Targeted Threatened Species Surveys

Targeted threatened species surveys are designed to determine the presence, distribution, habitat use and potential impact on formally recognised threatened flora and fauna where a project has the potential to affect these biodiversity values. Targeted surveys can also be required to determine the presence, extent and condition of threatened ecological communities (i.e. endangered vegetation communities or fauna assemblages). Surveys are tailored to species-specific habitats, seasonal requirements and regulatory guidelines. This ensures our results are robust, defensible and suitable for impact assessment and planning approvals.

At Biosis we work with clients to mitigate impacts and achieve positive outcomes for our client’s projects and biodiversity. An example is our wind farm collision risk mitigation model, developed through extensive research to provide informed species-specific mitigation outcomes.

Australia-wide threatened species
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened

NSW animal and plant species at risk of extinction
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species

Victorian animal and plant species at risk of extinction
https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/conserving-threatened-species/threatened-list

At Biosis we apply a combination of field based and remote analytical methods to maximise the detection of a species while minimising disturbance to a site. Survey methods for threatened fauna are designed to minimise stress, injury and disturbance to animals, and are conducted by suitably trained and experienced ecologist.

Species-specific Targeted Survey Methods

• Amphibians (e.g. frogs): Nocturnal call surveys | Automated acoustic recorders and improving detection of cryptic or intermittently calling species | Targeted inspection and active searching of wetlands, drainage lines and refugia for adults, eggs and larvae.
• Nocturnal Animals (e.g. owls or bats): Call playback surveys | Passive acoustic monitoring | Habitat and roost assessments (e.g. tree hollows) | Spotlighting surveys | Thermal imaging surveys | Remote camera survey | Motion Sensor Cameras
• Microbats: Ultrasonic surveys | Bat detectors for echolocation calls| Active harp surveys or mist-netting (where required) | Roost and habitat assessments | Thermal camera surveys
• Small Mammals: Elliott, cage and funnel trapping | Live capture surveys to detect small terrestrial mammals | Pitfall trapping | Remote camera survey
• Koalas: Habitat suitability and feed tree assessments | Scat searching | Human or canine based ground surveys for scat identification. Note: Biosis has specially trained detection dogs to accurately locate koala scats in the field, allowing efficient confirmation of koala presence, habitat use and activity across large or densely vegetated areas | Spotlighting and thermal surveys
• Reptiles: Active diurnal searches | Targeted searching of basking sites, shelter features and microhabitats | Artificial refuge shelters (e.g. roof tile surveys) | Placement of purpose-built shelters (PVC tubes) or roofing tiles to attract shelter-seeking reptiles | Pitfall and funnel trapping
• Birds: timed-area surveys, habitat assessment, tagging and biologging, bird utilisation surveys, Passive acoustic monitoring.
• Aquatic habitats: habitat quality assessments, working with specialists’ sub-consultants to undertake targeted fish and invertebrate surveys.
• Flora (Plants and Vegetation Communities): Parallel Transect Surveys (Systematic walking of evenly spaced transects across a site to thoroughly inspect microhabitats) | Two-phased Systematic Grid Based Surveys: Designed for large areas of suitable habitat, a survey area is divided into uniform survey grids, with a smaller representative sample within each grid carefully inspected. Quadrats and point intercept surveys for threatened ecological community confirmation. On-ground and remote-sensed mapping of threatened ecological community extent.

1. Review databases relating to flora, threatened ecological communities and terrestrial and aquatic fauna.
2. Conduct a field-based habitat assessment specific to optimal seasonal timing.
3. Complete a species-specific targeted species survey using the methods outlined above.
4. Map habitat and population extents.
5. Take photographs and record photo locations.
6. Confirm presence and assess impact.
7. Recommend actions to avoid, minimise and management / mitigate impacts.

You may need a Targeted Threatened Species Survey for a Development Application (DA) in NSW, or a planning approval in Victoria, or a major project approval in either state. You may need to do a targeted species survey If you’re required to submit a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) in NSW. In Victoria, approvals and permits under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 may also require targeted surveys. The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 can also drive the need for a targeted species or threatened ecological community survey for a development project.

The terminology varies between the States, Territories, and Commonwealth, yet the intention of these policies is to assess potential biodiversity impacts of development. The government regulator will determine the path forward; this may include avoidance and minimisation of impacts on species habitats and populations, a conditional approval and offsetting calculated impacts.