Ockham’s Razor
Big conservation in small spaces
Broadcast 29 October, 2023 – LISTEN HERE – 10 min. Highly recommended
Brendan Wintle* clearly sets out the science justifying the need to protect and restore small native bushland spaces. He notes that: As cities grow, nature becomes more and more fragmented.
How can we protect native species without big areas to conserve?
“We are of course, part of nature, we depend so deeply on the earth for every aspect of our lives,” says Brendan Wintle. Population sizes of all animals have declined by 60% on our watch.
As well as taking care of larger park-like areas such as Munibung Hill, we need to also focus on preserving and restoring the small habitat areas within urban locales – patches on the fringe, on the verge. (See the following stories)
There is such a thing as irreplaceability. “Areas with high conservation values have high irreplaceability qualities. The smaller the vegetation patch the larger the conservation value.” In addition, Brendan Wintle says, “The more isolated and the more fragmented the patch is, the greater the conservation value.”
“In other words, small patches are disproportionately important.”
Local vegetation and species diversity is good for all of us – to reconnect with nature is vitally important. Advocating for the protection of local bushland and big old forests is to be encouraged, but don’t overlook the small places.
“Looking after nature is looking after ourselves and there’s no better place to start than the small patches of bush at the end of your street,” says Brendan.
*Professor Brendan Wintle is Director, Biodiversity Institute and Lead Councillor, Biodiversity Council, University of Melbourne.
PICTURE: Brendan Wintle heads up the Biodiversity Council, Conservation doesn’t have to start at national park level. It can be a small patch in our local neighbourhood. (Getty: Nigel Killeen)
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When left alone and given time to recover
This small patch of public land was for years mown to within an inch of the ground – biodiversity was nowhere to be found.
IT WASN’T ALLOWED TO BE ITSELF until a small band of locals formed the Lucilla Ridge Landcare Group*, with the purpose of allowing natural regeneration take place with the help of some strategic extra planting. (*on the northern slopes entry of Munibung Hill).
Now recently planted seedlings are sending up new shoots. Given time to recover and we see the regeneration of existing root-stock is flourishing. Allowed to be its natural self, biodiversity is everywhere to be found and native grasses are bouncing back.
From denuded – striped of its covering – there’s been some redress. The block has been given some clothing.
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See the difference a team effort makes
Biddabah Creek Landcare Group recently celebrated their first year. “The site which surrounds the Biddabah Creek Wetland on Windross Drive, Lakelands, is thickly vegetated with native species,” said Vina Chubb. “During our first year we have managed to get rid of a lot of Morning Glory, Farmers Friend, Crofton Weed and Paspalum.”
“The site is home for Bandicoots and Ring Tailed possums and a variety waterbirds.”
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From tiny things, big things grow
COMMENTING ON THE FINDINGS of Brendan Wintle as noted in the Conservation in small spaces program (reported above), Anna Noon writes: “One of the most effective ways to support and restore biodiversity, is achieved with the establishment of Tiny Forests.”
“These evidence-based, urban, native, diverse rich, densely packed patches of habitat are so incredibly important to slowing biodiversity loss and supporting human health and wellbeing.”
“Given we live in one of the fastest growing areas in NSW, our consideration for how we maintain and restore habitat patches in our city is going to be vital to our comfort, liveability and ultimately survival,” says Anna.
“Brendan Wintle talks about the importance of engaging children and reconnecting them with nature and the benefits to cognition and mental health. If all goes according to plan, the next local tiny forest – and hopefully lots of future ones – is planned for the playground of a local public school, in an area that has undergone significant land clearing.”
“And then we are hoping to continue to replicate this. So if you have any connections to a school that might be interested, please let me know,” said Anna. Get in touch: anna@thegroundswell.org.au
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There’s more to conservation and protection
Vitally important as they are, there’s more to conservation and protection than only caring about the trees and bush, and all the native plants and animals at Munibung Hill.
IN THE BIGGER SCHEME OF THINGS we must include the conservation of the raw materials that go into making the products that we buy – and in many cases end up throwing away – on a regular basis. So many of these are fossil fuels based and contain harmful toxic chemicals, so, the Right to Repair is extremely important as we work to leave a healthy livable earth for our grandchildren and generations beyond.
This story is highly recommended as we work to keep bushland area such as Munibung Hill, protected and safe from waste.
No reading required, listen – then share.
Listen to this Nightlife program. Give the gift of knowledge to family and friends. Start a conversation about it over Christmas lunch and at
New Year celebrations.
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Could this stunning orchid be living at Munibung Hill?
In: Amateur photographer snaps picture of ‘elusive’ flying duck orchid after nine-year search, Josh Brine (ABC South East SA, Wed 8 Nov 2023) tells the story of how Ockert Le Roux searched high and low to capture a picture of this plant.
Changes in land use have made the orchid rare and harder to find.
If you discover the flying duck orchid at Munibung Hill, please let us know.
Email: munibunghcs@gmail.com
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Do wildlife signs work?
Amy Briggs reports in: Do ‘wildlife ahead’ signs actually prevent collisions between cars and animals? (ABC Science, 2 Sep 2023) that the latest research shows they are next to useless.
These findings are of great interest to MHCS because we have called for signs around Munibung Hill to alert road users to beware of animals crossing the streets and roads; to be mindful; slow down and avoid collisions. Lake Mac Council has rejected these requests in the name of signage clutter. But there are other, more relevant reasons as this research shows.
“Councils put them up because it’s a way of doing something. But the evidence is unequivocal. They make absolutely no difference to anything,” says Darryl Jones, a researcher from Griffith University who has worked on wildlife signage and road ecology for around 20 years. Full story here.
The most outstanding examples of trying to overcome the risks that roads pose to animals is through the construction of safe passages such as land bridges, he says.
They are rejected on the basis of cost, but we know that that is a direct result of us placing a much lesser value on nature and wildlife than we do on people and road users.
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A fascination with fungi
DR JANET FARR, A RETIRED ENTOMOLOGIST has a deep appreciation of the role the organism [fungi] plays in the south west, which is known as a biodiversity hotspot.
In: Manjimup Photo Club’s Fantastic Fungi exhibition highlights organisms’ ecological importance, Kate Stevens (ABC South West WA, 1 Sep 2023), reports on how a photographic exhibition is helping raise the profile of this misunderstood and under appreciated organism.
Dr Farr said fungi were critical elements in a functioning ecosystem. “Fundamentally, they’re helping make sure that the soil is a living breathing organism, releasing its nutrients, and particularly nitrogen, which enables the flowers to grow,” she said.
Munibung Hill has a range of fungi that are also for the most part over-loooked and under appreciated. Check the gallery for pictures of the ones we’ve come across thus far.
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Urban refuges: design your garden to be bandicoot friendly
Eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) are small, grey-brown, nocturnal Australian marsupials with several distinctive stripes across their rump.
The species has one of the shortest gestations recorded for any mammal, with the young born just 12.5 days after mating. At birth, the bandicoot is smaller than a jellybean and it attaches to a nipple inside its mother’s rear-opening pouch and grows rapidly on her rich milk. At only nine weeks old, young bandicoots leave the nest and become independent.
Eastern barred bandicoots can reproduce quite quickly in good conditions, however, the young are extremely vulnerable, with many dying from predation or disease. When seasonal conditions are favourable, eastern barred bandicoots can produce up to four litters per year; each litter having between one and four young.
Designing your garden
Five unique, specialised and beautiful garden designs have been created to inspire backyard gardeners and professional landscapers to create habitat for eastern barred bandicoots.
Choose a design to suit your space, from formal to informal garden styles.
‘The Nook’ can fit into a corner of your existing layout. If you are looking for a full makeover then the ‘Woodland Hideaway’ provides an informal option, or perhaps the ‘Suburban Getaway’ for a ready-made landscape design to complement your new build. Click on the highlighted words above for ideas.
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When we come across a fossil
Sally Hurst with Robyn Williams (ABC Science Show, 18 Nov 2023 )
This is what to do when we come across a fossil at Munibung Hill.
IF WE FOUND AN INDIGENOUS ARTEFACT or a fossil on a farm, or whilst bushwalking, until now there has been no clear advice. There are certainly no rules saying what must be done when objects are found on private property. Perhaps a museum could help. Many have an identification service.
Well now help is at hand. Sally Hurst studied palaeontology and archaeology. She realised she didn’t really know what she’d do if she found something. So Sally brought together all the resources and created an advisory service, a website as a resource for what we can do and who to contact when we find a heritage object. The website is Found a Fossil
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Scratching around for answers
IT CAN BE EASY to overlook aspects of nature if we aren’t tuned in to our surroundings.
But this is not the case for everyone, and so we were pleased to receive these pictures with the query, what are they?
The circular ‘diggings’ (above left) seem to been made by an animal that has swept aside the leaf litter, each one 10-20cm in diameter. The assumption was that they were the work of bandicoots but not deep like the ones in second picture. Circles are presently found all the way along the track from the phone tower above Speers Point to the southern end of the main ridge.
We called on the expertise of UoN wildlife ecology student Christie Malyon for her assessment. Christie has completed a research project on Bandicoots earlier in the year.
“I think these are feeding circles created by Button Quail, most probably Painted Button Quail. They kind of scratch around in a circle looking for little bits to eat. Not a bandicoot, but still a fun find,” said Christie.
“Painted Button Quail have a distinct sound which you could listen for within that area if you have time. Morcombe and Stewart’s Aus Birds app is a fabulous investment. It has visual and audio characteristics for each species and the audio option is great with example calls.”
“I can suggest the article at this website: https://ecoportal.net.au/painted-button-quail/
“The second image (above right) has potential for being made by a bandicoot. Occasionally under Casuarina species I have noticed a larger number of diggings in small patches,” Christie said. “These are a bit shallow, however, this could be age, perhaps they had been dug a while before the image and already begun to infill.” (By email, 15 November, 2023)
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Good Golly Miss Glossy, sure like a cone
MUNIBUNG HILL has a great variety of birds that live in the bushland. There are others that visit on a regular or less frequent basis.
“Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos are regulars, but we came across three Glossy Black Cockatoos on the hill earlier in the week”, reported Wendy Patrick who is a keen observer of plants and animals.
“They feed on Casuarina seeds and the ground under trees where they’ve been feeding are characteristically scattered with chewed cones.”
(Email: 8 November, 2023)
Featured in MMM: Issue 41, Dec. 23 – Jan. 24
