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Part Executive summary - Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (National Recovery Plan for the Sandhill dunnart (Sminthopsis psammophila)) Instrument 2026 - Executive summary | Zoe

Executive summary

Scientific name:	Sminthopsis psammophila
Common name:	Sandhill dunnart
National status (EPBC Act):	Endangered
WA status (BC Act):	Endangered (IUCN criteria: B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v))
SA status (NPW Act):	Vulnerable
NT status (TPWC Act):	Data Deficient
International	Vulnerable (B2ab(ii,iii,v); D2) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesSpecies protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES)
Distribution:	Three widely separated areas: the Great Victoria Desert (SA and WA) and Eyre Peninsula, SA. Historically found in NT
Extent of occurrence:	151,635 km² (stable) a
Area of occupancy:	500–1900 km² (decreasing), the calculated area of occupancy is <500 km2 however, because of the large remote area between known localities and low survey effort in this region a larger AOO is assumed (but less than 2000 km²) a
No. of mature individuals:	5000 – 10,000 (decreasing) a
No. of sub-populations:	5 (largest sub-population approx. 2500 individuals) b
Habitat requirement:	Sandy substrates in arid and semi–arid regions, with hummock grassland understorey (10–70% cover), >8 years post fire c
Threats:	Inappropriate fire regimes;Habitat loss and fragmentation;Predation by cats and foxes;Introduced flora;Introduced herbivores;Climate change; andNative herbivores.
Long term recovery objectives:	Threats to Sandhill dunnart are appropriately managed reducing their impact to Sandhill dunnart sub-populations and habitat;Sandhill dunnart habitat is rehabilitated, connected and protected;Collective understanding of Sandhill dunnart populations, habitat, ecology and threats has improved; andConservation of Sandhill dunnart and their habitat is led and championed by Traditional Custodians, community, experts and governments.
Critical knowledge gaps:	Influence of fire;Undetected populations;Habitat critical to survival; andKnowledge of threats (including any interrelationships between threats, such as fire, predation and introduced herbivores).

Note: a IUCN Red List Assessment (Woinarski and Burbidge 2016). Estimates only. b Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 (Woinarski et al. 2014). Estimates only. c Alinytiara Wilurara Fire Management Strategy (DEWNR 2014c)