Objective 1: Habitat critical for survival for western ringtail possums is identified and protected in each key management zone It is recognised that the loss of existing or potential habitat critical for the survival of western ringtail possums will not only result in a loss of individuals and populations, but also reduce the ability for recovery into the future. To prevent further habitat loss or degradation, habitat critical for survival, as well as potential habitat and habitat connectivity need to be defined, identified and mapped. This will provide an important tool for local and landscape scale management. Identification of habitat critical for survival presents numerous challenges including defining characteristics and thresholds and contextualising data at the landscape level, to allow for continuity between areas. There will be habitat critical for survival on both private and public lands and this presents further challenges in relation to protection. Once identified and protected, habitat will need to be effectively managed, this aspect is covered separately under Objective 2. Action Description Swan Coastal Plain Zone Priority Southern Forest Zone Priority Coast Priority Performance Criteria Responsibility 1.1 Develop a decision support tool to assist in habitat management based on: habitat characteristics required for western ringtail possum occupation and density thresholds; priority landscape level habitat linkages within zones; and identification of key habitat. 1 1 1 Habitat characteristics and thresholds are defined. Important ecological linkages are identified and mapped. Existing and potential habitat is mapped and ranked. DPaW
Objective 2: Threatening processes that are constraining the recovery of western ringtail possums are mitigated in each key management zone The impact of threatening processes is complex and interactive for this species. They not only involve habitat loss (see objective 1) but also a variety of other factors. The relative importance of the processes threatening the western ringtail possum varies across the species’ range and through time. At any one locality, several threatening processes may be interactive (for example Wayne et al. 2000, Wayne 2005, Wayne et al. 2006). Such threatening processes need to be identified and managed to reduce their impact on the conservation of western ringtail possum. Action Description Swan Coastal Plain Zone Priority Southern Forest Zone Priority South Coast Priority Performance Criteria Responsibility 2.1 Work with fire management agencies to implement improved fire management strategies that minimise the impact of fire prevention, fuel reduction and fire suppression activities on western ringtail possums and their habitat, without increasing the risks of large, higher intensity fires. 2 1 1 Fire management actions have minimal negative impacts on western ringtail possums without increasing the of large, higher intensity fires. DPaW, DFES, LGA
As the western ringtail possum is a relatively elusive species and is difficult to trap or detect at low numbers there are several areas where knowledge of the abundance and distribution of is lacking. A full understanding of the distribution of the species including low density populations and reasonable measures of population size will enable a more accurate assessment of the species conservation status and provide data and information to determine status and trends. This information can then be used to evaluate management effectiveness and ensure that decisions and strategies are evidence-based. Action Description Swan Coastal Plain Zone Priority Southern Forest Zone Priority South Coast Priority Performance Criteria Responsibility Develop consistent and reliable protocols for monitoring population size, extent and area of occupancy to ensure that data are comparable over time, while noting that different areas may require different techniques. 1 1 1 Monitoring protocols are developed to evaluate population changes over time. DPaW, Researchers Consultants Standardise monitoring protocols for other variables known, or suspected, to influence western ringtail possums such as brushtail possum density, predator density, climatic variables, site productivity and habitat condition, quality and variability. 1 1 1 Monitoring protocols are developed for influencing factors. DPaW Establish a long-term monitoring and evaluation program to detect population changes, within defined 1 1 1 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting program established that can reliably detect rates and magnitudes of population change. DPaW Develop information management system for storing, retrieving and analysing data, including recording absences and survey effort. 1 1 1 Information management system used to store, retrieve and analyse data as per monitoring protocols. DPaW