In early 1999 the Society received a grant from the Threatened Species Network to survey Moreton Bay for a little native mouse unaptly named the false water rat (Xeromys myoides). False water rats live and feed in the coastal wetlands, mainly within the mangroves themselves. The current status of the false water rat is unknown and the project was aimed at determining the extent of their distribution and abundance within the Bay. It was designed as a community project, open to anyone who was interested.
Dr Steve van Dyck from the Queensland Museum, who has been studying the false water rat for many years, conducted a training day on North Stradbroke Island. Volunteers learnt how to recognise the various indicators of the presence of false water rats, including their large nesting mounds made of mud. The trained volunteers then undertook the task of surveying the islands in Redlands Shire including Russell, Macleay, Lamb, Coochiemudlo, Peel, Cobby Cobby, Willes, Karragarra, Kangaroo and part of South Stradbroke. Each survey day consisted of travelling to the site, breaking into groups and then slushing through the mud for a couple of hours searching for the false water rat nesting mounds. In all, 63 volunteers took part in at least one survey day and lots of adventure and fun was had by all. The surveys are completed for now, but the Society hopes to be involved with any future projects on the false water rat.
The results of the surveys showed that the false water rat is absent from many sites where habitat is suitable. Apart from the known populations on North Stradbroke (the study site of Steve van Dyck), quite a large population was found on Russell Island but the other islands showed either very few nesting mounds or none at all, despite the presence of what we considered good false water rat habitat. Some of the islands had obvious reasons for their disappearance usually in the form of habitat loss and pollution.
The information gathered by WPSQ during this project has added to the previous knowledge of the distribution of the false water rat. The species in Moreton Bay is vulnerable to habitat loss, feral animal predation, disturbance and pollution of its feeding grounds (the mangroves). The results from this project can be used to advise on the management and development of habitat areas of this species. The project has raised the profile of this quite elusive mouse through our Society, the media and other organisations.
These surveys have shown that, provided the integrity of the results is maintained, scientific research can be successfully carried out by a trained group of volunteers under correct management. In the future, community-based projects such as this could be considered as potentially extremely valuable tools for conducting research.
In April 2002, WPSQ started the second phase of the project, which will lead to the Recovery Plan for Xeromys myoides, now called the Water Mouse.
For more information on WPSQ's activities, contact the office by email or call
+ 61 7 3221 0194.
Angela Frost
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland