BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1098          Total No. of Sites: 1
Survey/Project Name: Flora and Fauna Monitoring at Cairn Hill
Abstract: This project is part of an established long-term flora and fauna monitoring program to assess potential impacts from the Cairn Hill Mine, Far North region, South Australia. We have been commissioned by Cu-River Mining Australia to conduct a flora and fauna monitoring project at the Cairn Hill mine site. Monitoring of flora and fauna at potential impact sites and control sites commenced in 2010. This project represents the continuation of previous flora and fauna monitoring conducted at these sites by another consultancy between 2010 and 2012. This permit application relates to the continuation of the monitoring program which is a requirement of the project's Mining and Rehabilitation Program. The continuation of this monitoring will allow for important comparisons of species assemblages, richness and abundance between control and potential impact sites, as well as trend analyses over time.
 
Start Date: 26/05/2016      End Date: 01/06/2017
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: The Cairn Hill project area is located approximately 700km northwest of Adelaide and 50km southeast of Cooper Pedy
Objectives
         Vegetation: Refer to Abstract.
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: Flora surveys will be conducted by empoying a variety of standard non-invasive survey techniques at multiple impact and control sites. Flora surveys will invole quadrat survey techniqes to measure species richness abundance and cover. Any flora species detected that are unable to be identified in the field may be sampled for later identification or to be sent to the South Australian Herbarium for identification. Up to two herbarium specimens per species may need to be collected for identification purposes. Specimen material may include leaves, fruit, flowers, seeds and bark. Specimens will be kept at NRC premises and a duplicate specimen may be sent to a Herbarium for identification if required.
         Fauna: Animals will be captured using systematic trapping techniques at control sites and potential impact sites. The trapping methodology is designed to be consistent with previous monitoring events to ensure valid statistical comparisons can be made. However, due consideration will be given to methodology and techniques described in best practiced guidelines, particularly the Guidelines for Vertebrate Surveys in South Australia and the South Australian Wildlife Ethics Committee Standard Operating Procedure. There are currently six sites included in the monitoring program. Each site contains 16 pitfall traps, eight funnel traps, 30 Elliot traps, and four cage traps. Infrared cameras will be placed for one night at each site with additional locations chosen to target different habitat areas. The AnaBat detector will be placed in different potential fly through locations on each trapping night. Trapping will occur over four nights. Observation surveys may extend over an additional 2-3 days as animals may be encountered during vegetation surveys and other elements of the monitoring program. Fauna obtained from trapping and active searching will be briefly held in-situ for identification purposes only and will be released at the point of capture immediately after identification. Spotlighting will occur each night of the survey period. Large fauna (nocturnal birds and mammals) will be observed and identified. Small fauna (reptiles and amphibians) will be captured for identification and subsequently released at the same location of capture. Fauna that are difficult to identify will have diagnostic pictures taken in field and subsequently be released. Surveys will be conducted in spring before temperatures become too hot. Additional details including methods to reduce impacts on animals are available from BDBSA Metadata files.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Fauna : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Information Authority: Consultant
Cu-River Mining Pty Ltd