Native biodiversity monitoring in Warddeken

Native biodiversity

Bringing mayh (animals) back to the stone country

Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area

On our watch, Australia has lost more mammal species to extinction than any other continent in the world. The most effective way to prevent this trend from continuing is to invest in effective environmental protection conducted by communities who are both on the frontline and who hold an enduring connection to Country.

The Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is home to an array of endemic fauna and flora that are listed as either vulnerable, threatened or endangered—this has led to the IPA being identified as a national priority for conservation. Moreover, many of these species hold great cultural significance too—this means their survival is inherently connected to the survival of Indigenous knowledge that is passed from generation to generation.

Warddeken's Mayh (animal) Recovery Program is foundational to returning Country to good health. The program is led and co-developed through a two-way approach that respects Indigenous and Western systems of knowledge, methods, and values.

An example of this two-way approach involves rangers establishing biodiversity monitoring sites, then analysing the data about the distribution and health of plant and animal populations, measuring the impact of key threats such as feral animals and wildfires, and finally telling the story of what this means for Country. After all of this, they can then develop targeted management plans to reduce the impact of threats and to support native species to flourish.

Warddeken’s Mayh Recovery Program began in 2017 at the request of Nawarddeken Traditional Owners. It’s a long-term project seeking to increase populations of small mammals within the IPA and is underpinned by the Mayh Monitoring Network: an IPA-wide system of motion-sensing cameras that collect species-related data at up to 60 individual sites. The data generated is combined with bininj knowledge which then enables rangers to make informed decisions about what kind of burning and other management strategies will create the most advantageous conditions for priority species.

As a result, Warddeken rangers have uncovered fragile populations of significant species—these are now the focus of two species-specific projects; the Djabbo (Northern Quoll) and the Yirlinkirrkkirr (White-throated Grasswren).

Djabbo (Northern Quoll)

Endangered

The Djabbo is the smallest of quolls found in Australia and is now considered nationally endangered. Warddeken rangers and Warddeken’s ecologist are currently measuring the density of two Djabbo populations, as well as how many feral cats (one of their main predators) are living close to the populations. This data is crucial to the management plans that hope to ensure the survival of these populations.

Yirlinkirrkkirr (White-throated Grasswren)

Threatened

The Yirlinkirrkirr is a shy, ground-dwelling bird that is now only found in West Arnhem Land. In collaboration with the Northern Territory Government and neighbouring groups, including Kakadu National Park, rangers are working to identify the distribution of this vulnerable species across the Kuwarddewardde (Stone Country). This work is primarily being conducted through Song Meters and callback surveys.

Across all facets of these programs, Traditional Owner consultation is vital. It ensures that people with customary linkages to each area are engaged in the work on their Country and that the cultural aspects of the projects are respected and valued.

KKT is currently seeking funding to support the long-term sustainability of the preservation of biodiversity and biocultural heritage in the Warddeken IPA. If you are interested in this project, please click here or contact us at mail@kkt.org.au.

Protecting ancient Anbinik rainforests

Anbinik are large, broad-canopied trees that support a specific range of plant and animal species that have evolved together. It is a relictual species that is now the only living species in its genus.

Press Release: Protecting and Restoring Native Species

Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW) has teamed up with KKT to support Indigenous rangers in their efforts to protect and restore native species across the important Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) of Warddeken.

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