2. Volunteering and climate change – a birds eye view
Don Saunders, past Director of National Parks, now Conservation Coordinator with Bird Observation & Conservation Australia (BOCA) spoke at the recent Friends Network Conference on volunteering and climate change. Here is a summary:
• Climate change now unequivocal, higher temperatures, more storms, greater fire danger.
• Many species will be unable to adapt, there will be some winners, some losers.
• Introduced species are likely to be advantaged.
• Much of the data available on changes in bird communities is the result of long-term data collection by amateurs.
• Pied Imperial Pigeons have extended their range south and are no longer migratory in some areas.
• Kookaburras are seen at higher altitudes.
• Sacred Kingfishers and Rainbow Bee-eaters are staying longer in the south.
• Grey Crowned Babblers have bred to a smaller body size compared with historic size. This is thought to be a response to warmer climate. Smaller bodies cool more quickly.
• Warmer ocean waters benefit Little Penguins, providing a wider feeding area.
• Drying of wetlands has a huge impact on birds, but as they are migratory the effect is complex.
• Research by the Malleefowl Recovery Group shows reduced breeding by Malleefowl has resulted from less winter rainfall as they rely on wet fermentation to prepare the nest mound.
• Localised bird species are threatened by more frequent and more severe bush fire.
• Birds like the Mallee Emu Wren are killed by fire.
• The recommendation by the Parliamentary Committee that 300,000ha be burnt each year is a huge and unsustainable increase from the already high 130,000ha currently prescribed annually. This and the clearing of roadsides threatens the availability of tree hollows and the species that rely on tree hollows to breed and shelter.
• Hooded Plover and Fairy Tern beach habitat is threatened by rising seas and sea surges. Volunteers are lifting eggs onto sandbags to save them.
What should Volunteers do?
• Continue collecting data over long periods. This provides a way of assessing change. Undertake local research. Volunteers already do most of the valuable long-term research.
• Get involved in planning. Have input to the development of DSE fire plans. Tell DSE when plans threaten species.
• The future of conservation is with private land. It is about connecting patches that we do have through corridors on private land. Conservation Covenants make a tremendous difference.
• Victorian Environment Assessment Council study of remnant vegetation looks at connectivity. Make a submission to look at what could be added to improve habitat.