BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 825          Total No. of Sites: 53
Survey/Project Name: Yellow-bellied Water Skink - Fleurieu
Abstract: The Yellow-bellied Water Skink, Eulamprus heatwolei, occurs from eastern Victoria to northern New South Wales, with a disjunct population occurring in South Australia on the Fleurieu Peninsula and at the mouth of the Murray River on the northern shores of Lake Alexandrina. Prior to the completion of this study the South Australian population was known from 46 records collected between February 1949 and February 2000. The records extended from Deep Creek Conservation Park in the south to Strathalbyn in the north and east to Lake Alexandrina. The aim of the DEH/NRM 2009/10 survey was to improve knowledge of the current distribution of E. heatwolei on the Fleurieu Peninsula. A report with the results of the surveys was written for the AMLR NRM Board. Titled: The Yellow-bellied Water Skink, Eulamprus heatwolei, on the Fleurieu Peninsula Summary of 2009-2010 Survey Findings. Prepared by Luke Price and Kirsten Abley in June 2010.
 
Start Date: 01/11/2009      End Date: 30/06/2010
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Fleurieu Peninsula
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: Prior to undertaking field surveys, historic records of the species were examined (records were extracted from the Biological Databases of South Australia). Particular attention was paid to the spatial accuracy of records and their associated site descriptions (which provided supplementary information about spatial accuracy). This enabled survey effort to be prioritised (to accurate record sites) and record locations to be found efficiently. Search effort was spent at historic record locations and at sites where potentially suitable habitat was known to exist (based on local knowledge). The focus of the survey was to visit as many potential habitat locations as possible to a) improve knowledge of the species distribution, b) gain an understanding of the common characteristics of E. heatwolei habitat and c) identify any potential threatening processes that may require further investigation. Search effort varied between sites according to weather conditions, the extent of suitable habitat and the ability to effectively search this habitat. Habitat thought to be suitable was searched by walking slowly through the area and scanning all potential basking sites with binoculars (from a minimum distance of 10 m where possible).

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Unknown :
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Adelaide) - Blackhill Office - Regional Ecologist