BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 603          Total No. of Sites: 52
Survey/Project Name: Sturt Upper Reaches Landcare Group Annual Bandicoot Hairtube Survey
Abstract: The Bandicoot Monitoring Program is a community-based survey managed by the Sturt Upper Reaches Landcare Group (SURLG). The DEH Bandicoot Recovery Prgram for the Mt Lofty Ranges works closely with SURLG to provide technical advice and equipment. The overarching goal of the SURLG Bandicoot Monitoring Program is to improve the distribution of southern brown bandicoots in the local area by raising public awareness of the conservation needs of the species. The program aims to: maintain a longitudinal study of the presence and distribution of small ground-dwelling mammals, including southern brown bandicoot on private properties in the Sturt catchment;support and increase the involvement of local landholders in biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration, and to strengthen native vegetation linkages where possible; assess the effect of landholder habitat restoration strategies on the presence and distribution of southern brown bandicoots on individual properties. This is achieved using an annual hairtubing and vegetation monitoring program which is conducted by landholders with guidance from members of the SURLG. Survey started in 2003.
 
Start Date: 01/09/2003      End Date: 01/01/2012
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: The Upper Sturt Catchment contains significant habitat remnants between Belair National Park and Mark Oliphant Conservation Park. These remnants are interspersed with regions of degraded bushland, farmland and housing estates. The native vegetation comprises Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus obliqua woodlands and forests.
Objectives
         Vegetation: Basic information is collected on dominant plant species and vegetation density within 2 m of the hairtube. This information is collected to track changes in the vegetation resulting from bushcare work undertaken by landholders and to determine if these changes influence the distribution of bandicoots.
         Fauna: 200 m hairtube transects (9 tubes per transect. Faunatech hairtubes separated by 25 m) are monitored annually with the aim of detecting changes in the distribution of terrestrial mammals in relation to the habitat restoration efforts of landholders.
Methodology
         Vegetation: Surveys are conducted by landholders with varying levels of plant identification skills. Dominant plant species and an approximation of plant density within 2 m of the hairtube are recorded.
         Fauna: One 200 m transect is established per property. The transect is placed to encompass at least some of the area that is the focus of habitat restoration efforts. Nine Faunatech hairtubes, spaced 25 m apart, are placed along the transect. Hairtubes are collected one week later and all double-sided tape with hair stuck to it is sent to Barbara Triggs ('Dead Finish', Genoa, Victoria) for analysis.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Monitoring - Vegetation/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Fauna : Monitoring - Vegetation/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Adelaide) - Blackhill Office - Regional Ecologist