Namadgi and Tidbinbilla are home to more than 700 species of plants, 222 species of vertebrate animals, 15 threatened species and over 40 rare or uncommon species recorded to date.
The bushfires and floods impacted ACT native plants and animals, including threatened species and their unique habitats. Large areas of land were opened leading to increased threats from feral animals (such as foxes, deer and pigs) and invasive weeds (such as blackberry, Chilean Needle Grass and St John’s Wort). The fire and flood events also served to reduce water quality in our waterways on which many of our native aquatic species depend.
Following the bushfires and floods, our native plants and animals will face many immediate challenges and ongoing impacts in the years to come. It is important that we manage these threats to give them their best chance to recover.
To protect plants and animals and assist natural recovery processes, the ACT recovery program is considering and implementing activities such as:
- targeted predator control and research into the impacts of predators on threatened species post-fire
- feral herbivore control and research of impacts post-fire
- maintaining key breeding populations of threatened species at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve that can be used in recovery programs
- monitoring and research into post-fire activity, genetics and recolonisation of fauna populations into burnt areas
- minimising impacts of sedimentation and removal of debris that is impacting stream connectivity and possible translocation of fish species as needed
- working collaboratively with other stakeholders and community groups to support weed control, monitoring and other restoration efforts.
Impacted wildlife
Namadgi National Park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife populations, including birds, bats, frogs, reptiles, mammals, and aquatic species, making it an important natural asset. There are a number of species that are likely to be either directly impacted by the bushfires or indirectly impacted through loss of habitat and increased risk of predation.
Our recovery response addresses threatened wildlife populations in Namadgi and Tidbinbilla, with a specific focus on species of national concern.
The Broad-toothed Rat (Mastacomys fuscus)
The Broad-toothed Rat is an endangered animal and a species of national concern and are often found in Alpine Bogs and Fens – a threatened ecological community also impacted by bushfires. It is estimated that 10 of the 13 known populations in Namadgi. Key threats to this species include increased loss and competition for habitat and increased risk of predation.
Gliders
Two species of large gliders, the Greater Glider (Petauroides volans) and the Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis) are found within the fireground and are listed as species of national concern. Recent surveys indicate three areas in Namadgi where Gliders occur, two of which have been impacted by fire.
Reiks Crayfish (Euastacus reiki)
The species of mountain spiny crayfish inhabits the tributaries and bogs in the upper Cotter catchment, upper Nass, Orroral and Gudgenby Valleys. It is estimated that 95% of it’s habitat in the ACT is within the burn area. Poorer water quality following the fires encourages them to emerge from their burrows, making them vulnerable to increased predation.
Two-spined Blackfish (Gadopsis bispinosus)
The two-spined Blackfish is a threatened fish species found in the Upper Cotter catchment. Three of the five ACT areas identified as important to the species have been impacted. High severity fire within catchments followed by substantial rainfall can lead to increased sedimentation of waterways and decreased water quality. In extreme cases, aquatic environments can become toxic to fish leading to fish kills and loss of local populations.
Macquarie Perch (Macquaria australasica)
Macquarie Perch are a species of national concern, with a significant proportion of their range burnt nationally. High severity fire within catchments followed by substantial rainfall can lead to increased sedimentation of waterways and decreased water quality. In extreme cases, aquatic environments can become toxic to fish leading to fish kills and loss of local populations.
More information:
- "Namadgi Phoenix": monitoring the recovery of Namadgi National Park from the Orroral Valley fire – wildflowers, wildlife and growth one year on
- Bushfire Ecosystem Recovery - our ecosystem recovery programs one year on from the Orroral Valley fire For more information on key impacted species and ecological communities, see Rapid Risk Assessment Team Report (4.9MB)
- To find out how you can get involved with the recovery efforts, including helping ACT plants and animals, visit our Community partnerships page.
- Find out more about our Recovering ecosystem programs.