BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 117          Total No. of Sites: 1349
Survey/Project Name: Southern Mt Lofty Ranges
Abstract: This project aims to conduct a biological survey to determine the diversity and distribution of biological communities in the Southern Mt Lofty Ranges region, near Adelaide, South Australia. METHODOLOGY: Survey a range of quadrats that represents the biological variation over the study area. Five surveys, conducted between 1977 and 2000 and comprising 1177 vegetation quadrats in the survey region, contributed to the floristic analysis. Due to past vegetation-clearance patterns, most of the survey quadrats were concentrated in the western two/thirds of the survey region. Survey quadrats were located on both crown and privately owned land. At least one survey quadrat was located in each of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 reserves in the study region. Three surveys, conducted between 1995 and 2000 and comprising 157 quadrats, contributed to the vertebrate analysis (these surveys also included vegetation quadrats). The major vertebrate survey fieldwork occurred in three separate periods, from autumn to early summer 2000. The vertebrate survey results were combined with previous records for the region to produce consolidated total species lists for each vertebrate category. Two sites established for the Southern Mt Lofty Biological Survey have continued to have annual monitoring using the same standard sampling for ten years or more (see BDBSA Project 178). The sites were established in relatively intact Eucalyptus obliqua forest and in a paddock at the start of a revegetation program. The sampling will follow the establishment of more natural vegetation cover on the re-vegetated site and the fauna that establishes here over time. REFERENCE: Armstrong D. Croft S.J. and Foulkes J.N. (2003) A Biological Survey of the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges South Australia 2000-2001. DEH SA. NOTE: Two additional sites were also established under this project number for the Mt Osmond Reserve Survey carried out in April/May 2001 by Planning SA/DEH. The sites were in the same study area and used the Biological Survey methodology but probably should have their own project number. The project incorporates data collected in 2000 for the South Para Biodiversity Project and NCSSA. Report "A biological survey and monitoring in the South Para Region" by Holly Bickerton with contributions from Scott Field and Patrick O'Connor.
 
Start Date: 01/01/1977      End Date: 31/05/2001
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Sample sites were located within fragmented remnant native vegetation patches (covering approx. 15% of the study area) and surrounded by land cleared for agriculture, grazing and rural/urban development. The study area encompasses a region that is bounded by the Gawler River to the north, the edge of the Mt Lofty Ranges in the east (where they meet the Murray plain) and the ocean to the south (the Southern Ocean) and to the west (St. Vincent's Gulf). Sites were surveyed on NPWSA Reserves, land managed by Forestry SA and SA Water and privately owned properties and Heritage Agreements. Please note that there are duplicate coordinates for the following sites: YAN00301 AND YAN01101. YAN00301 was surveyed during a 'Rekky' trip. YAN01101 were surveyed at a later date and both vertebrate and plants were collected. WIL00301 and WIL02101. WIL00301 was surveyed during a 'Rekky' trip. WIL02101 was surveyed at a later date and both vertebrate and plants were collected.
Objectives
         Vegetation: Visit period 1999-2001. To observe; collect and identify species of plants present in the area by sampling an array of fixed quadrats representing the geographical and biological diversity of the region. To establish a comprehensive database of the flora of the SMLR that is amenable to ecological analysis. To document and classify the patterns of species and communities across the region and their relationship with physical parameters. To evaluate conservation status of species and communities within the SMLR. (Objectives sourced from the survey report Armstrong D. et al (eds) 2003). Visit period 1-JAN-2001 - 16-MAR-2005: Using two sites established for the Southern Mt Lofty Biological Survey, to continue standard sampling for ten years or more. The sites were established in relatively intact Eucalyptus obliqua forest (NOA01001) and in a paddock at the start of a revegetation program (NOA01002). The sampling will follow the establishment of more natural vegetation covet on the re-vegetated site and the fauna that establishes here over time.
         Fauna: Visit period 1999-2001. To observe; collect and identify species of fauna present in the area by sampling an array of fixed quadrats representing the geographical and biological diversity of the region. To establish a comprehensive database of the fauna of the SMLR that is amenable to ecological analysis. To document and classify the patterns of species and communities across the region and their relationship with physical parameters. To evaluate conservation status of species and communities within the SMLR. To provide the SA Museum with collections representative of the diversity of vertebrates within the region. (Objectives sourced from the survey report Armstrong D. et al (eds) 2003).
Methodology
         Vegetation: Methods follow the Biological Survey of South Australia framework.
         Fauna: Methods follow the Biological Survey of South Australia framework. Sites established for vertebrates had 1 - 2 half sheets of galvanized iron placed prior to the survey visit as an additional sampling method (for herptofauna).

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: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:S&C Div) - Biological Survey and Monitoring