BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 586          Total No. of Sites: 184
Survey/Project Name: Malleefowl Monitoring - Gawler Ra NP & vicinity (#71)
Abstract: Malleefowl monitoring: Gawler Ranges & vicinity (Gawler Ranges Region, particularly Scrubby Peak), Grid 71. Note this is not an actual 'grid' - it is opportune records for malleefowl mounds in the Gawler Ranges National Park and surrounds. Monitoring began in 2004. Monitored using standard malleefowl monitoring data sheets in June 2006. Data is managed within the Department not in the National Malleefowl Database. Nationally, the Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata is listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.Population numbers have declined substantially throughout Australia since European settlement due to a number of factors including habitat clearance, salinity, stock grazing and introduction of the feral animals. Within the past century the range of Malleefowl has contracted, particularly in arid areas and at the periphery of its former range. Population declines have occurred, particularly in agricultural areas due to the clearing of remnant mallee vegetation. The fate of Malleefowl within the remaining habitat is uncertain and declines have been described in most areas in which trends in Malleefowl numbers have been documented. Malleefowl are known to occur in the Gawler Ranges with sightings and mounds recorded from the Blue Sturts and Scrubby Peak areas of the Gawler Ranges NP. They are also present in Pinkawillanie CP to the south and Lake Gilles CP to the east and adjacent landholdings. Mound densities in these areas are low compared with other parts of its range in SA. Broad scale thread abatement programs including ground-based and aerial fox baiting and goat control programs have been conducted on Gawler Ranges NP since 2000 under the Bounceback Program. Gawler Ranges Malleefowl Monitoring Program was established to provide fundamental information on the distribution and the status of Malleefowl abundance within this area as an indicator of the benefits of thread abatement programs to native fauna. The project builds on established grid based monitoring in Pinkawillanie CP that commenced in 1998 and has been monitored periodically as part of the Eyre Peninsula NRM Malleefowl programs. Opportunistic ground-based surveys have been conducted by contract staff and volunteers since 2004 in selected parts of the Gawler Ranges NP and surrounding areas. Aim and Objectives The primary aims and objectives of the Malleefowl Monitoring Program are to: Provide fundamental information about existing the distribution of Malleefowl population in Gawler Ranges Record and monitor mound activity within the Gawler Ranges. Recover and maintain a viable population of Malleefowl in suitable habitats in the Gawler Ranges NP and Pinkawillinie CP Encourage and promote landholder partnerships in relation to threat abatement and biodiversity conservation. Encourage and promote volunteer participation in conservation delivery Identify and manage threats to Malleefowl Project update: Monitoring of malleefowl within the SA Arid Lands NRM region. Initial project called "Bounceback and Beyond" funding through Regional Land Partnerships of National Landcare Program Phase 2. LiDAR transects flown on fox-baited Gawler Range National Park and Pinkawillinie Conservation Park and unbaited Yeltana, Bungeroo and Mullindilla stations. Data collected to contribute to NESP project investigating the impact of predator control on malleefowl. Camera traps established at each site to monitor malleefowl, predators, herbivores. Annual monitoring of known mounds. Data also provided to National Malleefowl Monitoring Database.
 
Start Date: 04/04/2004      End Date: 30/06/2023
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Gawler Ranges NP and surrounding areas. Gawler Ranges district of SA Arid Lands NRM region
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Broad scale thread abatement programs including ground-based and aerial fox baiting and goat control programs have been conducted on Gawler Ranges NP since 2000 under the Bounceback Program. Gawler Ranges Malleefowl Monitoring Program was established to provide fundamental information on the distribution and the status of Malleefowl abundance within this area as an indicator of the benefits of thread abatement programs to native fauna. Data collected to contribute to NESP project investigating the impact of predator control on malleefowl. Camera traps established at each site to monitor malleefowl, predators, herbivores. Annual monitoring of known mounds. Data also provided to National Malleefowl Monitoring Database.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: The standard monitoring technique commonly employed for Malleefowl monitoring is a grid network where ground based searches are conducted to assess the status of mounds, determining whether mounds are active or not. Due to the low mound density a grid based monitoring was not considered suitable for the Gawler Ranges so alternative survey methods have been investigated. Opportunistic ground-based searches have been conducted within suitable habitat and the information recorded on standard datasheets. These datasheets included: GPS locations of birds and mounds, a physical description of key mound features such as surface crust, leaf litter and vegetation present inside and outside the mound, and cross-sectional profile rated from 1-7 as per National Malleefowl Monitoring Criteria. In March 2004 the first trial of helicopter surveys in SA was conducted to monitor Malleefowl mounds in areas where there are very low mounds densities and where ground based searches are not practically effective due to the inaccessible nature of the large tracts of mallee and low mound densities. The results from Gawler Ranges areas indicated that this technique is not very effective in determining the density or status of mounds compared with ground assessment. However, this method may be useful for targeting areas for further ground surveys. LiDAR, standard national malleefowl mound monitoring survey techniques.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Fauna : Fauna species/population Study (ie trapping records over time period for species study). NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Outback) - Regional Ecologist - Outback/Ranges
Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:West)
Department for Environment and Water
South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region