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Fewer than 15% of Tasmania's threatened species, and a much lower proportion of our other species, are monitored to assess whether conservation efforts are adequate and effective. Yet for many, known and potential threats are increasing and changing across the state.
Acoustic monitoring is a great way to find and monitor a wide range of species in an efficient and non-invasive manner. We're going to use sound recorders to count and monitor noisy species including bats, birds and mammals. We're continuing to target bats and bitterns this season, both of which have distinctive calls. An automated data upload and call identifier pipeline provided by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) provides quick feedback on whether bats or bitterns have been found.
Southern forest bat (Lisa Cawthen)
Bats
Bats
Tasmania's bat species are not listed as threatened, but are not monitored. Current potential threats include ongoing removal of hollow-bearing trees, in which these bats roost and breed, and pesticides. Wind farms, a known threat to bats elsewhere, are rapidly increasing across Tasmania. Emerging diseases are also considered a concern on the mainland.
Bitterns
Bitterns
The Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) was nationally listed as Endangered after the lengthy Millennium Drought (1996-2010), which exacerbated losses of the bird's wetland habitat due to ongoing drainage and development. Subsequent monitoring efforts across Australia were not maintained, and its current status is poorly understood, but localised monitoring in the Riverina indicates continuing decline. With ongoing climate change and associated droughts, these problems can be expected to worsen
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