Searching for Pretty Beards: A descriptive ecological model and targeted surveys for the rare Calochilus pulchellus (Orchidaceae)

Calochilus pulchellus (family Orchidaceae) (Pretty Beard Orchid) is a listed Endangered species with a highly restricted distribution in the Shoalhaven local government area. The species was only known from a small number of populations when described in 2006. Since then very few new populations of the species have been recorded and some previously known populations have not been observed for decades. This study summarised known information regarding the distribution and habitat preferences of Calochilus pulchellus, with the aim of identifying potential habitat where unknown populations of the species may be detected by targeted surveys. Areas of potential habitat for the species were identified based upon vegetation communities in which the species had previously been recorded. A subset of the initially large area of identified potential habitat was selected for targeted surveys based on the recorded occurrence of sympatric threatened orchid species. The targeted surveys resulted in an approximately three-fold increase in the previously known population size of Calochilus pulchellus, a small range extension for the species and a doubling of the extent of occurrence. Newly discovered individuals and populations of the species have increased the understanding of habitat for the species, with a greater proportion of the total known population of the species now known to occur within woodland and forest vegetation communities rather than heathlands. Despite the additional individuals of the species detected as part of this study, the species is still only known from a very low number of known individuals and a small number of populations and has a very high risk of extinction. Consequently, identifying and protecting additional populations of Calochilus pulchellus should remain a priority for the conservation of the species

[In Press] Estimating flying-fox mortality associated with abandonments of pups and extreme heat events during the austral summer of 2019-20

Abstract. Mass mortalities in flying-foxes occur in summers that reach extremely hot temperatures. In this study, we examine the spatiotemporal distributions of mortality from pup abandonments and extreme heat events in Australian flying-fox camps during the 2019–20 summer. We recorded data on flying-fox mortality in known affected camps and applied a standard method to estimate the number of deaths. Pup mortalities from abandonments were recorded in 10 camps in New South Wales. A minimum estimate of 2612 flying-foxes died in pup abandonments, the majority of which occurred in one camp in Bomaderry. Die-offs from extreme heat events were recorded in 40 camps associated with eight separate heat events in south-eastern Australia. A minimum estimate of 72 175 flying-foxes died during these heat events, which all occurred within the range of the threatened grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus). Further, 409 and 2251 live flying-foxes were taken into care from pup abandonments and heat events respectively. The minimum mortality estimated represents the highest recorded mortality of Australian flying-foxes within a single summer. This highlights a need to restore vegetation in flying-fox foraging areas and camps, address anthropogenic climate change and gather more empirical data to inform heat stress interventions to minimise flying-fox mortalities