BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 859          Total No. of Sites: 9
Survey/Project Name: Bat Ecology at BOOKMARK Biosphere Reserve
Abstract: This study attempted to address some major research gaps for two threatened bat species within the Bookmark Biosphere Reserve. Very little is known on the roosting and foraging requirements of the little pied bat (Chalinolobus .picatus) and the greater long-eared bat (Nyctophilus timoriensis) nor about the extent of their distribution within the BBR, a major area within their known range in SA. The little pied bat was found to have distinctive roosting requirements, choosing to roost mainly in dead trees and stumps of Casuarina pauper. Their roosts would typically be in trees that were only 3.5m tall and the roost would be midway up the trunk. Their roost openings showed no trend for aspect nor opening dimensions, although the cavity was large compared to the bats body size. Pied bats roosted alone and moved roost location often, although remaining in the same general area showing some area fidelity. The greater long-eared bat chose roosts in various tree species but tended toward mallee plain areas. They also tended to roost amongst dense canopy of their chosen tree rather than within a cavity or hollow. Trapping occurred over much of Calperum Station although limited time was spent in the most westerly sections (Taylorville). The little pied bat was recently captured at the Birds Australia Gluepot Reserve in Casuarina woodland re-enforcing its habitat preference in this semi-arid region of South Australia. Assessment of potential habitat for little pied bats within the BBR found only 17% of plant communities to be black oak dominated and hence suitable for roost sites, whereas 43% of the plant communities seem to be suitable for the greater long-eared bat. REFERENCES: Dominelli, S. (2000) DISTRIBUTION, ROOST REQUIREMENTS AND FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF THE GREATER LONG-EARED BAT (Nyctophilus timoriensis) AND THE LITTLE PIED BAT (Chalinolobus picatus) IN THE BOOKMARK BIOSPHERE RESERVE. The Bookmark Biosphere Trust.
 
Start Date: 01/01/1997      End Date: 01/01/1999
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Calperum and Taylorville Stations are located 17 km north of Renmark in South Australia and cover an area of 350,000 ha (fig 3). The Murray River forms the southeastern boundary and apart from 8670 ha of flood plain vegetation, Calperum is dominated by mallee shrubland.
Objectives
         Vegetation: Refer to Abstract.
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: A vegetation survey was conducted at each roost site to characterise the habitat in which the roost was located. The roost was made the centre point around which a circular quadrat was established with a 100m radius. Data was then collected on all species present (indicating the dominant/co-dominant overstory and understory species) the life form, the cover abundance (scale adapted from Braun-Blanquet system) and the Life stage. The number of trees of each of the dominant species was also recorded, including the number of dead trees.
         Fauna: Extensive surveys of bats were undertaken throughout the Biosphere Reserve during 1997 and 1998 well within the known distribution of N.timoriensis and C.picatus. The type and quantity of collecting devices used varied depending on the trapping location. Up to 7 nets and 5 harp traps (Austbat research Equipment, Lower Plenty, Victoria, Australia) were used. In addition to traps and nets the Anabat II bat detector (Titley electronics, Ballina, New South Wales, Australia) was also used at each trapping location. When either of the two species was captured the specific trapping locality was then recorded using a global positioning system (GPS) and later mapped using Arcview geographic information system. Records held with the museum of South Australia and those in the scientific literature, were also examined to contribute to the knowledge of distribution. Detailed methodology available in the ineternal report - copy in BioDataStoreArchive

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Unknown :
Information Authority: Bookmark Biosphere Trust
Australian Landscape Trust