- Project number: VNC457-1718 (Sub-report 3)
- Click here to access the project summary flyer
The giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) is listed as vulnerable on both the State and National Threatened Species Protection Acts. It is the largest freshwater invertebrate in the world and found across the north of Tasmania in a wide range of streams. Adults typically occur in slower flowing sections of stream and pools, often sheltering under decaying logs and undercut banks. Juveniles are more likely to shelter under cobbles and boulders in flowing sections of stream.
Forestry operations (e.g. harvesting, roading, plantation establishment, etc) have the potential to create adverse impacts on A. gouldi through the loss of riparian canopy cover, increased runoff, sedimentation, changes in hydrology and chemical spraying. A habitat suitability map has been developed for this species which is used routinely by forest planners for prioritising management actions. However the coarse nature of the map means that in some cases surveys of habitat characteristics known to be important for the species are also required. This survey method is time consuming and subjective and further testing of the habitat suitability map is required to improve its usefulness in coupe scale planning.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is genetic material obtained from environmental samples such as water. It has the potential to be a very efficient technique for determining the presence or absence of crayfish species, including A. gouldi. The aim of the current study was to develop a highly sensitive, highly specific genetic assay to enable detection of the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish from environmental DNA (eDNA) water samples.
Thus enabling testing and refinement of the habitat suitability map used by forest planners operating in both native forest and plantation landscapes, and also facilitate other research on the species. eDNA sampling for this species has the potential to improve planning tools such as habitat suitability maps as well as facilitating monitoring to demonstrate effectiveness of management.
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- Access and download the Management Costing Tool via this link.
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