Research Reports

The Distribution and Abundance of Little Penguins at Sea in Western Port, Victoria

Peter Dann, Ros Jessop and Marg Healy

Abstract
The main aim of this study was to describe the patterns of distribution and abundance at sea of the Little Penguin Eudyptula minor in Western Port. Penguins were counted along an 81 km series of transects from a boat at approximately four-weekly intervals between April 1991 and August 1994. The mean number (± s.e.) of penguins seen per survey was 61.7 ± 10.4. Total numbers per count ranged from 0 to 214. Higher numbers of penguins were found in late autumn and winter and lower numbers in mid and late summer. In April 1994, when the number of penguins was greatest (214), we estimated that the total number of penguins in the bay was 383. Similarly, the mean for all counts (57.4) gave an estimate of 103 birds. This estimated maximum number was 1.5% of the estimated breeding population on the Summerland Peninsula. Penguins were located mainly in the western and northern arms of the bay. Relatively few birds were seen in the shallower eastern arm and none over intertidal areas. The highest numbers of penguins per kilometre of transect were found along two transects in the centre of the bay at the confluence of the western, northern and eastern arms. Group sizes were small, 49% of 884 groups consisted of single birds and 94% of groups consisted of five birds or fewer. Finally, the distribution and seasonal occurrence of Little Penguins in Western Port are discussed in relation to penguin movements and the biology and ecology of the fish species eaten by penguins.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 118 (3), 2001, 76-81.)
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New Tanjilian Fossil Localities at Dungaree Creek, Central Victoria

Clem Earp

Abstract
Forestry work in the Matlock district, central Victoria, Australia, has temporarily revealed two new fossil localities in the Norton Gully Sandstone, Walhalla Group, of Pragian-Emsian (Early Devonian) age. The fauna, a ‘Tanjilian’ marine fossil assemblage of Panenka bivalve molluscs, dacryoconarids, and orthoconic nautiloids, is briefly described, and a summary of relevant literature is given. From qualitative and quantitative observations of the sedimentology, it is concluded that the fossils are allochthonous and were deposited by turbidity currents, with no sign of reworking by storm wave action.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 118 (3), 2001, 82-88.)
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Contributions

Addendum to ‘Moss Collections from Lord Howe Island in the
National Herbarium of Victoria (MEL)’

Josephine Milne and Arthur W. Thies

Abstract
Plagiothecium howeanum Müll.Hal. ex Jaeger, nomen nudum is Ectropothecium leucochlorum (Hampe) Broth., the spelling of which is corrected.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 118 (3), 2001, 89-91.)
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Effects of Grazing, Tourism and Climate Change on the Alpine Vegetation
of Kosciuszko National Park

Pascal Scherrer and Catherine Marina Pickering

Abstract
Activities in the past (grazing), present (tourism) and future (tourism and potential climate change) have documented or potential long-term impacts on the biologically significant alpine flora of Kosciuszko National Park, Australia. The management of these activities provides insights for the conservation of fragile ecosystems in the Australian Alps, and for other high use, high conservation-value reserves. Grazing caused widespread damage that has required expensive, ongoing revegetation, the costs of which have been borne by publicly funded conservation organisations. The increasing use of the area by summer tourists has also caused severe but more localised damage to the vegetation, that can largely be controlled and reduced by effective management of tracks, visitors and weeds. Management of the most recent threat, climate change, requires a holistic approach including lobbying for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The predicted changes in climate may result in a sequence of changes in the distribution of the native alpine plant communities, including an increase in the diversity and abundance of alien plants.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 118 (3), 2001, 93-99.)
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