced at 20:40; both spotlights were completed at 22: Yellow-bellied Glider detections A total of 10 Yellow-bellied Gliders were detected during the spotlight survey, two during Spotlight A and eight during Spotlight B (Table 5). All Yellow-bellied Gliders were detected by call, and a number were heard calling simultaneously, thereby allowing observers to confirm the presence of multiple individuals (e.g. gliders A1 and A2; or B3, B4 and B5 as shown in Map 2). The distance between the most northerly and southerly Yellow-bellied Gliders detected was approximately 1.4 kilometres. Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 4

5 Table 5 Nocturnal fauna species detected during spotlight survey : Spotlight Species Number of individuals Seen/ Heard Time Easting Northing Distance (m) Direction ( o ) Fauna Easting* Fauna Northing* A Southern Boobook 1 H 20: A Greater Glider 1 S 20: YBG detection number A Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: A1 A Sugar Glider 1 S 21: A Mountain Brushtail Possum 1 S 21: A Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: A2 A Southern Boobook 3 S/H 21: A Macropod sp. 1 H 21: A Mountain Brushtail Possum 1 S 22: A Common Ringtail Possum 2 S 22: A Common Ringtail Possum 1 S 22: A Australian Owlet-Nightjar + 1 H 22: B Mountain Brushtail Possum 1 H 20: B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: B1 B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: B2 B Greater Glider 1 S 21: B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: B3 B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: B4 B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: B5 B Sugar Glider 1 S 21: B Greater Glider 1 S 21: B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21: B6 B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 22: B7 B Sugar Glider 1 H 22: Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 5

6 Spotlight Species Number of individuals Seen/ Heard Time Easting Northing Distance (m) Direction ( o ) Fauna Easting* Fauna Northing* YBG detection number B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 22: B8 * This is the estimated location of the fauna species detected based on the position of the observer/s and the estimated distance and direction of the species + Recorded after survey completion when walking back to vehicle Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 6

7 Map 1 Crayfish, galaxiid and flora surveys conducted during the current survey and location of target species Note: There was some discrepancy between data recorded by GPS units carried by field staff and existing spatial data (such as creeks layers or aerial imagery). Additionally, the accuracy of GPS units was reduced when working along stream lines or in gullies, resulting in fairly erratic track logs. The data depicted in this map is therefore intended as a guide to where surveys were undertaken and does not represent the actual data recorded by GPS. (In the case of Stream 2, aerial imagery and GPS track logs both indicate that this is not mapped correctly in the current spatial layer.) For Black-fellow s Hemp records, numbered labels correspond to BFH detection number recorded in Table 4. Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 7

8 Map 2 Yellow-bellied Glider and dusk listening survey conducted during the current survey and estimated location of target species Numbered labels correspond to YBG detection number recorded in Table 5. Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 8

9 Appendix 1 Crayfish species identification The following images were sent to of the species detected are as follows: for identification. Their comments regarding the taxonomy based on the lack of telsonic surface spines and there being 4 (2+2) mesal carpal spines, the cray does not fit the current key for spiny crayfish. Logic goes as follows: 1. If we assume that the male cuticle partition would be present, along with the lack of telsonic surface spines, we have a choice of the following crayfish described from the East Gippsland region: Euastacus diversus and Euastacus bidawalus. Only the distribution of E. bidawalus extends over the Arte River system, though it has only been recorded with 3 mesal carpal spines, not four (only 1 individual with four and all spines evenly spaced, not with 2 closer together as in your image), plus the crayfish in your image seems to have a lot more blue and red on it than would possibly be found on E. bidawalus. 2. If we assume the male cuticle partition is absent, along with the lack of telsonic surface spines we have a choice of the following species: Euastacus crassus and Euastacus diversus, though they are not found in the Arte River system and have 3 mesal carpal spines. Therefore, based on the above it appears that the crayfish is probably not one of the described species. thanks for the photos, yes they are of a new undescribed species. They do not match the description for E. bidawalus which is the currently recognised Euastacus in that region. Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 9

10 Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 10

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