Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00199:reg:6:p15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00199
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6 (pt 15/17)
Character Range: 44831–47972

are vulnerable to predation.

 Invasive herbivores
   Other invasive animals such as pigs, goats and deer degrade Australian Painted Snipe habitat by digging up wetland edges and removing vegetative cover. Similarly, camels and horses are capable of trampling wetland vegetation and nest sites.

2.2.8     Human disturbance
   Human disturbance is not considered to be a major threat to the species but impacts could be locally severe if not managed appropriately. Breeding birds would be most vulnerable to disturbance. Ill-disciplined duck hunters and recreational fishers and even birdwatchers and photographers could have a direct impact by trampling vegetation and disturbing breeding Australian Painted Snipe. Hunters discharging weapons could also adversely impact the behaviour of the species. Other indirect impacts include discarded fishing gear and other rubbish.

         2.2.9     Fire
   Fire can have a negative effect on vegetation if it is uncontrolled, used too frequently, or used at an inappropriate time of year in relation to Australian Painted Snipe habitat. Hot or badly timed fires can remove too much vegetation (down to ground level) and have the effect of temporarily making the area structurally unsuitable. Fire can also leave soil vulnerable to erosion, which can lead to turbidity in the wetland. Hot and too-frequent fires can also affect certain plant species' seed germination and have longer-term effects of altering the floristics and habitat characteristics of the site. For example, frequent burning may gradually eliminate lignum communities in some wetlands, depriving colonial nesting waterbirds and others such as ducks and native-hens, of important nesting habitat (R. Jaensch, pers. comm 2020).

   In certain circumstances, fire can be a useful management tool to reduce biomass and dead vegetation in order to open up the vegetation structure, promote fresh growth of native plants and to control invasive weeds. Canegrass swamps are an example where fire is used by graziers to promote green pick which, unintentionally, maintains habitat for the Australian Painted Snipe. In northern Australia, many ephemeral wetlands are regularly burnt through traditional cultural practices and this may maintain habitat structure that favours Australian Painted Snipe (M. Herring, pers. comm. 2019). Each burn needs to be carefully considered within the context of Australian Painted Snipe habitat and be appropriate for the relevant vegetation type.

                     2.2.10         Low genetic diversity
             The estimated number of Australian Painted Snipe may now be down to 340 (range 270–410) mature individuals following declines in the last five years (Rogers et al. 2021). A small population is more susceptible to demographic and genetic stochastic events, which can impact the long-term survival of the population. Research is required to understand the genetic structure of Australian Painted Snipe and may be used to identify important populations and management units.

                     2.2.11         Threat prioritisation
             Each of the threats outlined above