olliescully1's Journal

Background:
Beerwah scientific reserve experienced moderately high temperatures with high humidity (>32c, >80% humidity) on 22/01/2023. Multiple recent high-intensity fire moved through the area (between 09/22 and 11/22) which significantly reduced the depth and thickness of vegetation over the water. Whilst this is a relatively natural process and temperatures are not above those expected during summer months, high mortality was observed that evening, perceived to be directly correlated to hot weather and reduced shade.

Species recorded dead

On pools in or immediately adjacent to track (water depth <1 foot):

• Tadpoles with rear legs formed. Probably either Litoria nasuta or L. freycineti, both species sen previously chorusing around the same pools. Estimated 7-10 observed dead.
• Cherax depressus, found freshly dead immediately outside burrow.

In flooded wallum heath (water depth <1 foot):

• Gobiomorphus australis, multiple (3) found dead in shallow, flooded wallum heath.
• Tenuibranchiurus glypticus, found during dipnetting. Smaller individual, was unable to determine sex.

Small, assumed ephemeral waterbodies exposed by planned burn in east Corbould reserve.

Lowermost pool (with white dead branch) was dry, with fresh crayfish excavations (probably Cherax spp.) on the downstream end of pond (water sits there longer?). Much smaller excavations were in the middle of the pool. Tenuibranchiurus glypticus perhaps?

Next pool up was also poorly vegetated and only had a couple of inconspicuous burrows.

Another pool, also dry, further upstream had the most burnt veg and similar results. Like the first one, some burrows were orientated closely together.

Third pool was well vegetated and still held water-no burrows found here. Although sometimes inconspicuous, burrows were relatively easy to locate and it is expected that if there were burrows here they would have been detectable.