- WU Team
- 11 June 2024
- 12:10 pm
- 0 comments
Partnering with Crocodile Islands Rangers in biodiversity monitoring and survey techniques
Members of the Wildlife Unlimited (WUL) team recently visited Arnhem Land to work alongside the Crocodile Islands Rangers within the Maringa Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), a newly protected area that includes 20 islands covering over 78,000 hectares of land and over 730,000 hectares of sea country.
WUL’s ecologists are helping the rangers develop a long-term biodiversity monitoring program, with the current focus being on survey techniques, species ID and the benefits of a survey program.
Crocodile Island Rangers Solodi, Rannie and Norman conducting bird surveys. Photo by D Taggart.
Tracking changes over time
Arnhem Land boasts incredibly diverse ecosystems, from tropical rainforests and woodland to stone country and vast coastlines.
Monitoring the array for fauna and flora helps us to understand how these ecosystems change over time due to factors such as climate change, land use practices, fire regimes and invasive species. By tracking these changes, we can detect threats early and implement effective management measures to safeguard our natural assets for future generations.
Captions (l to r): Rangers checking funnel traps set along a drift fence. Photo by Jim Reside. Ecologist Greg Clarke and the rangers with a captured Orange-sided Bar-lipped Skink. Photo by Jim Reside. Senior Ranger Zach showcasing how to check funnel traps for critters. Photo by A Ramenjarry/G Clarke. Darwin Stick Insect. Photo by D Taggart/G Clarke.
Discovering new and culturally-significant species
Biodiversity surveys are a great way to see what species, habitats and communities are found in a particular area and often result in the discovery of new or rare species that are easily missed. Surveys are intensive and include a selection of trapping techniques to best survey all possible species, from ground-dwelling frogs and reptiles to arboreal mammals and nocturnal birds.
Over 150 fauna species have been found so far, including some rarely seen and culturally significant species such as the Marbled Velvet Gecko, Frilled Lizard and Rufous Owl. Each species is recorded and measurements of captured animals, such as lizards and small mammals, are taken. This can help to identify difficult species and provide insights into changes each year, helping to monitor the health individual populations and the ecosystem as a whole.
Captions (l to r): Senior Ranger Zach showcasing a Marbled Velvet Gecko to a local school group on Country. Photo by G Clarke. Common Tree Snake. Photo by D Taggart/G Clarke. Ecologist Greg Clarke talking about the life history of Northern Snake-necked Turtles. Photo by Jim Reside and Senior Ranger Antonio pointing out terns hovering over a wetland. Photo by A Ramenjarry/ G Clarke.
Knowledge and education
A big part of this project is a two-way exchange of knowledge, giving the rangers an opportunity to learn about western science and ecology. This is best done with a hands-on approach out on Country, creating experiences and memories that help solidify shared knowledge and skills. While our ecologists share their knowledge, the rangers also share knowledge gained through experience, tradition and culture.
Passing this knowledge on to the next generation is important. Children from the local school come out to learn about what the rangers are doing as part of their Learning on Country program. This allows the rangers to share the importance of biodiversity, Caring for Country – and just how cool some of the critters are in their own backyard.
This project is in partnership with the Crocodile Islands Rangers and funded by the Northern Territory Government Land and Sea Management Fund.