Bathymetry derivatives and habitat data from hyperspectral imagery establish a high-resolution baseline for managing the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

The Ningaloo Reef, Australia’s longest fringing reef, is uniquely positioned in the NW region of the continent, with clear, oligotrophic waters, relatively low human impacts, and a high level of protection through the World Heritage Site and its marine park status. Non-invasive optical sensors, which seamlessly derive bathymetry and bottom reflectance, are ideally suited for mapping and monitoring shallow reefs such as Ningaloo. Using an existing airborne hyperspectral survey, we developed a new, geomorphic layer for the reef for depths down to 20 m, through an object-oriented classification that combines topography and benthic cover. We demonstrate the classification approach using three focus areas in the northern region of the Muiron Islands, the central part around Point Maud, and Gnaraloo Bay in the south. Topographic mapping combined aspect, slope, and depth into 18 classes and, unsurprisingly, allocated much of the area into shallow, flat lagoons, and highlighted narrow, deeper channels that facilitate water circulation. There were five distinct geomorphic classes of coral-algal mosaics in different topographic settings. Our classifications provide a useful baseline for stratifying ecological field surveys, designing monitoring programmes, and assessing reef resilience from current and future threats

Livestock guardian dog protection of free-range poultry from the red fox

Context: Predation of layer chickens is a major issue for free-range egg producers. Using livestock guardian dogs (LGD) to protect free-ranging poultry is a possible option for producers, although there is little published literature regarding how the dogs protect chickens. Aims: This case study was conducted at a free-range egg production farm in Western Australia, where red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were a common predator of chickens prior to introducing Maremma LGD. We investigated LGD responses to experimental cues that might indicate fox incursion (fox urine and calls). Methods: Four dogs were GPS tracked and monitored using camera traps. Over the first week, experimental fox cues were set out around the paddock boundaries, alternating with ‘non-cue’ experimental control nights. We recorded whether the LGD altered (1) their space use, (2) activity patterns (movement speed), or (3) behaviour in response to these cues. We also recorded (4) distances between LGD from known sightings of foxes. Key results: The Maremmas appeared to work independently of each other, covering separate areas. There was no significant difference in overnight home range area by experimental fox cue treatment, but there was a significant (P < 0.001) treatment × dog interaction term for distance moved. Three dogs spent most of their time at night around the chicken shelters and generally increased distances moved on experimental fox cue nights. The fourth dog was more bonded to people and did not alter its movements. Paradoxically, dogs rested more and barked less on experimental fox cue nights; however, we recorded foxes on camera traps placed around the chicken shelters on 17 of the 23 nights of monitoring, and the high background activity level of foxes on this property compromised our experimental control (nights without experimental fox cues). The dogs did not move towards known fox sightings. Conclusions: The Maremmas in this trial closely guarded the chicken shelters rather than maintaining the entire paddock as a predator-exclusion zone. Implications: Understanding how guardian dogs behave when challenged by potential predators will help increase producers’ confidence in the efficacy of these dogs as a viable method to protect livestock from predation threat

Habitat islands in a sea of urbanisation

Cities can provide important habitat for wildlife conservation. Many species do not make much use of anthropogenic resources, but instead are largely reliant on natural habitat remaining within a matrix of urban development, and are engulfed by encroaching housing development. Understanding which factors influence their presence and activities will allow us to manage these habitat remnants for biodiversity conservation. To this aim, we carried out a field survey recording evidence of quenda (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer) foraging digs over 106 reserves managed by the City of Mandurah, the fastest growing regional city in Australia. We identified vegetation extent and condition as primary factors correlated with the presence of quenda digging activity. In addition, the extent of canopy cover and amount of woody debris are important habitat variables to quenda, while there was a negative correlation with access to the reserves by domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Although we included a range of urbanisation measures in the analyses (including the amount of roads nearby to each reserve, the distance to roads and the distance to buildings), none were correlated with quenda digging activity. This study indicates that quenda can persist in the urban landscape despite human activities, but highlights the importance of protected bushland reserves for their conservation

Preliminary estimates of the abundance and fidelity of dolphins associating with a demersal trawl fishery

The incidental capture of wildlife in fishing gear presents a global conservation challenge. As a baseline to inform assessments of the impact of bycatch on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) interacting with an Australian trawl fishery, we conducted an aerial survey to estimate dolphin abundance across the fishery. Concurrently, we carried out boat-based dolphin photo-identification to assess short-term fidelity to foraging around trawlers, and used photographic and genetic data to infer longer-term fidelity to the fishery. We estimated abundance at ≈ 2,300 dolphins (95% CI = 1,247-4,214) over the ≈ 25,880-km2 fishery. Mark-recapture estimates yielded 226 (SE = 38.5) dolphins associating with one trawler and some individuals photographed up to seven times over 12 capture periods. Moreover, photographic and genetic re-sampling over three years confirmed that some individuals show long-term fidelity to trawler-associated foraging. Our study presents the first abundance estimate for any Australian pelagic dolphin community and documents individuals associating with trawlers over days, months and years. Without trend data or correction factors for dolphin availability, the impact of bycatch on this dolphin population's conservation status remains unknown. These results should be taken into account by management agencies assessing the impact of fisheries-related mortality on this protected species

Land use and land cover mapping for catchment monitoring and management with remote sensing methods

Remote sensing techniques are evaluated for their use in land cover and land use mapping. Catchment monitoring and management requires detailed and up to date information about the surface runoff, cover and use. Remote sensing as a data gathering technique can rapidly deliver very detailed studies of the ground surface. Choice of the instrument, platform and analysis technique varies however depending on the size of the catchment, number and complexity of parameters required, budget and availability of the trained staff to undertake data analysis

Assessing patterns of recreational use in large marine parks: A case study from Ningaloo Marine Park, Australia

Being able to accurately locate and describe recreational use within marine parks is essential for their sustainable management. Given the difficulty in accessing many marine parks, as well as their large size, the surveys to obtain these much-needed data are often logistically challenging and expensive. Aerial surveys are one potential method for obtaining accurate, timely data and this paper details the design for one such survey conducted in the Ningaloo Marine Park, off the northwestern coast of Australia. Ningaloo has been nominated as a world heritage site and the fringing coral reef that forms the centrepiece of the Marine Park extends for 300 km along the coastline. The survey involved 34 temporally stratified flights conducted over a 12-month period. All vessels and people were geo-referenced and where possible, their activities were recorded, providing data that clearly illustrates dramatic expansions and contractions in recreational use. Not only does the spatial extent of use expand in the peak visitor season (April-October), the density of use correspondingly increases. High densities of recreational activity in the Park's waters were accompanied by increased numbers of vehicles, camps, boat trailers and boats on the adjacent shoreline. Aerial surveys proved to be an effective method for rapidly obtaining recreational data with high spatial accuracy. Such a method has broad applicability to marine parks as it provides comprehensive data to benchmark existing recreational use, as well as monitor future changes in activity patterns, which are essential for the informed management that must underpin sustainability efforts

High resolution mapping of reef utilisation by humans in Ningaloo Marine Park

Understanding where, when, and how many people use the coast is imperative for management of natural coastal assets, conservation of marine biodiversity and location of appropriate infrastructure. This CSIRO Wealth from Oceans National Research project is aimed at determining the spatial and temporal distribution of recreational activities within the reef lagoon system at Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP), and relating these patterns to factors such as biodiversity, geomorphology, park zoning, access roads and accommodation nodes

Hyperspectral imagery in a GIS framework as a tool for marine planning in temperate south-western Australia

The oligotrophic coastal waters of Western Australia provide a unique opportunity to apply hyperspectral remote sensing techniques. This project aims to use HyMap images of Rottnest Island to create thematic classification maps of the marine benthic habitats for use as a planning tool by managers and planners. This involves building a spectral reflectance library of the dominant benthic substrates, creating a digital elevation model for the island and classifying the images. Preliminary results have revealed that dominant substrates are spectrally separable and that the Krigging interpolation algorithm results in the most accurate digital elevation model