Harden Shire Council

Aboriginal communities have a strong association with many threatened species through their use of medicinal plants and bush tucker, as well as through kinship and spiritual relationships. These associations may vary in significance between the many communities in NSW. Helping threatened species recover will involve liaising with Aboriginal elders and their communities to incorporate their knowledge and experience, and ensuring they are informed about proposed recovery actions. When Aboriginal people have cultural responsibilities or kinship obligations to protect a species, these people should be involved in determining recovery plans.

Aboriginal people’s involvement in threatened species recovery enables them to fulfil cultural obligations to care for Country, maintain cultural traditions and practices and contribute to the wellbeing of their community. DEC has prepared guidelines to facilitate Aboriginal community involvement in threatened species recovery planning (English and Baker 2003).

Consultation with Aboriginal communities is a statutory requirement for the preparation of recovery plans and has been a part of many already approved plans. Aboriginal people will also be consulted to help recover other species a recovery plan will not be prepared for where there is a known cultural association, eg the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). It is expected that the list of threatened species requiring Aboriginal liaison and interpretation as part of the recovery strategy will increase once partnerships with Aboriginal communities become better established.

The PAS recommends various strategies to manage the habitat of threatened species. These include both planning and on ground works to control weeds, pest animals, fire and other human related threats.

Feral animals such as rabbits, pigs, goats, wild dogs, cats, and the fox, pose a major threat to many threatened species. They compete for food and nest or roost sites; prey on adults, juveniles and eggs; and damage and degrade natural habitats and breeding sites. The impacts of some of these species are recognised as KTPs. The control of feral animals through targeted culling programs and exclusion at priority sites is therefore an important strategy for threatened species.

Native animals and plants respond differently to fire. Some can persist under a range of fire regimes. However, in many cases, too frequent fire may harm species by killing them, preventing them from spreading, depleting the soil seed bank, or modifying their habitat. Planning for threatened species recovery in relation to fire may mean implementing variable fire regimes and excluding those that are detrimental. Fire management may involve managing hazard reduction activities such as slashing and mowing, to prevent these activities from impacting on species and their habitats.

Advising on the implications and impacts of proposed development activities on threatened species and their habitats is an ongoing recovery action. DEC advises authorities responsible for regional and local planning and development approvals. DEC also informs and advises consultants and other investigators who assess the potential impacts of developments or activities, leading to better conservation outcomes for threatened species. Advice includes environmental impact assessment guidelines, survey guidelines and species profiles, or ongoing liaison and consultation on statutory obligations.

Habitat management includes other actions that are not currently part of a PAS strategy. These include developing best practice guidelines or standards for habitat management, pursuing incentive schemes and stewardship programs, preparing site management plans or managing issues such as erosion, subsidence or flooding. Over time DEC will develop a broader range of strategies to incorporate these habitat management initiatives.

Habitats for threatened species often require protection from disturbances such as vehicles, over visitation, livestock and native animal grazing, roadside maintenance or feral animals. Site protection may involve restricting access to a site by installing fencing or bollards, or placing signs or markers along roads, tracks and utility easements. Aboriginal communities should be involved in decision making when site protection involves restricting access. It may be necessary to discuss balancing protecting threatened species with cultural issues.

The maintenance of river flow regimes and water quality are fundamental to good river health. Ecological processes which sustain native fish and frog populations, vegetation, wetlands and birdlife depend on it. Programs need to be developed that control inappropriate water flows and urban runoff which can result in increased erosion and sedimentation and reductions in water quality.

Weeds compete with native plants for resources such as light and nutrients, and can aggressively invade areas, displacing native plants and animals. The impacts of a number of weed species such as Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) are identified as KTPs. The control of weeds at priority sites can help recover threatened species.

Habitat loss or modification for urban development and agricultural practices has been a major factor in the decline of many native plants and animals. Rehabilitation and regeneration of lost or modified habitat can help many threatened species continue to survive in the wild. Actions include planting local native plants to provide food, shelter and roosting sites, or bush regeneration to reduce the impact on native plants from weeds. Many local community groups are enhancing and restoring the natural environment and assisting in the continued survival and increase of native species.

Research is needed to further our knowledge and understanding of threatened species and the factors influencing their survival to enhance their future management. PAS research actions are directed toward the following areas:

• general biological and ecological studies to help increase knowledge of a species’ biology, ecology, habitat requirements or behaviour patterns. For example, research into a plant species’ response to fire can help managers apply appropriate fire regimes, or understanding the reproductive requirements of a species enables threats to be abated so populations remain viable.
• research into causes of decline to clarify understanding of the threats and consequences of threats impacting on species and to inform managers of solutions requiring implementation. For example, investigating the susceptibility of certain threatened plant species to pathogens such as Phytophera will result in the implementation of hygiene control measures or restricted site access.
• research into solutions to increase knowledge of how to design strategies to recover a species. Strategies may include research into predator or disease control, methods for restoring degraded ecological communities, or developing captive breeding or ex-situ propagation techniques (see below for definition of ‘ex-situ collection and propagation’).

Habitat loss or modification for urban development and agricultural practices has been a major factor in the decline of many native plants and animals. Rehabilitation and regeneration of lost or modified habitat can help many threatened species continue to survive in the wild. Actions include planting local native plants to provide food, shelter and roosting sites, or bush regeneration to reduce the impact on native plants from weeds. Many local community groups are enhancing and restoring the natural environment and assisting in the continued survival and increase of native species.