Reptile and frog utilisation of rehabilitated bauxite minesites and dieback-affected sites in Western Australia's Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest

Abstract

Alcoa of Australia Limited rehabilitate bauxite mined areas in the southwest of Western Australia. One of the aims of the revegetation programme is to promote the return of fauna species which inhabit areas prior to mining. This paper discusses the extent to which reptile and frog species utilise revegetated bauxite minesites. It was shown that 4–6 year old revegetated sites support similar numbers of reptile species as unmined sites, although densities are comparable to values recorded in poorer quality forest. Species utilisation of revegetated sites depended largely on the particular species microhabitat preferences. Comparison of community composition in various sites demonstrated high degrees of similarity between some rehabilitated sites and high quality forest sites. The effects of jarrah dieback disease on reptile and frog populations was also assessed. From the results, it is possible to assess the likely combined impact of dieback and mining on the longer term conservation of jarrah forest reptile and frog species.