New Vision for Stradbroke Island

The State Government has announced on Sunday the 20th of June, that 50% of Straddie will be National Park by the end of 2011, and that 80% will be National Park by 2027.

Let’s celebrate and be pleased that these commitments have been made.

We must also be aware that the devil is in the detail and we don’t know what this announcement means in terms of mining lease renewals. We still hold that while there may need to be a transition period to protect jobs on the island, we don’t want to see the last pristine areas mined. That will make the good news very hollow indeed.

You can visit the details of the Government’s announcement and also have your say at:

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NATIONAL PARK HELPS SAVE THE NORTHERN HAIRY NOSED WOMBAT

Karen Langton reports:

The northern hairy-nosed wombat is one of the world’s most endangered mammals, even rarer than the Giant Panda and the Sumatran Tiger. With only 138 left in the wild, the Queensland Government is keen to maintain and enhance this population.

Epping Forest National Park, in inland central Queensland, has been home to this threatened species of wombat for over 100 years. However, there is a significant risk that a major natural disaster such as fire or flood could wipe out the entire species.

In January 2008, Epping Forest was isolated by the floodwaters that covered much of central
Queensland and fortunately, the wombat burrows appeared to be on elevated ground above the water level. During fires, the wombats use their deep burrows for protection so it is not the fire itself that threatens them. It is the lack of food after the fire that causes problems.

This protected area, designated a scientific national park in 1974 is 3160 hectares. A major threat to the resident wombats was predation threats from wild dogs and in response to this, the Department of the Environment and Resource Management (DERM), built a predator-proof fence around the wombat habitat in 2002 to permanently protect the population.

Despite this protection, DERM decided that further measures were necessary and a recovery plan for the northern hairy-nosed wombat was introduced for 2004-2008. A specific objective of the plan was to reintroduce wombats to a new site within their known habitat in the 1800s, to safeguard the species.

A leading mining company - Xstrata- sponsored the reintroduction project as part of their Community Partnerships Program, and an area suitable to host a second colony of wombats was located. The Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, near St George, proved to be an ideal habitat for the wombats to establish a new population.

It was decided that up to 24 wombats would be translocated from Epping Forest National Park to the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge. The first reintroduction took place in the winter of 2009. The release site preparations included:

• management infrastructure
• predator-proof fence
• supplemntary feed and water stations
• wombat monitoring equipment such as remote cameras
• wombat starter burrows

Radio tracking collars will allow DERM staff to monitor the reintroduced wombats.

Various DERM media releases have been issued to provide updates on the project.
(Summarised from DERM website)

New Wombat Home Welcomes Its First Resident
DERM 21st July 2009

A northern hairy-nosed wombat has just flown 600 kilometres to be the first resident of a new home established for the endangered species in south west Queensland, Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said today.


 Wombat prepares to enter his new home (DERM)

Ms Jones said State Government scientists and rangers earlier flew the first of seven selected wombats from the Epping Forest National Park population in central Queensland to begin a second colony at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, Yarran Downs, about an hour from St George.

“This is hopefully one small step for the northern hairy-nosed wombats and one giant leap for the survival of the species,” Ms Jones said.

“Epping Forest, outside Clermont, has been home to the last remaining population of northern hairy-nosed wombats for more than 100 years.”

“It was critical that we established a second home for them to ensure the survival of the species and protect it from a catastrophic event such as flood or fire. With Xstrata’s invaluable support, we were able to do that.”

“I’m advised on arrival at the second colony at Yarran Downs, the wombat walked straight into one of the man-made burrows like he was still at Epping.”

Ms Jones said the population is estimated to be as low as 138 individuals. Wombats were selected for the move to St George based on gender, age, weight and maturity.

“Rather than being a hostile environment, this place has been selected because it provides just the right living conditions for the wombats.

“Rangers have provided water stations within the fenced off area of the nature refuge, removed weeds and feral animals, and constructed ‘starter’ burrows to give the wombats the best possible chance to establish this crucial second colony.

Corporate partner Xstrata has provided $3 million over three years to help DERM set up the new site, which will soon include ranger accommodation, laboratory, workshop, infra red monitoring equipment and necessary health care. Xstrata Coal Queensland’s Chief Operating Officer Reinhold Schmidt said he was pleased the company was playing a role in saving an iconic and endangered species.

“We are proud to be part of this innovative project led by a specialist team aiming to give this species a second chance,” Mr Schmidt said.

Ms Jones said the reintroduction project involves risks, but is necessary for ensuring the survival of the northern hairy-nosed wombat.

“Getting the wombats to their new home is only part of the challenge - there is much more to be done to ensure this project is successfully accomplished,” she said.

First Footage Shows Wombats Like Their New Digs
DERM 12th May 2010

New video footage of the second colony of endangered northern hairy-nosed wombats near St George show the new female residents are settling in well. Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said the six wombats had been captured on infra-red camera moving from one burrow to another.

She said last month’s trapping at their first home near Clermont, central Queensland, saw three females flown 600km south to a nature refuge where the State Government has established a second colony to help safeguard the species from extinction.

“The new female wombats are just like anyone who moves to a new area,” Ms Jones said.

“They are checking out their surroundings and deciding where to live. In this case, it’s a question of which burrow on the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge on Yarran Downs.”
“Introducing these three females helps balance the sex ratio at the refuge, which is now home to four females and two males.”

“The area currently has an abundance of food and water due to recent heavy rains in the St George area, so plenty of feed is available for the wombats and their competitor for food, swamp wallabies.”

Ms Jones said a danger had recently emerged in the form of a predator which had been stalking the colony.

“The refuge is protected by a two-and-a-half metre high fence but a feral cat has been prowling the refuge at night,” she said.”

“It’s not an immediate threat to the colony but rangers have their eye on it.

“Though the program contains an element of managed risk, it is worth it to protect the species from extinction.”

Up to a total of 12 Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats are to be re-introduced as part of this year’s program, with the next stage scheduled in Spring. This year’s reintroduction program occurred after testing showed that no infectious diseases were present at the nature refuge. Two apparently healthy male wombats from the first translocated group last year died, with snakebite identified as a possible cause. To ensure the new environment was as safe as possible for the newcomers, tests were conducted on a male wombat living in the refuge to confirm that no disease was present. The St George area had been originally part of the northern hairy-nosed wombat’s range but over the past 100 years the population had shrunk to a small number in the Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland, making the re-introduction program significant on a world-scale.

WILD MACADAMIA NUTS NEED SAFE HAVEN
Mike Gregory

It is estimated that a staggering 80% of wild macadamia trees have been destroyed since European settlement. To prevent these precious trees edging closer to extinction, Horticulture Australia recently commissioned the development of a Recovery Plan for the four southern species of Macadamia. The Recovery Plan was finalised last year and adopted by the Commonwealth government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 199. Of the four southern species, three are listed as vulnerable, and the other is considered endangered.

One of the authors of the Plan, Mr Paul Donatiu, said “These species face a range of threats – pressure from exotic plants, changes in the frequency and intensity of fire, grazing, a lack of connection between the wild populations themselves, and a loss of pollinators and dispersers. Without a coordinated effort, wild macadamia populations will continue to be lost, and the health of those that remain will continue to decline.”

The Recovery Plan describes a range of management actions that will guide the long-term recovery and conservation of the 4 species. It summarizes information on the biology, ecology, distribution, and threats to these macadamias. Protecting the genetic resources found within wild macadamia species may also provide important material to improve plantation varieties.


These macadamia are vital to the future of a $500 million a year industry but there is less than 3% of the remaining range fully protected in national parks or nature reserves, according to new analysis by WWF- Australia. More widely known as the macadamia nut, the two edible species of wild Queensland nut trees are only found in sub-tropical rainforests stretching from Bundaberg in south-east Queensland to Lismore in northern NSW, an area which has seen rapid development in recent decades.

Analysis by WWF-Australia and Spatial Ecology Laboratory at the University of Queensland has found just 1.3% of the remaining distribution of the smooth Queensland nut (Macadamia integrifolia) and only 2.1% of the rough shelled Queensland nut (Macadamia tetraphylla) is protected inside national parks and nature reserves.

M ternifolia. Will Macadamia trees be under threat by future developments? photo courtesy of Glen Costello.

Only about 1000 smooth-shelled and less than 2000 rough-shelled Queensland nut trees remain alive in the wild after 200 years of logging, clearing and development in these now heavily populated regions.

“The Queensland nut is Australia’s only crop developed from a wild native species and the source of a lucrative $500 million industry. But despite its strategic economic value and cultural significance, little is being done to bring its remaining natural habitat into nature reserves.”
Dr Taylor from WWF Australia said.

Cultivated Queensland nut trees, even those grown in Australia, all derive from as few as six wild specimens collected from Australia and bred in Hawaii last century. Without genes for resistance to pests and diseases from wild populations, the narrow gene pool of cultivated trees puts Queensland nut production worldwide at risk of a pest or disease outbreak. “In 2008 the state government committed to add 4.3 million hectares to the Queensland national parks system by 2020. The Queensland nut is one clear example of the real economic benefits that could result from meeting this promise,” Dr Taylor said.

The recovery plan, prepared by Glenn Costello, Michael Gregory and Paul Donatiu can be viewed at

www.environment.gov.au/.../recovery/pubs/southern-macadamia-species.pdf

Thank-you to WWF Australia for allowing partial use of material for this article.

From the EC Overseas

Paul Donatiu

How do we define what a National Park is, and what purpose these areas serve?

After California and the awe-inspiring grandeur of Yosemite, we travelled to the UK and based ourselves initially at Bath. I had visited Europe before – climbed Snowdon, tracked a bear in the Abruzzo National Park, got fogged in at Ben Nevis, and journeyed through the Pyrenees. But having switched careers to the environment sector after these trips, this was the first time that my very notion of what constitutes a protected area was seriously challenged.

First stop, Plantlife International. Based in Salisbury, this group advocates for the protection of endemic and endangered flora, and has established Important Plant Areas throughout the UK. They also manage 23 flora reserves, of which I was able to visit four. Most of these have been purchased with funds from Trusts or philanthropists. The reserves cover approximately 4,500 ha and range from a few hectares to one larger estate of 3,000 ha. All are dedicated to flora conservation, and many are meadows or similar lands that have not been radically modified by development or agriculture.

Unmanaged countryside is extremely rare in the UK. The legacy of long-term occupation has homogenised the landscape in the British Isles, so different to the Australian experience. The small pockets of remnant vegetation that remain are isolated, both physically and genetically, surrounded by a mixed mosaic of other land uses and still available for many forms of recreation. Plantlife climate change strategies are simple – build species resilience (create multiple populations, minimise threats) and protect dispersal vectors, especially pollinators. This is hardly straightforward with such isolated reserves.


Early purple orchids have very specific soil requirements (PD)

I also had the opportunity to visit Nagshead Nature Reserve in the National Forest of Dean, a premier oak forest north of Bath. Here the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (1 million members or so they claim!) have been monitoring the decline of the Pied Flycatcher since 1990. At that time 94 pairs were known; now there is evidence of only 16. During the same period, the average weight of the birds has dropped 2 pounds. The cause – a sudden loss of their major food source – certain types of caterpillar. It’s difficult to say that climate change is definitively the culprit, but changes in climate have been responsible for breakdowns in ecological food webs throughout the UK.

In Spain, the picture is substantially different. Spain has an extensive network of protected areas, over 90% of which are Nature Parks with the remainder National Parks. I visited several of the former, which have a similar level of protection to National Parks but are managed by local provincial governments. The areas I saw still mixed nature conservation with agriculture and some urbanisation (small villages), but to a much lesser degree than in the UK.

In Chera Parc Natural, I was taken to two refugia sites for Taxus baccata – the Yew tree – which can live for thousands of years and is extremely rare in this part of Europe. Taxol extracted from the leaves and fruits is used in anti-cancer treatments. Trees can be easily killed by wildfire and take about 2yrs to germinate from seed.

Both sites form part of a micro-reserve system established by Emilio Laguna, a senior ecologist working for the Valencian government. 273 reserves have been established with a focus on protecting endemic plants; most of these are less than 20ha. The number is expected to expand to almost 350 over coming years and to include many locally endangered species. I spent four days with Emilio and his staff and visited 11 sites. Like Australia, land use change also continues to wreck havoc in this part of the world.


Taxus baccata site in central eastern Spain (PD)

At the time of writing, I have been discussing climate change mitigation strategies with researchers at the University of Rome. They are actively identifying areas that have in the past provided refuge for rare species from changes in climate. It is a rare privilege to meet these people, share ideas, and debate what are the best responses to protecting the wild areas that we love. All of these discussions continue to shape my own thoughts on one of the major objectives of this trip – how to best select, locate and design future National Parks in Queensland.

From the President

Tony O'Brien

Over the June long weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the Currawinya National Park, and seeing first-hand the work of a number of dedicated people in the threatened species field and in National Park management generally. The bilbies are obviously breeding well, based on the number of juveniles we observed scampering about in the spotlights.

This experience brought into stark relief for me the issues around threatened species which we address in this month’s NPAQ news.

Firstly, the effects of habitat loss and introduced predators are making life extremely tenuous for many native species. Our record since European settlement in this matter is very poor, and is highlighted by less than 5% of the State of Queensland being currently in National Parks.
On a positive note it is encouraging to see how, in relative terms, much has improved in the declaration of National Park tenures in this South West region. The addition of Binya National Park in 2009 has added another sizeable block, and the State Government is to be congratulated on the improved representation of this area.

We need to continue to encourage the State Government to also budget for management funds appropriate for this enlarged area, as it is obvious that the ratio is not keeping up. One of the age-old challenges this creates is that it makes National Park declarations a negative event in the minds of the local neighbours because the poor management resourcing leaves fire and pest control at risk. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if National Parks were considered the pace-setters in the fields of fire and pest management, and that the community looked to QPWS to show the way in land management practices?

It was also encouraging that in the same area, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy has recently purchased the Bowra property. It is renowned as one of the country’s most rewarding birdwatching destinations, featuring iconic species such as Hall’s Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Quail Thrush and the Grey Falcon. We are not alone in our conservation endeavours and many good things are being done.

I do hope that we might build on the great tradition of our revegetation team at Boombana, and create some interest groups who could undertake hands-on support for some endangered species. Thoughts and suggestions on this matter would be welcome.


President Tony O’Brien with Peter McRae the Bilby man at Currawinya

I hope that this month’s topic may encourage you to see some way in which you might use NPAQ as the vehicle for adding to the efforts on behalf of all endangered species.

With best wishes
Tony O’Brien