Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01397:body:0:p17
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01397
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 55002–60822

joint/collaborative research will be important to inform and update key knowledge of the pathogen. Despite improved understanding of the chytrid fungus through ongoing research effort, there are still significant gaps in knowledge that are hampering the success of management programs. This includes knowledge on: the different strains of the fungus; levels of virulence; mechanisms for resistance to the disease; treatment options; husbandry methods for individual species; environmental toxins and the potential of other species (e.g. freshwater crayfish) to act as reservoirs or vectors for transmission of the fungus.

Without this information, there is a risk that management efforts will be misdirected or ineffective.

Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Priority/      Outcome/output
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        timeframe
Action 3.1: Develop assisted colonisation strategies to aid recovery of amphibian populations impacted by chytrid fungus                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                High priority  Assisted colonisation is evaluated for success and broad applicability to improve numbers of at-risk priority amphibian species.
Assisted colonisation is an effective and relatively low cost management option to potentially improve numbers of at-risk priority amphibian species (identified in Actions 1.1 and 2.1).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               1–5 years
Research is needed to develop assisted colonisation strategies for priority species. Consideration should be given to the identification of the most advantageous low-risk sites based on appropriate environment conditions for the target amphibian species, environmental unsuitability for the pathogen and the potential role of reservoir hosts.
Research should include trialing interventions that improve survival and recruitment rates, such as field enclosures that keep out chytrid fungus, or by providing permanent water sources that support increased and sustained recruitment (Scheele, 2015)

Action 3.2: Investigate individual and population level resistance and persistence to abate the threat of chytrid fungus                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                High priority  Mechanisms for resistance to, and population coexistence with, chytrid fungus are understood.
      * Understand mechanisms for resistance, including the effects of environmental factors                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1–5 years      Potential for targeted selection of individuals is determined.
      * Identify and select individuals and populations that demonstrate resistance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Effectiveness of bioaugmentation for preventing population declines understood for priority species.
      * Investigate factors that allow populations to persist and coexist with chytrid fungus, including the apparent difference in resistance and persistence of amphibian species in Western Australia compared to those on the east coast
      * Investigate the applicability of bioaugmentation with beneficial microbes (possibly probiotics) to facilitate species coexistence with chytrid fungus

The mechanisms underlying individual resistance to chytrid are not understood and should be investigated across species including their role in allowing populations to persist, coexist and even recover from the impacts of chytrid. Potential for behavioural selection should be investigated.

The virulence of the pathogen varies between species, populations and geography and this aspect should also be investigated, including the presence of toxins in the environment.

Bioaugmentation is an active area of research for many