This dataset consists of 546 records of vertebrate species across various sites in the rainforests and adjacent habitats of the Wet Tropics and the Eungella region. Surveys particularly targeted threatened frogs and focussed on ecotonal and peripheral rainforest areas. Each record consists of the date, species, locality name, latitude and longitude, habitat, and observer. This is all original data, collected in the field by the listed observers. Surveys particularly targeted threatened frogs but other vertebrates recorded at that site are also included. Surveys focussed on ecotonal and peripheral rainforest areas, but core rainforest sites are also included. Each record consists of the date, species, locality name, latitude and longitude, habitat, and observer. All identifications were made by myself (Conrad Hoskin), an expert in rainforest vertebrate identification. Methods: Surveys were conducted at sites in the Wet Tropics and in the Eungella region (west of Mackay). Surveys focussed on ecotonal areas on the western side of the Wet Tropics and Eungella, and also peripheral rainforest areas to the north, south and west of these rainforest blocks. These areas were surveyed in order to survey habitats that are environmentally different to the core rainforest areas in the hope of discovering surviving populations of threatened frogs and other wildlife, and also, potentially, new species. The objective was also to survey these environmentally different areas for chytrid presence on frogs. At each site a survey typically consisted of one afternoon and evening. Survey effort was two people on foot searching a stream and associated habitat. In the afternoon the effort was focussed on birds and reptiles and then at night the survey focussed on frogs and mammals. Surveys were conducted with binoculars head-torches and head-torches. Surveys were conducted around a focal point and records are typically clustered around this GPS point in the table. All identifications were made by myself (Conrad Hoskin), an expert in the identification of rainforest vertebrates. Each record consists of the date, species, locality name, latitude and longitude, habitat, and observer. Abundances were not estimated. Limitations: This list is not an exhaustive survey of vertebrates for these sites. The focus of the surveys was frogs and these were surveyed in detail. The records of additional taxa (reptiles, birds and mammals) were opportunistic. All surveys were on foot and by hand, with no trapping. Surveys were short (one night) because that is typically all the time required to fairly accurately survey frogs at a site. GPS points listed are typically clustered around a focal survey point. They are nonetheless fairly accurate (i.e., the individual record would have come from within about 200 m of the point listed). These are just sight records; abundances were not estimated. Format: NERP_eAtlas_data_1 June 2014_Conrad_Hoskin.xlsx (69 KB): 546 records (rows), with the following information for each record (7 columns): date, species, locality name, latitude, longitude, habitat, and observer. WT_NERP-TE-3-3_Vertebrate-survey_2012-2014.shp (589 KB): Same information as in NERP_eAtlas_data_1 June 2014_Conrad_Hoskin.xlsx but converted to a shapefile. This was created by the eAtlas team for adding into the mapping system. Data Location: This dataset is filed in the eAtlas enduring data repository at: data\NERP-TE\3.3_Frog-surveys

As part of MTSRF Project 4.8.1, this study aimed to assess the benefit of no-take (green) zones as a recruitment source. 1342 adult stripey snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus) from 3 green zones around the Keppel Islands were fin-clipped for genetic analysis and released. Microsatellite markers were used to assign juveniles to one or both parents. From the 483 juveniles collected from 16 sites in both green and blue zones, 140 (~30%) were assigned to one or both parents from the adult sample. Of the 140 juveniles, 16% had recruited into home green zones, 62% had dispersed into blue zones, and the remainder had dispersed among other green zones. References: Almany GR, Hamilton RJ, Williamson DH, Evans RD, Jones GP, Matawai M, Potuku T, Rhodes KL, Russ GR and Sawynok B. (in press) Research partnerships with local communities: two case studies from Papua New Guinea and Australia. Coral Reefs. Williamson DH, Jones GP and Thorrold SR. (2009) An experimental evaluation of transgenerational isotope labeling in a coral reef grouper. Mar Biol (2009) 156:2517–2525. Williamson DH, Jones GP, Thorrold SR and Frisch AJ. (2009) Transgenerational marking of marine fish larvae: stable-isotope retention, physiological effects and health issues. Journal of Fish Biology 74: 891–905.

This project is conducting surveys of frogs and other vertebrates in ecotonal areas of the Wet Tropics and Eungella. The primary aims are to: (1) assess the current status, distribution and population size of missing and critically endangered frog species of the Wet Tropics and Eungella; (2) map the distribution and intensity of chytrid fungus disease across ecotonal areas; (3) survey these poorly known ecotonal areas for other vertebrates; and (4) provide recommendations for the management of endangered frogs and other threatened vertebrates, and work with land managers to carry out conservation actions. Ultimately this project will determine: 1. whether the ‘extinct’ frogs of the Wet Tropics and Eungella are really extinct, and what the status of the critically endangered and endagered species is, 2. whether the dry forest/rainforest ecotones of the western Wet Tropics and Eungella harbour overlooked populations of missing and endangered endangered frog species, and other vertebrates of interest, and 3. whether threatened frogs are recovering from chytrid disease.

This project is providing a direct assessment of the ecological effects of multiple-use zoning on inshore reefs of the GBRMP. Underwater visual census (UVC) monitoring of fish and benthic communities is being carried out at 50 no-take marine reserve (green zone) sites and at 50 sites that have remained open to fishing within the Palm, Magnetic, Whitsunday and Keppel Island groups. Long-term monitoring surveys are providing information on: 1. The effects of no-take marine reserves on populations of both species that are fished and other non-fished species. 2. Variations in structure of fish communities due to the reserves and natural disturbances. 3. Structure and dynamics of marine species on the sea bed. 4. Coral health, bleaching, incidence and severity of coral disease and coral predators. 5. Temporal monitoring of the relative number of fishing lines recorded at each site will be used to assess the distribution of fishing effort and provide information on the levels of non-compliance with zoning regulations.

This project uses genetic parentage analysis, biophysical modelling and information on coral trout larval behaviour to determine patterns of recruitment of coral trout larvae within and among inshore and offshore reefs in the southern Great Barrier Reef. The overall goal of this project will be to assess larval dispersal patterns, demographic connectivity and levels of recruitment subsidies from green zones at a regional scale. Tasks include: 1. Collect tissue samples from adult and juvenile coral trout, develop a new set of hyper-variable microsatellite markers, conduct DNA genotyping analyses of all samples, carry out genetic parentage analysis to examine parent-offspring relationships. 2. Refine the existing biophysical model and assess likely origins of larvae at key recruitment hot spots in the region. 3. Undertake demographic metapopulation analyses using dispersal distances and trajectories derived from this study and available demographic data (growth, natural mortality, fishing mortality) to evaluate long-term persistence of green zone and blue zone populations under different levels of fishing pressure and habitat condition.