BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 999          Total No. of Sites: 26
Survey/Project Name: Ecological burns in the Murray Mallee
Abstract: This project aims to determine whether fire is limiting recruitment and regeneration of long-unburnt Murray Mallee dune systems. Ecological burns are proposed across five areas of the Murray Mallee. OBJECTIVES: At Karte Conservation Park (CP) and Peebinga CP, burns will aim to test whether fire increases diversity of vegetation and avian species in senescing Broombush stands (Melaleuca uncinata). Western Whipbirds were once recorded in the area, and the project will specifically aim to increase the understanding of how to manage habitat for Western Whipbird, by increasing usable habitat for this species through fire management (specified in Woinarski, Eckert et al. 1988). These areas are included in the Billiatt District Fire Management Plan. In the fragmented northern Murray Mallee, ecological burns will be carried out at Bakara CP, Hamiltons Block (crown land) and Stockyard Plains Disposal Basin (SA-Water land). Burns will aim to test whether fire is limiting recruitment of the Woorinen deep-sands mallee vegetation and Dodonaea shrubland, which are in degraded states with little if any understorey. The restoration of these areas is an identified conservation priority within the northern Murray Mallee landscape (Willoughby 2010). Ecological burn treatments will be combined with or without direct-seeding, to determine limits of germination of key structural species.
 
Start Date: 01/02/2012      End Date: 31/12/2022
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Project sites include Karte, Peebinga, Bakara and Mantung Conservation Parks and the Stockyard Plains Disposal Basin (SA water land).
Objectives
         Vegetation: Refer to Abstract.
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: Within Karte and Peebinga plots, we will carry out the following monitoring: Flora all species Assessments (Pre burn, Post Burn 1,5 & 10 years) Belt transects (structure and canopy) DSE protocol (Pre burn, Post Burn 1,5& 10 years) Fire severity Assessment Flora Vital Attributes assessment ( 1 year post fire ) Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus. Photograph North west corner. From top of post (Pre burn, Post Burn 1 month, 1,5& 10 years) Bird point area surveys 20min/2ha point surveys (Pre burn, Post Burn 1,5& 10 In the Northern Murray Mallee plots the following monitoring will occur: Modified Braun-Blanquet pre-treatment and then autumn and spring for three years post treatment then once again at five years post treatment.
         Fauna: Burn 1,5 & 10 years) Belt transects (structure and canopy) DSE protocol (Pre burn, Post Burn 1,5& 10 years) Fire severity Assessment Flora Vital Attributes assessment ( 1 year post fire ) Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus. Photograph North west corner. From top of post (Pre burn, Post Burn 1 month, 1,5& 10 years) Bird point area surveys 20min/2ha point surveys (Pre burn, Post Burn 1,5& 10 In the Northern Murray Mallee plots the following monitoring will occur: Modified Braun-Blanquet pre-treatment and then autumn and spring for three years post treatment then once again at five years post treatment.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Natural Hazard /Ecological studies - flood and bushfire mapping and fire behaviour assessment. - Standard Survey methodology used.
Fauna : Natural Hazard /Ecological studies - flood and bushfire mapping and fire behaviour assessment. - Standard Survey methodology used.
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Murraylands)
Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region