| Abstract: |
Monitoring presence and extent of species in relation to topography and post fire monitoring.
Sedgeland areas within Messent Conservation Park are known to support populations of the threatened plant species Senecio macrocarpus and Thelymitra epipactoides. The possibility of reinstating surface freshwater flows into Messent Conservation Park lead to a botanical survey of these areas in 2001, in order to contribute to the knowledge of the distribution of these species, particularly in the area that may be potentially flooded (Cutten & Squire, 2002). In May 2002, (after the initial survey), a NPWSA prescribed burn accidentally got away and burnt a large area of the park (3,148 ha), including approximately 50% of the sedgeland within the area of interest and the site of the 1977 record of Thelymitra epipactoides, (Cutten & Squire, 2002).
Cutten & Squire, (2002) recommended that monitoring occur as soon as posible, so as to give the greatest chance of finding Thelymitra epipactoides within the Alf Flat area, and to determine the effects of fire on Senecio macrocarpus.
Subsequently, in order to investigate the impacts of the May 2002 prescribed burn on Senecio macrocarpus and Thelymitra epipactoides populations, transects that were entirely or partially burnt during the May 2002 fire were re-surveyed in October 2002 (approximately 6 months after the fire). Methods used were the same as those used in 2001 - GPS and data loggers to record locations along transect lines. Aditionally the only previously known location of Thelymitra epipactoides was searched, as it too had been burnt during the 2002 fire. |