Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon habitat distribution model

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has updated the habitat distribution model (HDM) for Australia’s most imperilled reptile – the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon (VGED).

Since the species’ surprising rediscovery in January 2023, a significant amount of work has been underway to better understand the habitat requirements and characteristics that the dragons need to survive.

This information has been collated to create a new HDM with expert input from the VGED Recovery Team to map potential habitat to inform conservation planning, support strategic land use planning and recovery of the VGED. The VGED Recovery Team includes herpetologist experts, with representatives from Zoos Victoria, the Victorian Government, Commonwealth Government, Museums Victoria, and Wildlife Profiles Pty Ltd, and is leading conservation efforts to save this species from extinction.

The updated VGED HDM is available as spatial data to dowload and a PDF map.

What are habitat distribution models?

Habitat distribution models (HDMs) collect and compare information on where a species has been recorded, and relate those data to environmental variables, such as soil, climate and topography. Statistical and mathematical processes are then used to estimate the distribution of a species’ habitat.

More information about HDMs is available at DEECA's Arthur Rylah Institute web page.

What does the updated VGED habitat distribution model tell us?

The updated VGED HDM depicts the areas of potential habitat for the VGED, to inform identification, conservation and recovery efforts across the landscape.

The VGED HDM enables the planning and development sectors to understand where the species may occur so that this can be factored into strategic planning and conservation efforts.

VGEDs are a cryptic species and difficult to detect through survey. The VGED HDM, in conjunction with other spatial tools, can help guide survey to inform planning and development decisions.

Over time, an additional VGED HDM will be developed to complement DEECA’s standard HDM products.

How can I access the VGED habitat distribution model?

The updated VGED HDM is available as spatial data to download and a PDF map.

How will the VGED habitat distribution model support the planning system?

The VGED HDM is one of several tools to help planners, developers and decision-makers identify potential location of VGEDs and consider the potential impacts of land use changes on the species.

Environmental assessments are prepared based on field surveys and analysis of environmental data. When environmental assessments are being undertaken in locations of potential habitat, these assessments should include consideration of VGED within their scope. The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have published survey guidance for VGED to support field surveys available here: Survey guidelines for four Grassland Earless Dragons (Tympanocryptis spp.) of Southeast Australia - DCCEEW

The VGED HDM will help target effort in environmental assessments, providing greater confidence and clarity to the planning and development sectors.

The Victorian Planning Authority will facilitate advice to landowners in Precinct Structure Plan areas that include potential VGED habitat.

Environmental assessments under national environmental law

In addition to being protected under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, VGED are also protected as a critically endangered species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

They are just one of many listed threatened species that must be considered for any activity that could have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance.

DEECA and DCCEEW have collaborated on the application of the VGED HDM. It can be used in conjunction with other information available in the species profile for the Tympanocryptis pinguicolla – Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon to determine whether an activity should be referred for assessment under the EPBC Act.

Conservation and recovery activities underway for the VGED

The VGED Recovery Team is leading conservation efforts to save this species from extinction. This includes the following activities:

• Contributing to a National Recovery Plan for four species of Grassland Earless Dragon (including the VGED).
• Preparing an action statement as required under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
• On-ground surveys in search for new populations.
• Training Zoos Victoria's wildlife detection dogs to improve detection of VGEDs in the field.
• Establishing a conservation breeding program by Zoos Victoria at Melbourne Zoo (which has successfully bred the species).
• Investigating options for habitat management and ongoing protection of the VGED.