Burnett Mary Regional Group.

Native Vertebrate Asset Account.

Environmental Account ID: AU00047
Environmental Asset: Native Vertebrate (Fauna)
Asset Account ID: AU00047F1
Registration date: 23 December 2020
Certification date: 2 November 2022
Certification level: Independent Audit
Purpose: Deliver an accurate, scalable and repeatable solution to measure, account for and value natural capital at a landscape scale.
Current land use: Grazing, cropping and horticulture, forestry, conservation, residential.
Area: 5,576,737 ha
Method: AfN-METHOD-F-03

Technical Report

Asset Account snapshot.

Asset summary - baseline.

Asset statement.

23 December 2020 - Registration date
2 November 2022 - Certification date
8 March 2024 - Annual Certification Compliance Report (ACCR)

Significant outcomes.

An Econd® of 94.4 was recorded for terrestrial fauna, which indicates that the vertebrate fauna of the region is largely intact. Although species such as the Gastric Brooding Frog (Rheobatrachus silus) have become extinct in the region, and approximately 85 species are listed as threatened; in contrast, 600 species are rated as Least Concern and faring well in the landscape. These results are comparable to other regions and taxonomic groups where the Red List Index has been applied. Despite the relatively high scores for this asset these results also highlight that the region has a high number of threatened species, which will continue to be the focus of BMRG's work.

Limitations & disclosures.

Expert analysis - To limit biases and gain a more accurate assessment a diverse group of experts were consulted. However, some poorly known species were only assessed by a small number of experts.

Recent species reviews - Recent reviews of some species such as the Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) involve more rigorous on-ground assessments than those employed by this method. To acknowledge and incorporate those more intensive assessments, experts with involvement and knowledge of these assessments were engaged and provided input. However, some reviews are pending publication and could not be included at this stage. The results from those assessments will be incorporated into future accounts.

Cryptic or pooly known species - This assessment has been limited by the availability of data on many species. There is increasing recognition of the importance of baseline data to inform the conservation and management of native fauna. As monitoring technology improves and if resourcing for threatened species monitoring is prioritised, it may be possible to improve these knowledge gaps and assess cryptic and poorly known species with a higher level of confidence.