A survey asking residents to report sightings of eastern barred bandicoots and their surrounds has found their apparent decline in north-eastern Tasmania could be explained by key changes over two decades.
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The survey was launched after reported sightings of the eastern barred bandicoot noticeably dropped in recent years, pointing to possible "range retraction" for the vulnerable species.
NRM North, which conducted the completed survey in conjunction with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, received more than 300 responses since it was launched in March.
NRM North biodiversity co-ordinator Derek Hamer said the message from the survey was that cats - domesticated and feral - were on the increase and suitable native vegetation was declining.
"Based on a recent UTAS study, feral cats may have previously avoided nocturnal devils at night, but are now free to hunt unencumbered since the facial tumour decimated devil numbers," he said.
"Although the study focused on the decline of eastern quolls, night hunting cats could now be placing increased predation pressure on young and adult eastern barred bandicoots, which tend to actively forage in the open at night.
"The same may be occurring across a range of other similar weight range native mammals in Tasmania."
He says land practices may also be reducing habitat, such as burning undergrowth and dead material under patches of native trees to allow for stock to graze, plus the gradual removal of those patches altogether to make way for larger scale farming practices.
These local changes, plus a drying climate, are coming together to cause what Dr Hamer calls "the potential for a perfect storm".
He said their research had helped in planning the next steps to protect bandicoots.
"Discussions with a range of experts, plus the results of this survey and from TLC's other good work with motion sensor cameras has given us a better understanding of where to focus our efforts," Dr Hamer said.
"This gives us the best chance to support the right geographic suite of landholders in the 'repair' of their land."
A "mosaic of local native landscapes" would be needed to provide shelter and protection from predators, along with offering foraging opportunities.
NRM North is having conversations with landholders - particularly around West Tamar and in the Longford, Perth and Evandale areas - to assist in improving the landscape for eastern barred bandicoots, including through stock exclusion fencing and revegetation.
Motion-sensor cameras will continue to be used in the long-term to map eastern barred bandicoots.