GOODGA NATURE RESERVE THREATENING PROCESSES
Source: South Coast Strategic Management Plan 2009
Primary Threatening Processes (PTP)
1. Inappropriate Fire Regimes
The South Coast is subject to regular summer lightening strikes which
ignite intense broad scale wildfires.
Fire management has tried to decrease these large scale wildfires using
prescribed burning.
The flora and fauna of the South Coast have adapted to particular fire
regimes (frequency, intensity and season).
Due to different fire regime requirements of threatened species, fire
management needs to consider the biological response of threatened
species in the area. This requires an understanding of the most
appropriate fire regimes for threatened species so research into the
biological response to fire of threatened species is important.
2. Phytophthora cinnamomi infestation
3. Introduced Predators (Cats and Foxes)
4. Environmental Weed Invasion
5. Aquatic weeds can also severely impact aquatic systems by clogging
water courses and preventing transport for instream biota. The
endangered Western Trout Minnow (Galaxias truttaceus hesperius)
migrates up and down stream during spawning and is potentially
significantly impacted by the presence of Typha orientalis within the
system (Mitchell& Newell in prep.)
6. Fragmentation of Habitat
The isolation of fauna in small populations makes them susceptible to
stochastic events and means they can’t alter their range or expand in the
event of climate change.
7. Small Population Size
8. Salinisation or Altered Hydrology
Altered hydrology is also a threat to some threatened species. The
introductions of weirs, blue gum plantations and run-off into aquatic systems
have all impacted the Goodga and Angove Rivers in the Two Peoples Bay
Nature Reserve which contains the threatened Western Trout Minnow
(Mitchell & Newell in prep).
Other Threatening Processes
1. Other Introduced or Native Invasive Species
An invasive species is one that occurs, as a result of human activities,
beyond its accepted normal distribution and threatens valued
environmental, agricultural or other social resources (Commonwealth of
Australia 2008).
Such species are a threatening process for threatened species through
competition, predation and/or habitat alteration.
Competition for nesting hollows and killing of nesting females and chicks
by feral Honey Bees is considered one of the most significant threats to
Baudin’s and Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos breeding and survival
(Chapman 2007).
a. Fish
Invasive fish are a significant issue for aquatic diversity. Although
currently not in the system, the introduction of non-native fish eg:
Gambusia, into the Goodga Creek or Angove River systems would
have a devastating impact on the endangered Western Trout
Minnow (Mitchell & Newell in prep.). Past practices of introducing
non-native fish species for recreation fishing are highly regulated
by the Department of Fisheries though not banned.
2. Recreational Activities
Such activities may impact threatened species through the spread of
Phytophthora cinnamomi through vehicle or foot access, trampling,
spread of weeds, wildflower and faunal collection and feeding of wildlife
(Kelly et al. 2003).
3. Illegal Shooting
Illegal shooting is recognised as a threat for the Baudin’s and the Forest
Red-tailed Black Cockatoos (Chapman 2007). Illegal killing of these
species has been known to occur because of damage to pome fruit crops
(Baudin’s) or damage to blue gum plantations (Forese Red-tailed).
4. Other Plant Pathogens
5. Animal Diseases
The introduced cestode, Ligula intestinalis, is currently a significant threat to the
endangered Western Trout Minnow (Mitchell & Newell in prep. The cestode does
not kill individuals, but causes deformities that reduce mobility, increasing its
vulnerability to bird predation. There is no known control or eradication for the
parasite.