Attachment 6 - Ecological Assessment

                           Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights



3.2.3.11 Cage Trapping
Six (6) wire cage traps (30 x 30 x 90cm) were set in each habitat type for a period of four
(4) nights. The traps were set with a combination of vegetarian and carnivorous baits.
Traps were cleared early each morning, and trapped animals were identified, sexed and
released at the point of capture. A total of twenty-four (24) cage trap nights was
achieved. Cage trap locations are shown in FIGURE 7.


3.2.4 Habitat Suitability Assessment
The suitability of the habitats on the site for listed threatened flora and fauna species
and migratory species identified in database searches was assessed to determine which of
those species could potentially occur on the site. Assessments were based on the
following:

      desktop research of scientific journal articles and botanical literature;
      consultations with specialist academic staff; and
      targeted field surveys within the subject site and surrounds.

The impacts associated with current landuses, vegetation clearing, land and waterway
erosion/degradation, weed and feral invasion and previous fire regimes were all
considered when completing habitat suitability assessments. Furthermore, the
assessment determined whether it was likely for habitat features that typically support
threatened species to be present on the subject site. Particular attention was paid to
habitat features such as:

      the presence of mature trees with hollows, fissures and/or other suitable
       roosting/nesting places;
      the presence of koala food trees;
      the presence of preferred glossy black cockatoo feed trees (forest oak and/or
       black she-oak);
      the presence of characteristic signs of foraging (e.g. chewed cones or glider
       feeding scars);
      condition, flow and water quality of drainage lines and bodies of water;
      areas of dense vegetation;
      presence of hollow logs/debris and areas of dense leaf litter;
      presence of fruiting flora species;
      presence of blossoming flora species, particularly winter-flowering species;
      vegetation connectivity and proximity to neighbouring areas of intact vegetation;
       and
      presence of caves and man-made structures suitable as microchiropteran bat roost
       sites.

Potential occurrences of threatened flora and fauna species and migratory species are
discussed as unlikely, possible or likely to occur in habitats on the site. Possible
occurrences are species which may occur sporadically or are provided with small areas of




Job No: Q12038/Rw1                       JWA Pty Ltd                                    19