The distribution and conservation status of Carpentarian grasswrens (Amytornis dorotheae), with reference to prevailing fire patterns
Graham N. Harrington A B and Stephen A. Murphy C D EA CSIRO Tropical Forest Research Centre, PO Box 780; Atherton, Qld 4883, Australia.
B Birdlife Northern Queensland, PO Box 680, Malanda, Qld 4885, Australia.
C Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, NT 0810, Australia.
D Bush Heritage Australia, Collins Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: smurphy575@gmail.com
Pacific Conservation Biology 21(4) 291-297 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC15021
Submitted: 5 July 2015 Accepted: 1 November 2015 Published: 14 December 2015
Abstract
The Carpentarian grasswren (Amytornis dorotheae) is a small, shy passerine patchily distributed through Triodia systems in the central and southern parts of Australia’s tropical savannas. Population decline has been reported in the Northern Territory, presumably due to mismanaged fire. The species is considered Endangered in the Northern Territory and Near Threatened in Queensland, but it is not listed Federally. Here, we present the results of over 3000 surveys conducted between 2008 and 2013. We show that Carpentarian grasswrens are divided into four populations, although the northernmost one (Borroloola) now appears to be extinct. The Area of Occupancy for the southernmost population appears to have declined by 28%, while only small numbers of isolated birds now occur at the two intervening populations. Our data suggest that the four populations appear to be at different stages on an extinction pathway, from population decline, to fragmentation and isolation, to extinction, and this seems to be related to worsening fire patterns as one moves northwards. We suggest that the Carpentarian grasswren be listed as Vulnerable at the State and Federal level, and that urgent investment in long-term regional fire management using prescribed burning is required to reverse the declines in the extant populations. For the presumed extinct Borroloola population, restoration will probably need to involve translocation coupled with effective fire management.
Additional keywords: extinction, fire management, savannas, threatened species.
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