BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1          Total No. of Sites: 628
Survey/Project Name: Gawler
Abstract: This project aims to conduct a biological survey of the Gawler Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, by South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service and South Australian Museum, Adelaide. METHODOLOGY: Work was undertaken in 1985 as follows: Part 1 of this project involved a biodiversity survey and traditional ecological knowledge recording exercise in the Gawler Ranges National Park. A 10-day biological survey was undertaken revisiting 6 quadrat locations surveyed by Robinson et al. (1988) and 3 quadrats surveyed as part of the Eyre Peninsula Biological Survey in 2001. In addition a further 9 quadrats established on the Gawler Ranges National Park in 1985 and 2001 were re-located and the standard photopoints were re-taken. The project also engaged members of the Gawler Ranges Native Title Group (including 10 elders/youth, Two Working on Country rangers and the Project Coordinator), Western scientists (3-4 experts) and South. Australian Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and SANTS technical/support staff. They worked together to record ecological and cultural data and the value and uses of the plants and animals in the Gawler Ranges National Park. Indigenous participants were trained in biological survey techniques and the sharing and recording of cultural knowledge of plants and animals. The survey targeted 3-4 separate ecosystems and was undertaken from 27 September/3 October 2010 and involved a field team of some 20 people. The ornithologist returned to the park from 4-6 October and recorded extra, opportunistic bird records. REFERENCE: Robinson, A. C., Casperson, K. D., Canty, P. D. and Macdonald, C. A. (1988). A biological survey of the Gawler Ranges, South Australia in October 1985.
 
Start Date: 01/01/1985      End Date: 31/10/2010
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: The Gawler Environmental Association consists of steeply sounded accordant hills and long footslopes separated by broad floodplains. It supports a mixed cover of low open woodland with open scant understorey, low mixed chenopod shrubland and herbaceous vegetation. The study area is bounded by the boundary of the Gawler Ranges Environmental Association (7.1.5), between 135*45' and 137*15' longitude and 32*45' and 31*50' latitude. The following mapsheets were added to the existing boundary to cover the sites surveyed in August 2000. They were Minnipa - 5932, Uno - 6232, Horsehoe - 6233, Buckleboo - 6132, Yardea - 6033, Cacuppa - 6032 and Yartoo - 5933.
Objectives
         Vegetation: Visit period October 1985: To sample the range of vegetation associations systematically for flora and fauna using standard Biological Survey of SA methods. A vegetation only survey was conducted from 14 to 23 August 2000 to prepare a vegetation map for the following 1:100,000 mapsheets: Carcuppa, Yardea, Minnipa and Yartoo.
         Fauna: 'as above'.
Methodology
         Vegetation: Quadrats were 1 x 1km sampling, within each patch produced a complete species list with percent occurrence for each species was recorded. For the August 2000 sites 50 x 50 m quadrats were used.
         Fauna: Standard Biological Survey Methods used, see report for details. Note re number observed field for birds in October 1985: In the case of 18-20 visits, raw abundance codes were entered in the number observed field with the actual number in species comments. Reference must be made to both fields to read bird abundances. Further clarification will require examination of datasheets.

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