Introduction to the special issue of The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia
A. J. M. Hopkins A , G. T. Smith B and D. A. Saunders
C *
A
B
C
Abstract
This paper introduces the special issue of Pacific Conservation Biology devoted to the natural history of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve on the south coast of Western Australia.
This paper provides the background to the special issue.
Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve was gazetted in 1967 for the conservation of the native biota, including two species; the Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) and Ngilgaitch/Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii), both believed extinct for over 100 years before being rediscovered on the Reserve. The Reserve is 4774.7 ha in area, with wetlands, heathlands, granite outcrops, sand dunes, beaches, cliffs, and islands. Since it was established, mean annual rainfall has decreased by 16.8%, mean annual maximum temperature has increased by 0.2°C, and mean annual minimum temperature has increased by 0.7°C.
The paper poses the question: what do the changes of drier winters, hotter summers, and more extreme weather events mean for managers of conservation areas such as Two Peoples Bay?
Changing climate will pose problems for the managers of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in ensuring the conservation of the Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird and Ngilgaitch/Gilbert’s potoroo.
Keywords: Atrichornis clamosus, climate change, Djimaalup Ngilgaitch, extreme weather events, Gilbert’s potoroo, noisy scrub-bird, Potorous gilbertii.
References
Charles SP, Silberstein R, Teng J, Fu G, Hodgson G, Gabrovsek C, Crute J, Chiew FHS, Smith IN, Kirono DGC, Bathols JM, Li LT, Yang A, Donohue RJ, Marvanek SP, McVicar TR, Van Niel TG, Cai W (2010) Climate analyses for South-West Western Australia. A report to the Australian Government from the CSIRO South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project. (CSIRO, Australia) pp. 83. doi:10.4225/08/584d9590d046b
Chatfield GR, Saunders DA (2024) History and establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC24004.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hart R, Freebury G, Barrett S (2024) Phytophthora cinnamomi: extent and impact in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia (1983–2024). Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC24028.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hennessy K, Fawcett R, Kirono D, Mpelasoka F, Jones D, Bathols J, Whetton P, Stafford Smith M, Howden M, Michell C, Plummer N (2008) An assessment of the impact of climate change on the nature and frequency of exceptional climatic events. (Commonwealth of Australia: Barton, Australian Capital Territory)
Knapp L, Cummings D, Cummings S, Fielder PL, Hopper SD (2024) A Merningar Bardok family’s Noongar oral history of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and surrounds. Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC24018.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Saunders DA (2023) The breeding biology of the Western Red-tailed Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus escondidus in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. Australian Zoologist 43(2), 199-219.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Saunders DA, Mawson P, Dawson R (2011) The impact of two extreme weather events and other causes of death on Carnaby’s Cockatoo: a promise of things to come for a threatened species? Pacific Conservation Biology 17, 141-148.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Sinclair EA, Danks A, Wayne AF (1996) Rediscovery of Gilbert’s Potoroo, Potorous tridactylus, in Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy 19(1), 69-72.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
