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Black-tailed Antechinus (Antechinus arktos)

The Black-tailed Antechinus is a small, nocturnal, insectivorous marsupial restricted to high-elevation rainforest and cloud forest on the Tweed Shield Volcano caldera in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales. It is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act and in both Queensland and New South Wales, so clearing, fragmentation, fire and changes to cool, wet microclimates require careful management on project sites.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Endangered.

Breeding season

The timing below follows the predicted breeding sequence for the species. Breeding dates are inferred from other antechinus species, so project controls should remain precautionary where suitable habitat is present.

The species is not migratory. It is nocturnal and may be difficult to detect during daytime clearing inspections.

  • Breeding and births: Births are predicted around August to early September.
  • Young in pouch: Young are predicted to remain in the pouch until about October to early November.
  • Young dispersal: Fully mobile young are predicted to disperse in late November to early December.
  • Highest clearing risk: August to early December includes predicted births, pouch young and dispersal of fully mobile young. Avoid clearing and major ground disturbance during this period where practicable.

Identification

The Black-tailed Antechinus is a relatively large antechinus with a distinctive colour pattern and shaggy coat. It is nocturnal, and reliable identification usually requires close examination of a captured animal or a clear image.

Adults weigh approximately 46 to 120 g. The head, chest and shoulders are greyish brown, the rump is orange brown, and the tail is evenly black with dense, short fur. The hindfeet are black on the upper surface. Long guard hairs give the animal a shaggy appearance, with hairs up to 25 mm long on the rump.

Orange brown fur is present on the upper and lower eyelids, cheek and area in front of the ear. The species has long claws on both the forefeet and hindfeet.

Identification: Distinguishing features

The main identification issue is separation from the related Dusky Antechinus, Antechinus swainsonii mimetes. The Black-tailed Antechinus is larger, has a uniformly black, densely furred tail, more clearly marked orange brown facial and eyelid fur, and very long guard hairs.

Genetic, skull and morphological differences separate the species from all Dusky Antechinus subspecies. Field identification should be confirmed by an appropriately experienced person where the animal could be either species.

Identification: Field detection

The species is nocturnal and occurs at very low abundance. Recent surveys have failed to detect it at several historic sites, so absence from a short survey does not confirm absence.

The supplied documents do not describe diagnostic tracks, scats, calls, nests or eyeshine. For project work, use targeted nocturnal survey methods suited to small mammals and have any captured or photographed antechinus checked against the distinguishing features above.

  • Treat dense leaf litter, rock cover and structurally complex rainforest floor as potential habitat during inspections.
  • Do not rely on daytime visual searches alone.
  • Use qualified fauna handlers and follow animal welfare, licensing and threatened species requirements if trapping is proposed.

Distribution: States and bioregion

The species is endemic to the Tweed Shield Volcano caldera, which straddles the Queensland and New South Wales border. Its confirmed and predicted distribution is highly restricted and is concentrated at high elevations with very high rainfall.

In Queensland, the species is known from the south-east Queensland highlands, including the Springbrook, Binna Burra and O'Reilly's areas. In New South Wales, confirmed records are from Brindle Creek in Border Ranges National Park.

The NSW profile identifies the Scenic Rim IBRA subregion in South Eastern Queensland as known habitat. Potential habitat also occurs in the Nightcap Range and around Mount Warning, but the NSW determination notes that these areas have no confirmed records.

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

The principal known areas are high points and rainforest sites on the Tweed Shield caldera, including Springbrook and Border Ranges National Parks. The species is likely to occur in a small number of isolated high points rather than as a continuous population.

Historical records came from Binna Burra and O'Reilly's in Queensland and from Brindle Creek in New South Wales. Recent records have been concentrated above 950 m elevation, although historical records extended down to about 780 m.

Distribution: Population and trend

The population appears to have declined, based on the apparent contraction of its range and the failure of repeated surveys to detect animals at some historic sites. The species may undergo marked annual fluctuations because males die after reproduction, briefly reducing the population.

Estimated global population: Approximately 500 animals, including Queensland animals.

Estimated NSW extent of occurrence: About 430 km² using higher than 750 m rainforest contiguous with historic records, or about 848 km² if the Nightcap Range and Mount Warning are included.

Confirmed NSW records: Specimens collected at Brindle Creek in Border Ranges National Park in the late 1980s.

Recent survey result: No animals in 2,125 trap nights in NSW surveys in 2013 and 2014; three animals were captured in Queensland during 3,600 trap nights.

Habitat: Vegetation communities

Black-tailed Antechinus habitat is cool, wet, high-elevation rainforest and cloud forest on the Tweed Shield caldera. Habitat is naturally patchy, and the species appears to be limited to a small number of isolated rainforest high points.

Known sites are primarily cool temperate rainforest, with lesser areas of subtropical rainforest extending up escarpment gullies. The NSW profile describes cool subtropical cloud forest and rainforest, including complex notophyll vine forest and simple microphyll fern forest.

Some records are associated with wet sclerophyll forest elements and northern montane heath on skeletal soil. Antarctic Beech and Flax Lily are noted as plants occurring in some gullies and slopes where the species has been found.

Habitat: Structure and physical setting

Potential habitat has a low canopy, very dense vines, a rocky substrate and substantial ground cover. Rock cover and leaf litter were the strongest measured predictors of captures across the sites studied.

Most known sites occur on basalt or similar mafic soils. Gullies, slopes and areas affected by cloud stripping are relevant habitat features.

  • Map and retain connected rainforest, cloud forest, wet sclerophyll edges and montane heath adjoining known records.
  • Avoid removing rock cover, deep leaf litter, dense vines and other ground-layer structure in potential habitat.
  • Keep disturbance out of gullies and slopes that retain cool, moist conditions.

Habitat: Elevation and climate

The species is known only from elevations above 780 m, with recent records all above 950 m. Annual rainfall at the highest parts of the caldera can exceed 3,000 mm, and fog drip contributes to site moisture.

The apparent upward shift in records suggests that suitable conditions may be moving to higher elevations as the climate changes. This may further isolate habitat and reduce the available area.

Historical elevation range: About 780 m and higher.

Recent records: All recent records cited in the NSW determination were above 950 m.

Rainfall: More than 3,000 mm annually at some of the highest points of the Tweed Shield caldera.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

The Black-tailed Antechinus is a nocturnal insectivorous marsupial that feeds on animal prey on or near the rainforest floor. Detailed prey composition and foraging distances are not established in the supplied documents.

The species is described as insectivorous and carnivorous. The available evidence indicates that it forages in structurally complex ground habitat, where leaf litter and rock cover are associated with captures.

No particular food plant, prey list or foraging range is documented in the supplied sources. Retaining a continuous, moist ground layer is therefore the most defensible site management approach.

  • Retain leaf litter, rocks, fallen woody material and dense low vegetation within and beside potential habitat.
  • Avoid stripping the forest floor, compacting soil or removing rock cover before a fauna survey and habitat assessment.
  • Keep lighting, noise and vehicle activity away from intact rainforest floor habitat where practicable during nocturnal activity.

Foraging habitat: Foraging range

The supplied documents do not provide a home range, daily movement distance or feeding territory size. Because the species occurs in small, isolated habitat patches, clearing even a small area of suitable ground habitat may reduce access to prey and cover.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

The reproductive biology of the Black-tailed Antechinus has not been studied in detail. The available timing is inferred from other antechinus species and should be used to plan precautionary controls rather than as a substitute for site-specific advice.

Females are predicted to give birth around August to early September. Young are predicted to remain in the pouch until about October to early November and to disperse when fully mobile in late November to early December.

Like other antechinus species, the Black-tailed Antechinus is expected to have post-reproductive male die-off. Longevity is unknown, but is likely to be around two years for females and one year for males.

Mating period: Not documented in the supplied sources.

Births: Predicted around August to early September.

Pouch period: Predicted to continue until about October to early November.

Litter size: Not documented in the supplied sources.

Gestation: Not documented in the supplied sources.

Age at maturity: Not documented in the supplied sources.

Longevity: Unknown; likely around two years for females and one year for males.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Specific nests and breeding shelters have not been described in the supplied documents. Breeding habitat is likely to be within the same cool, wet rainforest and cloud forest used by adults, particularly sites with dense ground cover, leaf litter and rock cover.

The strongest measured habitat predictors of captures were rock cover and leaf litter. These features should be retained during clearing and construction, especially from August to early December.

  • Avoid clearing potential habitat during the predicted birth, pouch and dispersal period where practicable.
  • Before disturbance, inspect and map dense leaf litter, rock piles, vine thickets and other ground-layer cover within high-elevation rainforest.
  • Use staged clearing and fauna spotter catcher controls where disturbance cannot be avoided.

Sheltering habitat: Ground refuges

No specific den, nest or burrow type has been confirmed for the Black-tailed Antechinus in the supplied documents. The best-supported shelter features are dense leaf litter, rock cover and structurally complex rainforest ground habitat.

Rock cover and leaf litter were the strongest predictors of captures across the studied sites, indicating that these features provide important cover or foraging substrate. The species also occurs in rainforest with dense vines, a rocky substrate and a complex low vegetation layer.

No shelter dimensions, nest dimensions, burrow depths, hollow requirements or den locations are documented.

  • Retain rocks in place and avoid broad-scale removal or relocation of rock cover.
  • Retain deep leaf litter, fallen material, dense vines and low vegetation wherever possible.
  • Do not burn, mulch or expose the forest floor in potential habitat without an ecological assessment and appropriate controls.

Sheltering habitat: Survey and clearing implications

The species is nocturnal and cryptic, and its low population size makes detection difficult. A daytime inspection may identify potential shelter habitat but is unlikely to confirm that it is unoccupied.

The supplied documents do not identify a reliable shelter search method. Any animal found during clearing should be handled by an authorised and suitably experienced fauna professional.

  • Treat intact, cool and wet rainforest floor habitat as occupied potential habitat until survey and impact assessment requirements are met.
  • Plan staged clearing so that animals can move towards retained habitat rather than being surrounded by isolated cleared areas.
  • Record and report any antechinus capture, carcass or confirmed observation with location, elevation, habitat and identification details.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main risks are the loss and fragmentation of a very restricted habitat, climate-driven contraction of suitable cool conditions, and disturbance to the remaining ground layer. The species is also affected by limited knowledge of its distribution, ecology and other threats.

High-elevation rainforest and cloud forest occur in small, distinct patches. Clearing at lower elevations has isolated remaining rainforest remnants, and the species is inferred to occur in a small number of isolated high points.

Clearing can remove dense ground cover, leaf litter and rock habitat, reduce access to prey, and increase separation between occupied or potentially occupied sites.

  • Avoid clearing known or potential habitat on high-elevation rainforest sites, especially above 780 m and near confirmed records.
  • Retain continuous rainforest links between occupied or potentially occupied patches.
  • Keep construction compounds, access tracks, spoil, drainage works and laydown areas out of intact ground habitat.

Threats: Climate and microclimate change

Climate change may alter habitat structure, resource availability and local microclimates. The apparent loss of records from lower elevations has been linked to a possible upward shift in suitable climatic conditions.

Further contraction upslope could leave suitable habitat increasingly isolated or remove it from some peaks.

  • Retain closed rainforest canopy, dense understorey and moist ground cover around works.
  • Avoid creating broad edges or exposing high-elevation rainforest to drying winds and direct sun.
  • Protect gullies, cloud-stripping vegetation and wet refuges from drainage and unnecessary disturbance.

Threats: Fire and hydrology

The supplied documents do not quantify fire thresholds or describe a species-specific fire regime. Fire and drought are relevant to small mammal populations generally, while this species depends on cool, wet rainforest and cloud forest conditions.

Drainage, diversion of runoff, sedimentation or altered fog and moisture conditions may reduce the ground cover and microclimate features associated with known habitat.

  • Prevent escaped fire from entering rainforest and cloud forest habitat.
  • Do not use broad-scale burning as a clearing method in potential habitat.
  • Maintain natural drainage patterns and prevent sediment or construction water from entering gullies and rainforest floor habitat.

Threats: Predators, roads and disease

The NSW profile identifies feral cats, foxes and pigs as vertebrate pests requiring investigation. The supplied documents do not quantify their effects on this species.

Road mortality, vehicle disturbance and disease are not quantified in the supplied documents. They remain relevant project risks where roads or works intersect small, isolated rainforest habitat, particularly because the species has a highly restricted distribution.

  • Assess feral cat, fox and pig activity around work areas and apply approved pest management measures where required.
  • Use fauna exclusion, speed controls and night-work restrictions where project roads pass through potential habitat.
  • Report sick, injured or dead animals through the relevant state threatened species and wildlife authorities.

Survey methodology: 1. Confirm habitat and survey extent

No species-specific survey guideline was supplied with these documents. Survey design must reflect the Black-tailed Antechinus's nocturnal activity, very restricted high-elevation range, rainforest habitat and low detection rate.

Before fieldwork, map retained and proposed disturbance areas above about 780 metres elevation that contain cool subtropical cloud rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, montane heath, gullies, dense ground cover, rocky substrate or leaf litter.

Give priority to high-rainfall areas on the Tweed Shield Caldera, including Border Ranges, Springbrook, Lamington, Nightcap and Mount Warning areas where relevant. Recent records have been above 950 metres, although historical records extend down to 780 metres.

Treat the species as potentially present where suitable habitat is connected to known or historic records, even if the indicative state distribution map does not show a confirmed record.

Known range: Far north-eastern New South Wales and adjacent south-eastern Queensland, on the Tweed Shield Caldera

Estimated New South Wales extent of occurrence: 430 square kilometres using confirmed-record-connected habitat, or 848 square kilometres if potential habitat at Nightcap Range and Mount Warning is included

Known elevation range: Historical records from 780 metres, with recent records above 950 metres

  • Record elevation, rainfall or fog exposure where available, vegetation type, canopy and understorey structure, rock cover, leaf litter, logs, tracks, roads and proposed clearing limits.
  • Do not use absence from one survey method as evidence that the species is absent.

Survey methodology: 2. Nocturnal searches and spotlighting

Undertake nocturnal searches because the species is a small, nocturnal, insectivorous marsupial.

Search retained and proposed clearing areas, especially gullies, slopes, rocky ground, deep leaf litter, dense vines and other areas that provide cover and foraging substrate.

Use repeated visits where the project has suitable high-elevation habitat and the first visit does not detect the species. The supplied documents do not prescribe a number of nights, hours per night, transect length or search area, so the project ecologist must set effort in the survey plan and justify it against habitat, access, season and approval requirements.

Schedule and report visits across the period when the species could be encountered, and record whether surveys occur before or after the likely August to early September birth period, the October to early November pouch period and the late November to early December dispersal period.

  • Record start and finish times, route, distance searched, observers, weather, rainfall, temperature, wind, cloud or fog, visibility and any interruptions.
  • Search slowly enough to inspect the ground and low vegetation, and record all small mammals for later verification because the Black-tailed Antechinus can be confused with the Dusky Antechinus.

Survey methodology: 3. Live trapping, cameras and habitat assessment

Use live trapping only under the relevant animal ethics, wildlife and project approvals, with a design prepared by a suitably qualified mammal ecologist.

The documents record 2,125 trap nights in New South Wales in 2013 and 2014 without a capture, and 3,600 trap nights in Queensland with three captures. These figures show that substantial effort may still produce no detection, but they are not a prescribed project survey standard.

Use remote cameras or other approved non-invasive methods as supplementary methods at likely runways, rocky cover, dense leaf litter and other habitat features. Check equipment and identification protocols carefully because the species occurs with other small mammals and the supplied sources do not provide species-specific camera settings or detection rates.

Measure and photograph habitat at each detection and at representative non-detection sites. Include rock cover and leaf litter because these were the strongest predictors of captures in the reported habitat study.

  • Obtain expert confirmation for unusual records using clear photographs, camera images, measurements or genetic material where authorised.
  • Record trap type, spacing, number of traps, trap nights, bait, checking times, weather, captures, non-target animals and animal welfare outcomes.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Prepare a written survey design before fieldwork that explains the methods, timing, effort, habitat coverage and limitations because the supplied documents contain no formal minimum survey effort for this species.
  • Survey all suitable habitat within and adjoining the disturbance footprint, including retained habitat that may receive displaced animals.
  • Have a qualified ecologist review identification and survey results before clearing starts.
  • Submit confirmed records and reliable negative survey information to the relevant state wildlife database, including the NSW BioNet Atlas or the Queensland state wildlife recording system as applicable.
  • Report coordinates, datum, elevation, date, time, survey method, effort, photographs, habitat description and observer details with each record.
  • Provide records and survey limitations to the approval authority and include them in the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

The species has a highly restricted distribution, a very small estimated global population and habitat concentrated in isolated high-elevation rainforest pockets. Avoiding disturbance is therefore the first control.

  • Avoid clearing confirmed or potential habitat on the Tweed Shield Caldera, particularly cool high-elevation rainforest, cloud forest, wet sclerophyll forest, montane heath, gullies and slopes with dense ground cover.
  • Retain rocky substrate, deep leaf litter, logs, dense vines, low canopy vegetation and other cover used for foraging and shelter.
  • Keep suitable habitat connected within the retained area and avoid creating new breaks between isolated rainforest patches.
  • Locate compounds, access tracks, drainage, stockpiles and laydown areas outside suitable habitat and outside retained buffers set by the approval and project ecologist.
  • Do not assume that conservation reserve tenure removes the need for species assessment, because the species occurs in several reserves but its distribution within them is uncertain.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

National status: Endangered under the EPBC Act

State status: Endangered in New South Wales and Queensland

Likely reproductive timing: Births around August to early September, pouch young until about October to early November, young dispersal in late November to early December

  • Check whether the proposed action requires an EPBC Act referral because the species is nationally listed as Endangered.
  • Check New South Wales or Queensland threatened species requirements, wildlife permits, animal ethics approvals and fauna handling authorisations before any survey, trapping, clearing or relocation.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies habitat, survey results, exclusion areas, spotter catcher authority, stop-work triggers, handling procedures, release sites, injury response and reporting.
  • Stage clearing so that survey results can be reviewed and high-risk habitat can be retained or treated before machinery enters the site.
  • Plan works with regard to the likely reproductive period, including births around August to early September, pouch young through about October to early November and dispersal of mobile young in late November to early December.
  • Avoid scheduling high-risk clearing during periods identified by the project ecologist as likely to affect dependent young, and obtain approval for any unavoidable works during that period.

Before habitat disturbance: Prepare the site

  • Complete the approved pre-clearance survey immediately before disturbance, with timing and methods suited to nocturnal activity and the habitat present.
  • Clearly mark the approved clearing boundary and all retained rainforest, rocky ground, deep leaf litter, logs, dense vegetation and exclusion areas before machinery arrives.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it can prevent machinery entry without trapping animals, and inspect it regularly for gaps, damage and trapped fauna.
  • Brief all workers on the species' appearance, nocturnal behaviour, habitat, stop-work procedure and the requirement to report every possible sighting.
  • Confirm the authorised spotter catcher, wildlife carer and veterinary contacts before starting work.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Use staged, supervised clearing. A fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work when an animal, suspected habitat feature or unexpected suitable habitat is found.

  • Inspect the work area each day before machinery starts, including exclusion fencing, retained habitat, access routes and any overnight changes.
  • Use a qualified fauna spotter catcher to remain in a position where the active clearing zone and machinery movements can be seen.
  • Clear in small, supervised stages towards retained habitat where this is safe and consistent with the approved fauna management plan.
  • Keep machinery outside marked exclusion areas and stop the machine immediately when directed by the spotter catcher.
  • Do not allow workers, vehicles, spoil, fuel, noise-generating equipment or stockpiles to enter retained habitat unless specifically approved.
  • Record the date, crew, machinery, cleared area, weather, spotter catcher, inspections, incidents and any direction to stop.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and animal handling

  • Treat dense leaf litter, rocks, logs, gullies, vines and rainforest ground cover as potential habitat, not as waste material to be removed without inspection.
  • Inspect material before moving it, and only relocate logs, rocks or other cover under the fauna management plan and the direction of the authorised spotter catcher.
  • If a Black-tailed Antechinus is found, stop nearby machinery, keep people and pets away, photograph it without delaying release, and have the authorised person confirm identification where practicable.
  • Do not handle the animal unless the person is authorised, trained and using an approved method.
  • Place a healthy animal in nearby retained suitable habitat identified before clearing, using a release approach approved by the relevant authority and fauna management plan.
  • Do not move the animal long distances or across unsuitable cleared ground unless specifically authorised.
  • Place an injured, sick or distressed animal in an appropriate secure container and arrange prompt assessment by an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian.
  • Do not use unapproved poisons, repellents, fire or destructive searches to flush the animal.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work in the affected area if a Black-tailed Antechinus is detected, if identification is uncertain, or if the animal cannot be safely located or handled.
  • Stop work if clearing exposes unexpected high-elevation rainforest, dense cloud-forest ground cover, rocky substrate, deep leaf litter or a habitat patch outside the approved footprint.
  • Stop work if exclusion fencing fails, a fauna management measure is not in place, or machinery enters a marked retention area.
  • Notify the project environmental officer and approval holder, obtain advice from the relevant wildlife authority where required, and restart only when the fauna management plan has been followed.
  • Record the animal's location, date, time, condition, sex if known, photographs, identification basis, handling, release location, persons involved and outcome.
  • Report any mortality, injury, unapproved clearing or suspected threatened species record through the project's incident and regulatory reporting process.

After habitat disturbance: Check and monitor

Post-clearance work must confirm that retained habitat remains intact and that controls have not created new risks for a species already restricted to small, isolated habitat pockets.

  • Complete a post-clearance inspection of the footprint, retained habitat edge, exclusion fencing, access tracks and any material relocation areas.
  • Search for injured, trapped or stranded fauna and inspect retained ground cover for damage caused by machinery, erosion, sediment or altered drainage.
  • Repeat targeted nocturnal surveys or camera monitoring where required by the approval, where habitat was disturbed unexpectedly, or where a pre-clearance record was obtained.
  • Monitor retained habitat for changes in vegetation structure, leaf litter, rock cover, moisture, fog exposure and resource availability because these features are relevant to known occurrences.
  • Compare post-clearance observations with the pre-clearance habitat map and record all changes.

After habitat disturbance: Maintain controls and report

  • Keep exclusion fencing, signage, erosion controls, access restrictions and weed controls in place until the project environmental officer confirms they are no longer needed.
  • Prevent workers, vehicles and contractors from entering retained habitat after the main clearing phase.
  • Submit threatened species records, incident reports, monitoring results and any permit returns to the relevant state and Commonwealth agencies within the required time.
  • Review whether the project caused habitat fragmentation, loss of ground cover, altered microclimate, new predator access or increased fire risk, and implement approved corrective actions.
  • Deliver any required offset, restoration or conservation measure under the EPBC Act approval, state approval or condition of consent.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should rebuild cool, moist, structurally complex ground habitat within the species' known high-elevation range. It cannot replace avoidance of existing rainforest habitat.

  • Use locally appropriate native rainforest and wet sclerophyll species from approved local provenance sources, with the species mix and planting design set by a qualified restoration ecologist.
  • Re-establish dense understorey, vines, low canopy cover and ground vegetation rather than creating an open, simplified planting area.
  • Retain or reinstate natural rocks, logs and deep leaf litter where this can be done safely and without spreading weeds, pathogens or contaminated material.
  • Maintain moist gullies, drainage lines and fog-influenced microhabitats, and prevent sediment, altered drainage and compaction from entering retained or restored rainforest.
  • Do not assume that nest boxes will replace the ground cover used by this species. Use boxes only where an ecological assessment identifies a separate need and the approval permits them.
  • Control weeds and prevent feral cats, foxes and pigs from entering restored habitat where practical and authorised, because these pests are identified as threats requiring investigation.

Rehabilitation actions: Fire, monitoring and success measures

  • Prepare fire controls that protect cool rainforest, dense ground cover, leaf litter, logs and rocks, and obtain specialist advice before applying any planned fire because the supplied documents do not define a suitable fire regime for this species.
  • Monitor survival and cover of plantings, recovery of ground vegetation, leaf litter depth, rock and log retention, weed cover, erosion, moisture and evidence of pest activity.
  • Use repeat nocturnal surveys, live trapping where approved, or remote cameras to test whether restored habitat is being used, while recognising that absence from a survey does not prove absence of the species.
  • Set success measures before works begin, including survival of local native plants, retention of ground cover and habitat features, no unauthorised clearing, controlled weeds and stable drainage.
  • Continue monitoring for the period required by the approval and adapt weed, pest, access, fire and restoration controls when results show that habitat quality or connectivity is declining.
  • Submit restoration and monitoring results, including any Black-tailed Antechinus records, to the project regulator and relevant state wildlife database.

Sources