BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1146          Total No. of Sites: 10
Survey/Project Name: Prey response to feral cat control on Kangaroo Island, SA
Abstract: The aim of this project is to determine the impact of Domestic Cat (Feral Cat) control on a range of prey species (abundance and species richness) on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The project will be conducted in conjunction with the Kangaroo Island Cat eradication trials which has previously obtained wildlife ethics approval. METHODOLOGY: Stage one (2016-18) of the Cat eradication will involve field testing a range of Feral Cat control techniques on the Dudley Peninsula of Kangaroo Island. The second stage will use these learnings and seek to eradicate Cats from the Dudley Peninsula. The third stage will eradicate Cats from the entire island. METHODOLOGY: This project will establish baseline monitoring of a range of prey species (reptiles, diurnal birds, small and medium-sized terrestrial mammals) for three years prior to Cat control in native vegetation. Introduced rodents will be monitored on cropping farms to detect any perverse outcomes from Cat control. Monitoring will be conducted at six sites in the control area (eastern KI), and at 10 sites in the treatment area (Dudley Peninsula). Four rodent sites will be established in each of the treatment and control areas. Species richness and abundance will be compared before and after Cat control as well as between control and treatment areas. It is predicted that some prey species may increase in abundance following Cat removal.
 
Start Date: 01/10/2016      End Date: 30/06/2017
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Dudley Peninsula and Haines hundred on Kangaroo Island, SA
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: Biodiversity- Fauna will be captured using Elliott, cage and pitfall trapping in native vegetation. Animals will be removed from traps into calico bags where they will be weighed and then restrained for identification and data collection on sex and reproductive status. Introduced rodents will be monitored on cropping farms using Elliott traps. Animals will be removed from traps into calico bags and identified. All native fauna and introduced rodents will be marked with a texta on the base of the tail to identify future recaptures. They will then be released at the site of capture unless voucher specimens are required by the Museum of South Australia. Staff will follow the protocols for vouchering after training by the Museum of South Australia. For full details of methods see Attachment 1 in attached ethics application .

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Fauna : Pest/Diseases/Threats - control project
Fauna : Monitoring - Fauna/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Information Authority: Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources