Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00777:body:0:p15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00777
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 40527–43726

may assist in mitigating the impacts on the species. A long-term monitoring program would allow better understanding of the specific sensitivities of the Painted Honeyeater as a nomadic species to climate change, and provide a basis for future adaptive conservation management strategies. Furthermore, the cumulative effects of other threats together with climate change need to be considered for effective and adaptive long-term management of the Painted Honeyeater.

    2.2.5        Other potential threatening processes
    Other threats to the Painted Honeyeater include predation by invasive species
    (e.g. Black Rats Rattus rattus); deliberate destruction of mistletoe in production
    forests; exacerbation of tree decline through pasture improvement activities; collision with road vehicles; and nest predation by over-abundant Pied Currawongs (Strepera graculina), Pied and Grey Butcherbirds (Cracticus nigrogularis and Cracticus torquatus), and crows and ravens (Corvidae) (Lindsay, pers. comm. 2014; DEPI 2014). In addition, pathogens affecting mistletoe directly or the host tree (e.g. Myrtle rust) further threaten the persistence of Painted Honeyeater habitat. As mentioned above, wildfires that are hotter and more frequent, are an indirect threat of climate change.

    The scale and severity of these potential threats are generally unknown and form the
    basis of important research questions. If, during the life of this recovery plan, new or emerging threats are identified, then additional actions should be developed to address these threatening processes.

    2.3      Threat prioritization
    Each of the threats outlined above has been assessed to determine the risk posed to the Painted Honeyeater population using a risk matrix. This, in turn, determines the priority for actions outlined below. The risk matrix considers the likelihood of an incident occurring and the consequences of that incident. Threats may act differently in different parts of the species range and at different times of year, but the precautionary principle dictates that the threat category is determined by the subpopulation at highest risk.
    Population-wide threats are generally considered to present a higher risk.

    The risk matrix uses a qualitative assessment drawing on peer reviewed literature and expert opinion. In some cases the consequences of activities are unknown. In these cases, the precautionary principle has been applied. Levels of risk and the associated priority for action are defined as follows:

         * Very High – immediate mitigation action required

         * High – mitigation action and an adaptive management plan required, the precautionary principle should be applied

         * Moderate – obtain additional information and develop mitigation action if required

         * Low – monitor the threat occurrence and reassess threat level if likelihood or consequences change

Categories for likelihood are defined as follows:

                * Almost certain – expected to occur every year

                * Likely – expected to occur at least once every five years

                * Possible – might occur at some time

                *