7 August 2015
Updated 23 February 2016
Joining The Dots On The Native Water Mouse In SEQ
WetlandCare Australia has been successful in obtaining funding through various local government grants to try and join the dots on locating the vulnerable water mouse, Xeromys myoides. Working with consultant and Sunshine Coast based water mouse researcher Janina Kaluza UQ, WetlandCare Australia will be out in the mangroves and saltmarsh from Jacobs Well to Beachmere in the coming months on the hunt for signs of the water mouse.
With the support of several key organisations, Janina Kaluza has been surveying, monitoring and researching the water mouse in a number of locations throughout the Wide Bay and South East Queensland region since February 2012. This work has expanded and built on previous research undertaken in the past 15 to 20 years by leading scientists within State Government and the broader community. However gaps remain on information on population distribution and density, as well as vital information on their ecology. These are gaps that Janina will aim to fill using past and present methodologies.
The water mouse inhabits coastal areas of central and south east Queensland, Northern Territory and New Guinea, and is typically found in coastal saltmarsh and mangrove areas. A key sign of their presence is their nesting mounds, which range from free-standing mounds in saltwater couch grasslands to sheltered mounds in opportunistic sites such as the base of old grey mangrove trees (Avicennia marina) located within the intertidal zone. The water mouse forages in the mangroves at night, feasting on invertebrates such as crabs, shellfish and snails. Loss, fragmentation and degradation of their mangrove and saltmarsh habitats are key threats to their survival.
Working with local councils, such as Moreton Bay Regional Council, Redland City Council, Logan City Council and City of Gold Coast, through their relevant conservation and environmental grants programs, WetlandCare Australia has been awarded funding to undertake a number of small local projects to survey potential water mice habitat areas. The combined information from these projects will contribute towards completing the jigsaw puzzle on water mice in south east Queensland.
There is still a lot we don’t know about this native rodent, with the data collected through mapping and monitoring work being an important step in assisting the implementation of the ‘National Recovery Plan for the water mouse (false water rat) Xeromys myoides’ and the delivery of a coordinated approach to its conservation. You can find out more about the plan on the Australian Government Biodiversity Species Profile and Threats Database.
Redland City Council
This project focusses on surveying key habitat areas on Russell Island, one of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, with funding support from a Redland City Council’s Conservation Grant. The water mouse has been recorded on the island as a result of survey work in the 1990’s. The WetlandCare Australia project aims to determine if the water mouse is still present on the island and identify current threats to its habitat and survival. Working with the local community group, Bay Islands Conservation Inc and their ‘Work for the Dole’ project participants, surveys were undertaken over three days in May 2015. The data and survey results are currently being collated.
City of Gold Coast
With funding support through the City of Gold Coast’s Community Grants Program, WetlandCare Australia will be focussing water mouse survey effort in the Jacobs Well area in early 2016. Survey work will build on knowledge obtained in the 1990’s that recorded the presence of the water mouse in this area.
Logan City Council
Through the Logan City Council’s EnviroGrants, WetlandCare Australia will be surveying potential habitat areas on the Logan River in search of the water mouse. Approximately 40ha of mangrove areas will be surveyed to record the presence or absence of water mice nests. Surveys will be conducted in early 2016.
Moreton Bay Regional Council
WetlandCare Australia will be conducting water mice surveys 80ha of mangrove vegetation near the mouth of the Caboolture River with funding support through the Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Community Grants Program. This project aims to identify the presence or absence of the water mouse in this area. The water mouse has been recorded previously at nearby Donnybrook. Survey work will be undertaken in early 2016.
Water mice on the Maroochy River captured on film by Janina Kaluza
Photo: C Bolzenius, WCA. Investigating potential nesting mound on Russell Island.
Photo: C Bolzenius, WCA. Key water mice habitat on Russell Island, forming part of the survey area.
Project Partners
