Aaron Organ

We report spotlight and camera-trap observations of Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) at six locations up to 15km east of its described range. Half of our records occurred in fire-affected, mixed-species forest, with a tree species and seral stage composition that differs markedly from its predominant habitat: late-mature forests dominated by Eucalyptus regnans, E. delegatensis and E. nitens.

The brolga Grus rubicunda breeds primarily in shallow freshwater wetlands and is classified as Vulnerable in Victoria. Specific guidelines have been developed to mitigate potential impacts of the wind industry on brolga populations. Identifying brolga nest sites is a key aspect of these guidelines and aerial surveys are suggested as one method. We used aerial surveys to identify brolga nesting sites over a large area of south-western Victoria during the 2009 and 2010 breeding seasons. We… Show more

The brolga Grus rubicunda breeds primarily in shallow freshwater wetlands and is classified as Vulnerable in Victoria. Specific guidelines have been developed to mitigate potential impacts of the wind industry on brolga populations. Identifying brolga nest sites is a key aspect of these guidelines and aerial surveys are suggested as one method. We used aerial surveys to identify brolga nesting sites over a large area of south-western Victoria during the 2009 and 2010 breeding seasons. We surveyed approximately 800 km2 over the two seasons, and detected 44 nests which were subsequently ground-truthed. Of these nests, nine were confirmed as belonging to brolgas, 14 as belonging to black swan Cygnus atratus and 21 were either abandoned or not accessible. Aerial surveys covered a much larger survey area over a shorter time period compared with ground surveys (approximately half the time), and covered wetlands not otherwise easily accessible (e.g. sites located away from roads and/or on private property). Given the difficulties in distinguishing between brolga and black swan nests, it is imperative that wetlands are ground truthed to accurately identify nests. Given that not all nests are active concurrently in a given season, our results reveal that at least two aerial surveys are required across a study area to detect 75 % of the brolga nests in a season.
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The rapidly increasing number of threatened flora and fauna species worldwide is one of the chief problems confronting environmental professionals today. This problem is largely due to the impact humans have had on land use through development (e.g. agricultural, residential, industrial, infrastructure and mining developments).

The requirement for developers to implement measures to reduce the impacts of development on wildlife is underpinned by government legislation. A variety of… Show more

The rapidly increasing number of threatened flora and fauna species worldwide is one of the chief problems confronting environmental professionals today. This problem is largely due to the impact humans have had on land use through development (e.g. agricultural, residential, industrial, infrastructure and mining developments).

The requirement for developers to implement measures to reduce the impacts of development on wildlife is underpinned by government legislation. A variety of measures or strategies are available to reduce such impacts, including those to reduce impacts on flora and fauna during land clearance, to deter fauna from potential hazards, to facilitate the movement of fauna around and through a development site as well as those to provide additional habitat. In recent years, considerable advances have been made in the techniques used to reduce the impacts of development on wildlife in Australia and overseas.

Reducing the Impacts of Development on Wildlife contains a comprehensive range of practical measures to assist others to reduce the impacts resulting from development on terrestrial flora and fauna, and promotes ecologically sustainable development. It will be very useful to environmental consultants and managers, developers, strategists, policy makers and regulators, as well as community environmental groups and students.
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Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd facilitated and managed the expert workshop, and developed the initial draft Striped Legless Lizard Policy Statement under the EPBC Act, and background document in conjunction with other experts on the species.

The Striped Legless Lizard is listed as a vulnerable species under the EPBC Act, and vulnerable species are a matter of national environmental significance under the Act. The policy statement is intended to provide guidance to proponents on… Show more

Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd facilitated and managed the expert workshop, and developed the initial draft Striped Legless Lizard Policy Statement under the EPBC Act, and background document in conjunction with other experts on the species.

The Striped Legless Lizard is listed as a vulnerable species under the EPBC Act, and vulnerable species are a matter of national environmental significance under the Act. The policy statement is intended to provide guidance to proponents on the need to refer an action to which the EPBC Act applies.

The key elements of this policy statement were developed during an expert workshop with scientific experts, state and territory threatened species officers and environmental consultants. The policy statement has been available for public comment and where appropriate changes have been made. Show less

Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd was commissioned by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to prepare technical details and guidelines for a Sub-regional Strategy (SRS) for the nationally threatened Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis to meet the requirements of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program (the Program), under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

This technical background and guidelines should… Show more

Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd was commissioned by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to prepare technical details and guidelines for a Sub-regional Strategy (SRS) for the nationally threatened Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis to meet the requirements of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program (the Program), under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

This technical background and guidelines should be read in conjunction with the main SRS for the species that has been prepared by DSE. The SRS has been developed to provide a strategic framework for the conservation of L. raniformis throughout the revised Urban Growth Areas Boundary (UGB) and associated 28 precincts included within the Program (referred to as the study area). Show less

Populations of the threatened Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis in metropolitan Melbourne
currently occur in human-made habitats and there is little information on their current status. We
conducted systematic field surveys at 28 waterbodies within a population distributed over agricultural
land in the Pakenham area, on the south-eastern urban-fringe of Melbourne,Victoria, during the 2005106
breeding season. Our aim was to identify key areas for the conservation of L… Show more

Populations of the threatened Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis in metropolitan Melbourne
currently occur in human-made habitats and there is little information on their current status. We
conducted systematic field surveys at 28 waterbodies within a population distributed over agricultural
land in the Pakenham area, on the south-eastern urban-fringe of Melbourne,Victoria, during the 2005106
breeding season. Our aim was to identify key areas for the conservation of L. raniformis.We recorded L.
raniformis at 14 waterbodies where we marked 3 1 males and 16 females. Occupied waterbodies had a
greater proportion of submerged vegetation, a higher pH, and were situated close to other occupied
waterbodies, generally < 200 m.The adult male and female population size was estimated at 45 f
10 (It S.E.) and 23 f 8 individuals, respectively.There was high site fidelity at occupied waterbodies
(> 80% recapture rates). Recruitment was recorded in only two waterbodies.Two males and four
females were recorded moving 15 - 20 m between adjacent waterbodies, whereas one additional
male moved 130 m. Dispersal and movement corridors important for the persistence of L raniformis
in the study area include agricultural drains and Gum Scrub Creelc High priority conservation areas
are waterbodies situated in close proximity to the creek and Melbourne - Bairnsdale railway reserve,
and clusters of occupied waterbodies to the south. Show less