Captured by camouflaged cameras
From the Autumn/Winter 2010 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
The camouflaged spy camera in place and ready to take a picture of any animal in range, day or night
Does a mixture of oats, peanut butter and honey sound like the diet of an aspiring model? That, with a bit of sesame oil splashed on top, is being used to lure some of the newest amateur models into camera range in the forests of the north coast.
They are animals that are taking part, however unwittingly, in a Forests NSW trial that should move ecology surveys further into world’s best practice.
“Scandinavian and Canadian forest industries are generally regarded as employing world’s best practice in monitoring for changes in biodiversity,” said Forests NSW North East Region ecologist Brian Tolhurst. “This trial, which is the combination of investigations and recommendations by a number of people including our flora ecologist Doug Binns and Industry & Investment NSW principal research scientist Dr Rod Kavanagh, is aimed at moving our knowledge of the flora and fauna from the current pre-harvest surveys based on presence or absence of a species, to include change over time.
“Forests NSW has placed a grid pattern over its estate to establish sites which will be the main point for flora and fauna monitoring surveys. This initial trial is for six months, and it will be examined for scientific results and studied for economic benefits to determine if it presents a way forward.
“By monitoring fixed points over time we can build up a database of the presence or otherwise of certain animals and flora, and when we have enough data, we will be able to examine any changes. If change is detected, then we will investigate the cause through further research, whether it is forest management practices or some other occurrence that is leading to it.
“While the current program informs us of where flora and fauna occur, and subsequently where we should manage for it, this will give a better knowledge of the ecology of our forests over a longer time frame.”
Forests NSW has adopted some of the latest technology to help with the survey, and this is where the amateur models strut their stuff.
Camouflaged cameras with an automatic sensor are placed in the bush at the predetermined grid survey sites. Baits are laid with the muesli mixture and sesame oil as an attractant for omnivores, while carnivores get a tuna mix.
The animals that visit are photographed, and if they stay in the area, again every minute, day and night. Some are such stars that they don’t seem to be put off by the flash with possums, wallabies, potoroos, scrub turkeys, lyrebirds, goannas, echidnas, and many others captured so far.
Another tool is a bat echolocation detection device which records the navigating high frequency sounds these animals make while moving through the air. Later analysis of the sound files generated can determine with reasonable accuracy which species flew by, as each has a distinctly different sound signature.
The grid points also act as a reference for surveying plant life that is expected, or sometimes not expected, to be in the vicinity season by season. The trial is taking place in native forests on the north coast. It will survey for plants, habitat features, day birds, bats, ground mammal, arboreal mammals, owls and frogs within a 1km radius and the sites are typically 10km apart.
“This method can replace a large number of pre-harvest surveys and if adopted will bring Forests NSW to the forefront in ecology surveys and biodiversity monitoring in Australia,” Brian said.
Howard Spencer Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
