28 January 2016
Ani Gruber
Senior Ranger (Environmental Offsets)
ACT Parks and Conservation Service
Territory and Municipal Services Directorate
Athllon Depot Cnr Athllon & Sulwood Dr, Farrer
GPO Box 158 Canberra City ACT 2601
Ph: 6205 2795
Striped Legless Lizard Monitoring Report - Gungaderra and Mulanggari Reserves
Project no. 20959
Dear Ms Gruber,
This report presents the methods and results of the 2015 monitoring for the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) within the additional areas of Gungaderra and Mulanggari Grassland Reserves, ACT (the Study Areas). The locations of the Study Areas are shown on Figure 1, and the locations of the tile survey grids are shown on Figure 2.
The purpose of the monitoring program is to provide data on the relative numbers of D. impar within the extensions to the reserves, which are offset areas for development elsewhere in the ACT (i.e. for Block 799, Gungahlin). The locations of the monitoring grids and the layout of the grids were as specified by Territory and Municipal Services Directorate.
Methodology
Biosis undertook the following tasks.
· Task 1 – Tile placement and grid set-up. The following was undertaken by ACT Parks and Conservation Service staff
– Grid refurbishment. Where tiles had been stacked in the field from the previous survey season, tiles were unstacked and placed in the layout specified (i.e. 30 tiles in five rows of six, 20 metres between tiles in each row, 25 metres between rows). This was repeated across five grids in the Mulangarri site and five grids in the Gungaderra site. Broken tiles were replaced.
– Marking of tiles. Each tile was marked with spray-paint with a code (A1-E6, see Plate 1). Rows were also marked with marker flags to assist in relocating tiles. The number of rows flagged depended upon visibility (i.e. grass height and slope).
– The standard grid layout is shown in Plate 1. Note: star pickets were mostly absent from grids and flagging was undertaken as required, instead of as specified in the diagram. Grids were generally oriented with A1 as the most north-west tile, however most grids were not aligned perfectly in a N/S or E/W orientation as shown).
Plate 1. Grid set-up guideline provided by PCS TaMS.
· Task 2 – Tile monitoring. The following was undertaken by Biosis Staff
Following a two week settling in period, tiles were monitored once weekly, with the first check occurring on 16 October 2015. Checks were completed by 11:20 am, with the start time determined by the weather forecast (refer to Attachment A for monitoring dates and conditions). Biosis personnel are experienced in the rapid identification of the species (and the similar and often sympatric Olive Legless Lizard (D. inornata) and no animals needed to be captured and handled for identification or processing. Data recorded included:
– D. impar capture numbers and locations (grid and tile number);
– Species and number of other vertebrate species observed;
– date, time and weather conditions for all grid checks.
· Task 3 – Grid removal. Following the completion of monitoring, all tiles were collected and stacked at the NW corner of each grid, for future monitoring. All marker flags were removed.
Results
A total of 54 D. impar records were obtained across the survey period at both sites, with 22 at Mulangarri and 32 at Gungaderra. At least two D. impar were recorded at each survey grid, with the exception of grid three at the Gungaderra site, where no D. impar were recorded. The number of records per grid for each site is shown in Table 1.
Although some grids had multiple D. impar records, animals were repeatedly recorded under the same tiles within a grid and it is likely that many of the recorded animals were 'recaptures'. An estimation of the true number of individual D. impar at each grid has been made (refer Table 1), by assuming that any D. impar recorded under the same tile across multiple weeks is the same individual. This provides an estimated maximum number of 19 (Mulanggari) and 23 (Gungaderra) individual D. impar (Table 1) across the two study areas. Four skin sloughs, most likely belonging to D. impar, were recorded at Mulanggari and five skin sloughs were recorded at Gungaderra. These have not been included in the total numbers or in Table 1; however, this information can be provided if required.
Capture rates in Table 1 have been calculated based on the number of captures per tile check. Each grid of 30 was checked 10 times, so captures/300 provides the capture rate for that grid. Total captures/1500 provides the overall capture rate for each study area.
Table 1. Striped Legless Lizards recorded across the two study areas (a) Mulanggari and (b) Gungaderra.
(a)
Grid / Records / Estimated No. individuals / Capture Rate (%) /1 / 5 / 5 / 1.6
2 / 2 / 2 / 0.7
3 / 7 / 6 / 2.3
4 / 4 / 3 / 1.3
5 / 4 / 3 / 1.3
TOTAL / 22 / 19 / 1.4
(b)
Grid / Records / Estimated No. individuals / Capture Rate (%) /1 / 13 / 8 / 4.3
2 / 12 / 9 / 4
3 / 0 / 0 / 0
4 / 3 / 2 / 1
5 / 4 / 4 / 1.3
TOTAL / 32 / 23 / 2.1
A decline in D. impar records was observed across the survey period. Figure 3 shows the records per week for each site. As the season progressed, the number of D. impar recorded during each check declined. This has been observed by Biosis during previous D. impar surveys.
Figure 3. The total number of D. impar recorded during each check over the survey period
Other records - Mulanggari
Table 2 lists the non-target vertebrate fauna recorded under tiles at Mulanggari during the monitoring period. Aside from D. impar, no threatened fauna were recorded. Numerous invertebrates (not included in Table 2) were also recorded under tiles.
In addition to fauna recorded under tiles and the numerous Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and common native birds present, fauna species recorded incidentally at Mulanggari included the introduced European Hare (Lepus europaeus).
Table 2. Species and number of non-target vertebrate fauna recorded under tiles at Mulanggari
Common Name / Scientific Name / Grid 1 / Grid 2 / Grid 3 / Grid 4 / Grid 5 /Three-Toed Skink / Hemiergis decresiensis / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Delicate Skink / Lampropholis delicata / 5 / 1 / 2 / 7
Eastern Brown Snake / Pseudonaja textilis / 2
Boulenger's Skink / Morethia boulengeri / 1 / 1
Unidentified skink / 3 / 8 / 2 / 6
Gungaderra
Table 3 lists the non-target fauna recorded under tiles at Gungaderra during the monitoring period. Aside from D. impar, no threatened fauna were recorded. Numerous invertebrates (same taxa as Mulanggari) were also observed.
Incidentally recorded fauna included a stray dog Canis lupus familiaris, Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis, and a Smooth Toadlet Uperoleia laevigata.
Table 3. Species and number of non-target vertebrate fauna recorded under tiles at Gungaderra
Common Name / Scientific Name / Grid 1 / Grid 2 / Grid 3 / Grid 4 / Grid 5Three- toed Skink / Hemiergis decresiensis / 1 / 1 / 3
Delicate Skink / Lampropholis delicata / 2 / 1 / 1
Boulenger's Skink / Morethia boulengeri / 3 / 6 / 4 / 1
Menetia greyii / Menetia greyii / 1 / 1 / 2
Unidentified skink / 4 / 1 / 9 / 3 / 2
Discussion
Although the total number of D. impar recorded at both the Gungaderra and Mulanggari sites are slightly lower than those recorded in 2014, this difference is small and does not indicate a decline in the population. The trend shown in Figure 3, showing that the number of records declines as the season progresses, is similar to the trend seen in the 2014 data. This project was successful in providing data regarding the relative density of D. impar within and between the two Study Areas. As with all D. impar surveys, ensuring that the survey is undertaken at the optimal time of the morning for recording the species can be difficult, particularly late in the season when this optimal period is shortest or when there are many grids to check in one morning. Alternating the monitoring order of the Study Areas helped to minimise the impact of the survey conditions and timing on the results.
I trust this letter will meet your requirements. If, however, you should have any questions relating to this project, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss.
Yours sincerely,
Craig Dunne
Zoologist
Figure 1. Location of the Study Areas
Figures 2a and 2b. Grid Locations
Attachment A. Monitoring dates and conditions
Attachment B. D. impar complete dataset (Excel Document)
Figure 1. Location of study area
Figure 2a. Grid Locations- Mulanggari
Figure 2b: Grid Locations - Gungaderra
Check Number / Date / Start Time / Start Temp (oc) / Finish Time / Finish Temp (oc) / Cloud Cover (%) / Ground Conditions / Notes /1 / 16/10/2015 / 9:50 / 22 / 11:20 / 25 / 0 / Damp / sunny and warm
2 / 19/10/2015 / 7:30 / 15 / 9 / 16 / 100 / wet grass, dry soil
3 / 23/10/2015 / 8:45 / 11.7 / 9:45 / 13 / 90 / moist / became sunny at Grid 1
4 / 27/10/2015 / 7:20 / 9.7 / 8:30 / 11.4 / 70 / dry / cloudy, very cold wind
5 / 5/11/2015 / 9:00 / 14.6 / 10:20 / 16 / 100 / wet / light rain
6 / 9/11/2015 / 7:20 / 11.7 / 8:30 / 13 / 100 / moist, damp
7 / 19/11/2015 / 8:45 / 13.5 / 9:50 / 19.5 / 30 / dry
8 / 27/11/2015 / 7:15 / 5.4 / 8:40 / 11.3 / 0 / dry
9 / 3/12/2015 / 8:55 / 14.6 / 10:10 / 16 / 30 / dry
10 / 11/12/2015 / 7:15 / 15.8 / 8:30 / 19 / 0 / dry
Attachment A. Monitoring dates and conditions
Mulanggari
Gungaderra
Check Number / Date / Start Time / Start Temp (oc) / Finish Time / Finish Temp (oc) / Cloud Cover (%) / Ground Conditions / Notes /1 / 16/10/2015 / 7:25 / 11 / 9:30 / 14 / 0 / damp
2 / 19/10/2015 / 9 / 16 / 10:25 / 18 / 90 / moist ground, dry grass
3 / 23/10/2015 / 7:10 / 10.3 / 8:30 / 11.3 / 90 / moist grass and ground / 23/10/2015
4 / 27/10/2015 / 8:40 / 11.6 / 0:00 / 12.8 / 40 / dry / cows on grids G1 and G2
5 / 5/11/2015 / 7:20 / 14 / 8:55 / 14.5 / 100 / wet / cows on grids G1 and G2
6 / 9/11/2015 / 8:45 / 12.9 / 10:20 / 16 / 90 / dry
7 / 19/11/2015 / 7:15 / 14.4 / 8:30 / 15.3 / 80 / dry
8 / 27/11/2015 / 9:00 / 12.6 / 10:15 / 15.4 / 0 / dry
9 / 3/12/2015 / 7:15 / 9.5 / 8:45 / 14.6 / 50 / dry
10 / 11/12/2015 / 8:45 / 21.6 / 9:50 / 24.7 / 0 / dry
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