Hydrobiid Snail (West Gawler)

​Habitat

• 'Habitat’ refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species' potential range which have not yet been adequately surveyed).
• If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
• The known range of B. averni includes three small streams near Preston, central north Tasmania, flowing into the West Gawler River (see distribution map, above). The potential range for B. averni is unlikely to extend greatly beyond the current known range.
• Habitat for B. averni includes the following elements: submerged leaf litter, woody debris and rocks in the stream channels, located on the underside of submerged material.

What to avoid

• Damage to populations through agricultural and forest practices
• Damage to downstream habitat through upstream agricultural and forest practices
• Damage to stream habitat through altered flow regimes (e.g. due to construction of water impoundments upstream of populations).

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• B. averni is a very small, cryptic species which can be difficult to tell apart from other species of Beddomeia and some other hydrobiid snails. Identification to species normally requires a specialist.
• For further information on assistance in surveying or identifying this species, contact the Threatened Species Section.

• ​If you live or work in the area where the species occurs (see distribution map, above), look out for and record any observations of the species. All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance.
• Important! Always report any observations of the species to the NRE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
• Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
• For long-term protection of populations on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant.

• ​Activities which result in habitat degradation are the principal threats to B. averni, including clearing of streamside vegetation.
• To avoid damage to stream habitat – do not remove streamside vegetation around populations.
• To avoid downstream impacts – do not clear streamside vegetation upstream of populations.

• ​Activities which result in habitat degradation are a principal threat to B. averni, including burning of streamside vegetation.
• To avoid damage to stream habitat – do not burn streamside vegetation around populations.
• To avoid downstream impacts – do not burn streamside vegetation upstream of populations.

• ​Activities which result in habitat degradation are a principal threat to B. averni, including clearing of streamside vegetation and conversion to pasture.
• To avoid downstream impacts – do not clear and convert (e.g. to pasture or plantation) streamside vegetation upstream of populations.

Stock grazing

• To avoid damaging habitat – protect streamside habitat from stock by fencing and provide alternative access to water.

• ​Activities which result in habitat degradation are a principal threat to B. averni, including alterations to flow conditions within stream habitat.
• To avoid damage to stream habitat – avoid alterations to stream flow conditions, for example through construction of water impoundments upstream of populations.
• To avoid loss of habitat – ensure appropriate surveys are undertaken during the planning stage for dam construction in areas of habitat.

• ​Activities which result in habitat degradation are a principal threat to B. averni, including alterations to flow conditions within stream habitat and pollution of the waterway.
• To avoid damage to stream habitat – avoid alterations to stream flow conditions, for example through construction of water impoundments upstream of populations.
• To avoid reducing water quality - protect streamside habitat from stock by fencing and provide alternative access to water.

• ​Activities which result in habitat degradation are a principal threat to B. averni, including pollution of the waterway. Sources of chemical pollution include pesticides and herbicides, and fertiliser runoff into waterways.
• To avoid damage to stream habitat – do not use herbicides and pesticides in the vicinity of populations where this could lead to input of chemicals into the waterway.
• To avoid damage to stream habitat – avoid application of fertiliser in the vicinity of populations where this could lead to runoff of fertiliser into the waterway.