BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 45          Total No. of Sites: 223
Survey/Project Name: Western Murray Flats
Abstract: This project aims to conduct a biological survey aimed to classify and map the floristic composition and structure of vegetation within the Western Murray Flats, near Adelaide, South Australia. The survey was held between 1987 and 1992.
 
Start Date: 05/11/1987      End Date: 08/05/1992
Survey Type: Vegetation Only
   
Study Area Description: The area takes in 2 Lauts environmental provinces: the western side of the Murray Mallee Block and the eastern edge of the Mt Lofty Block. Just south of the River Murray the Murray Mallee block consists of an extensive rolling plain overlain by sand dunes and characterised by open Myoporum woodland and semi-arid mallee woodlands with chenopod understorey, further south consolidated dunes with Callitris and mallee woodlands abut the active dune system and swamplands around Lake Alexandrinia and Lake Albert. Swamp vegetation consists of saltbush, samphire and teatrees. Mean annual rainfall in the south is about 500mm and aridity increases northward where mean annual rainfall drops to around 250mm. On the eastern edge of the Mt Lofty Block vegetation is partly influenced by a rainshadow and consists of Allocasuarina verticillata and Eucalyptus odorata over grasslands. Further west rainfall increases and vegetation consists of woodlands dominated by E.leucoxylon and E.baxteri. Encompasses an area south of 36* latitude giving it a northern border approximately level with Morgan on the River Murray. The western extent takes in the eastern edge of the Mt Lofty Ranges and runs south to Lake Alexandrina. The eastern boundary follows the River Murray and extends to take in lake-edge wetland sites around Lake Alexandrina and Albert.
Objectives
         Vegetation: The survey aimed to classify and map the floristic composition and structure of vegetation within the survey boundaries and fills the gap between the Murray Mallee vegetation survey of 1990 and the Adelaide Hills vegetation survey of 1986. It will contribute to an eventual statewide floristic data base.
         Fauna: *** No fauna survey objectives recorded
Methodology
         Vegetation: Complete list of plant species within a 30 x 30m quadrat using Braun/Blanquet cover abundance scores (R,T,1,2,3,4,5). Data was also collected in each quadrat on landform elements, slope, aspect, surface strew, surface soil texture, vertebrate presence and impact. Overstorey measurements were estimated for 5 individuals, representative of the community sampled.
         Fauna: *** No vertebrate methodology recorded

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:S&C Div) - Biological Survey and Monitoring