BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1192          Total No. of Sites: 490
Survey/Project Name: Malkumba-Coongie Wetland Wonders - maintaining values and improving ecology
Abstract: FULL PROJECT NAME: Malkumba-Coongie Wetland Wonders - Maintaining the values and improving the ecological function of the Coongie Lakes Ramsar Wetlands. This is a five-year project funding through the National Landcare Program Phase Two. This project will draw on a review of past and existing monitoring by the SA EPA and SARDI to guide knowledge gaps filling with respect to aquatic fauna in the Coongie Lakes Ramsar wetland area, whilst terrestrial values will be assessed through a combination of traditional survey techniques, new remote detection technology and recently developed rapid assessment techniques. Assessment of the threat posed by the changes to landscape from resource exploration and extraction activity will involve a combination of time series remote sensing analysis with ground-truthing. Overall, the project will build on existing knowledge and long-term monitoring of fish, invertebrates, waterbirds and their breeding, and waterhole condition. it also consolidates conservation gains made through previously funded landscape-scale threat management across the Channel Country in the SAAL region. it will increase understanding of biodiversity , ecology and condition of waterholes, surrounding floodplains and associated habitat that characterise the RAMSAR listing as well as management. The on-ground management actions proposed in this project will address a number of key threats to Coongie Lakes Ramsar values: feral animal impacts, priority weed incursions (especially after flood), and livestock impacts. These will be tackled collaboratively with relevant land managers. Monitoring of threatening processes and their impacts on Ramsar biodiversity values will also involve traditional owners and community volunteers. The objectives of this project are: - assessment of disturbance by pigs and large feral herbivores at sample locations associated with waterholes along the main channels of the Cooper Creek. Other main waterways including the Diamantina and Warburton Rivers are likely to be assessed also. - establish a night parrot acoustic surveillance network - establish 2 ha track plot surveillance for Dusky Hopping-mouse and Crest-tailed Mulgara (Ampurta) - sample fish diversity across refuge waterholes to monitor Ramsar condition thresholds.
 
Start Date: 01/08/2018      End Date: 30/06/2023
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: The Coongie Lakes Ramsar site is located in the north-east corner of South Australia. It includes the Cooper Creek system from the South Australian-Queensland border downstream to Lake Hope (Lake Pnado), the northwest branch of Cooper Creek, the northern overflow and their many waterholes and terminal lakes covering an area of over two million hectares. Properties to be included in the project include Innamincka RR, Malkumba-Coongie Lakes NP, Gidgealpa, Clifton Hills, Cowarie, Mungerannie and Mulka.
Objectives
         Vegetation: Refer to Abstract.
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: Vegetation condition monitoring will be undertaken using the Rangelands Assessment methodology (NVC 2017).
         Fauna: Dusky Hopping-mouse and Crest-tailed Mulgara (Ampurta) will be monitored for site occupancy across the region using the 2 ha trackplot method (Moseby et al 2009). At a sample of locations, species tracks will be confirmed by trapping using pits, Elliot traps and cameras. Night Parrots and frogs will be monitored for site occupancy using acoustic song meters to be deployed in suitable habitat. EPBC listed bird species will be monitored by counting bird numbers following a substantial flood event, should one occur, in collaboration with Birds SA and affiliated organisations and other experts. Pig impact assessments will be undertaken by traversing a 1km transect (4m wide) along waterholes, recording the presence of tracks, scats, digs, wallows and the severity and age of impacts. Presence of other feral herbivores will also be noted.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Baseline Survey of flora and/or fauna - Standard Biol Survey of SA survey methodology not used.
Fauna : EPBC/NPWSA Threatened species targeted survey. Flora or fauna species.
Fauna : Baseline Survey of flora and/or fauna - Standard Biol Survey of SA survey methodology not used.
Fauna : Pest/Diseases/Threats - control project
Information Authority: South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region