Fitzgerald River National Park Research Articles

Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris: Response to fire and persistence of home range in the Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia

We investigated the response of the Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris to fire in the Fitzgerald River National Park (FRNP), Western Australia, over a 34-year period. This species is a threatened Western Australian endemic restricted to a highly fire-prone habitat. Commencing in 1985, we surveyed for occurrence of Western Bristlebirds within the FRNP. Monitoring that was specifically focused on fire impacts began at Fitzgerald Track in November 1994 following a fire the previous month. That site had been surveyed in June and August 1994 before the fire. Fires in other recently surveyed locations in 1997–1998, 2000, 2008 and 2019 allowed for comparisons to be made following further monitoring of these sites. Many Bristlebirds survived a fire then relocated along or near the fire edge, usually in clusters of home ranges where suitable habitat was available. Bristlebirds gradually re-occupied burnt areas when these became suitable, often to home ranges occupied before the fire. There was a tendency for a home range to be occupied for >1 year. A change independent of fire could occur. Areas of vegetation of different fire ages were used by Bristlebirds for differing time periods. Sites in the lower-rainfall areas required longer periods of time for habitat to be recolonised by Bristlebirds and the maximum age of vegetation occupied by Bristlebirds varied between sites. For these reasons, generalised prescriptions are not appropriate, but fire management of individual patches of Bristlebird habitat in the FRNP can be guided by these findings, ensuring that unburnt refuge areas are both protected and retained, with the timing of management actions informed by knowledge of population response and habitat condition.

Dispersal, philopatry and population genetic structure of the mainland dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis

Dispersal plays an important role in the population structure and resilience of species. To gain a better understanding of dispersal in the endangered Australian marsupial, the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis), we screened 199 individuals from seven locations within the Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia, for genetic variation at 17 microsatellite loci. There were high levels of genetic variation within all sites (gene diversity ranged from 0.68 to 0.71) as well as significant genetic differentiation between sites less than 19 km apart that were consistent over multiple years (FST = 0.021–0.073). A Bayesian clustering analysis revealed the presence of two genetic clusters separating P. apicalis in the western part from the central and eastern parts of the National Park. There was also evidence of fine-scale population structure with spatial autocorrelation analysis showing positive genetic structure up to distances of 200 m in females. By contrast males did not exhibit significant fine-scale population structure, thus suggesting P. apicalis exhibits female philopatry and male-biased dispersal. We recommend that management should take into account the existence of two subpopulations within the National Park and manage accordingly. Individuals selected for captive breeding and translocation programs, especially females, should be sampled at least 200 m apart to reduce the likelihood of selecting related individuals.

New subspecies for the south-west Western Australian species Boronia clavata and B. denticulata (Rutaceae)

The south-west Western Australian species Boronia clavata Paul G.Wilson and B. denticulata Sm. (Rutaceae) are revised and B. clavata subsp. grandis Duretto from Cape Arid National Park and B. denticulata subsp. whoogarupensis Duretto from in and near western Fitzgerald River National Park are newly described.

Bodily preserved Eocene non-lithistid demosponge fauna from southern Australia: taxonomy and affinities

Exceptionally well-preserved non-lithistid demosponge body fossils are reported from outcrops of the late Eocene Pallinup Formation, Fitzgerald River National Park, south-western Australia. Among 11 species, eight are new to science and belong to heteroscleromorph orders: Bubarida (Eolipastrotethya picketti gen. et sp. nov., Monocrepidium unispiculatum sp. nov. and M. pauli sp. nov.), Axinellida (Phycopsis arbusculum sp. nov.) and Tetractinellida (Triptolemma solida sp. nov., Pachastrella intermedia sp. nov., P. australis sp. nov. and Geodia hopetouni sp. nov.). A further three species are representatives of the orders Clionaida, Bubarida and Tetractinellida. This fauna has clear affinities with living taxa. Close relationships with some Recent Atlantic species may be understood in the context of a Tethyan legacy. New light is shed on the evolutionary histories of several taxa that are reported for the first time in the fossil record.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6AA2FD29-A88E-49FA-B112-2FF4C6BE2787

Diet of one wild Western Ground Parrot Pezoporus flaviventris

The aim of this study was to examine the diet of a wild Western Ground Parrot Pezoporus flaviventris , a cryptic and critically endangered species. There has been no previous systematic study of the diet for this species. A wild male Western Ground Parrot was filmed over several days in spring 2006, in the Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia. The bird was recorded feeding, sunbathing, preening and dozing in his natural habitat. Fifty 30-second samples of the video were used to obtain 555 feeding records. The bird’s diet at that time was most dependent on flowers (38%), followed by sedge seeds (35%), and a further 20% was comprised of green fruit of dicotyledonous plants. At least 27 plant species were consumed by the individual in this study. The plant species eaten varied considerably within and among 30-second video samples, as well as varying between days. The daily diet is likely to vary to a similar degree to the overall pattern. Other observations, combined with the findings of this study, emphasise the diversity of plant species in the diet of the Western Ground Parrot.

Habitat suitability of soils from a topographic gradient across the Fitzgerald River National Park for invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi

Habitat suitability for P. cinnamomi was com- pared between soils from the major soil groups of the Fitzgerald River National Park. Because of the mainly disease-free status of the National Park, only ex-situ testing was possible by Gradsect sampling of soils on a topo- graphic gradient and determining the influence on disease expression in a shadehouse environment and stimulation of sporangium production in a controlled environment. The upper asymptote (Kmax), lag time (t½K) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) of the logistic model were calculated from disease progress curves of Banksia baxteri plants following soil inoculation with P. cinnamomi and sporulation curves. The Qualinup Sands and the Dry Phase of the Nyerilup Sand had the greatest % mortality Kmax values and the Perkins and Red Loams had the least. For B. baxteri mortality, delay significantly increased and rate decreased along a fertility gradient from relatively infertile sands to fertile loams. Kmax of total number of sporangia/mm 2 of mycelium for winter collected soils was significantly linearly positively correlated with Kmax of germinating spores/disc and negatively correlated with rate of mortality of B. baxteri. The loams with the slowest rate of mortality of B. baxteri stimulated the most sporulation. Habitat suitability of the major soil groups of the landscape matrix of the Fitzgerald River National Park for P. cinnamomi can be used to predict risk of invasion and hazard in healthy areas and prioritise areas of greatest risk of invasion and conservation consequences from hazard.

Towards a corporeal aesthetics of plants: Ethnographies of embodied appreciation along the wildflower trail

This paper argues for the application of ethnographic practice, specifically participant observation and semi-structured interviewing, in the development of a corporeal aesthetics of flora. The study is characterized as an ethnography of botanists and, building upon emerging work in cultural ecology and human–plant geographies, is situated within the proposed context of cultural botany. During the Southwest Australian spring wildflower season between August and October of 2009 I conducted interviews with professional and amateur botanists, as well wildflower enthusiasts and tourists, at two places of remarkable floristic diversity: the Lesueur-Eneabba region and the Fitzgerald River National Park. Interview transcripts suggest the possibility of a corporeal aesthetics as a postcolonial countermeasure to the predominantly visual, scientific construction of the aesthetic value of wild flora.

Measuring connectivity patterns in a macro‐corridor on the south coast of Western Australia

Summary Portions of the south coast of Western Australia are recognized as environmentally valuable because of high levels of biodiversity, but are at risk due to continued anthropogenic influences, particularly in the form of fragmentation and habitat loss. Corridors of habitat, either continuous or stepping‐stone, are deemed to be valuable for the maintenance and increase of biodiversity in the region. Here we apply a series of betweenness centrality analyses to quantify the connectivity in the region. The method we describe here is an extended application of the betweenness centrality measure, which is a measure of spatial connectivity that is applied to fragmented landscapes. The method is used for significant corridors between the Stirling Ranges and the Fitzgerald River National Park to identify a series of locations that are important to the connectivity in this region and thus may provide effective locations for restoration inputs.

Two new rare species and a new hybrid in Eucalyptus series Tetrapterae (Myrtaceae) from southern coastal Western Australia

Three new rare taxa allied to the conspicuous, common four-winged mallee (Eucalyptus tetraptera Turcz.) are described. E. sweedmaniana is a large-leaved and prostrate coastal mallee known only from Mount Arid, Western Australia. E. brandiana, a non-lignotuberous mallet, occupies spongolite hilltops and escarpments near the Fitzgerald River Inlet in Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia. A single hybrid mallet, E. arborella × brandiana, is described from the type locality of E. brandiana. Both new species and the new hybrid show potential for horticultural use, given their compact habit, large leaves and conspicuous red floral hypanthia and fruits. E. arborella × brandiana and E. brandiana are particularly at risk, being highly localised endemics that are killed by fire.

Monitoring population change in the cryptic and threatened Western Ground Parrot in relation to fire

Measures of abundance and population trends are necessary for informed management of rare species, but obtaining reliable estimates of sparsely occurring species is an ongoing challenge in conservation biology. It is even more difficult when the species of interest is also cryptic. We censused a population of one such species, the Western Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris), over several years to develop a monitoring protocol to assist in future management, extend understanding of its response to fire, and provide a model that could be used with other cryptic bird species. Abundance of Western Ground Parrots, monitored by means of calling frequencies, varied from year to year at a study site in Fitzgerald River National Park, south-western Australia. Frequency of calling increased significantly from 1996 to 2000. During this time, frequency of calling peaked in 1998 in part of the study site that had been unburnt for more than 40 years, and remained high in 2000. Frequency of calling was similar in a more recently burnt part of the study area except in May 1998, when frequency was lower following a fire that burnt part of this area five months previously. Frequency of calling dropped significantly in both the long unburnt and recently burnt areas between 2000 and 2004; exact reasons for this are unknown. Western Ground Parrots can use recently burnt vegetation where it is immediately adjacent to an established population, but do not need fire to create habitat, at least in the timescale of 40 years. The current monitoring protocol, where eight listening posts are counted approximately three times each, is capable of detecting an annual change in frequency of calling of ∼13%. The number of listening posts would need to be increased to 14 in order to detect an annual change of 10%, and would need to be increased to 40 in order to detect an annual change of 5%.

Regional differences in kelp‐associated algal assemblages on temperate limestone reefs in south‐western Australia

Abstract. Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh kelp beds — a characteristic feature of the nearshore environment along the south‐west Australian coastline — contribute significantly to the coastal biodiversity in temperate Australia, yet, little is known about the organization of these macroalgal assemblages. By compiling existing and new data sets from habitat surveys, we have characterized and compared the structure of kelp‐associated macroalgal assemblages in three regions (Marmion Lagoon, Hamelin Bay and the marine environment neighbouring the Fitzgerald River National Park) across more than 1000 kilometres of the south‐west Australian coastline. 152 macroalgal taxa had been recognized within the three regions and this is in the range of species richness reported from other Australian and African kelp beds. The kelp‐associated algal assemblages were regionally distinct, 66% of all taxa were only found in one region and only 17 taxa were found in all three regions. Adjacent regions shared an additional 13–15 taxa. The regional shifts in assemblage structure were evident in species composition of both canopy and understorey. The organization of assemblages followed a spatial hierarchy where differences in assemblage structure were larger among regions (hundreds of kilometres apart) than among sites within regions (kilometres apart) and differences among sites within region were larger than differences among quadrats within sites (metres apart). Despite this hierarchy each level of nesting contributed approximately the same to total variation in assemblage structure and these spatial patterns were stronger than temporal differences from seasons to 2–3 years. Our results suggest that local and small‐scale processes contribute considerably to heterogeneity in macroalgal assemblages throughout south‐western Australia, and, in particular, our results are consistent with E. radiata exerting a strong influence on macroalgal assemblage structure. Further, our study contradicts the existence of a general south‐west Australian kelp assemblage, although a few species may form the core of E. radiata associations across regions.

Movement patterns of honey possums, Tarsipes rostratus, in the Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia

The movements of marked honey possums,Tarsipes rostratus, were studied using mark–recapture with pitfall traps in heathland on the south coast of Western Australia. Most individuals moved less than 30 m even over several months, with no evidence of marked dispersal. We suggest that this lack of mobility is associated with a detailed knowledge of the locations of those plants that supply all the species’ food. Males moved slightly further than females, possibly to search for mating opportunities and possibly because females exclude males from rich nectar sources. In consequence, the home ranges of males (1277 m2) were significantly larger, on average, than those of females (701 m2).

Understanding Dispute Resolution Processes for American and Australian Public Wildlands: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Managers

/ The last 20 years have seen the successful application of environmental dispute resolution processes, where people voluntarily negotiate toward mutually acceptable solutions, to many environmental disputes. The effects of contextual influences, such as the number of parties and presence of deadlines, on outcomes are known and frequently described. Less well documented and understood are the interaction processes themselves. This paper draws on two case studies to develop a conceptual framework describing these processes. Disputes associated with management planning for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex in the United States and Fitzgerald River National Park in Australia provided the cases. The conceptual framework derived had eight sequential stages: (1) joint definition of problems, (2) uncertainty about what to do, (3) agreement on group procedures, (4) realization of interdependence, (5) enthusiasm about collective possibilities, (6) commitment to working together, (7) consolidation of the group, and (8) implementation of a resolution. The framework provides new insights for managers of public wildlands, especially the need for varying but ongoing managerial involvement in dispute resolution processes. High levels of involvement and influence are essential at the beginning in problem definition and group procedure design and at the end in implementing resolutions. Conversely, agency members must be willing to exert less influence, while still being involved and committed to collective purposes, during the middle stages. Also apparent from the conceptual framework is the importance of developing shared understandings and of allowing sufficient time for understanding to develop, if successful resolution is to be achieved. KEY WORDS: Environmental dispute resolution; Conceptual framework; Public wildlands; Shared understandings; Australia

An Assessment of the Potential Target Specificity of 1080 Predator Baiting in Western-Australia

The potential hazard of 1080 baiting for predators to 14 species of non-target mammals in the pastoral areas of Western Australia and a further six from Western Australia's Fitzgerald River National Park, was assessed by comparing projected doses of 1080 (based on consumption of non-toxic bait by captive animals in the absence of alternative food) with the approximate lethal dose of 1080 for each species. These figures suggested that individuals from 12 species were potentially at risk from crackle baits, while only individuals from Dasyurus hallucatus, Ningaui spp., Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Planigale maculata, one population of Leggadina forresti and one population of Sminthopsis ooldea were potentially endangered by meat baits. Tests using the native mammals Zyzomys argurus and Pseudomys hermannsbergensis and laboratory mice (Mus musculus) and laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) showed that individuals of all species reduced their consumption of toxic bait relative to non-toxic bait, although this did not prevent three of five rats and one of three P. hermannsbergensis from being killed.

Observations on the Biology of the Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris

Since its discovery in 1839, the range of the Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris has declined and the species is only found in the Two Peoples Bay-Waychinicup River area and the Fitzgerald River National Park region. The preferred habitat is closed heath and it is likely that the increased burning of this habitat by Europeans was the main cause of the species' decline. The habitat in both areas is described. The two song types and three alarm notes are described and details of home range size, breeding season and food are given. Changes in the population at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve are explained in terms of the changing fire frequency.

Natural Hybridization and Morphometric Relationships Between Three Mallee Eucalypts in the Fitzgerald River National Park, W.A

The suspected occurrence of natural hybridization between Eucalyptus preissiana Schau, and E. Buprestium F. Muell, near West Mount Barren was investigated through a study of morphometric and reproductive parameters in allopatric and sympatric populations of these species. While E. Preissiana and E. buprestium were morphometrically distinct in allopatry, a small number of intermediate individuals occurred in one of the two sympatric populations examined. These intermediates set less fruit per plant than the parental species on average, a fact consistent with the hypothesis that they were hybrids showing partial F2 breakdown. The demonstration that New Holland honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novae-hollandiae) carried pollen of both parental species in a sympatric population was interpreted as further evidence in support of the occurrence of hybridization. The possible hybrid status of E. chrysantha Blakely & Steedman was investigated through determining its morphometric relationships in a multivariate analysis of E. sepulcralis F. Muell., E. Preissiana and E. buprestium. E. chrysantha was intermediate between E. sepulcralis and E. preissiana, and distinguishable from E. preissiana-E. buprestium hybrids in this analysis. The taxonomic and evolutionary implications of the study are discussed.