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A Risk Assessment Approach to Manage Inundation of Elseya albagula Nests in Impounded Waters: A Win–Win Situation?

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Abstract

A risk assessment process was used to trial the impact of potential new operating rules on the frequency of nest inundation for the White-throated snapping turtle, Elseya albagula, in the impounded waters of the Burnett River, Queensland, Australia. The proposed operating rules would increase the barrage storage level during the turtle nesting season (May–July) and then would be allowed to reduce to a lower level for incubation for the rest of the year. These proposed operating rules reduce rates of nest inundation by altering water levels in the Ben Anderson Barrage impoundment of the Burnett River. The rules operate throughout the turtle reproductive period and concomitantly improve stability of littoral habitat and fishway operation. Additionally, the proposed rules are expected to have positive socio-economic benefits within the region. While regulated water resources will inherently have a number of negative environmental implications, these potential new operating rules have the capacity to benefit the environment while managing resources in a more sustainable manner. The operating rules have now been enacted in subordinate legislation and require the operator to maintain water levels to minimize turtle nest inundation.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this turtle research was provided by the Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning as part of the Burnett Plan of Action, Phase 2. This funding was administered by the former Department of Environment and Resource Management. The continuation of the project since 2012 is managed by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. The authors were supported in the field studies by staff and volunteers, particularly William (Joel) Hodge and Claire Johnston. These studies were conducted for the Queensland Turtle Conservation Project DERM/2009/10/08–13 in accordance with the standard practices approved under the DERM Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee. Geoff Houghton, Director, Chaverim Outdoor Activities and Environment Centre gave access through their land and assisted with collection of data. SunWater Pty Ltd gave access through their lands to access nesting areas and provided river height data. Glenn McGregor (DSITIA) assisted in understanding the risk assessment process. Matthew Tuffield (DNRM) produced and edited figures used in the manuscript. Bob Mayer (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) assisted in interpreting statistical analyses. Bernie Cockayne and Dean Collins (DNRM) provided early reviews of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 16-32 Enterprise Street, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670, Australia

    A. J. McDougall & T. Espinoza

  2. 67 Haldane Street, Beaumaris, VIC, 3193, Australia

    C. Hollier

  3. Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, 16-32 Enterprise Street, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670, Australia

    D. J. Limpus

  4. Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Level 1, EcoSciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia

    C. J. Limpus

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  1. A. J. McDougall
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Correspondence to A. J. McDougall.

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McDougall, A.J., Espinoza, T., Hollier, C. et al. A Risk Assessment Approach to Manage Inundation of Elseya albagula Nests in Impounded Waters: A Win–Win Situation?. Environmental Management 55, 715–724 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-014-0411-y

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