Threatened species and ecological communities

Background

• Background
• Threatened species in the ACT
• Threatened ecological communities
• Key threatening processes
• Case studies

The ACT’s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are home to many flora and fauna species. The urban environment also supports many species, either as a food source or a place to live. Records from Canberra Nature Map show that there have been 2,815 fauna species sighted in the ACT. This includes 2,751 native species – 67 mammals, 298 birds, 14 snakes, 49 lizards, 37 frogs, 2 turtles, 28 fish, 188 spiders and 2068 insects. There have also been 64 introduced species recorded – 17 mammals, 33 birds, 2 lizards, 1 frog and 11 fish.

For flora, the 2017 Census of the Flora of the Australian Capital Territory found 2,088 indigenous species (1,032 vascular plants, 263 fungi, 490 lichens, 3 hornworts, 77 liverworts, 195 mosses and 28 slime moulds). It also found 592 introduced species, 53 of which were introduced from elsewhere in Australia.Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, 2017, Census of the Flora of the ACT. The ACT has 4 endemic plant species from 3 families: Canberra Spider Orchid, Brindabella Midge Orchid, Ginninderra Peppercress and Tuggeranong Lignum.

It is not possible to accurately measure the distribution and abundance of all species in the ACT. This is because not all species occurring in the ACT are known, let alone counted, and not all areas of the ACT can be surveyed and monitored. Consequently, assessment of biodiversity is mainly focused on the monitoring and management of threatened species.

It is important to note that some species found in the ACT are temporary residents. Migratory and highly mobile species such as birds may only be present for breeding, or in response to food and water availability. For such species, changes in their annual abundance and distributions in the ACT may result from external influences including changes to food availability, loss of habitat or increase in invasive species. Consequently, populations can increase or decrease regardless of the condition of the ACT environment.

Listing of Threatened Species and ecological communities in the ACT

The Nature Conservation Act 2014 (ACT) establishes a formal process for the identification and protection of threatened species and ecological communities, as well the identification of ecologically significant threatening processes. The ACT Scientific Committee is responsible for providing advice on listings under the Act.

The listing of threatened species reflects the International Union for the Conservation of Nature categories and criteria to improve alignment with the Commonwealth’s listing categories. The different categories provide a guide as to the level of management which a species may require. A species may be assessed at the national scale and listed in a national category as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or conservation dependent. A native species occurring in the ACT may be listed in a regional category if it does not meet national criteria.

Limitations of threatened species and community lists

The extent and abundance of threatened flora and fauna species and associated changes in threatened status may provide a measure of the condition of biodiversity and highlight those species at risk. For example, if a species moves from vulnerable to endangered it may indicate potential biodiversity loss. However, the number of threatened species needs to be interpreted with caution as listings are influenced by factors such as effort and attention given to different species, improved knowledge rather than actual changes in status, changes in the methodology used to assign status, and the number of taxa reviewed regularly. It is also important to note that conservation status for a species is assessed for all of the ACT; it does not reflect local variations in population status, nor the status of species in other parts of Australia. 

The status of threatened species may also be of limited value in determining changes in environmental condition. This is because a species may be affected by a combination of pressures, or by subtle drivers that do not impact on the wider ecosystem. Despite these factors, the listing of threatened species and ecological communities, as well as changes to threat status over time, can be useful for assessing the effectiveness of management actions.

Condition and trends

Threatened species in the ACT

In 2019, a total of 52 species of fauna and flora across all habitats (terrestrial and aquatic) were listed as threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 (Figure B1). These species included: 

• 7 critically endangered species, with 1, the Yellow-spotted Bell Frog (Litoria castanea), locally extinct. 
• 18 endangered species. 
• 26 vulnerable species, with 2, the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea) and the Southern Bell Frog (Litoria raniformis), locally extinct. 
• 1 species, the Eastern Bettong, regionally conservation dependent.

Birds, mammals and flora accounted for the majority of threatened species in the ACT.

Notes: Critically endangered: a species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future; Endangered: a species is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future; Vulnerable: a species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future; Regionally conservation dependent: either a species of fish and/or the subject of a plan of management that if ended may result in the species becoming threatened.

All local extinctions in the ACT occurred decades ago and were amphibian species which are among the most threatened group of animals in Australia and globally.

Changes to species listed as threatened over the reporting period (2015–16 to 2018–19) include: 

• 17 additional species have been listed as threatened. 
• 7 species transferred to critically endangered to be consistent with Commonwealth status. These are the Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia), Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor), Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi), the locally extinct Yellow-spotted Bell Frog (Litoria castanea), Canberra Spider Orchid (Caladenia actensis), Brindabella Midge Orchid (Corunastylis ectopa), and the Kiandra Greenhood (Pterostylis oreophila). 
• 4 species added as endangered to be consistent with Commonwealth status. 
• 11 species added as vulnerable due to assessment of additional data and/or to be consistent with Commonwealth status.

Action plans and/or conservation advice have been developed for all species listed as threatened in the ACT. 

Some of the ACT’s threatened fauna species lack wild populations, only occurring in managed sanctuaries. These species include: 

• Eastern Quoll and New Holland Mouse: there are no known wild populations in the ACT, although both species have been reintroduced to the Woodland Sanctuary at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. 
• Eastern Bettong: there are reintroduced populations at Tidbinbilla and Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. 
• Southern Brown Bandicoot: has a reintroduced population at Tidbinbilla. The species was recorded outside Tidbinbilla after the 2003 fires but has not been recorded since then, despite targeted survey effort in 2011. 
• Koala and Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby: there are no recent records of both species and are presumed extinct in the ACT. There is a reintroduced population of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in an enclosure at Tidbinbilla and areas of potential habitat occur in Namadgi National Park.

A full list of threatened species and their main threats are shown in Table B1.

Table B1: Species in the ACT listed as threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 2014, listing history and relevant threatening processes.

Current listing status	Scientific name	Common name	Listing change 2015–16 to 2018–19	Relevant threatening processes (derived from Action Plans or Conservation Advice documents)
Critically Endangered	Anthochaera phrygia	Regent Honeyeater	2019: Listed as Critically Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	Clearing, fragmentation and degradation of woodland dominated by Box Ironbark Competition at suitable breeding sites and high rates of nest predation
Critically Endangered	Lathamus discolor	Swift Parrot	2019: Recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	Habitat loss and alteration across the mainland and Tasmanian range Fire Collision mortality Competition for resources within altered habitats Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Illegal wildlife capture and trading
Critically Endangered	Pseudophryne pengilleyi	Northern Corroboree Frog	2019: Recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	Disease (amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) Fire Climate change Feral animals Weeds Habitat disturbance and degradation
Critically Endangered (locally extinct)	Litoria castanea	Yellow-spotted Bell Frog	2019: Recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	Amphibian chytrid fungus Infection from myxosporean parasites Habitat loss and degradation through clearing, trampling, fragmentation, altered hydrology, salinity Small population sizes and population fragmentation Chemicals Climate change(temperature increase, extreme weather events and droughts)
Critically Endangered	Caladenia actensis	Canberra Spider Orchid	2019: Recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	Climate change Disturbance such as trampling, grazing, development and maintenance of infrastructure, and bushfire Disease Low genetic diversity Life history traits: short flowering period, dependence on a single subfamily of wasps for pollination and an important association with soil fungi
Critically Endangered	Corunastylis ectopa	Brindabella Midge Orchid	2019: Recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	Severely restricted distribution (one population) Life cycle traits (period of dormancy when its presence is not evident, short flowering period, and association with soil fungi) High sensitivity to disturbance such as erosion, roadworks, shrub growth and weed invasion, herbicides Illegal collection
Critically Endangered	Pterostylis oreophila	Kiandra Greenhood	2019: Recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	National: Grazing and trampling Altered hydrology due to the impacts of grazing Soil disturbance by rooting by feral pigs and trampling Weed invasion Inappropriate land management including Inappropriate fire regimes Plant collection Namadgi: Invasive animals leading to overgrazing, soil disturbance and erosion Weeds
Endangered	Rostratula australis	Australian Painted Snipe	2019: Recommended to be listed as Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	loss and degradation of wetlands, through drainage and the diversion of water for agriculture and reservoirs In NSW, the threats are summarised as: Drainage of breeding sites in wetlands (particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin) Reduced water quality from siltation and pollution Predation by foxes and feral cats Use of herbicides,insecticides and other chemicals near wetlands Grazing and associated frequent burning of wetlands Exotic weeds and invasive native plants degrading wetland habitat Poor understanding of the species’ breeding ecology
Endangered	Botaurus poiciloptilus	Australasian Bittern	2019: Recommended to be listed as Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	The loss or alteration of wetland habitats due to clearing for urban and agricultural development Predation by introduced vertebrate pests such as foxes and cats The primary purpose of urban wetlands (stormwater control) resulting in fluctuating water levels Reduced water quality as a result of increasing salinity, siltation and pollution
Endangered	Petrogale penicillata	Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby	Nil	Historical hunting Introduced predators (primarily, the red fox) Introduced herbivores increase competition (primarily, the feral goat) Bushfire and drought Uncontrolled human disturbance Hydatid disease
Endangered	Dasyurus viverrinus	Eastern Quoll	2019: Recommended to be listed as Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	National: Predation by feral cats, red foxes and dogs Disease Non-target poisoning associated with 1080 and rodent control programs Road mortality Extreme weather events associated with climate change
Endangered	Isoodon obesulus obesulus	Southern Brown Bandicoot (Eastern)	2019: Recommended to be listed as Endangered in line with Commonwealth status	National: Predation by foxes, feral and domestic cats and to a lesser extent dogs Habitat loss,fragmentation and degradation Too frequent and extensive burning Road mortality Climate change adversely affecting habitat quality Displacement by high rabbit densities Disease,possibly toxoplasmosis Timber harvesting Reduced genetic diversity Poisoning associated with control of non-native predators
Endangered	Pseudomys fumeus	Smoky Mouse	Nil	Vegetation clearance (loss and fragmentation of habitat) Inappropriate fire regimes Predation (primarily by fox and cat) Climate change
Endangered	Tympanocryptis pinguicolla	Grassland Earless Dragon	Nil	Loss,fragmentation and degradation of grassland habitat (urban development, agriculture) Bushfire/inappropriate fire regimes Weed invasion Climate change More frequent drought Loss of genetic diversity Cultivationandpastureimprovement Overgrazing (kangaroos, rabbits, stock) or short mowing Development of excessive vegetation biomass Predation by cats, dogs and foxes Increased predation by native animals
Endangered	Maccullochella macquariensis	Trout Cod	Nil	Habitat modification (sedimentation,cold water pollution, clearing or degradation of riparian vegetation) River regulation (reduced flows downstream of dams, inappropriate flow timing) Barriers to fish passage Overfishing Sedimentation Reduction in water quality Alien species Climate change Hybridisation and reduced genetic diversity
Endangered	Bidyanus bidyanus	Silver Perch	Nil	River regulation (reduction of water flow downstream of dams) Barriers to fish passage Introduced species and disease Habitat modification Reduction in water quality Sedimentation Historicaloverfishing Climate change
Endangered	Macquaria australasica	Macquarie Perch	Nil	Habitat modification Dams causing alterations to natural flows, movement barriers, and releasing colder hypoxic water (cold water pollution) Sedimentation of streams and reservoirs resulting in decline of habitat quality and quantity, reducing availability of prey, and smothering eggs and preventing their lodgement River regulation causing reduced flows and flow at inappropriate time of year Barriers to fish passage for feeding or breeding habitat due to construction of dams, weirs and road crossings Overfishing Reduction in water quality (including pollutant discharges, changes to thermal regimes, and sedimentation) Alien species (e.g. Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Carp, Goldfish, Redfin Perch, Eastern Gambusia, and Oriental Weatherloach) Climate change Fire Low genetic diversity Reduction in spawning habitat availability Predation by birds(primarily cormorants)
Endangered	Synemon plana	Golden Sun Moth	Nil	Loss,fragmentation and degradation of grassland habitat Weed invasion (dilution of food plants and altering grassland structure) Bushfire or inappropriate fire regimes Herbage mass extremes Cultivation and pasture improvement Herbicides and pesticides Excess nutrients Shading (by buildings and planted trees) Altered drainage Climate change
Endangered	Gentiana baeuerlenii	Baeuerlen’s Gentian	Nil	clearing and grazing, particularly in times of drought
Endangered	Prasophyllum petilum	Tarengo Leek Orchid	Nil	Restricted range and population size (one population) Vulnerable to environmental change and localised disturbance Disturbance by Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos Competition or overcrowding from native and non-native species Climate change
Endangered	Rutidosis leptorrynchoides	Button Wrinklewort	Nil	Habitat loss from agriculture and urban development Small sites are particularly vulnerable to localised disturbance (human activity, roadside maintenance, waste dumping, inappropriate mowing, parking vehicles) Weed invasion Shading and competition with understorey and shrub vegetation Heavy stock grazing Erosion of genetic diversity More frequent drought
Endangered	Swainsona recta	Small Purple Pea	Nil	Loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat (as a result of urban development and agriculture) Small, fragmented populations are vulnerable to localised disturbance and stochastic events including climate change, browsing, invasive plants, inappropriate fire regimes, and browsing Reduced genetic diversity
Endangered	Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong	Tuggeranong Lignum	Nil	The species ability to sexually reproduce appears to be very limited – the plants are predominantly dioecious and only one female plant is known to exist Likely low genetic diversity Physical disturbance (recreational activity, periodic flooding, bushfire, grazing by macropods) Weeds
Endangered	Lepidium ginninderrense	Ginninderra Peppercress	Nil	Habitat loss from urban development Habitat degradation associated with land management and/or visitor activities Disturbance to the existing drainage patterns
Endangered	Bossiaea grayi	Murrumbidgee Bossiaea	Nil	Population range reduction and further fragmentation of populations Dieback (unknown cause) Weed infestation Mechanical disturbance associated with forest harvesting
Vulnerable	Melanodryas cucullata cucullata	Hooded Robin	Nil	Loss and modification of grassy woodland habitat Loss of perching sites essential for foraging (removal of timber and litter) High levels of nest predation Inappropriate fire regimes Predation by feral and/or uncontrolled domestic animals (foxes, dogs and cats) Invasion of key habitats by introduced pasture and weeds Uncontrolled grazing by livestock Clearing of both living and dead trees Rural tree dieback
Vulnerable	Polytelis swainsonii	Superb Parrot	Nil	Habitat loss Climate change Nestcompetition Secondary/potential threats:urbanisation, vehicle strike, predation, poisoning, illegal trade, Psittacine beak and feather disease
Vulnerable	Climacteris picumnus victoriae	Brown Treecreeper	Nil	Decline in quality and quantity of woodland habitat Removal of fallen timber and litter and inappropriate fire regimes Predation by feral and/or uncontrolled domestic animals (foxes, dogs and cats) Invasion of key habitats by introduced pasture and weeds Uncontrolled grazing by livestock Clearing of both living and dead trees Rural tree dieback
Vulnerable	Grantiella picta	Painted Honeyeater	Nil	Habitat loss through clearing of breeding and non-breeding habitat Habitat degradation by grazing of livestock, native macropods and rabbits and lack of recruitment Removal of mistletoe from trees on rural land and in production forests Competition with the aggressive Noisy Miner Nest predation by overabundant Pied Currawongs, Pied and Grey Butcherbirds, and crows and ravens
Vulnerable	Daphoenositta chrysoptera	Varied Sittella	Nil	Decline in the quantity and quality of woodland habitat Tree clearing, small-scale clearing for fence lines and road verges, tidying up on farms, firewood collection Rural tree decline Loss of paddock trees Overgrazing Fragmentation of habitat Invasive weeds
Vulnerable	Lalage tricolor	White-winged Triller	Nil	Decline in the quality and quantity of woodland habitat Removal of fallen timber and overgrazing leading to a loss of complexity
Vulnerable	Hieraaetus morphnoides	Little Eagle	Nil	Decline in the quality and quantity of woodland habitat Urbanisation and associated human activity Increased competition for food and nest sites with Wedge-tailed Eagles Use of pindone for rabbit control (potential)
Vulnerable	Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami	Glossy Black- cockatoo	Nil	Degradation, loss and fragmentation of foraging and breeding habitat The loss of canopy seed banks of feed trees by clearing or regular burning, as well as poor regeneration of these trees due to grazing Predation and competition for nest hollows (potential) Illegal harvesting (potential) Climate change
Vulnerable	Petroica boodang	Scarlet Robin	Nil	Open forest/woodland habitat loss and degradation Predation (native and non-native species) Climate change Competition (e.g.noisy miners)
Vulnerable	Dasyurus maculatus maculatus	Spotted-tailed Quoll	Nil	Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation Competition and predation Poisoning Killing by humans
Vulnerable	Mastacomys fuscus mordicus	Broad-toothed Rat (mainland)	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	National: Climate change Too frequent burning Habitat loss,fragmentation and degradation due to feral herbivores Weed invasion Competition with native rodents for food Predation by foxes and feral cats
Vulnerable	Petauroides volans	Greater Glider	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	National: Habitat loss, fragmentation through clearing Inappropriate fire regimes Climate change reducing habitat suitability
Vulnerable	Phascolarctos cinereus	Koala (Qld/NSW/ACT population)	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	National: Loss and fragmentation of habitat Vehicle strike Disease Predation by dogs Drought and incidences of extreme heat are also known to cause significant mortality, and post-drought recovery may be substantially impaired by other threatening factors
Vulnerable	Pseudomys novaehollandiae	New Holland Mouse	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status (presumed extinct in the ACT prior to reintroduction to Mulligans Sanctuary)	National: Inappropriate fireregimes Predation by feral cat and red foxes Habitat loss,fragmentation, and degradation Lower rainfall and more frequent droughts related to climate change
Vulnerable	Pteropus poliocephalus	Grey-headed Flying-fox	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	Entrapment in fine gauge netting loosely draped over backyard fruit trees Loss of foraging and roosting habitat through clearance of vegetation for development or agriculture Climate change
Vulnerable (locally extinct)	Litoria raniformis	Southern Bell Frog	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	National: Habitat loss and degradation Barriers to movement Predation Disease Exposure to biocides
Vulnerable	Litoria verreauxii alpina	Alpine Tree Frog	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	National: Infection with amphibian chytrid fungus Trampling by feral horses and cattle Invasion of alpine bogs and fens by pest species Weeds Pollution Changes to natural water flows Climate change including increased UV-B radiation Habitat loss through fire, construction and development
Vulnerable (locally extinct)	Litoria aurea	Green and Golden Bell Frog	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	National: Habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation Changes to the structure and diversity of aquatic vegetation Predation of eggs and tadpoles by plague minnow and, to a lesser extent, European Carp, Goldfish, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout Infection with amphibian chytrid fungus Changes to hydrology, including inappropriate opening of coastal lagoon estuaries and changes to flow/flooding regimes of streams and wetlands Changes to water quality Intensification of public access to habitat
Vulnerable	Aprasia parapulchella	Pink-tailed Worm-lizard	Nil	Loss and fragmentation of habitat by urban development and associated infrastructure Incompatible and inadequate land management practices, including fertilizer application, overgrazing and the spread of invasive weeds Inappropriate fire regimes Removal of loose surface rock Predation (by native and exotic species) Build-up of vegetation biomass and leaf litter altering thermoregulatory opportunities
Vulnerable	Delma impar	Striped Legless Lizard	Nil	Loss and fragmentation of habitat through clearing of native grasslands for urban, industrial and infrastructure development and for agricultural purposes Modification and degradation of native grassland habitat through incompatible and inadequate land management practices, weed invasion Other potential effects of urbanisation, including increased incidence of predation and frequency of fires Climate change
Vulnerable	Gadopsis bispinosus	Two-spined Blackfish	Nil	Habitat modification River regulation Barriers to fish passage Sedimentation Reduction in water quality Introduction of alien species Climate change Fire Reduction in spawning habitat availability
Vulnerable	Euastacus armatus	Murray River Crayfish	Nil	Overfishing Removal of riparian vegetation Sedimentation River regulation Residential development Reduction in water quality Fires Invasive species and disease Climate change
Vulnerable	Perunga ochracea	Perunga Grasshopper	Nil	Loss, fragmentation and degradation of grassland habitat Climate change
Vulnerable	Eucalyptus aggregata	Black Gum	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	Mortality as a result of habitat clearance Suppression of gene flow due to habitat fragmentation Lack of recruitment and genetic hybridisation
Vulnerable	Pomaderris pallida	Pale Pomaderris	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	National: Rural residential development, weed competition (particularly blackberry) and browsing by feral goats, inappropriate fire regimes Increasing fragmentation and loss of remnants NSW: Browsing by other feral animals including deer, goats and potentially horses and grazing by livestock and kangaroos Sediment runoff from fire trails Flood damage in smaller riparian populations where frequent flooding may disrupt the lifecycle to the extent that the soil seedbank may be affected Low genetic diversity in isolated small populations that are likely to be at higher risk of loss from stochastic events Lack of knowledge regarding dormancy thresholds, seed vigour and seedling and plant performance for this species
Vulnerable	Thesium australe	Austral Toadflax	2019: Recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in line with Commonwealth status	Small populations and numbers make them susceptible to impacts Heavy grazing Development of dense shrub or tree cover Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations Weed invasion
Regionally Conservation Dependent	Bettongia gaimardi	Eastern Bettong	Nil	National: Predation by foxes (and feral cats) Habitat clearing/fragmentation of its dry forest and woodland habitat Habitat degradation and competition from livestock/introduced herbivores including overgrazing by livestock and rabbits Inappropriate Fire Regimes Viral or other diseases Climate change

Information sourced from: Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate

Threatened ecological communities

An ecological community is defined as a naturally occurring group of native plants, animals and other organisms that are interacting in a unique habitat. The community’s structure, composition and distribution are determined by environmental factors such as soil type, position in the landscape, altitude, climate, and water availability. The native plants and animals within an ecological community have different roles and relationships that, together, contribute to the healthy functioning of the environment and to the provision of ecosystem services.

Under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 a community may be listed as collapsed, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or provisional.

In 2019, there were three ecological communities in the ACT listed as endangered: 

• Natural Temperate Grassland (listed 15 April 1996). 
• Yellow Box/Red Gum Grassy Woodland (listed 30 May 1997). 
• High Country Bogs and Associated Fens (listed 8 February 2019).

Key threatening processes 

A process is defined as threatening if it has the potential to threaten the survival of a species or ecological community in the ACT. These processes include effects of past clearing, fragmentation and modification of habitat, the impacts of invasive plants and animals, the alteration of hydrological regimes and the increasing threat of climate change. 

Under the Nature Conservation Act 2014, a process may be listed as a key threatening process. This listing is a formal recognition of a conservation threat and requires an Action Plan to be prepared to address the threatening process. 

In 2018, ‘the loss of mature native trees (including hollow-bearing trees) and a lack of recruitment’ was listed as a key threatening process in the ACT. The significant loss of mature trees was determined by the Scientific Committee to be adversely affecting the Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii), Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus), Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) and Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides). These species are listed as vulnerable in the ACT. 

The main threatening processes for all listed threatened species in the ACT are shown in Table B1.

Case studies

• Trends in Brown Treecreeper population
• Grassland Earless Dragon
• High Country Bogs and Associated Fens
• Northern Corroboree Frog
• Trends in Superb Parrot population
• Connecting Superb Parrot habitats
• Conservation of the Little Eagle
• Butterflies in the ACT