Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00043:reg:5:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00043
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 5 (pt 5/15)
Character Range: 30163–33413

YES Important habitat

                  NO

              Not important habitat

            1. Following Clemens et al. (2010) a shorebird area is defined as: the geographic area that has been used by the same group of shorebirds over the main non-breeding period. This is effectively the home range of the local population when present.
           Shorebird areas may include multiple roosting and feeding habitats. While most migratory shorebird areas will represent contiguous habitat, non-contiguous habitats may be included as part of the same area where there is evidence of regular bird movement between them. Migratory shorebird areas may therefore extend beyond the boundaries of a property or project area, and may also extend beyond Ramsar boundaries for internationally important areas. Existing information and/or appropriate surveys can determine the extent of a migratory shorebird area.
           2.      Bamford et al. (2008) detailed a list of internationally important areas within the EAAF and is available at:
           www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/migratory/publications/shorebirds-east-asia.html
           Shorebird population estimates may from time-to-time be updated as new information is published. Further information can be found on the Department's website.
           3.      'Support' is defined differently depending on whether the habitat is considered permanent or ephemeral.
            –       For permanent wetlands, 'support' is defined as: migratory shorebirds are recorded during surveys and/or known to have occurred within the area during the previous five years.
            –       For ephemeral wetlands, 'support' is defined as: habitat that migratory shorebirds have ever been recorded in, and where that habitat has not been lost permanently due to previous actions.

           Photo: Birdlife of the Little Swamp Wetland in Port Lincoln (Dragi Markovic)

           Another issue regarding important habitat is the degree of importance of habitat components within complexes or areas. For example, a large area may be considered internationally or nationally important, but within that area there may be particular habitats that are more valuable than others, such as those used most regularly for roosting and feeding. In promoting the wise use of wetlands, it may be pertinent to strongly protect such habitat from development and recreational activities that may disturb shorebirds, but consider allowing these activities within parts of the broader area.

  Latham's snipe (Gallinago hardwickii)

  Latham's snipe does not commonly aggregate in large flocks or use the same habitats as other migratory shorebird species. Consequently, habitat important to Latham's snipe cannot be identified using the process outlined in Figure 2 and different criteria are necessary. Threshold criteria are still considered the best way to identify important sites in the absence of data sufficient for more rigorous methods. For the purposes of this plan, important habitat for Latham's snipe is described as areas that have previously been identified as internationally important for the species, or areas that support at least 18 individuals of the species. Definitions for shorebird