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Vegetation: |
Vegetation Survey:
Both survey sites in Point Davenport Conservation Park contained vegetation monitoring quadrats, in which photopoints, site descriptions and physical descriptions were recorded. Voucher specimens for each plant type were taken for positive identification to the Herbarium, results are to be known at a later date. The dominant vegetation community in Point Davenport Conservation Park is by far the larger areas of low open forest primarily consisting of Swamp Paperbark Melaleuca halmaturorum. Around the inland lagoon are areas of low samphire shrubland that dominate the vicinity upto the waters edge. Although both sites were somewhat similar. Found to be the most lengthy process of the survey, records for canopy height, depth, gap and cover was extremely time consuming.
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Fauna: |
Bird Transect Results:
Over the four day survey six birds transects were completed at both sites. At site one this involved walking in a Westerly direction, starting at the beach and walking inland recording all sightings for a period of one hour. Site two is located at the estuary lagoon, starting on the beach and walking easterly direction for one hour recording all species sighted.
Opportunistic records of birds were recorded at a number of different sites and vegetation types while traveling between sites or carrying out regular works.
Reptiles:
Reptiles captured during the survey period were caught using a variety of methods, the common of these were in pit-fall lines. Identification of reptiles was completed using the reference guide Cogger, H.G. 9ed.) 1996. "Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia". 6th Edition. Reed Books, Sydney. One species of skink was not positively identified and museum results will determine in time. All reptiles below were captured at site one, no reptiles were recorded at site two. Museum staff requested liver samples be taken from all animals that were destroyed and used as voucher specimens.
Active Searching:
Active searching for animals was performed at both sites on the 22/01 and 23/01.Undertaken during the hottest part of the day to increase the chance of sighting reptiles and other species of animals active during that part of the day. No significant species of animal was recorded at either site over the period of the active search, although a Sleepy Lizard and Bearded Dragon were captured, processed and released at site one on the afternoon of Tuesday the 23/ 01.
Mammals:
Over the four day trapping effort at all sites only 1 species of mammal was caught. Common House Mice Mus musculus were captured in pit-fall lines and elliot traps.
Because mice are an introduced species all live animals that were captured were humanly euthanized. Practice in dissection and taking liver samples was performed to gain valuable skills for possible future surveys.
Spotlighting:
On the nights of the 21st and 23rd spotlighting occurred out of the vehicle, this involved driving at 10km/h along the firetrack scanning the spotlight back and forth eitherside of the vehicle and recording when an animal was sighted. On the night of the 22nd spotlighting occurred on foot and involved walking in an Easterly direction for 20 minutes from base camp recording any significant sightings. On this night no significant sightings were recorded.
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