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CANBERRA GRASSLAND EARLESS DRAGON - Coggle Diagram
CANBERRA GRASSLAND EARLESS DRAGON
HABITAT LOSS & FRAGMENTATION
land clearing for urban development or argiculture
changes to native grasslands from pasture
ploughing
Climate change and its affects
fires and droughts
fragmentation: the process where a large, continuous area of habitat is broken into smaller, more isolated patches, often by human-created landscapes like roads or buildings
NSW Government: habitat loss and fragmentation has lead to minimised reduced gene flow between subpopulations and reduced fitness across the population.
fragmentation of the habitat has resulted in fragmented populations that are losing genetics through inbreeding.
dragons are not the easiest animals to breed\
Dr Croak said improving the genetic diversity of the dragon is regarded as the key to ensuring the species doesn't become extinct.
money would fund an "ambitious four-year recovery", including through expanding captive breeding programs -ABC NEWS
The main factors involved in the decline of the Grassland Earless Dragon are thought to be loss and fragmentation of habitat due to urban, industrial or agricultural development, andthese processes still threaten extant populations.
Development proposals are planned for a number of known sites where the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons live.
These include: airport modifications, railway expansion, new roads, a freeway, a technology park, environmental trade zones, landfill extension, and urban or rural residential development
collection of brush rock and rock-removal from pasture management purposes.
INVASIVE SPECIES & PREDATORS
introduction of pasture grass to replace grass tussocks
degrades natural temperaterate grassland habitat which is crucial to its survival, using the grass tussocks for shelter and refuge from predators
domestic and feral cats
more of a threat closer to urban developments or areas reduced by grazing
ravens
raptors
CLIMATE CHANGE AND POLLUTION
Increase biomass in wetter years and the inability to reduce biomass
severe drought leads to low soil moisture and failed recruitment, in combination with inappropriate land management can limit post-drought recovery
Increasing temperatures, extreme heats, longer and more severe droughts and prolonged rainfall events due to climate change.
Wild populations are now found in: The Majura Valley, the Jerrabomberra Valley, parts of Queanbeyan
What has been done already? (previous government investments starting in 2020)
trial reintroductions
habitat restoration
population viability modelling
the ACT Government has been running a captive breeding program
the new funding will help expand recovery efforts
cutting-edge genetic matchmaking to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse population
Priority Actions
Avoid further habitat loss for urban or agricultural development
Protect, restore, and reconnect grassland habitat
Test methods for grassland restoration to increase the habitat value of the current grassland estates and provide advice to grassland managers
Support scientists with improving the genetic diversity of the species
Identify drivers of population change by supporting and using adaptive management
