Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00858:body:0:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00858
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 42808–45837

the species should not be destroyed or modified. Actions that have indirect impacts on habitat critical to the survival should be minimised and adequately mitigated (e.g. noise). Actions that compromise adult and juvenile survival should also be avoided, for example, the transmission and introduction of diseases, and actions that might increase predation threat from introduced predators. Actions should not be assessed in isolation and consideration must be given to existing and future activities that may impact the species to ensure conservation outcomes on a landscape scale are achieved.

Actions that remove, fragment and/or degrade habitat critical to the survival would interfere with the recovery of the Black-breasted Button-quail and reduce the area of occupancy of the species. It is important to retain all of the diversity of habitats utilised by this species described above.

3. Threats

Historical causes of decline

By the late 1960s, at least 90% of Black-breasted Button-quail habitat (subtropical and dry rainforests) had been cleared for agriculture or plantations of Hoop Pine (Hamley et al. 1997). This caused direct habitat loss, subsequent habitat fragmentation and degradation for the species. Intentional habitat removal of habitat such as bottletree Brachychiton spp. scrubs has been much reduced in recent decades, though it is still considered to be an ongoing threat in some parts of the species range, outside protected areas (Webster et al. 2021).

Current threatening processes

Currently, the main threat to the species is weed invasion, particularly Cat's Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) which gradually smothers the leaf litter layer and kills trees and shrubs that form the near-closed cover under which the birds feed, rendering habitat unsuitable (P Webster, RP Jaensch unpublished cited in Webster et al. 2021). However, the effects of Lantana invasion may not be as detrimental as the species is known to occupy habitats where Lantana dominates the understorey layers.

Fire resulting from edge effects (weed invasion), increased drought and elevated temperatures pose a significant threat to the species (P Webster pers. comm. 2022). This threat has the potential to irreversibly alter currently suitable habitat to a state not suitable for Black-breasted Button-quail. Droughts severe enough to kill trees also expose and dry out the leaf litter, reducing invertebrate density and making destruction of habitat by fire more likely. Drought severity is likely to increase with climate change (Evans et al. 2017).

Ongoing habitat clearance and fragmentation caused by housing and development pressure (e.g., Hervey Bay), and habitat degradation caused by domestic stock, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and overabundant macropods also threaten the species (Smith et al. 1997; Lees & Smith 2000; Webster et al. 2021). Black-breasted Button-quails appear vulnerable to ground predators, particularly nocturnal predators which might prey on sleeping or nesting birds. Predation by