Biodiversity Action Plan - bushland and reserves
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Biodiversity Action Plan bushland and reserves
January 2019 Prepared by: Elise Jeffery, Fire and Biodiversity, City of Hobart Martina Smith, Parks and Recreation, City of Hobart 2 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan
Contents
1. Introduction 5
1.1 What is Biodiversity? 5
1.2 Why a Biodiversity Action Plan 6
2. Relevant Policy and Legislation 9
2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 9
2.1.1 Listed Community 9
2.1.2 Listed Species 11
2.2 Nature Conservation Act 2002 11
2.2.1 Threatened Communities 11
2.3 Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 12
2.3.1 Threatened Species 12
2.4 Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 13
2.4.1 E10.0 Biodiversity Protection Overlay 13
2.5 Weed Management Act 1999 14
2.6 Plans, Strategies and Policies 14
3. Biodiversity Criteria 15
3.1 Biodiversity GIS Model 15
4. Biodiversity Assets 20
4.1 Vegetation Communities 20
4.1.1 State or nationally threatened vegetation communities 21
4.2 Flora 23
4.2.1 State or nationally threatened flora 23
4.3 Fauna 23
4.3.1 State or nationally threatened fauna 23
4.3.2 Significant Biodiversity Units 27
5. Threats to Biodiversity Assets and their management 28
5.1 Habitat fragmentation and degradation 28
5.2 Climate Change 30
5.3 Invasive species 34
5.3.1 Weeds 34
5.3.2 Native Species 35
5.3.3 Pest Animals 36
5.3.4 Disease 39
5.4 Fire Management 40
5.5 Specific threatened species management 41
5.5.1 Key vegetation communities 41
5.5.2 Key flora species 42
5.5.3 Key fauna species 45
6. Monitoring 51
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 3
6.1.1 Vegetation Communities 51
6.1.2 Threatened flora and fauna species 52
6.1.3 Weeds 52
6.1.4 Prescribed Burning/Biomass 53
7. Operational Plan 54
8. References 55
Appendix 1. Priority Weed list 59
Appendix 2. Maps 70
4 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity - or biological diversity - is a term used to describe the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the number, variety and variability of living organisms (animals, plants, fungi, microbes, etc.), the genetic differences among them, and the ecosystems in which they occur. Why is protecting Biodiversity important? Biodiversity provides us with many goods and services, such as food, fuel, medication, materials and clean water. It supports both our economy and our lifestyles. Its beauty inspires and enriches our lives, and we have a moral duty to protect it and ensure its survival (and in the long-term our own survival) for future generations (IUCN, 2018). No matter how technologically advanced we consider ourselves to be, food, fibre, materials and energy from nature are the foundation of our livelihoods. We rely on the life-supporting ecosystem services that nature provides including the production of oxygen, soil formation and retention, water and nutrient cycling and climate regulation (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2010). Today, the principal mechanism for the conservation of biodiversity is protected areas. A protected area has been defined by the IUCN as ‘[a] clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values’ (Worboys et al., 2013). Protected areas and their establishment and professional management are particularly a 20th and 21st-century phenomenon. They are critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems and a healthy environment for people and all other species. They are essential for biodiversity conservation; they deliver clean water and air; they are vital to the cultures and livelihoods of traditional and indigenous communities for sustainable sustenance; they bring sustainable development benefits to millions of people through nature-based tourism; and they are a critical natural solution for climate change. They are also important for their rich history and the cultural associations they conserve including grand historical sites, and their special cultural landscapes, features and sites of spiritual, social and historical significance to a nation’ s peoples. The City of Hobart Bushland Unit has direct responsibility for the management of nearly 4,600 hectares of ‘protected areas’ within our Bushland Reserves system within and adjacent to the Hobart municipal area and is the stronghold for much of the City’s biodiversity. City of Hobart Vision Since September 2017, the City of Hobart has been collaborating with community members and stakeholders to share what they love about Hobart and how they would like to see it move into the future. Hobart: A community vision for our island capital is the document that guides City’s work. The Vision has three parts which work together to inform the City’s strategic planning: the vision statement, the identify statements and the pillars. The connection to the natural environment is at the forefront of this Vision with the recognition that we all live, work and play in the midst of our mountain, our river and the land around us. Our identity in Hobart is shaped by where we live, a place where we are deeply connected to nature and wilderness, in, around and above our city. The natural environment pillar represents what Hobart communities would like to see for Hobart in the future and is represented by the following statement: We are a city whose people see ourselves as part of a beautiful and unique natural environment, from the mountain to the river, which embrace us and shape our identity. We are proud custodians and advocates, ensuring resources are appreciated rather than wasted, supporting biodiverse ecosystems in honour of past, current and future generations. City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 5
The City of Hobart is extremely well-placed to make a difference to biodiversity in our region as we
operate at the appropriate scale to make decisions, carry out actions and measure change. In their
report, Beyond roads, rates, and rubbish: opportunities for local government to conserve native
vegetation, Binning et al (1999) writes:
Whilst strategic policies may be developed by higher levels of government, it is Local
Government that must make detailed decisions that balance ongoing development with
the need to protect natural resources. It may be argued that Local Government is the
most significant sphere of government in regulating land use.
1.2 Why a Biodiversity Action Plan
Within the Capital City Strategic Plan 2015-2025 for the City of Hobart the following strategic objective
was identified:
“Review and improve the Council’s approach to biodiversity management. “
To achieve this objective, the development of a Biodiversity Policy was identified in the City of
Hobart’s Annual Plan as a major action and initiative for 2017-18. Specifically, the action is to:
“Prepare a Biodiversity Policy that outlines the City’s role and practices in biodiversity management
and identifies conservation priorities and gaps in biodiversity data.”
This Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) has been chosen as the appropriate mechanism to fulfil the above
requirement to allow bushland staff within the City of Hobart, to holistically plan management actions
for our bushland reserves and ensure that management of these areas is in line with biodiversity
principles. This will ensure that our bushland reserves are prioritised for management according to
their biodiversity values, the threats that may impact upon them and the resources available to
achieve the best long-term outcomes.
The Biodiversity Action Plan aims to:
• Outline the City’s role in biodiversity management as part of the broader natural resource
management network of government agencies, industry, private land owners, not-for profit
organisations and community groups operating in the City;
• Identify the City’s biodiversity values and threats within its bushland reserves, and what
conservation actions could be undertaken to protect, preserve and improve the City’s
biodiversity;
• Prioritise biodiversity conservation actions for the City’s bushland reserves;
• Identify gaps in the City’s understanding of its biodiversity to inform the prioritisation of future
work, and improve biodiversity management in the long-term through an adaptive
management approach to biodiversity conservation;
• Define management priorities for the City’s Bushland staff and volunteers through an adaptive
management approach.
Biodiversity Action Plan Project Area
The Biodiversity Action Plan project area includes the entire municipality of the City of Hobart (all land
tenures) plus an additional 1640 hectares (approximate) of bushland reserves in Kingborough and
Glenorchy where the City of Hobart is directly responsible for its management.
A total of 1513 vascular plant species (taxa) have been recorded in the BAP project area. Of these
37% are considered introduced species to Tasmania and 63% are indigenous species.
Within the BAP project area there are:
• twenty-nine vegetation communities (TASVEG).
This includes one federally listed vegetation community, Lowland Native Grasslands of
Tasmania, listed as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 and four vegetation communities that are considered to be threatened
and listed on Schedule 3A of Tasmania’s Nature Conservation Act 2002;
6 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan• ten flora species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999;
• fifty-eight flora species are listed on the state Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
This includes four species that are endemic to the BAP project area – Caladenia sylvicola
Forest Fingers, Euphrasia gibbsiae subsp. wellingtonensis Mt Wellington Eyebright,
Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking Pennywort and Prasophyllum perangustum Knocklofty leek-
orchid;
• thirteen fauna species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999; and
• fifteen fauna species listed on the state Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
This includes two species that are endemic to the BAP project area – the Ammonite snail
Discocharopa vigens and the Silky snail Roblinella agnewi.
Biodiversity Action Plan Scope
The basis of the Biodiversity Action Plan is to invest in an ‘asset management’ approach to
biodiversity protection by identifying the natural areas that are of greatest value for biodiversity
conservation. While all natural areas have some value in conserving biodiversity, determining these
values and assessing the condition and viability of each area is the best way to determine the most
strategic investment of resources.
The development of the Biodiversity Action Plan is based upon the following process:
1. Identify Biodiversity Assets
The Biodiversity Action Plan establishes a detailed inventory of the extent and condition of the
biodiversity assets within the City of Hobart. Successful management of biodiversity within the City is
not limited to our bushland reserves. Broad-scale connectivity and sympathetic management of
surrounding lands outside of the bushland reserve system provides porosity in the landscape to allow
species to disperse and establish with changing conditions. For this reason, the biodiversity assets
inventory has been assessed across the whole City landscape, tenure-blind.
It is important to establish a clear picture of the biodiversity assets as this will allow a transparent,
accountable and defendable position for decisions affecting natural areas.
The Biodiversity Action Plan has developed a GIS dataset of areas containing significant biodiversity
values using state-wide and regional GIS datasets. This GIS dataset is indicative only of the potential
biodiversity values of natural areas. GIS information is not available to address all criteria for this
inaugural plan. For example it difficult to accurately assess vegetation condition using current GIS
datasets. In addition, the current BAP analysis is limited to terrestrial vertebrates and vascular flora
species. It is envisaged that as new data is available this can be added to future versions of the GIS
datasets for analysis.
2. Identify threats to Biodiversity
The next step is to identify the key processes that are threatening the biodiversity assets and their
potential impact. This is in part a qualitative assessment as there is limited GIS dataset available for
all threats.
The development of a regional GIS dataset of significant threats (for example Phytophthora and
climate change mapping) to biodiversity is a consideration for future versions of the Biodiversity
Action Plan.
3. Investigate management actions
The combination of high value biodiversity asset and high threat is indicative of a location where
management action should be taken. However whilst the GIS dataset provides valuable information
for decision-making, it is not intended to make final decisions. As a land manager, there are a range
of other practicalities that influence our decision-making. These include:
• the capability and capacity to undertake an action;
• the feasibility of the action in the specific terrain or for that particular situation;
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 7• the sequencing of actions;
• relative community support for different projects; or
• any restrictions associated with funding programs or particular actions.
In addition, where combinations of high value asset, threat, and locations are not adequately
addressed with landscape-scale data, they may need species-specific and site-specific management
actions.
Ultimately management actions also need to consider the prospect for change. That is, where
biodiversity actions are likely to have the greatest benefit and which actions will be most cost-effective
when comparing outcomes for biodiversity. Understanding the indicative costs and benefits of
different management actions to provide a view of which actions will make the greatest difference for
biodiversity for the amount we have to invest is an area that requires ongoing qualitative analysis.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Finally, the results of any biodiversity management need to be reported on in a reliable and
repeatable manner. This improves understanding of management effectiveness, and informs future
efforts to manage biodiversity on the ground. Monitoring and reporting on our management actions
allows us to see progress towards targets and to learn from what we’ve done and can be used to
continually improve the Biodiversity Action Plan to ensure decisions are supported by the best
available information.
8 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan2. RELEVANT POLICY AND LEGISLATION
The following section outlines the relevant policy and legislation pertaining to the management of
biodiversity within the local government area of City of Hobart from the national level through to the
local level.
2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian
Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and
manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage
places — defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental significance. There are
currently seven matters of national environmental significance:
• World Heritage properties
• National Heritage places
• nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities
• listed migratory species
• Ramsar wetlands of international importance
• Commonwealth marine areas
• nuclear actions (including uranium mining).
The EPBC Act provides for the listing of nationally threatened native species and ecological
communities, native migratory species and marine species. The EPBC Act protects Australia's native
species and ecological communities by providing for:
• identification and listing of species and ecological communities as threatened;
• development of conservation advice and recovery plans for listed species and ecological
communities;
• development of a register of critical habitat;
• recognition of key threatening processes; and
• where appropriate, reducing the impacts of these processes through threat abatement plans.
2.1.1 Listed Community
Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania are defined as areas of native vegetation dominated by
native grasses with few or no emergent woody species. The vegetation of the Lowland Native
Grasslands of Tasmania ecological community is mostly limited to a ground layer of grasses and
herbs. Large trees and shrubs are absent to sparse. The ecological community is comprised of two
major sub-types differentiated by the dominant native tussock-forming perennial grass species:
Lowland Poa labillardierei (Silver Tussock Grass) Grassland and Lowland Themeda triandra
(Kangaroo Grass) Grassland.
The key defining attributes for the Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania are:
• It is typically found in valley bottoms and gentle slopes below 600 m asl;
• It is typically treeless with, at most, a sparse tree cover;
• The vegetation is predominantly native;
• Dominant 1 grasses often form a dense sward;
• The ecological community occurs in two forms:
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 9 Grasslands dominated by T. triandra (Kangaroo Grass) – including sub-coastal
grasslands co-dominated by T. triandra and P. rodwayi (Velvet Tussock Grass).
Grasslands dominated by P. labillardierei (Silver Tussock Grass)
• Inter-tussock spaces are occupied by native herbs, including grasses, grass-like plants, lilies,
daisies and orchids;
• It may be utilised by a wide range of native animal species;
• It can be in a mosaic where Themeda, Poa, Austrodanthonia or Austrostipa species co-occur
(but Themeda or Poa remain dominant);
• It can include natural and disturbance-induced grassland; and
• The geographic distribution is limited to the following bioregions in Tasmania: Ben Lomond,
Northern Midlands, Northern Slopes, South East, King, Flinders, Central Highlands and
Southern Ranges.
The Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania ecological community comprises those patches that
meet the Description (including the Key Diagnostic Characteristics), above, and the Condition
thresholds, below.
• Patch size must be > 1 hectare;
AND
• Perennial native tussock cover;
≥ 50% of the cover of perennial tussocks must be represented by the grass genera
Poa and/or Themeda or;
Where the perennial tussock cover represented by these two genera is 5 m tall) Eucalyptus trees per hectare; AND
≤30% solid crown cover4 of other native trees and tall shrubs greater than 2 m (e.g.
Bursaria, Acacia and/or Allocasuarina species); AND
≤10% solid crown cover4 of regenerating Eucalyptus trees or other woody native
species.
AND
• Weeds
Perennial non-native plant species account forformally assessed against the Condition thresholds, based on the precautionary principle, all areas
are considered to meet the thresholds until such time as they are formerly assessed.
2.1.2 Listed Species
Ten flora species listed under the EPBC Act have records within the BAP project area under the
following categories:
• Critically Endangered: Caladenia sylvicola Forest fingers; Prasophyllum castaneum Chestnut
Leek-orchid; Prasophyllum perangustum Knocklofty Leek-orchid; and Pterostylis wapstrarum
Fleshy Greenhood;
• Endangered: Dianella amoena Grassland flaxlily; Epacris virgata (Kettering) Pretty Heath;
Lepidium hyssopifolium Basalt Peppercress; Prasophyllum amoenum Dainty leek orchid; and
Prasophyllum apoxychilum Tapered Leek-orchid;
• Vulnerable: Caladenia caudate Tailed spider-orchid.
Thirteen fauna species listed under the EPBC Act have records within the BAP project area under the
following categories:
• Critically Endangered: Ammonite Snail Discocharopa vigens; and Swift Parrot Lathamus
discolor;
• Endangered: Azure kingfisher (Tasmanian) Ceyx azureus subsp. diemenensis; Chaostola
skipper Antipodia chaostola subsp. leucophaea; Eastern Quoll Dasyurus viverrinus; Forty-
spotted Pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus; Tasmanian Chaostola Skipper Antipodia
chaostola subsp. leucophaea; Tasmanian Devil Sarcophilus harrisii; and Wedge-tailed Eagle
(Tasmanian) Aquila audax fleayi;
• Vulnerable: Eastern Barred bandicoot (Tasmania) Perameles gunnii gunnii; Growling Grass
Frog Litoria raniformis; Masked Owl (Tasmanian) Tyto novaehollandiae subsp. castanops;
and Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus maculatus.
2.2 Nature Conservation Act 2002
The Nature Conservation Act 2002 was legislated to regulate the conservation and protection of flora,
fauna and geological diversity within Tasmania. This Act provides for the following measures:
• Declaration of protected areas, classification of reserved lands and establishment of values
and objectives for each reserve class;
• Management plans for protected areas and species that have been declared under the Act;
• Entering into voluntary conservation covenants and reservation of private land;
• Regulations for taking protected species or introducing restricted species;
• Provisions and permits for the conservation of flora and fauna; and
• Listing of threatened native vegetation communities (Schedule 3A).
2.2.1 Threatened Communities
Four TASVEG vegetation communities listed under Schedule 3A of the Nature Conservation Act 2002
are known to occur within the BAP project area:
• (DAS) Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on sandstone;
• (DGL) Eucalyptus globulus dry forest and woodland;
• (DOV) Eucalyptus ovata forest & woodland; and
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 11• (DTO) Eucalyptus tenuiramis forest and woodland.
2.3 Threatened Species Protection Act 1995
The Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (TSPA) sets out special protection measures for native
flora and fauna that are considered to be ‘threatened’ in Tasmania. It provides a number of ways to
achieve its objectives including:
• Preparing a statewide strategy for the conservation of threatened species in Tasmania, the
Threatened Species Strategy;
• Listing of threatened flora and fauna;
• Preparing listing statements and implementing species recovery plans and threat abatement
plans for threatened species;
• Implementing land management plans (including special agreements with landowners and
public bodies);
• Permits to ‘take, trade in, keep, move, process or disturb flora or fauna’ and may also include
the destruction of habitat;
• Declaring interim protection orders; and
• Declaring critical habitats.
2.3.1 Threatened Species
Fifty-eight flora species listed under the TSPA have records within the BAP project area under the
following categories:
• Extinct: Veronica notabilis Forest speedwell.
• Endangered: Caladenia sylvicola Forest fingers; Corunastylis nudiscapa Bare midge-orchid;
Diuris palustris Swamp doubletail; Euphrasia scabra Yellow eyebright; Goodenia geniculata
Bent native-primrose; Hyalosperma demissum Moss sunray; Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking
pennywort; Lepidium hyssopifolium Soft peppercress; Prasophyllum castaneum Chestnut
leek-orchid; Prasophyllum perangustum Knocklofty leek-orchid; Pterostylis wapstrarum
Fleshy greenhood; and Thelymitra bracteata Leafy sun-orchid;
• Vulnerable: Atriplex suberecta Sprawling saltbush; Caladenia caudata Tailed spider-orchid;
Epacris virgata (Kettering) Pretty heath; Isoetopsis graminifolia Grass cushion; Prasophyllum
amoenum Dainty leek-orchid; Prasophyllum apoxychilum Tapered leek-orchid; Pterostylis
squamata Ruddy greenhood; Rumex bidens Mud dock; Scleranthus fasciculatus Spreading
knawel; and Velleia paradoxa Spur velleia;
• Rare: Allocasuarina duncanii Conical sheoak; Asperula scoparia subsp. scoparia Prickly
woodruff; Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri Shade nettle; Austrostipa bigeniculata
Doublejointed speargrass; Austrostipa blackii Crested speargrass; Austrostipa scabra Rough
speargrass; Bolboschoenus caldwellii Sea clubsedge; Brachyscome perpusilla Tiny daisy;
Brachyscome radicata Spreading daisy; Caladenia filamentosa Daddy longlegs; Carex
gunniana Mountain sedge; Carex longebrachiata Drooping sedge; Centropappus brunonis
Tasmanian daisytree; Comesperma defoliatum Leafless milkwort; Corunastylis nuda Tiny
midge-orchid; Dianella amoena Grassland flaxlily; Eucalyptus risdonii Risdon peppermint;
Euphrasia gibbsiae subsp. wellingtonensis Mt wellington eyebright; Isolepis habra Wispy
clubsedge; Juncus vaginatus Clustered rush; Lachnagrostis punicea subsp. filifolia
Narrowleaf blowngrass; Lepidosperma tortuosum Twisting rapiersedge; Olearia hookeri
Crimsontip daisybush; Pimelea flava subsp. flava Yellow riceflower; Ranunculus pumilio var.
pumilio Ferny buttercup; Rhodanthe anthemoides Chamomile sunray; Rytidosperma indutum
Tall wallabygrass; Scleranthus brockiei Mountain knawel; Senecio squarrosus Leafy fireweed;
Thismia rodwayi Fairy lanterns; Vittadinia burbidgeae Smooth new-holland-daisy; Vittadinia
cuneata var. cuneata Fuzzy new-holland-daisy; Vittadinia gracilis Woolly new-holland-daisy;
12 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action PlanVittadinia muelleri Narrowleaf new-holland-daisy; and Westringia angustifolia Narrowleaf
westringia.
Fifteen fauna species listed under the TSPA have records within the BAP project area under the
following categories:
• Endangered: Ammonite Snail Discocharopa vigens; Azure kingfisher (tasmanian) Ceyx
azureus subsp. diemenensis; Forty-spotted Pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus; Grey
Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandia; Masked Owl (Tasmanian) Tyto novaehollandiae subsp.
castanops; Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor; Tasmanian Chaostola Skipper Antipodia
chaostola subsp. leucophaea; Tasmanian Devil Sarcophilus harrisii; and Wedge-tailed Eagle
(Tasmanian) Aquila audax fleayi;
• Vulnerable: Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis; Mount mangana stag beetle Lissotes
menalcas; Tussock Skink Pseudemoia pagenstecheri; and White-bellied sea-eagle
Haliaeetus leucogaster
• Rare: Silky Snail Roblinella agnewi; and Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus maculatus;
2.4 Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993
The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 is the primary land use planning legislation in
Tasmania, providing the legal framework for the development and subsequent operation of planning
schemes. Planning Schemes are legal instruments outlining provisions for the use, development and
protection of land in each municipality. The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 is explicitly
based on achieving the contemporary aim of sustainable development.
Tasmania’s 29 councils each have a planning scheme, with the exception of the Hobart City Council
which has two planning schemes (a separate scheme for the Sullivans Cove area and another for the
remainder of the council area).
2.4.1 E10.0 Biodiversity Protection Overlay
The purpose of this provision is to:
• minimise loss of identified threatened native vegetation communities and threatened flora
species;
• conserve identified threatened fauna species by minimising clearance of important habitat
and managing environmental impact;
• minimise loss of other biodiversity values that are recognised as locally significant by the
Planning Authority;
This code applies to development involving clearance and conversion or disturbance of native
vegetation within a Biodiversity Protection Area where:
• clearance and conversion means the process of removing native vegetation from an area of
land:
leaving the area of land, on a permanent or extended basis, in a state predominantly
unvegetated with native vegetation; or
replacing the native vegetation so removed, on a permanent or extended basis, with
residential, commercial, mining, agriculture or other non-agricultural development.
• disturbance means the alteration of the structure and species composition of a native
vegetation community through actions including cutting down, felling, thinning, logging,
removing or destroying of a native vegetation community.
• native vegetation means plants that are indigenous to Tasmania including trees, shrubs,
herbs and grasses that have not been planted for domestic or commercial purposes.
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 132.5 Weed Management Act 1999
The Weed Management Act 1999 is the principal legislation concerned with the management of
declared weeds throughout Tasmania. The Act provides for the declaration, management,
compliance requirements, and powers of inspectors appointed under the Act including;
• the legal process for declaring a weed species under the Act;
• the preparation of a Weed Management Plan for a declared weed species;
• prohibiting the introduction of declared weeds into Tasmania; and
• action aimed at preventing the spread of declared weeds within Tasmania and the
eradication of declared weed species.
2.6 Plans, Strategies and Policies
• Threatened Species Strategy (2000) Nature Conservation Branch, Department of Primary
Industries, Water and Environment
• Natural Heritage Strategy for Tasmania (2013 – 2030): Securing our Natural Advantage.
DPIPWE
• Prioritisation of Threatened Flora and Fauna Recovery Actions for the Tasmanian NRM
Regions (2010) Threatened Species Section, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water
and Environment
• Bushland Management Strategy (2007) Hobart City Council
14 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan3. BIODIVERSITY CRITERIA
The basis of the Biodiversity Action Plan has been to identify the natural areas that are of greatest
value for biodiversity conservation. While all natural areas have some value in conserving
biodiversity, determining these values and assessing the condition and viability of each area is the
best way to determine the most strategic investment of resources. It is important to establish a clear
picture of the biodiversity assets as this will allow a transparent, accountable and defendable position
for decisions affecting natural areas.
The ecological criteria that has been identified to assess the biodiversity conservation value of natural
areas are under the following themes:
• Representation of ecological communities –any natural area containing nationally listed
ecological communities and/or state listed vegetation communities;
• Diversity - detailed criteria for diversity, and in particular species diversity, have not been
included in the criteria due to the extensive ecological work that is required to document
diversity in a way that allows comparisons between natural areas. Intermediate measures are
species counts from City of Hobart flora lists for key reserve areas and TASVEG vegetation
community benchmarks.
• Rarity - threatened flora, threatened fauna, endemic species and natural areas containing
significant habitat for protected fauna,
• Maintaining ecological processes or natural systems – connectivity – size of natural areas to
ensure the viability of protected areas and natural areas acting as linkages in the landscape;
• Protecting wetland, streamline and estuarine fringing vegetation - protection of wetland and
riparian vegetation is a high priority in natural resource management due to the pivotal role
healthy waterways play in hydrogeological cycles affecting land and water quality and
quantity. On many occasions riparian vegetation will also form part of an ecological linkage
through the landscape.
3.1 Biodiversity GIS Model
The GIS model used multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to attribute scores to a polygon grid that
covered the entire study area. A vector feature class was created with a grid of 20m x 20m
contiguous polygons, or cells, over the extent of the study area.
All geoprocessing was executed using ArcGIS (ESRI).
Each cell was assigned a single class for each of the criteria (with the exception of “Viability” and
‘Actual and potential habitat/range for threatened fauna” criteria) as described in Table 1. Where a
cell did not qualify for any class in a criterion no class was assigned. If a cell qualified for more than
one class for a criterion the higher class was assigned. Point values were then assigned to each cell
based upon the criteria class values for that cell. Exceptions to point value assignment occurred for
the criterion “Viability” where points were assigned according to a separate MCDA and “Actual and
potential habitat/range for threatened fauna” where points were assigned to each cell according to the
location of each modelled habitat (see Table 1). For all other criteria, where no class was assigned to
a cell for a criterion a point value of zero was assigned to that cell for that criterion. The total value of
points assigned to a cell for all criteria provided the biodiversity value for that cell. A high total point
value indicates high biodiversity value for that cell and vice versa.
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 15Table 1. Biodiversity GIS model criteria
Criterion Definition and Points by Class
Criterion Data and Geoprocessing Very High High Moderate Low
18 points 9 points 3 points 1 point
High Priority Biodiversity Values Moderate Priority Biodiversity Low Priority
as per E10.0 Biodiversity Code Values as per E10.0 Biodiversity
Data: for the Hobart Interim Planning Biodiversity Code for the Values as per
Polygon feature classes of vegetation Scheme 2015 Hobart Interim Planning E10.0 Biodiversity
communities (North Barker, TASVEG 3.0) Scheme 2015 Code for the
Threatened vegetation Hobart Interim Class not
communities Geoprocessing: Native vegetation communities assigned
Cells were assigned class according to listed as threatened under the {SBR, DAM, WGL, WSU} Planning Scheme
location of a cell’s centroid within vegetation Nature Conservation Act 2002 {DTD, RSH, RMT, RMU (not 2015
communities feature class excluding wetlands: present in study area)} All other native
{DAS, DGL, DOV, DTO, SBR} vegetation
communities
High Priority Biodiversity Values Moderate Priority Biodiversity Low Priority
as per E10.0 Biodiversity Code Values as per E10.0 Biodiversity
for the Hobart Interim Planning Biodiversity Code for the Values as per
Data: Scheme 2015 Hobart Interim Planning E10.0
Polygon feature classes of vegetation Scheme 2015
communities (North Barker, TASVEG 3.0) Ecological communities listed as Lowland Themeda triandra All other
Threatened ecological Class not
Geoprocessing: threatened under the grassland (GTL) not meeting ecological assigned
communities
Cells were assigned class according to Environment Protection and condition thresholds communities
location of a cell’s centroid within vegetation Biodiversity Conservation Act Not present in study area Not present in study
communities feature class 1999 area
Lowland Themeda triandra
grassland (GTL) meeting
condition thresholds
Data:
Point feature classes of threatened flora and Class not
Threatened flora species Present Class not assigned Class not assigned
assigned
fauna species observations derived from
DPIPWE (NVA) data and CoH data.
Geoprocessing:
Cells that intersected with a buffer of 30
metres around threatened species Class not
Threatened fauna species Present Class not assigned Class not assigned
assigned
observations were assigned “Very High”
classData:
Point feature classes of threatened flora and
fauna species observations derived from 25 toGeoprocessing: skipper beetle
Points were assigned according to the class
of each of the modelled habitat within which
the cell’s centroid occurred
Data:
Mature Habitat Availability polygon feature
class (FPA) Negligible
Medium mature habitat Low mature
Mature habitat availability High mature habitat availability mature habitat
Geoprocessing: availability habitat availability
availability
Cells were assigned class according to
location of a cell’s centroid
Data:
Hydrographic line data (Land Tasmania)
Rivers and creeks (CoH)
Class not
Riparian zone Geoprocessing: Class not assigned Class not assigned Present assigned
Cells that intersected with a buffer of 20
metres of riparian zone features were
assigned class ”Moderate”
The following criteria are
“Threats” and not included in
value calculations
Data:
Polygon feature class was developed to
represent continuous areas of bushland
reserves owned by CoH or other Area >10ha to- Area 2ha to
Patch Size Area >=150ha Area >=100ha tobushland area
Data:
CoH line feature classes for: road centre
lines, fire trails and walking tracks centre
lines
CoH polygon feature classes for: fuel breaks
Viability See Table xxxx See Table xxxx See Table xxxx See Table xxxx
and amenity, easements, weeds, and
vegetation communities (North Barker,
TASVEG 3.0)
Geoprocessing:
See table XXXXX
Viability Conditions and Geoprocessing
Disturbance Factor Edge Threat Weed Threat
Viability Geoprocessing (1) Geoprocessing (2) Geoprocessing (3)
Centroid within (polygon) Cell located on the edge of cleared area or Cell centroid within weed
Class Centroid intersects with (line) urban development polygon observation polygon
1
2 ‘Natural’ bushland area, little or no known
3 disturbance
4
5
6 ‘Modified’ (by roads, tracks trails, fuel breaks,
7 amenity or easement)
8
‘Cleared’ area or urban development (botanical
Null community = Clear, FUM, FUR, FRG)
na na
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 194. BIODIVERSITY ASSETS
4.1 Vegetation Communities
TASVEG is a method of systematic organisation of plant communities that occur throughout
Tasmania. It is a product originating from the integration of three principal streams of mapping -
State’s Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) process, Tasmanian World Heritage Area (WHA) mapping
and early Tasmanian Vegetation Monitoring and Mapping Program (TVMMP) mapping of primarily
non-forest (including non-native) vegetation (TASVEG2000). As a result, the data set does not
completely reflect vegetation extent and distribution at a single date as each of these three maps
were produced using different methods (primarily on the interpretation of aerial photographs),
classifications and mapping scale then integrated into the single state-wide mapping layer, TASVEG.
TASVEG is a resource that underpins legislated native vegetation conservation provisions, policy,
vegetation management agreements and monitoring at both State and Commonwealth levels. It is a
vital tool for biodiversity research and monitoring, land use planning and sustainable management of
Tasmania's natural resources.
In addition to the TASVEG mapping administered by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks,
Water and Environment (DPIPWE), native vegetation in the City of Hobart has been mapped on
several occasions with this mapping consolidated in 1995 with contemporary plant community
classifications and the development of a GIS layer (CoH botanical communities). Whilst utilising the
same nomenclature and descriptions as TASVEG, this mapping contains significantly higher spatial
resolution, accuracy and precision than TASVEG and numerous verifications from external
consultants (North Barker and Associates, 2004; ECOtas 2017) state that it can be used for the
purposes of land use planning and decision-making in preference to TASVEG.
The vegetation within the BAP project area has been mapped as containing the following 29
vegetation communities:
• (DAD) Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on dolerite
• (DAM) Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on mudstone
• (DAS) Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on sandstone
• (DCO) Eucalyptus coccifera forest and woodland
• (DDE) Eucalyptus delegatensis dry forest and woodland
• (DGL) Eucalyptus globulus dry forest and woodland
• (DOB) Eucalyptus obliqua dry forest
• (DOV) Eucalyptus ovata forest and woodland
• (DPU) Eucalyptus pulchella forest and woodland
• (DTD) Eucalyptus tenuiramis forest and woodland on dolerite
• (DTO) Eucalyptus tenuiramis forest and woodland on sediments
• (DVG) Eucalyptus viminalis grassy forest and woodland
• (GCL) Lowland grassland complex
• (GTL) Lowland Themeda grassland
• (HHE) Eastern alpine heathland
• (HSE) Eastern alpine sedgeland
• (NAD) Acacia dealbata forest
• (NAV) Allocasuarina verticillata forest• (NBA) Bursaria - Acacia woodland and scrub
• (SBR) Broadleaf scrub
• (SHS) Subalpine heathland
• (SLL) Leoptospernum lanigerum scrub
• (WDB) Eucalyptus delegatensis forest with broad-leaf shrubs
• (WDU Eucalyptus delegatensis wet forest (undifferentiated)
• (WGL) Eucalyptus globulus wet forest
• (WOB) Eucalyptus obliqua forest with broad-leaf shrubs
• (WOU) Eucalyptus obliqua wet forest (undifferentiated)
• (WRE) Eucalyptus regnans forest
• (WSU) Eucalyptus subcrenulata forest and woodland
Descriptions of these vegetation communities can be found at From Forest to Fjaeldmark:
Descriptions of Tasmania’s Vegetation (Kitchener and Harris, 2013).
4.1.1 State or nationally threatened vegetation communities
Of the 29 vegetation communities within the BAP project areas, there is one federally listed vegetation
community, Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania, listed as Critically Endangered under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and four vegetation communities that
are considered to be threatened and listed on Schedule 3A of Tasmania’s Nature Conservation Act
2002.
Descriptions of these vegetation communities are provided in Table 1 together with conservation
status and the location of these vegetation communities on City of Hobart managed land.
Table 2. Threatened Vegetation Communities
Mapped
VEG Conservation Distribution
VEG NAME General Description
CODE Status on CoH
reserve
The canopy of this community is usually dominated by
uneven-aged stands of Eucalyptus amygdalina, E.
obliqua is often codominant or sub-dominant, especially in
gullies or on shaded slopes, with E. viminalis generally
present as a minor or sub-dominant species.
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on
amygdalina forest & Listed sandstone is a dry sclerophyll community, generally with Knocklofty
DAS Threatened a tall, shrub layer and a shrubby, sedgy, heathy or Ridgeway/
woodland on
sandstone (TAS) sometimes grassy ground layer. The tall shrub layer is Waterworks
commonly Acacia dealbata, Banksia marginata and
Allocasuarina littoralis. The ground layer varies with soil
type. On podsol, heath and legumes are dominant, with
Lomandra longifolia more common on shallow or clayish
soils. Pteridium esculentum can become dominant in
areas where grazing or fire is frequent.
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 21The community is dominated by a canopy of Eucalyptus
globulus that varies in height from about 40 m in
productive coastal areas to < 20 m on poor soils in more
arid inland areas. E. amygdalina and E. viminalis are
sometimes present, with E. obliqua becoming sub-
dominant in wetter situations. E. pulchella can also be
present as a sub-dominant in transitional areas.
Bicentennial
The sparse tall shrub layer may include Banksia
Eucalyptus globulus Listed Kalang
marginata, Acacia dealbata, A. mearnsii, Exocarpos
DGL dry forest and Threatened cupressiformis, Allocasuarina verticillata and Bursaria Knocklofty
woodland (TAS) spinosa. These tall shrubs may be absent in very rocky or Queens
fire-prone areas, or where grazing is intense or Domain
prolonged. The understorey of E. globulus dry forest and
woodland is usually grassy or heathy, except in humid or
infrequently burnt sites where the understorey becomes
shrubby. The low shrub layer and diverse ground layer
commonly include Epacris impressa, Hibbertia riparia,
Astroloma humifusum, Lissanthe strigosa, native grasses,
Lomandra longifolia and native herbs.
The community is dry or damp forest and woodland
dominated by Eucalyptus ovata and occasional small
local patches dominated by E. viminalis. E. ovata forest
and woodland is widespread but local on poorly-drained
flats and moderate to poorly-drained fertile soils, where it
Listed is most typically characterised by an understorey
Eucalyptus ovata Kalang
DOV Threatened dominated by shrubs or sedges. On poorly-drained sites
forest & woodland Knocklofty
(TAS) the understorey can be scrubby with Melaleuca and
Leptospermum species present. In coastal areas a heathy
woodland form of the community can be found,
characterised by short (5-10 m) mallee-like E. ovata, often
over a dense and species-diverse heathy understorey
associated with infertile substrates.
The dominant tree species is usually Eucalyptus
tenuiramis, possibly with other eucalypts such as E.
viminalis and E. obliqua present in the canopy, and locally
dominant patches of E. perriniana. E. rubida can assume
dominance over, or co-dominate with E. tenuiramis on
Eucalyptus Kalang
broad flats and cold-air drainage basins in the cooler
Listed inland areas of the southern Midlands and Derwent McRobies
tenuiramis forest &
DTO Threatened Valley. In such cases, E. pauciflora is not prominent. Ridgeway/
woodland on
(TAS) Acacia melanoxylon may also be present. Trees of this Waterworks
sediments
community rarely reach 25 m in height, and are often Wellington Park
much smaller on nutrient poor soils. The shrub layer is
generally of low cover and diversity, but may include
Banksia marginata, Allocasuarina littoralis, Exocarpos
cupressiformis, Acacia spp. and Epacris impressa. A
grassy understorey can occur in some areas.
Lowland Themeda triandra grassland is dominated by
kangaroo grass and typically is floristically diverse. Other
common grasses include species of Austrodanthonia,
Austrostipa and Poa genera. It is characterised by a rich
variety of lilies, orchids, daisies and other herbs in
patches between grass tussocks although it can occur
Listed where kangaroo grass dominates almost to the exclusion
Lowland Themeda Queens
GTL Endangered of other species.
triandra grassland Domain
(EPBC) The Lowland Themeda triandra Grassland sub-type is
generally treeless but scattered, low trees Eucalyptus
ovata, E. viminalis, E. pauciflora, E. rubida and E.
amygdalina can occur at low densities. Acacia dealbata,
A. mearnsii, A. melanoxylon, Allocasuarina spp., Bursaria
spinosa and Dodonaea viscosa can form a scattered
small-tree or tall shrub layer, especially on slopes.
22 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan4.2 Flora
A total of 1513 vascular plant species (taxa) have been recorded in the BAP project area. Of these
37% are considered introduced species to Tasmania and 63% are indigenous species.
4.2.1 State or nationally threatened flora
Ten flora species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are
known to occur within the BAP project area with fifty-six listed on the state Threatened Species
Protection Act 1995.
Table 2 lists the threatened flora species, their conservation status, number of records within NVA for
the BAP project area and the State, the location of these records, date of last record and a likelihood
of occurrence.
NVA database information was used to determine likelihood of occurrence of threatened species that
occur or are predicted to occur within the Biodiversity Action Plan project area. In determining this
‘likelihood of occurrence’ of national or state significant flora, the following factors were considered:
• the conservation status of the species and its distribution;
• previous recordings of species in the local area;
• date of last record;
• the habitat requirements of individual species.
4.3 Fauna
4.3.1 State or nationally threatened fauna
Thirteen fauna species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 are known to occur within the BAP project area with fifteen listed on the state Threatened
Species Protection Act 1995.
Table 3 lists the threatened fauna species, their conservation status, number of records within NVA
for the BAP project area and the State, the location of these records and a likelihood of occurrence.
NVA database information was used to determine likelihood of occurrence of threatened species that
occur or are predicted to occur within the Biodiversity Action Plan project area. In determining this
‘likelihood of occurrence’ and utilisation of the project area by national or state significant fauna, the
following factors were considered:
• the conservation status of the species and its distribution;
• previous recordings of species in the local area;
• date of last record;
• the habitat requirements of individual species.
City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 23Table 3. Threatened Flora Species
Known distribution on CoH reserve
Count Count Queens Wellington
Scientific Name Common Name EPBC TSPA Last record % in BAP Likelihood Bicentennial Knocklofty McRobies Porter Hill Ridgeway
BAP STATE Domain Park
Caladenia sylvicola forest fingers CE e 26-Oct-2009 7 7 100.00
Euphrasia gibbsiae subsp. wellingtonensis mt wellington eyebright r 28-Dec-2015 225 225 100.00
Hydrocotyle laxiflora stinking pennywort e 03-Sep-2016 40 40 100.00
Prasophyllum perangustum knocklofty leek-orchid CE e 04-Dec-2009 12 12 100.00
Corunastylis nudiscapa bare midge-orchid e 26-Mar-2018 145 148 97.97
Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri shade nettle r 18-Dec-2015 15 18 83.33
Prasophyllum amoenum dainty leek-orchid E v 10-Jan-2016 204 266 76.69
Brachyscome radicata spreading daisy r 01-Apr-1913 3 7 42.86 Unlikely
Centropappus brunonis tasmanian daisytree r 05-Mar-2012 60 159 37.74
Austrostipa bigeniculata doublejointed speargrass r 21-Feb-2017 57 170 33.53
Corunastylis nuda tiny midge-orchid r 24-Mar-2018 29 90 32.22
Rytidosperma indutum tall wallabygrass r 31-Jul-2017 139 483 28.78
Senecio squarrosus leafy fireweed r 01-Mar-2016 62 247 25.10
Carex gunniana mountain sedge r 19-Aug-2013 15 75 20.00
Veronica notabilis forest speedwell e 01-Oct-1892 1 5 20.00 Unlikely
Euphrasia scabra yellow eyebright e 18-Dec-2009 15 90 16.67
Isolepis habra wispy clubsedge r 06-Mar-1974 3 18 16.67
Vittadinia muelleri narrowleaf new-holland-daisy r 31-Aug-2017 144 1004 14.34
Scleranthus fasciculatus spreading knawel v 31-Aug-2017 70 496 14.11
Lachnagrostis punicea subsp. filifolia narrowleaf blowngrass r 01-Jan-1929 1 9 11.11 Unlikely
Allocasuarina duncanii conical sheoak r 19-Jan-2016 17 176 9.66
Thismia rodwayi fairy lanterns r 17-Dec-2017 14 147 9.52
Prasophyllum castaneum chestnut leek-orchid CE e 01-Feb-1891 1 11 9.09 Unlikely
Asperula scoparia subsp. scoparia prickly woodruff r 01-Mar-2016 19 239 7.95
Atriplex suberecta sprawling saltbush v 01-Jan-1900 1 14 7.14 Unlikely
Bolboschoenus caldwellii sea clubsedge r 06-Feb-2010 8 113 7.08 Not within CoH estate
Viola hederacea subsp. curtisiae montane ivyleaf violet r 11-Jan-2018 1 18 5.56
Diuris palustris swamp doubletail e 01-Jan-1970 4 92 4.35 Unlikely
Pterostylis squamata ruddy greenhood v 06-Feb-1967 3 70 4.29
Olearia hookeri crimsontip daisybush r 01-Dec-1923 4 108 3.70 Unlikely
Carex longebrachiata drooping sedge r 03-Sep-2016 10 282 3.55
Westringia angustifolia narrowleaf westringia r 05-Jul-2009 12 339 3.54 Not within CoH estate
Austrostipa blackii crested speargrass r 20-Dec-2011 1 30 3.33 Not within CoH estate
Rumex bidens mud dock v 01-Dec-1891 1 30 3.33 Unlikely
Pterostylis wapstrarum fleshy greenhood CE e 07-Nov-1955 1 32 3.13 Unlikely
Isoetopsis graminifolia grass cushion v 01-Jan-1896 6 199 3.02 Unlikely
Juncus vaginatus clustered rush r 14-Mar-2001 1 36 2.78
Caladenia caudata tailed spider-orchid V v 24-Sep-2017 8 290 2.76
Velleia paradoxa spur velleia v 16-Jan-2014 4 147 2.72
Vittadinia burbidgeae smooth new-holland-daisy r 12-Mar-2011 9 356 2.53 Not within CoH estateVittadinia gracilis woolly new-holland-daisy r 27-Mar-2007 19 766 2.48 Ranunculus pumilio var. pumilio ferny buttercup r 04-Jan-1984 2 87 2.30 Prasophyllum apoxychilum tapered leek-orchid E v 29-Jan-1996 2 105 1.90 Pimelea flava subsp. flava yellow riceflower r 28-Apr-2007 14 1038 1.35 Hyalosperma demissum moss sunray e 15-Oct-1898 2 154 1.30 Unlikely Caladenia filamentosa daddy longlegs r 13-Oct-2016 1 78 1.28 Scleranthus brockiei mountain knawel r 06-Dec-2017 4 316 1.27 Not within CoH estate Lepidosperma tortuosum twisting rapiersedge r 01-Jun-1894 1 80 1.25 Unlikely Austrostipa scabra rough speargrass r 02-Sep-2016 15 1335 1.12 Brachyscome perpusilla tiny daisy r 12-Oct-1901 1 103 0.97 Unlikely Thelymitra bracteata leafy sun-orchid e 18-Nov-1970 1 169 0.59 Unlikely Lepidium hyssopifolium soft peppercress E e 12-Nov-2002 7 1354 0.52 Vittadinia cuneata var. cuneata fuzzy new-holland-daisy r 01-Jan-1993 2 576 0.35 Dianella amoena grassland flaxlily E r 08-Dec-2006 4 1217 0.33 Not within CoH estate Goodenia geniculata bent native-primrose e 01-Jan-1805 1 346 0.29 Unlikely Comesperma defoliatum leafless milkwort r 01-Sep-1892 1 395 0.25 Unlikely Epacris virgata (Kettering) pretty heath v 20-Oct-1995 2 834 0.24 Rhodanthe anthemoides chamomile sunray r 15-Jan-1898 1 455 0.22 Unlikely Eucalyptus risdonii risdon peppermint r 17-Jun-2014 1 531 0.19 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan 25
Table 4. Threatened Fauna Species
Known distribution on CoH reserve
COUNT COUNT Queens
Common Name Scientific Name EPBC TSPA % in BAP Likelihood Bicentennial Knocklofty Porter Hill Ridgeway Wellington Park
BAP STATE Domain
Silky snail Roblinella agnewi r 24 24 100.00
Ammonite snail Discocharopa vigens CE e 6 7 85.71
Tussock skink Pseudemoia pagenstecheri v 4 35 11.43
Chaostola skipper Antipodia chaostola subsp. leucophaea E e 6 75 8.00
Eastern barred bandicoot Perameles gunnii V 191 2620 7.29
Grey goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae e 44 748 5.88
Grey-headed flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus V 1 22 4.55 Unlikely
foraging habitat
Swift parrot Lathamus discolor CE e 147 3564 4.12
only
Masked owl Tyto novaehollandiae V e 27 733 3.68
foraging habitat
Forty-spotted pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus E e 10 905 1.10 Not within CoH estate, potential foraging habitat
only
Mount Mangana stag beetle Lissotes menalcas v 3 306 0.98
Eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus E 58 7024 0.83
Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle Aquila audax subsp. fleayi E e 27 7582 0.36 No known nest site within CoH estate
Azure kingfisher or azure kingfisher (tasmanian) Ceyx azureus subsp. diemenensis E e 1 337 0.30 Not within CoH estate
White-bellied sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster v 5 1807 0.28 Unlikely No known nest site within CoH estate
Green and gold frog Litoria raniformis V v 1 385 0.26 Unlikely
Spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus subsp. maculatus V r 7 3475 0.20
Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii E e 48 38410 0.12
26 City of Hobart Biodiversity Action Plan4.3.2 Significant Biodiversity Units An example of the result generated from the GIS model multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is illustrated in Map 1. This map represents the total value of points assigned to each 20m x 20m grid square for all of the biodiversity criteria. A high total point value indicates high biodiversity value for that grid square and vice versa. For example, a dark red grid square with a value of greater than 60 represents a square with a combination of high biodiversity values including a threatened vegetation community, threatened flora or fauna records, the presence of large old trees and ability to provide habitat for a number of threated fauna species. It is important to note that the GIS model can be run at any time and in fact it is the intention to re-run the model to capture new data submitted to state-wide datasets. This may change the distribution of values therefore this map should be viewed as an example only with the most recent data and map available from the Fire and Biodiversity Unit.
5. THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY ASSETS AND THEIR
MANAGEMENT
Australia’s biodiversity is in decline because of the impacts of a range of threats. Australia’s
Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030 identified the main threats to biodiversity as:
• habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation;
• invasive species;
• unsustainable use and management of natural resources;
• changes to the aquatic environment and water flows;
• changing fire regimes; and
• climate change (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, 2010).
In addition, protected areas within an urban context have a distinctive set of localised threats
including:
• receive large numbers of visitors, including many who visit frequently, even daily; many of
these visitors lack experience of wilder forms of nature, and they tend to be much more
diverse ethnically and economically than visitors to non-urban protected areas;
• relate to numerous actors in the urban arena, including government decision-makers,
communications, media and opinion leaders, and key educational and cultural institutions;
• are threatened by urban sprawl and intensification of urban development;
• are disproportionately affected by crime, vandalism, littering, rubbish dumping and light and
noise pollution; and
• are subject to such urban edge effects as more frequent and more severe fires, air and water
pollution, and the introduction of invasive alien species (Worboys and Trzyna, 2015).
The key threatening processes for the biodiversity of the City of Hobart are detailed below. Localised
threats will be addressed at a management unit or threatened species level where applicable.
5.1 Habitat fragmentation and degradation
Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation are viewed as the largest cause of biodiversity loss and
the primary factor resulting in species being listed as threatened or endangered.
Direct causes of habitat loss include clearing of native vegetation however it also includes the
cumulative effects of human activities such as:
• smaller-scale loss of vegetation;
• degradation of habitat remnants;
• nutrient runoff;
• damage caused by illegal access for recreation;
• erosion caused by {legal} track formation;
• illegal land clearance and encroachment into bushland reserves;
• the removal of dead wood (firewood collection) and trees;
• the escape into bushland of garden plants; and
• rubbish dumping.
On a landscape scale, the bushland of Hobart represents a largely continuous tract of vegetation.
However on closer inspection we have a variety of land tenures, major arterial roads, residentialYou can also read
