Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00432:reg:3:p13
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00432
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 13/14)
Character Range: 52824–55752

and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility in respect of any information or advice given in relation to, or as a consequence of, anything containing herein.

Species distribution mapping: The species distribution mapping categories are indicative only and aim to capture (a) the specific habitat type or geographic feature that represents to recent observed locations of the species (known to occur) or preferred habitat occurring in close proximity to these locations (likely to occur); and (b) the broad environmental envelope or geographic region that encompasses all areas that could provide habitat for the species (may occur). These presence categories are created using an extensive database of species observations records, national and regional-scale environmental data, environmental modelling techniques and documented scientific research.

Photo: Birdsville Bilby survey site sand dune © Save the Bilby Fund Kevin Bradley 2018.
Photo: Senior Ranger Rita Cutter pointing out a bilby burrow on Birriliburu country in the Little Sandy Desert, WA © Vanessa Westcott.
Photo: Albert Wiggan pointing out a bilby burrow on Nyul Nyul country in the Kimberley, WA © Vanessa Westcott.

3.11           Climate change
Predicted changes to climate are likely to affect the distribution and recovery of the Greater Bilby. Climate modelling (CSIRO & BOM 2020) indicates that there is a very high confidence in increased mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, including an increase in days and spells of high temperature across the Greater Bilby's current and former distribution.
For the majority of the Greater Bilby's current distribution, changes to summer rainfall cannot be confidently projected, but in the southern part of its distribution there is a high confidence that winter rainfall will decrease. There is high confidence in an increase in the intensity of extreme rainfall events, and a medium confidence in an increase in the period of drought.
Climate change predictions (CSIRO & BOM 2020) show that for the majority of the Greater Bilby's current distribution (except areas affected by monsoonal weather) bushfire depends highly on fuel availability, which mainly depends on rainfall. A tendency toward increased fire weather risk is expected in future, due to higher temperature and lower rainfall, but there is low confidence in the magnitude of fire weather projections. For Greater Bilby occurrences in areas influenced by monsoonal weather, changes to future rainfall will be the determining factor of change to fire frequency. When fire does occur, there is a high confidence that fire behaviour will be more extreme.
The effects of climate change on the Greater Bilby may be direct; for example, as a result of changes to food sources and habitat suitability, as well as indirect; for example, a change in the behaviour of competing herbivores and predators as they adapt or respond to the effects