National Recovery Plan for the Corangamite Water Skink Eulamprus tympanum marnieae Garry Peterson and Peter Robertson

Appendix I: Recovery Objectives and Actions-DETAIL

Recent molecular analysis revealed that E. t. marnieae as currently recognised, is comprised of animals from two distinct genetic groups, each with separate evolutionary origins (Scott and Keogh 2003). A revision of the taxonomy of E. t. marnieae is therefore required.

Knowledge of the levels of genetic variability within and between E. t. marnieae populations and the extent of isolation is essential to assist in determining various management requirements, such as: minimum population sizes; distribution of reserves/managed areas; maintenance and/or establishment of dispersal corridors, and the desirability/requirement for, and methodology of, any translocations. A project examining small scale movement and dispersal and population structure at the microsatellite level is currently underway.

This work is required to assess the outcomes of direct management of vegetation, particularly with respect to grazing and habitat rehabilitation, the influence of size, seasonal persistence and water quality on E. t. marnieae, optimal wetland and water management conditions, habitat rehabilitation/reconstruction techniques and the mitigation of the effects of activities such as commercial rock removal and/or rock crushing.

Field investigations to address this action have been completed as part of a postgraduate research project, by Knights (2003) and Malone & Peterson (in prep). Further interpretation of the results from the project is required.

Knowledge of key life history parameters, such as age-specific mortality, natality and migration is essential to conduct population viability modelling. Field investigations to address these parameters have been completed as part of a postgraduate research project and by Peterson (1997). Specific research to assess survivorship and recruitment of juveniles is still required.

Two species of large rock-dwelling skinks occur broadly within the habitat of E. t. marnieae. One – the Black Rock Skink (Egernia saxatilis intermedia) – is narrowly sympatric with some populations of E. t. marnieae and E. t. marnieae/E. t. tympanum intermediates. It may have the capacity to aggressively and/or competitively exclude the smaller water skinks from some areas. Research is required to determine the level of this perceived threat.

Wetland persistence is a major factor influencing the viability of E. t. marnieae populations. The relationship between ground water and surface water and the implications of ground water irrigation is required to direct water management and allocation that may be impacting E. t. marnieae habitat.

Field investigations to address this action have been completed as part of a postgraduate research project and by Peterson (2006). On-going monitoring is now required to assess the outcomes of direct management of habitat with respect to grazing.

Recreational pressures (camping, boating and angling) are high in some areas of E. t. marnieae habitat. It is essential to understand the effects of these potential disturbances on populations so that optimal management guidelines can be formulated.

These effects are currently unknown, but may be significant, particularly given the high numbers of foxes and cats in E. t. marnieae habitats. The need for management of predators, and appropriate methodologies, must be determined.

This action proposes to undertake a periodic threat assessment at all populations of E. t. marnieae to ensure that identified threats are being managed and to detect and manage any new threats that may arise.

This action proposes to develop and implement a training program to educate land managers and others (e.g. utility maintenance) that may be working in or near E. t. marnieae habitat, about the lizard and its habitat and to avoid incidental or accidental damage or other problems.

A prioritised list of areas for the development of reservation proposals, management agreements and management guidelines has been developed and utilised by the National Recovery Team. The priorities for acquiring reserves and managed areas was governed by the application of principles that considered the subspecies distribution, genetic structure, extent of habitat, long-term viability, threats, composition and size of each population. In accordance with these principles and sites identified, continue the inclusion of high priority sites into formal or informal reserves.

Most known sites which support E. t. marnieae are on private rural land or non-secure public land. In the majority of cases, the land managers or owners have no obligation to manage the land sympathetically for E. t. marnieae, and they have the ability to destroy populations through inappropriate land-use practices. Land management agreements have however in most cases been made with these land managers or owners. These private landowners have been informed about E. t. marnieae and native grassland/wetland conservation, and been assured that the presence of E. t. marnieae on their properties does not mean that they will lose their land or incur significant loss in productivity. On-going agreements and agreements with new managers/owners are essential. Differing mechanisms for developing co-operative conservation management agreements will be available, some examples of which include: conservation covenant, conservation tenders, Land for Wildlife, Public Area Management Agreements.

The Corangamite Water Skink occurs on public land with different management objectives. This action will develop management objectives for conservation of E. t. marnieae on public land and incorporate these into management arrangements for the various public land tenures.

All landholders with land supporting E. t. marnieae have and will continue to be engaged by DSE. Workshops will continue to be held where landholders are provided with information about E. t. marnieae conservation and where open discussion of the issues relevant to the landholders can lead to appropriate conservation agreements. Landholder participation in conservation management activities is to continue to be encouraged and assisted. Interim management for which financial assistance to landowners should be provided includes: fencing to exclude grazing, revegetation programs, wetland rehabilitation and predator control. Other programs of potential benefit to the management of E. t. marnieae habitat should continue to be investigated and utilised (e.g. conservation tenders, Greening Australia and Landcare programs). Water authorities will be approached to develop management practices sympathetic to conservation of E. t. marnieae.

An environmental significant overlay (ESO) has been developed across a number of E. t. marnieae habitat areas in one municipality. This will be expanded to cover all habitat areas in this municipality and in other local government areas.

Management guidelines will be continually refined and updated as further information becomes available from the various investigative actions proposed in this plan.

Fourteen monitoring transects have been established across the distribution of E. t. marnieae. These transects have been monitored annually, at a minimum, via a statistically certified visual census technique (Scroggie 2002) since the late 1990s. In concert with the visual census at three transects, a capture-mark-recapture program has also been implemented. The monitoring has been used to track population changes and assess population demographics, to experimentally assess effects of imposed management, and to refine management.

When adequate information is available from the other research actions, population modelling and viability analysis to assess extinction risk should be undertaken to enable refinement of management guidelines.

Currently there are no E. t. marnieae held in captivity, and the taxon does require a captive breeding program as part of its conservation. However, this may change, especially if there are genetically significant populations threatened with imminent extinction. The need for and role of any captive population needs to be documented in case a future need for captive management arises, and/or there is an opportunity to take animals into captivity (e.g. from salvage).

Should a captive population proceed, the location of such a population and conditions under which the taxon is to be held and displayed need to be documented.

The source of any captive population needs to be carefully considered. Animals may become available from salvage efforts, or from the off-spring of animals to be translocated. Animals will not generally be taken directly from the wild for captivity unless there is an over-riding management need.

Should a captive population of E. t. marnieae be established, it will be held at an appropriate zoo or reptile park, for the primary purpose of supporting the recovery program for the taxon, such as use in biology and ecology studies. There may be secondary opportunities for display to educate the public about the state of threatened grasslands and their component species.

An approved project, with identified facilities and other appropriate resources must be available, and any costs of removal and maintenance are to be met by the developer/proponent.

ACTION 6.2: Determine the potential objectives, feasibility and appropriateness of translocation

Translocation of animals from a site should only be contemplated in exceptional circumstances. Currently, there is a much higher priority placed on adequately conserving existing populations than on restoring or creating others. However, translocation of animals for genetic purposes or for reintroduction is a potentially valuable tool in wildlife management. It is a complex and long-term undertaking, for which rigorous protocols must be in place, in accordance with international, commonwealth and state and territory guidelines. In the case of E. t. marnieae, a clear need must be established before translocation(s) are contemplated. For re-introductions, it will then be necessary firstly to identify sites where E. t. marnieae populations were once present but have since disappeared, and secondly to understand the cause of the local extinction, and eliminate or minimise the threat.

Responsibility: Recovery Team, Department of Sustainability & Environment

ACTION 6.3. Determine the circumstances under which E. t. marnieae may be translocated, and develop agreed protocols

If translocation is considered appropriate, either for genetic reasons or for re-establishing populations, an agreed protocol will be developed according to current international, commonwealth and state guidelines. One important consideration in any translocation program is the development of effective procedures for monitoring translocated animals, without which it is impossible to determine the success or failure of the translocation.

Responsibility: Recovery Team, Department of Sustainability & Environment

Specific Objective 7: Increase landholder and community awareness of and participation in the recovery program for the Corangamite Water Skink.

Performance Criterion: There is an increase in the number of landholders participating in conservation management of E. t. marnieae and broader community involvement in conservation and on the recovery team is maintained

Explanation: There is great potential for community involvement in the conservation of E. t. marnieae, natural temperate grasslands, and volcanic plain wetlands. As many of the remaining patches of these environments are on private land, the involvement of the community will be critical to the successful recovery of both E. t. marnieae and its habitat. In particular, landowner participation in and support for conservation programs will be crucial. Commitment from landholders towards conservation of this subspecies may include a range of measures such as conservation covenants, conservation tenders, Land for Wildlife membership, Greening Australia and Landcare incentives, co-operative agreements, or less formal agreements on land management practices. There are already several community groups which have made great contributions to E. t. marnieae conservation. Greening Australia, Catchment Management Authorities, Trust for Nature, Landcare groups and local government bodies have and will continue to be pivotal in co-ordinating community efforts. All of these organisations, other similar groups, and individuals will be instrumental in the implementation of this Recovery Plan, and will be included in many actions.

ACTION 7.1: Identify and approach specific landholders with E. t. marnieae habitat on their land to participate in conservation management of the taxon, providing support such as land management incentives.

As most locations where E. t. marnieae occurs are either partially or totally on private land, conservation management of the species is dependent upon a cooperative approach with landowners. There is other potential habitat on private land, and this also offers opportunities for establishing new sites for the taxon through habitat rehabilitation. This action will identify likely areas and liaise with landholders to protect more sites where the taxon occurs.

There is the opportunity for community participation in the recovery program for E. t. marnieae including in survey, monitoring, habitat rehabilitation works on public land and reporting sightings of the taxon to authorities. This will be encouraged and facilitated by the Recovery Team.

Information brochures and other material will be produced and distributed such as at field days and made available on the web, to keep the community informed of conservation issues for the taxon and its habitat, and on broader conservation issues on the Victorian Volcanic Plain.

Reporting on the progress to recovery for E. t. marnieae will be an important aspect the program, to keep stakeholders up-to-date with what is happening, and informing the broader community and maintaining support for the program.