BIOTROPICA - Specialists in Tropical Ecosystem Management

Chalumbin Bushfire 16-Nov-2004

Chalumbin Bushfire 30-Nov-2008

Integrating international risk management standards, state government policy, latest bushfire mitigation research and custom-designed GIS technology Biotropica Australia has developed a standardized data collection protocol and software to guide land management activities under transmission lines for Powerlink Queensland.

The aim is to identify areas under power lines that are prone to wildfires, so management action can be taken to minimize potential wildfire risk. Identifying potential hazard areas is prudent risk management, so the effects of wildfires can be considered prior to their occurrence.

A simple but highly integrated user interface was created to ensure consistent quality standards of data collection, producing standardized datasets to inform subsequent decision making. At first the assessment process identifies the potential for a site to pose a fire hazard. The next step determines actual site conditions by assessing the fuel load below and adjoining the line, taking height and density of fine and coarse fuels into consideration. By means of the algorithms developed by Biotropica Australia potential hazard and actual fuel load ratings are integrated in real-time, providing the assessor with a single priority ranking value.

Subsequent steps involve analysing the risk (examining the likelihood and consequences of an asset-relevant wildfire), evaluating that risk to determine required management decisions, and taking action to minimize or reduce the risk.

Working closely with Environment North and Flanagan Consulting Group, Biotropica Australia has been providing all the environmental survey data required to assist the Queensland Department of Main Roads to develop the Preliminary Design for this AUD$90 million project. In order to control the negative effects posed by the linear barrier effect of the new road, Biotropica staff have been assessing the highway environment and developing wildlife management solutions. A number of rare and vulnerable species and habitats were located during Biotropica surveys, influencing the final design and construction methodology. This project has a number of innovative approaches to road design which should set new benchmarks for road construction in sensitive areas. A feature of the design will be an ‘over the canopy’ viaduct which will allow wildlife to cross beneath the road in complete safety. Biotropica staff worked closely with colleagues from James Cook University to examine the effects of the viaduct on light and moisture and whether the forest below would tolerate the modified conditions. Our modelling showed that light would be sufficient to maintain the growth of most plants however an overhead irrigation system will be needed to provide simulated rainfall for the forest beneath which would otherwise remain dry. Interestingly, the German Department of Transport recently embarked on almost identical work and Biotropica ecologist Lars Kazmeier visited the project in Germany in June 2008. Even more interesting was the observation that research in Germany generated very similar data and recommendations to those made by Biotropica and James Cook University.

Wildlife underpasses and canopy rope bridges are also planned in a number of locations. The Cardwell Range provides habitat for endangered species including the Cassowary and Mahogany Glider, and underpasses and rope bridges will be used to allow their safer movement across the road. Rehabilitation and fencing will be strategically used to direct and attract wildlife to underpasses, and to re-instate aquatic connectivity for fish, reptiles and amphibians.

Biotropica staff have also been working with landscape architects from Place Design Group to develop rehabilitation techniques for the road works post-construction. Once again, Biotropica has developed innovative approaches to revegetate the large cuts and embankments resulting from construction. Using only local native species, the rehabilitation design will work to ensure the construction is merged into the surrounds as quickly and effectively as possible. Biotropica’s expertise in tropical rehabilitation is well known and the company is involved in a number of Department of Main Roads projects where this expertise is required.

Biotropica Australia successfully tendered for this work across Queensland’s National Parks and State Forests in 2008. This task involved surveying around 200 kilometres of power line clearings dissecting some of the State’s most pristine environments, ranging from the semi-arid zone of south-western Queensland to the rain forests of the Whitsundays. Botanists and ecologists from Biotropica recorded a number of Vulnerable and Rare plants in electricity corridors, along with a range of other ecological features requiring protection. Beneath Ergon Energy lines at Currawinya National Park (on the QLD/NSW border), Nigel Tucker and Daniel Keane found Sclerolaena walkeri, a Vulnerable Chenopod shrub known from only two previous records, and located a number of individuals of the highly restricted Paperbark, Melaleuca densispicata. Kris Kupsch and Lars Kazmeier found several rare Cycads in Central Queensland and collected only the fourth Australian record of the exotic Blainvillea gayana.

Records such as these provide Ergon Energy with the information needed to ensure staff and contractors are aware of important environmental features. GPS data and Photographic Information Sheets allow for precision locations in the field and appropriate management action. The project was completed on time and to budget.

Biotropica ecologists are rigorous and professional in their approach, but also very experienced at working in physically remote and demanding environments. This task put staff into Queensland’s most rugged landscapes, testing ourselves, our vehicles and technology to the limit. The wealth of biological and management data collected will greatly assist Ergon’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability across the State’s most sensitive natural areas, and beyond. Biotropica staff have significant experience in the identification and management of Queensland flora and fauna – our knowledge is your insurance.

Biotropica Australia prepared a report for Iman International on the values and management options of a proposed rural residential development site near Cardwell, Far North Queensland. The site includes an area of about 3.2 ha of habitat for the endangered Mahogany Glider (Petaurus gracilis), with good connectivity to adjacent forests. The species is considered one of Queensland’s most threatened mammals. The site also had a “Medium” bushfire risk which introduced constraints in site layout.

Assessment of the values and opportunities together with GIS technologies, enabled Biotropica to prepare a layout option which could both retain the Mahogany Glider habitat, and satisfy state planning policy setback and fire break requirements for fire management.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has a number of properties in Far North Queensland and is responsible for the sustainable management of these lands. To help the ADF with this management, Biotropica Australia staff with assistance from Maunsell Aecom completed weed surveys across all ADF land assets in the Wet Tropics region.

Surveys revealed a number of weeds ranging from Class One species to locally recognised pest plants. Using Differential GPS and our extensive Photographic Library our reports pinpointed the locations of all exotic flora and provided full colour information sheets to assist with species recognition and control measures. In addition to the identification of pest plants, our staff also located a number of rare and vulnerable species close by, allowing ADF contractors to destroy pest plants whilst preserving species of high conservation value.

Working on behalf of the regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) group Terrain NRM, Biotropica Australia has recently completed an assessment of existing habitat linkages in an area adjacent to Mission Beach township. Biotropica’s brief was specifically to look at habitat linkages to sustain cassowaries in and around the Wongaling Beach area. Biotropica has worked extensively throughout Far North Queensland to identify key habitat linkages for this endangered species. Our work has highlighted the urgent need for landholders to protect and enhance key habitats occurring on privately owned lands.

The Wongaling linkages project identified a number of habitat patches on private and public lands that are likely to be crucial in ensuring cassowary movement across the landscape. Terrain will now use this information to assist landholders with habitat protection and enhancement and promote activities that lead to the long term persistence of cassowaries in the Mission Beach area.

Biotropica staff recently completed Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for all Ergon Energy powerlines in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA). This involved detailed ‘span by span’ surveys of over 200 kilometres of electricity lines in a diverse range of ecosystems, from the lowlands of Mission Beach to the top of the McDowell Range on the CREB Track north of Daintree.

Lines traversing the WTWHA are often in remote areas, where access is just as challenging as the area’s remarkable flora and fauna. Using Trimble GEO-XM’s™, coupled with custom designed software and ArcView, Biotropica has produced detailed and accurate plans to assist Ergon Energy staff and contractors to protect and preserve World Heritage values to the greatest possible extent. EMPs provide staff and contractors with plans that are easily interpreted in the field and include a locality-specific photographic library of rare and threatened plants, weeds, and low-growing species for retention.

During the course of our surveys, Biotropica staff recorded 37 species of rare, vulnerable and endangered plants, and 54 species of weeds including numbers of Class 1 and Class 2 Declared plants. Surveys also extended the known range of some plants. Biotropica principal Nigel Tucker described the project as ‘technically and physically challenging’, noting that without Biotropica’s initial investment in GIS data structure design and custom software, maintaining data integrity and final product quality would have been much more difficult.

Biotropica Australia is working with Ergon Energy to review and complete Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for protected and sensitive natural areas. EMPs are specific span by span plans for powerline corridors within sensitive areas such as the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA).

There are over 200 kilometres of electricity corridors present in the WTWHA.
These lines often traverse difficult, rugged and very wet terrain and habitat which supports rare and threatened plant and animal species like the Southern Cassowary.
EMPs are designed to:

guide all vegetation maintenance activities within Sensitive Areas such as World Heritage Areas, National Parks, Declared Marine Habitats and State Forests
provide detailed information on significant environmental features present along a corridor
preserve and protect environmental and cultural values to the greatest possible extent
ensure compliance through an audit process

The overall aim of maintenance works are to use vegetation manipulation techniques which reduce the area of bare earth, retain and encourage ground and shrub cover, and promote vegetation scalloping in forested environments enhancing habitat connectivity.

The layout is designed to standardise EMPs for all electricity providers in Queensland to make interpretation easier for staff and contractors. EMPs provide explanatory notes with information ranging from Regional Ecosystems, Rare and Threatened Species to the presence of Habitat Features, Cultural Heritage Sites and Declared Plants. These notes are accompanied by scaled GIS maps using the latest government and non-government GIS data layer mapping, information spreadsheets and a photographic library.

Priority powerline corridors have been identified with a primary focus on those lines which traverse the WTWHA.

Nigel Tucker, Director of Biotropica Australia recently travelled to Brisbane to conduct a three day biodiversity training package to environmental staff at Powerlink QLD. The course involved a day and a half theoretical classroom training where participants studied the concept of biodiversity and current trends in biodiversity nationwide and globally.

Other key concepts addressed were current threats to biodiversity associated with powerline infrastructure and ways to monitor and mitigate biodiversity impacts.

Dr Scott Burnett, well-known South-east Queensland conservation biologist gave an extensive presentation on the biodiversity of South-east Queensland. Scott also assisted Nigel with the field component of the course which gave participants hands-on experience in a range of wildlife monitoring techniques including spotlighting and live animal trapping.

Hydromulching road cuttings is an effective way of reducing erosion and providing soil coverage to bind the soil surface and retain organic matter and moisture. Organic matter, fertiliser and soil ameliorants are combined with water, glue and seed and then mechanically sprayed onto the bare soil surface.

The results of previous hydromulch trials on the Gillies Highway in 2004, indicated the importance of addressing soil deficiencies and increasing native species in the seed mixes.

Biotropica Australia coordinated the application of hydromulch works on the Gillies, Cook and Kuranda highways in the 2005 wet season, comparing different fertilizer types and the soil ameliorants, lime and Minplus™. In addition, trials were established to examine plantings of fishbone fern (Nephrolesis cordifolia) into rock gabion structures on the Kuranda Range in early 2005.

Monitoring after the 2005 wet season, indicated a good ground cover response, however sites were still very young and susceptible to weed invasion. Monitoring at the beginning of the 2006 wet season, indicated native grass establishment was well underway.

By Autumn 2006, there were no discernible responses of sites to fertilizer and soil ameliorant treatment. Further monitoring after the 2005/2006 wet season, soil analysis and biomass production will aim to provide solid baseline data and reflect treatment differences.

Small hydromulch works on slippage sites on the Kuranda Range in the 2005 wet season, provide an example of research culminating in very successful hydromulch application. After 12 months, there is 100% soil cover with contributions from all species present in the hydromulch mix. This cover result provides evidence that initial rehabilitation of road cuttings can be highly successful.

Biotropica Australia’s research into hydromulching techniques provides valuable information for clients wishing to rehabilitate large disturbed areas.

As part of cleanup works associated with severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Biotropica Australia’s scientists provided professional services to Ergon Energy during the re-opening of high transmission powerline access tracks within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA).

This work included the supervision of earthworks machinery and specialised tree climbing personnel. This was required to help maintain Ergon Energy’s very high level of environmental responsibility when working within the WTWHA.

Australia provided daily site specific information including the identification of:

rare and localised endemic flora and fauna,
declared plants, to avoid contamination and subsequent spread and,
threats to personal safety, environment and machinery

On 28th April, 2006, Kerry O’Brien along with staff from Powerlink Queensland conducted a helicopter flyover to access the extent of cyclone damage along those high voltage powerlines which traverse the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

The flyover began from the Mareeba Airstrip and continued south along the western side of the Herberton Ranges to the top of the Herbert River Gorge, tracking north along the lowland foothills to the Kareeya Power station. The majority of damage observed occurred from Tully, north to Cairns along the Tully-Kareeya, Innisfail-Kareeya and Innisfail-Cairns powerlines. Emergency clean up works had been carried out to clear access tracks and marginal trees along these corridors.

The most notable observations made were the patterning of canopy loss on the south-eastern ridge slopes, retention of epiphytes in the canopy, the reshooting and flowering of stems, and intact stands of Feather Palm and Fan Palm forests. At the time of the flyover, Golden Penda was in full bloom, highlighting the many tributaries which snake down the coastal escarpment.

The flyover enabled Biotropica Australia and Powerlink Queensland to determine the extent of cyclone damage experienced along these powerline corridors and estimate works still required.

Biotropica Australia's botanists were engaged to survey potential powerline footprints for the proposed relocation of the Tully to Innisfail powerline. This involved intensive flora surveys to determine the presence of any rare, vulnerable or endangered species and communities. This powerline is intended to replace the existing powerline which traverses the Palmerston section of Wooroonooroon National Park.

Surveys revealed only the third Australian record of the rare plant Hollrungia aurantioides. This plant has previously only been recorded from Deeral and Mount Bellenden Ker, Far North Queensland.

In recognition of the plant's rarity, Powerlink Queensland has moved the location of the tower footprint and access track. The endangered plant, Carronia pedicellata was also located during these surveys and may have been disrupted by construction. Because of the potential to harm this individual, the access track to this tower was also moved.

Other recommendations included restoration works, weed monitoring and management and specific recommendations relating to endangered species management.

In 1999, the QPWS re-established three vegetation linkages across the Powerlink Queensland easement, through which the 132kV line runs from Kareeya Power Station to Innisfail.

A very limited range of rain forest species (four) were replanted, in row formation, to facilitate rapid and cost-effective revegetation, and provide a linkage across the easement. The linkages are located within the Palmerston section of Wooroonooran National Park, adjacent to the Palmerston ranger station.

Powerlink maintains a number of assets within easements that traverse environmentally sensitive areas, creating barriers to the movement of animals and some birds across the easement. This linear barrier effect is especially powerful in the tropics where several studies have identified and documented the effect.

The objective of this project is to evaluate the usefulness of restored linkages to mammals crossing the (cleared) easement. Cage traps and Elliot (box) traps were established at six sites to assess the composition of small mammal communities in grassland, linkage and intact forest environments, and to determine the extent to which these linkages are used by rainforest mammals.

All relevant permits were obtained from QPWS and Animal Ethics Approval from James Cook University. Trapping events are conducted every two months beginning in November 2005 for twelve months (six trapping rounds).

Forested sites are typically dominated by forest-dependent species, Bush Rat (Rattus sp. fuscipes/leucopus) and Fawn-footed Melomys (Melomys cervinipes), and to a lesser extent White-tailed Rat (Uromys caudimaculatus). Grass dependent species such as the Canefield Rat (Rattus sordidus), House Mouse (Mus musculus) and Burton’s Climbing Rat (Melomys burtoni) are confined to this habitat.

The largest percentage of animals for which movement was recorded were scrotal males. This ready movement is typically by the Bush Rat, an encouraging indicator of successional change in the corridor. Further movement analysis will commence once the twelve month data set is complete.

This study provides important information of the dynamics of the linear barrier effect of corridors and guidance for restoration strategies across powerline easements.

Nigel Tucker returned from a ten day trip to Papua New Guinea to assess restoration options for a proposed National Infrastructure project from Papua New Guinea to Australia.

Nigel travelled by helicopter and hiked on foot to inaccessible areas to ground truth points where restoration will be required. The terrain is highly erodible with limestone karst and volcanic soils at altitudes up to 2500m in very high rainfall areas.

Restoration will involve working extensively with the local community and our client to provide recipes for the restoration of disturbed sites.

Biotropica Australia recently completed a report for the Australian Rainforest Foundation focusing on assessing existing and potential habitat linkages for the Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) along the coastal lowlands between Cairns and Cardwell.

A focal component of the framework is the close focus on the Mission Beach area, as it provides a vital source population of birds. The overall aim was to identify habitat linkages and detail restoration opportunities to improve and enhance habitat linkages.

The report is accompanied by a series of maps which will provide local governments, conservation departments and state departments with a vital tool for strategic planning and conservation outcomes.

Recently Biotropica Australia's botanist, Rigel Jensen travelled to Cape York for seventeen days as part of a feasibility study team for a proposed National infrastructure project from PNG to Australia.

The survey area extended from the Kennedy Highway, west of Mt Garnet to Coen. The study involved liaising with engineers and surveyors to determine the most suitable route options so that the project can be costed.

Particular attention was paid to river crossings, Endangered and Of Concern Regional Ecosystems and any Rare and Threatened Species. A large component of the work was conducted from a helicopter as the areas are quite inaccessible from the ground.

Nigel's botanical and ecological skills proved invaluable in this exercise and his extensive knowledge of Cape York flora was certainly put to good use.

Biotropica Australia is part of the Queensland Department of Main Roads (QDMR)/ Rainforest CRC Strategic Alliance, working to advance the Restoration Design and Management for the proposed Kuranda Range Road Upgrade.

Biotropica Australia’s specific tasks have involved:

a review of the current rehabilitation strategy
a review of existing rock gabion structures and field experiments to evaluate these techniques
reviewing of surface, canopy and riparian vegetation connectivity around existing bridge structures
development of a propagation materials procurement strategy
producing a Preliminary Restoration Design for the proposed Kuranda Range Road Upgrade. This has been a twelve month project with the Preliminary Restoration Design now under review.
some of the field and nursery experimental components are still underway, including the Green Terramesh Trial along the Kennedy Highway, near Kuranda.

Biotropica Australia’s research efforts will provide much required information for clients wishing to carry out wide-scale rehabilitation after major road building activities.