BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 23          Total No. of Sites: 1631
Survey/Project Name: Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands
Abstract: This project aims to conduct flora and vertebrate fauna surveys between 1991 and 2000, at selected sites across the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands, north-west South Australia. Surveys were conducted by involving local Aboriginals (Anangu) in the surveys and record traditional knowledge about flora and fauna. This project is part of the Biological Survey of SA programme run by the Biological Survey and Monitoring group in Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH). Survey areas defined in a DEH spatial layer are managed by DEH Environmental Information Group.
 
Start Date: 01/09/1985      End Date: 04/02/2005
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands - north-west South Australia, about 8.4% of South Australia Central Ranges and Great Victoria Desert bioregions. Desert hills and ranges, sand plains and sand dune desert. Triodia hummock grasslands, Acacia shrublands and woodlands, Mallee shrublands. Northwest portion of South Australia bounded in the west by the Western Australia border, in the north by the Northern Territory, in the east by the Stuart Highway (mostly), to around 28*S latitude.
Objectives
         Vegetation: Conduct detailed flora and vertebrate fauna surveys at selected sites across the Anangu Pitjantjatjara lands. Involve local Aboriginals (Anangu) in the surveys and record traditional knowledge about flora and fauna.
         Fauna: Conduct detailed flora and vertebrate fauna surveys at selected sites across the Anangu Pitjantjatjara lands. Involve local Aboriginals (Anangu) in the surveys and record traditional knowledge about flora and fauna.
Methodology
         Vegetation: A 100 x 100 m quadrat is selected to represent a vegetation patch within a broader 1 x 1 km quadrat. The 1km2 quadrats attempt to encompass multiple patches. Multiple patches in the site area without the need to extend the survey into external (but biological similar) areas. This procedure minimises the time spent on obtaining prior clearance from Anangu elders which is required before visiting any new area. Each patch is sampled (time permitting) with a 100m x 100m quadrat listing all plant species encountered and applying Braun/Blanquet cover-abundance scores (standard survey format). The primary patch for each 1km2 quadrat (the patch in which the vertebrate traplines are installed) is located to include trapline A and the patch photograph and, where possible, extend into the area between trapline A and B. Species located within the same patch type in the 1 km2 quadrat, but outside the 100m x 100m quadrat samples for that patch type, are listed on the data sheet for that patch type as additional species and are not included in the cover-abundance scoring. Any plant species encountered that had not been recorded in a quadrat are collected as opportunistic records.
         Fauna: Standard survey format, ie two traplines at least 200m apart but within the boundaries of the primary quadrat vegetation patch type. Each trapline consists of a line of 6 pitfall traps, 10m apart with a drift fence, accompanied by 6 micropitfalls, each placed about 1m away from the main pitfalls. A line of 15 Elliott box traps 10m apart is run in a line, initially placed against the pitfall drift fence, then extending beyond the pitfall line, but still within the primary patch type. A 'possum'-type treadle cage trap is placed near to the beginning and end of the Elliott trapline. Traplines are kept open for 4 consecutive nights. Each primary patch type is also extensively searched for other vertebrate records for set minimum time periods. Any secondary patches within the 1km2 quadrat records provide more of a picture of species status within the general site area. Netting for bats (mist-nets and harp traps) is carried out at appropriate sites, though most often not within quadrats due to scarcity of ideal sites (eg waterholes, tanks). Since September 1995, a bat detector has been set up at as many quadrats as possible to record bat calls and hence determine what bat species actually hunt within particular vegetation types. Prepared skins and spirit specimens of vertebrate species of particular interest (eg extinct, endangered, cryptic species) are borrowed from the SA Museum and used to prompt Anangu elders for any information they may have on these species. This information is recorded on tape and later translated. Different elders and communities are offered the same species and asked similar questions in an attempt to gauge consistency of information. This information has been used to select sites for future surveys and has already resulted in the relocation of threatened species. Bird identifications determined in the field through observations. Any specimens collected are curated at SA Museum.

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