volume 34 : part 1 autumn 2016 · we got behind with our summer edition, so much like nature’s...

AUTUMN 2016VOLUME 34 : PART 1

THIS ISSUE:In the ChairConservation Ecologist’s ReportProjects Update

Creature Feature: River Red Gum

FEATURES:National Parks Australia Council meeting, Hobart 2015 - an overview

Conservation Biology Grant Report: Habitat utilisation, behaviour and diet of an unperturbed population of desert dingoes

N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E N A T U R E C O N S E R V A T I O N S O C I E T Y O F S O U T H A U S T R A L I A

N C S S A . A S N . A U

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CONTENTSIn the Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Conservation Ecologist’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . 3National Parks Australia Council meeting, Hobart 2015 - an overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Projects Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CBG Report: Habitat utilisation, behaviour and diet of an unperturbed population of desert dingoes . 9Creature Feature: River Red Gum . . . . . . . . . . 10People and Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Like NCSSA, Welcome to Australia is apolitical. They have very successfully circumvented much of the migration debate by avoiding the ‘politics’ of how many people should be resettled in Australia. Instead, their goal is to simply make sure that all new migrants feel welcome in our community. A desire that we all share.

No doubt for many migrants arriving in South Australia, our natural environment must seem alien and intimidating. This is probably not helped by the overblown stories about killer snakes, spiders and sharks. An important aspect of feeling welcome in any foreign country is feeling at ‘home’ in its’ natural environment. Unfortunately, for a myriad of reasons, many migrants often find it difficult to make this connection.

With this in mind, our Society has commenced discussions with Welcome to Australia about how we could be involved, and what form of education and outreach we could offer to make new migrants feel welcome in South Australia’s natural environment.

Since its establishment in 1962, the Society has a long and proud history of community engagement and environmental education. This collaborative relationship with Welcome to Australia will allow us to connect with a segment of the community that we have not had exposure to before and expose the Society to a number of exciting opportunities. I look forward to providing you with updates in coming editions of Xanthopus.

Love, protect and respect,

Michael Stead, President

PS. More information about Welcome to Australia can be found here: https://www.welcometoaustralia.org.au/

IN THE CHAIRHello and welcome to the Autumn 2016 edition of Xanthopus.

We got behind with our summer edition, so much like nature’s unpredictable “calendar” seasons of late, we have skipped ahead to Autumn. Consequently, there is a lot to cover in this issue.

OFFICE WARmINgFirstly, thank you to everyone that accepted our invitation to come and celebrate with us at our official office warming party on February 4th. What a great night it was. Thank you for all the compliments and well wishes we have received.

The party provided an opportunity for staff and Committee members to mingle with new and familiar faces. The casual and jovial atmosphere allowed the guests and representatives from various organisations to chat and mix freely. I am already aware of a number of exciting collaborations that have started from discussions held at this party. We will be following up on some of our own shortly.

PARTNERSHIP WITH Welcome to AustrAliA

We are proud to announce an exciting partnership with Welcome to Australia to bring environmental education opportunities to new migrant residents here in South Australia.

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It has been an extremely busy time in terms of our advocacy work over the past six months with many emerging issues and ongoing involvement in a host of others.

The following provides an overview of some of the issues we have been involved in since the last edition of Xanthopus. Copies of submissions on these matters will be posted on the NCSSA website in the near future.

LEgISLATION ANd POLICy

REvIEW OF AUSTRALIA’S BIOdIvERSITy CONSERvATION STRATEgy 2010-2030 This Strategy provides a national framework to guide the biodiversity conservation policies and programmes of the Commonwealth, State and Territories and outlines Australia’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity. This international agreement relates to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources - see: www.cbd.int/convention/

The Strategy provides for a review every five years and NCSSA provided feedback on how our activities align with specific targets. We also made a number of recommendations about the content of the Strategy including the need for current maps to show the status of protected areas in terms of IBRA regions and an acknowledgement of the increasing threats posed to the conservation values of parks over recent years by recreational and commercial interests.

dRAFT EPBC SIgNIFICANT ENvIRONmENT Benefit (SeB) Policy and GuidelineSPublic consultation on the draft SEB Policy and Guidelines recently closed.

NCSSA has been involved in various working groups regarding the development of this policy for many years and although we are pleased to see that some progress has been made in terms of increased rigour and consistency in how SEB offsets are determined we still have serious concerns about the practical implementation, resourcing and long-term ecological outcomes of these programs.

Further information about the SEB Reforms is available at: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/native-vegetation/reforms-under-way

commentS on draft Sa multiPle land-USE FRAmEWORk We recently provided comment on the draft Multiple Land Use Framework (MLUF) that seeks to outline South Australia’s commitment to applying leading practice engagement principles for government, community, business and industry when considering multiple land use interests in the decision-making process.

The draft state framework is based on the National Framework and is intended to be used where land access and land use conflict has the potential, real or perceived, to arise. http://www.scer.gov.au/publications/multiple-land-use-framework-december-2013

At present the draft framework has been developed primarily with the minerals and energy resources sectors in mind however we recommend it be broadened to include all activities where there is a potential conflict between land uses.

We also recommended the framework demonstrate a commitment to undertake independent baseline studies of the environmental qualities of catchments/landscapes to inform the framework over time and describe how potential cumulative impacts of development will be addressed.

White Beauty Spider-orchid Caladenia argocalla near Clare Photo:Nicki de Preu

CONSERvATION ECOLOgIST’S REPORT

Harlequin Bug on Sheoak Needles. Photo: Annie Bond



INdEPENdENT REvIEW OF THE EPBC ‘WATER TRIggER ’In 2013, an amendment to the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act was made that addressed the impact of water extraction from Coal Seam Gas (CSG) and Large Coal Mining (LCM) developments. This amendment, more commonly known as the ‘Water Trigger’ was introduced by the Commonwealth Government in recognition of the fundamental importance of Australia’s finite water resources and the urgent need provide some form of protection for this valuable asset from the impact of CSG and LCM developments to ensure long-term ecologically sustainable use of this resource.

Prior to the introduction of the water trigger, the impact of such developments on water resources could only be regulated under the EPBC Act if they had a significant impact on existing matters of national environmental significance (MNES), such as nationally endangered plants, animals and ecological communities. In many cases this meant that CSG and LCM developments that were likely to have a significant impact on water resources could not be declared ‘controlled actions’ under the EPBC Act. In January 2015 an independent review of the water trigger was undertaken to assess whether the water trigger legislation has been appropriate, effective and efficient in protecting water resources from the impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.

Our submission to this review acknowledged the water trigger legislation has established an effective framework for protection of water resources from the impacts of CSG and LCM projects but noted there are still significant gaps in research and knowledge to ensure the long-term protection and ecologically sustainable use of these valuable assets.

We also provided information to the review about the only referral that has occurred in South Australia since the water trigger was introduced. This related to a pre-development assessment in the Cooper Basin that had the potential to impact on the Lake Blanche Springs complex.We recommend the independent review acknowledge the limitations of the conceptual models used to describe the types of water dependant ecosystems for the Bioregional Assessments that are based on static models with major gaps in data and current knowledge to inform the models.

Further information about the review is available:

www.environment.gov.au/epbc/what-is-protected/water-resources/review

AdELAIdE PARk LANdS mANAgEmENT STRATEgy REvIEWThe Adelaide Park Lands are a vital part of the city centre that contain important remnants of the unique native vegetation of the Adelaide Plains including a number of significant plant species.

The Adelaide Park Lands Authority is responsible for the management of the Park Lands and has recently conducted a review of the Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy with a focus on providing facilities and connections which meet the recreational and lifestyle needs of increasing number of inner city residents and delivering beneficial spin-offs to businesses across the City.

We welcomed the opportunity to have input to this review as the conservation of the last remaining examples of the original Adelaide Plains flora has long been a concern of the Society. We are pleased to see that the importance of remnant native vegetation and biodiversity are recognised in the Strategy, however, we are concerned that the directives given by this strategy will fail to provide protection for remnant native vegetation in the Park Lands.

A failure to provide adequate protection for remnant vegetation will result in further decline and loss of these biodiversity assets. It also risks disenfranchising/alienating volunteering groups and individuals who have invested considerable time in restoring habitats and documenting biodiversity, in many instances over many decades.

Our submission recommended that the significance of remnant native vegetation and the wetlands that occur across the Park Lands be included as part of the Vision for the area. We also strongly recommend that guidelines are developed for the construction of any new trails or boardwalks are developed to avoid direct or indirect (e.g. through changes in the dynamics of water moving through a particular site) adverse impacts on areas of remnant native vegetation or high biodiversity value.

CONSERvATION ECOLOgIST’S REPORT CONT.

Wetland in the SA Murray Darling Basin July 2009. Photo: Dragos Moise




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PROTECTEd AREA mANAgEmENT We continue to have input by providing comments on reserve management plans and supporting documents. We recently commented on the Draft Management Plan for the Arkaroola Protection Area, Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park, a Discussion Paper to guide management of Innamincka Regional Reserve and draft amendment to park management plans in relation to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail (KIWT). The ecological impact of the increased trail network and infrastructure developments associated with the KIWT is of serious concern, as is the effect these developments will have on the natural assets within parks that the trail traverses including Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Conservation Park, Ravine des Casoars and Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Areas. Our submission recommended the Department provide adequate funding and resources to establish long-term and rigorous monitoring programs to evaluate the ecological impacts and sustainability of this development.

THREATENEd SPECIESOver the past few months we have had ongoing involvement in the development of a new nature conservation strategy for South Australia (see article about this in the last issue of Xanthopus) and provided comments on a number of species of national conservation significance. These include the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus that adorns NCSSA’s logo, a draft Recovery Plan for the Plains Wanderer Pedionomus torquatus and an EPBC Nomination for the Copper Beard-orchid Calochilus cupreus that is endemic to the Willunga Basin. This orchid species distribution is severely fragmented, with over 90% of suitable habitat cleared for agriculture or degraded by livestock grazing, it is now restricted to a small area within Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park.

INCREASINg COmmUNITy ENgAgEmENT IN NATURE CONSERvATION Common Cause Australia www.commoncause.org.au/ is a growing network of people working to engage cultural values that create a more equitable, sustainable and democratic society. It works closely with the international Common Cause network, and is particularly relevant to people working in environmental and social justice organisations seeking a more effective approach to public engagement.

The approach used by Common Cause is based on a growing body of research in the fields of psychology, cognitive science, linguistics and behavioural economics that suggests appealing to extrinsic values like fear, ego and status is a misguided and counterproductive approach for organisations dedicated to environmental sustainability or social justice. A large body of evidence shows that intrinsic values of are central importance in leading people to express concern about social and environmental issues – whether this concern is expressed by changing aspects of day-to-day behaviour, by becoming politically involved, or by volunteering.

A common set of values, which we call compassionate values, underpin such social and environmental concern. Everyone holds these values to some extent and interestingly, the majority of people privilege these values above all others.

Jeff Foulkes and I were fortunate to attend a Common Cause workshop in November 2015 organised by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources. The workshop provided the opportunity to explore how values and frames work, why they matter, and what a values-based approach to community engagement means for individuals, organisations and movements such as the conservation sector. We look forward to building on the knowledge and skills learnt during this workshop to raise awareness and increase community engagement in nature conservation issues in the future.

mEETINg WITH mINISTER HUNTERMichael Stead (NCSSA President), Jeff Foulkes and I met with Minister Hunter in February as part of our regular forums for discussion of current nature conservation issues.

We spoke with the Minister about the Significant Environment Benefit (SEB) Policy that staff from the Native Vegetation Management Unit have been developing of the past few years and implications of the policy for biodiversity conservation across the State. We expressed our concerns to the Minister regarding the ongoing budget cuts and staff reductions to the Unit and emphasised the importance of resources for monitoring SEB Offset areas to determine if they are meeting their intended objectives on “No Net Loss” of biodiversity.

We asked the Minister for an update on the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary, as the saltfields that provide high quality shorebird feeding habitat have recently been sold to Adelaide Resources Recovery. It is still uncertain what this means for future management of the salt ponds complex given that an EPBC referral made in February last year has been declared a controlled action due to a proposed change of management for the saltfields operations transferring from full production to a holding pattern. The Minister advised that the new owners would be required to produce a Public Environment Report, as part of the EPBC Referral for a change in management of the saltfields operations as it will impact on important habitat for EPBC listed migratory waders and shorebirds of conservation significance.

We also spoke about a number of new activities that we are currently developing, such as guided nocturnal walks in the Adelaide Park Lands as part of the 2016 SA History Festival and our new partnership with Welcome to Australia (see “In the Chair” on pg 1).

Our next meeting with the Minister is scheduled for April 27, 2016 so please let me know if you have any issues that you would like us to raise with the Minister at this or future meetings.

Nicki de PreuConservation Ecologist

[email protected]



NATIONAL PARkS AUSTRALIA COUNCIL mEETINg, HOBART 2015 : AN OvERvIEW

The following outcomes were agreed:• An urgent need for rigorous assessment of conservation

management infrastructure proposals, and• Requirement for similar degrees of transparency and

accountability across both private and public managed land in terms of conservation initiatives.

• A working group to be formed to develop policies on conservation fencing that will be posted on the NPAC website.

A general discussion was had about funding available for conservation groups followed with a general agreement that state and territory Governments are looking for opportunities and innovative solutions for other sectors to contribute to park management (e.g. Nature-based Tourism agenda in SA).

It was also agreed that funding opportunities are limited and it is increasingly difficult to get grants that cover organisational management. As an outcome of this discussion it was agreed to share information about successful grant applications and how to incorporate funds for staff resources.

Three presentations were then heard on the following issues:• History of Planning for the Tasmanian Wilderness

World Heritage Area (Nick Sawyer, TNPA)• Monitoring and Reporting System for Tasmania’s

National Parks and Reserves (Glenys Jones, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service), and

• Challenges for Appropriate Fire Regimes (Adrian Pyrke, retired ranger, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service).

StrateGic diScuSSion – JeWel in the croWnNPAC’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’ campaign lays out a vision for strengthening Australia’s national parks legacy and seeks to influence governments to adopt a range of strategies for reinvigorating and prioritising the national reserve system.

The campaign commenced prior to the last Federal election in 2011 and priorities have been reviewed in the lead up the 2016 election. Further information about the campaign is accessible at: http://www.npac.org.au/#protectingnationalparks

The overall objectives are split into 3 sections:• Role and Value of National Parks• A legacy for all Australians• The Challenge – completing our national system

The National Parks Australia Council (NPAC) was formed in 1975 as the national body to coordinate and represent the views of a range of State and Territory non-government organisations concerned with protecting the natural environment and furthering acquisition of land to be protected within national parks. NPAC provides a forum for regular communication between State and Territory National Parks Associations and acts as a united voice supporting conservation of the National Reserve System across Australia. NPAC is also a member of the Australia Committee for the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).

NCSSA has been a member of NPAC since its formation and is currently the only South Australian representative on the Council. The NPAC Executive holds bimonthly teleconferences to discuss current priorities and share knowledge and experience about issues of common concern. An annual members meeting and general meeting is held in various locations each year and provides an important networking and professional development opportunity for the Conservation Ecologist.

The 2015 annual meeting was held in Hobart from 30th October to 1st November and attended by representatives from the National Parks Associations in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, ACT and NCSSA. The recently appointed NPAC Policy officer Dr Sarah May also attended the meeting.

gENERAL mEETINg 30th octoBer 2015

mEmBER’S REPORTS Members’ reports were circulated in advance and included Annual Reports from member groups. In addition, a spreadsheet identifying priority issues for the next 12 months was circulated as a way of identifying common regional and State issues that could inform national issues.

There was an extended discussion on some issues arising from conservation management by private NGO’s, such as Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and Bush Heritage Australia and how they align with NPAC’s objectives. There was general agreement that these NGO’s have an important role to play in terms of nature conservation on private land. Concerns were raised about the increasing involvement of AWC in the broader management of national parks associated with ongoing budget reductions within state/territory agencies responsible for these areas.

The issue of feral-proof-fencing was discussed and the intention of the Federal Environment Minister Hunt and Threatened Species Commissioner Andrews to direct more funding towards these activities. A number of examples were discussed where fencing had failed for the target species, or had detrimental impact on other native species.




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NPAC members visit Mt Field NP October 2015. Photo: NPAC

Currently there are 5 recommendations, namely:1. Allocate adequate resources to assist the state and

territories in completing strategic acquisition to the national reserve system.

2. Listing protected areas financed under the National Reserve System program as Matters of National Environmental Significance under the EPBC Act, with provision for other protected areas to be listed voluntarily.

3. Support continental scale biolink projects, which enhance connectivity between key habitats.

4. Developing national conservation land management standards that ensure that all national reserve system protected areas, including National Parks, retain the values that led to their gazettal.

5. Maintaining Federal decision making powers under the EPBC Act, instead of devolving decision making to States and Territories.

The Jewel in the Crown will be an important part of NPAC’s election campaign and will be supported by briefing papers to support each recommendation with a one pager of specific actions tailored to politicians from various parties to achieve required outcomes. An additional recommendation is also being developed in relation to marine protected areas.

FIELd TRIP 31St octoBer 2015 The group visited Mt Field National Park, one of the first established parks in Tasmania located close to Hobart. The Visitor Information Centre is currently being upgraded to cater for increasing numbers of visitors including a large commercial restaurant facility that provides local employment and training opportunities. The field trip provided an opportunity for informal discussions with other NPAC members on a range of issues of relevance to SA.

Agm 1ST NOvEmBER 2015NPAC Annual General Meeting was held and included a discussion of the President and Treasurer’s reports and election of office bearers for 2016. I was appointed as the SA Councillor with Michael Stead nominated as my deputy.

There was some discussion about approaching WA Conservation Council (previously a member) and relevant groups from the NT to see if they are interested in renewing membership or becoming a member. This would mean NPAC had representatives from all states and territories and assist in building political leverage. The issue of whether there could be more than one member group per state/territory was also discussed as the CCSA has expressed an interest in joining NPAC. The Constitution allows for multiple member groups for each state/territory and outlines the process for applying for membership.

CONCLUSION NCSSA’s membership and ongoing involvement in NPAC enables us to engage with other non-government organisations concerned with protecting the natural environment and furthering acquisition of land to be protected within national parks. Most of the member groups, except SA, Tasmania and the ACT, are relatively large organisations with many thousands of members. All of the current member groups have a primary focus on the management of protected areas and informing the community, industry and government on conservation issues.

There are a wide range of benefits to NCSSA from our continued membership of NPAC that include:• Learning from the collective experience of various

member groups in terms of environmental advocacy and effective strategies for political lobbying;

• Sharing knowledge and experience about issues of concern regarding protected area management e.g. impact of feral animals, pest plants, fire/prescribed burning and nature-based tourism;

• Co-ordinated support for issues concerning conservation and management of protected areas at a national level;

• Opportunities to meet with Federal politicians and staff from the national Department for the Environment and influence policy in relation to protected area and threatened species management;

• Learning about new and innovative ways to raise awareness and engage the community in conservation and appreciation of nature with a focus on national parks through community education work.

The bimonthly NPAC Executive meetings and annual meeting provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships between various member groups and further build NCSSA’s capacity in these areas.

Nicki de PreuConservation Ecologist

BCM site at Light River near Stockport Photo: P Mahoney



Things are starting to “crank up” again following the

relatively quiet summer period.

mOUNT LOFTy RANgES WOOdLANd BIRd mONITORINg PROgRAm The Mount Lofty Woodland Bird site visits concluded in January, and all the data is entered and up to date.

Erin is preparing to have the data re-analysed for the production of an updated pamphlet.

Thanks again to our dedicated team of “birdos” for contributing to this valuable project.

WILdEyRE Work is continuing on a number of projects that we are contributing to as part of the WildEyre landscape conservation project.

We are currently finalising a report for the ‘Sustainable Grazing of Sheoak Grassy Woodlands’ project, to determine improvement in the condition and function of Sheoak Grassy Woodlands.

The report for the baseline vegetation monitoring at a set of herbivore exclosures in River Red Gum communities at two sites in the WildEyre project-area has been completed.

Jeff has begun planning for the BCM revisits and bird monitoring in September of 2016 for more than 80 sites on Eyre Peninsula, around Streaky Bay and Elliston. We will also be re-monitoring the River Red Gum sites this year.

BUSHLANd CONdITION monitorinG (Bcm) ProGram We are continuing to re-monitor or establish new Bush Conditioning Monitoring (BCM) sites in the AMLR, N&Y and EP NRM regions. A timetable is being developed for BCM training courses across the state.

We are undertaking a couple of different activities with Birdlife Australia as part of the Samphire Coast Icon Project. This includes re-monitoring of eight BCM sites this autumn 2016 and production of site assessment comparisons.

We will also be providing assistance with re-locating, marking and undertaking monitoring photos of already established photo-point monitoring sites and collating a file of photopoint photos for the project.

Peter and Jeff continue working with DEWNR, and staff from TERN AEKOS to strengthen and maintain the BCM database as well as enabling external data collectors to remotely enter their data. We will keep you posted on any developments in the next issue.

Jeff is continuing to build relationships with NRM staff across the state, researchers and others to develop new future projects with our core of BCM and bird monitoring, but also other projects which can utilise the broader range of skills of our staff including biological survey and citizen science.

One new venture is part of the SA History Festival. We are running two nocturnal guided walks to see what we can spot of our nocturnal fauna in the parklands. See link here: http://historyfestival.sa.gov.au/content/natural-history-adelaide-park-lands-after-dark

Jeff Foulkes Conservation Programs Manager

Wild Eyre Red Gum BCM site, Spring 2012. Photo: P. Mahoney

PROJECTS UPdATE




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Conservation biology grant report

Sand dunes at Kalamurina. Photo: copyright Australian Wildlife Conservancy

HABITAT UTILISATION, BEHAvIOUR ANd dIET OF AN UNPERTURBEd POPULATION OF dESERT dINgOES Canis lupus dingo: CONSEqUENCES FOR THE vIABILITy OF NATIvE SPECIES

Discerning the ecology of apex predators is of paramount importance for the conservation of biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Ecological studies of apex predators in the wild face intrinsic complications because large predators exist at low densities and are difficult to trap. In addition, the majority of wild populations are subject to varying degrees of anthropogenic disturbance and thus disentangling the considerable effects of this on their fundamental ecology is problematic at best. In Australia, these issues are compounded by natural extremes in climate driven by ENSO cycling that result in boom-and-bust ecosystem dynamics driven by rainfall.

PROgRESS TO dATEI have secured a collaborative agreement with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and will work with them to understand the spatial ecology and diet of dingoes, and how this can improve management of arid zone biodiversity.

My study site is Kalamurina, a 667,000 ha sanctuary that links the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve to the north with the Kati-Thanda Lake Eyre National Park to the south, creating a contiguous conservation area larger than Tasmania (> 7,000,000 ha).

To date, one field trip has been conducted at Kalamurina Sanctuary (July 2015). The aim of this field trip was to discern focal points of dingo activity and gain a basic idea of their abundance throughout the study site. The eastern part of the study site was traversed by vehicle and a helicopter was used to access the western and northern limits of the sanctuary.

Three healthy, adult dingoes were observed in dry floodplains and two individuals were recorded howling in the primarily sand dune dominated north-west of the property. Moreover, copious scats and tracks were located throughout the study site. There was abundant evidence of dingoes at the bore, which indicates an important focal point at Kalamurina. Approximately 70 dingo scats have been collected to date and are currently being analysed.

I also recorded abundant tracks of Crest-tailed Mulgara Dasycercus cristicauda, Dusky hopping mouse Notomys fuscus, Dunnart Sminthopsis sp. and Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus throughout the study site, with O. cuniculus tracks, scats and warrens especially abundant in sand dune dominated habitat.

FURTHER WORkI have purchased 10 solar powered GPS Iridium collars, with inbuilt activity sensors, which will be fitted to adult dingoes during the March 2016 field trip. Collars will be retrieved, refurbished and redeployed on another 10 dingoes in October 2016.

Fine-scale and long term spatio-temporal information will be collected as well as constant behavioural data from the on board activity sensor.

Dingo, fox and cat scats are being collected continuously for morphological and potentially molecular analysis.

Jack Tatler, PhD candidateSchool of Biological Sciences

The University of Adelaide


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The River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis has one of the widest natural distributions for an Australian tree, and is one of the most commonly cultivated eucalypts around the world. Accordingly, this wide distribution has produced much variation, and seven subspecies are now recognised, with three in South Australia:• E. camaldulensis ssp. camaldulensis occurs

along the Murray River and in south-eastern Australia, including the Adelaide region and the Murray-Darling Basin.

• E. camaldulensis ssp. arida occurs in the north of the state, up from the Flinders Ranges, and throughout Central Australia.

• E. camaldulensis ssp. minima is limited to the Flinders Ranges of SA.

Life formEucalyptus camaldulensis is a perennial, single -stemmed, large-boled, medium-sized to tall tree to 30 m, or more, high. The age of large trees is difficult to ascertain in part due to the natural hollow formation ~ some authors indicate ages from 500 to 1000 years. Its tolerance to flooding is in part due to its massive size and its ability to grow roots quickly and produce adventitious roots on submerged stems. Its seed floats for some time and is released predominantly during flooding months.

HabitatThe habitat of River red gum is typically along watercourses and floodplains. However, it also occurs on hills in the Mount Lofty Ranges, and shallow depressions with limestone on Eyre Peninsula. The trees ability to attain a massive size with hollows, makes it an important habitat for many animals (regent parrots, bats, possums, goannas) and insects (49 species have been recorded from a E. camaldulensis forest canopy on the river). Submerged roots and branches are important to many fish like the Murray cod.

UsesThe long history of human use of the tree is still very evident from all the Aboriginal Nations along the Murray River, with many canoe and shield trees found on living and dead trees of considerable age. More recent use has seen the wood used for heavy construction, railway sleepers, furniture and firewood. Honey and a good source of pollen for bees is also significant.

FeatureRiveR Red GUm

River red gums at Katarapko Island, Murray River National Park. Photo: Peter Canty.

Conservation statusAs it is one of the most widespread tree species across Australia, it is not generally considered at risk. However, the health of Red Gums in many parts of the state is in decline due to a range of factors including changes in climate, groundwater, salinity and subsequent infestations by insects such as lerp and scale.

Further information can be found at:http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/WfHC/Eucalyptus-camaldulensis/Nicolle, D. (2014). Myrtaceae (partly) (version 1) [10MB PDF]. In: Kellermann, J. (ed.), Flora of South Australia (ed. 5). 102 pp. (State Herbarium of South Australia: Adelaide). flora.sa.gov.au/ed5Anon. (2010). River red gum woodlands of watercourses and floodplains. (SA Arid Lands NRM Board: Port Augusta).J.Williams & J.Woinarski. (eds). Eucalypt ecology: individuals to ecosystems. Cambridge University Press. 1997. http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/northern_and_yorke/plants_and_animals/ny-river-red-gum-2014-report.pdfhttp://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/archived/mdbc-tlm-reports/2116_Technical_report_river_red_gum_decline_2003.pdf

This article is partially based on the State Herbarium of SA’s Plant of the Month for February 2016: http://know.ourplants.org/the-plant-press/plant-of-the-month-feb-2016/




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NCSSA PEOPLEmANAgEmENT COmmITTEEPresident: Michael SteadVice-President: Secretary: Robert LawrenceAssistant Secretary: Ali Ben KahnTreasurer: Anna-Lucia DraperGeneral Committee: Janine Guy, Kelly Henderson, Erin Sautter, Erinne Stirling and Helen Vonow

STAFFAdministrative Manager: Amanda Stewart Conservation Programs Manager: Jeff FoulkesConservation Ecologist: Nicki de PreuThreatened Plant Action Group Program Coordinator: Tim JuryBushland Condition Monitoring Project Officer: Peter MahoneyWoodland Bird Project Coordinator: Erin SautterDatabase & Website Project Officer: Lesley PartonOther project staff: Ali Ben Kahn, Tom Bradley, Sonia Croft, Tim Croft, Penny Paton.

REgULAR vOLUNTEERSKeith Lloyd (General office support and library), Brian Knill (BCM database)

XANTHOPUSThe views presented in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the NCSSA

Copy deadline for the WINTER edition is 30th May 2016.Contributions in a variety of formats will be considered, but electronic submissions are preferred.

Editorial Team for this issue: Helen Vonow and Tessa Roberts

general meeting 5th may 2016from 6pm (6.30 speaker)

Benham Lecture Theatre, Benham Building, The University of Adelaide (adjacent Victoria Drive)

Joint meeting with the Biology Society SA (BSSA).

Awarding of Grants ~ NCSSA Conservation Biology Grant and BSSA Field Biology Grant And presentations by previous recipients of these grants.

Other meetings in 2016:

4th Aug.: General Meeting with BSSA - speaker TBA

8th Sept.: Annual General Meeting, NCSSA office.

our first General meeting in 2016 Our first meeting of the year took place on Thursday 3rd March and was, as usual, held jointly with the Biology Society of SA. It started with a ‘Welcome BBQ’ on the Botany Lawns at Adelaide University and gave everyone the chance to enjoy a relaxed social event with old and new friends.

The speaker for the night was Ian Falkenberg, recently appointed Operational Co-ordinator of the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary encompasses 60 kms of coastline from the Barker Inlet to Port Parham and has been proclaimed to protect the estimated 27,000 resident and migratory waterbirds supported by this significant area. It was proclaimed as a result of intense lobbying by several organisations, including NCSSA, after saltfield operations ceased and there was a proposal for various types of development, including housing, along this section of the coast.

Ian’s talk concentrated on the scientific basis for creating the Sanctuary, and how an innovative landscape-level approach to habitat protection is being developed with the support of the local community and the wider community.

Banded Stilt Creche Lake Torrens. Photo:S Collard.


W W W . N C S S A . A S N . A U P a g e 1 2

ABOUT NCSSAThe Nature Conservation Society of South Australia is a voluntary organisation. It has members drawn from all parts of the State and all walks of life. One of the primary objectives of the NCSSA is to “foster the conservation of the State’s wildlife and natural habitats”.Its activities include: protecting and managing habitats, particularly native vegetation, researching threatened species and habitats, working to ensure adequate park dedication, management and legislation, educating the community and all tiers of government, and cooperating with other conservation groups and land managers.The Society has taken action on many varied environmental issues since its formation in 1962.

Surveys to support new reserve dedicationsA major objective of the NCSSA has been to ensure that South Australia has a comprehensive and representative reserve system. This is a vital part of the system needed to ensure that the State’s native plants and animals are conserved in their natural environment.The Society has sought the addition of new reserves and opposed the withdrawal of existing reserves when necessary. It has been Society policy to put its case objectively, based on the facts available. Since 1966, in most years, there has been a major biological survey carried out by members and other volunteers to support the case for dedication of a new reserve in a particular area or to promote conservation in an area by a range of landholders.

Promoting conservation more widelyThe Society has played a strong role in the formation and development of environmental legislation such as the original Native Vegetation Management Act in 1985 and the Native Vegetation Act 1991. It is now obvious that conservation reserves alone will not ensure the survival of all of the State’s plants and animals, and that as much native habitat as remains is needed to conserve the biological diversity of South Australia. The Society has played a major role in the promotion of biodiversity conservation on a range of land tenures including Heritage Agreements and in integrating biodiversity objectives into the whole range of land management decisions.Research about environmental issues

The Society conducts scientific research related to environmental protection and management. Studies done by, or on behalf of the Society, are published as reports and made available to the public through sale and distribution to libraries and government institutions. Grant funding supports this work, awarded on scientific merit from a number of grant sources.Education and skill development about ecological mattersThe Society is also active in public education through activities such as an extension program of biodiversity understanding and management workshops for rural landholders, biological skill and knowledge development for members, informative general meetings open to the public, and through its newsletter Xanthopus.

Getting involved with NCSSA activitiesAn elected Committee handles the Society’s affairs. However it is not necessary to be a Committee member to play an active role in pursuing particular issues or topics of research on behalf of the Society. There are many opportunities to volunteer, such as assist on a survey, help manage a project, lead a members activity, or to promote the organisations activities.

The Society has its offices at 5 Milner Street, Hindmarsh, 5007. The NCSSA is financed by subscriptions, sales of its publications, private donations, and State and Federal Government grants. Much of the work is voluntary, while a few part time staff ably support this volunteer work. Donations are always welcome and fully tax deductible For more information please contact the office on (08) 7127 4630, or by email: [email protected].

5 Milner Street, Hindmarsh SA 5007Phone: (08) 7127 4630

Email: [email protected] Website: www.ncssa.asn.au

THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NATURE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ISSN 0812-4825 Print Post Approved: 536155-00006

The Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus) is the NCSSA logo.

This macropod inhabits rocky outcrops, cliffs and ridges in semi-arid country. The largest population of the species in South Australia is found in the Flinders Ranges.

The Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby is listed as Near Threatened under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (South Australia).

The main threats to this species are competiton from feral goats and rabbits and predation by foxes and feral cats.

volume 34 : part 1 autumn 2016 · we got behind with our summer edition, so much like nature’s...

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