| Abstract: |
This survey in 2005 assessed the influence of borrow pits on the distribution of cattle and subsequent impacts on native vegetation. All sites were within Innamincka Regional Reserve.
The purpose of this project is to assess infrastructure in Innamincka Regional Reserve (IRR). More specifically the project assessed the roads and resulting Borrow Pits (BPs) found in two land systems (Della and Merninie) in IRR. BPs provide a supply of suitable construction materials from the land for road works. The result of BPs is a hole of varying sizes left in the ground where the construction material was extracted.
The Della land system is characterised by red sand dunes interspersed with clay and clayey-sand plains. The Merninie land system is characterised by gibber plains, tablelands, mesa and vegetated drainage lines. Della is located in the southern part of IRR and Merninie is found as two separate islands within the Della system and a greater area in the western part of IRR (Map 1).
An infrastructure assessment of IRR was conducted between the 25th of May and the 5th of June 2005. It is worth noting that while viewing the vegetation condition of IRR the information collected was at a time when there were dry seasonal conditions.
This short-term investigative project assessed the environmental impacts of Borrow Pits in Innamincka Regional Reserve. The objectives and outcomes of the project include:
Objectives
1. Identify locations and extent of BPs in IRR
2. Determine / identify a representative subset of BPs
3. Assess the environmental impact of a subset of BPs in IRR
4. Develop a set of draft guidelines on the future management of BPs and rehabilitation of existing BPs in IRR
Outputs
1. Development of spatial maps of BPs in IRR
2. Produce quantitative and qualitative data-set on the BPs in IRR including size, water holding capacity, biodiversity impact etc
3. A Comprehensive Rapid Assessment Tool was designed for data collection at each of the BPs investigated Appendix 2
4. Develop basic recommendations for future BP Management.
REFERENCE:
Thiessen, J. & Graham, A. (2005) Innamincka Project -Infrastructure State of Play: Innamincka Regional Reserve - FINAL REPORT .DEH (Copy in DEWNR:BioDataStore)
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