| Survey/Project Number: | 1058 Total No. of Sites: 0 |
| Survey/Project Name: | Wilkawillana Exclosures - Flinders Ranges National Park |
| Abstract: | The Wilkawillana exclosure was established 1985 in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, as a joint project between the state government Department of Lands and National Parks and Wildlife Service. The area is severely degraded as a result of past domestic stock grazing, and recovery has been suppressed by the combined impact of rabbits, goats and kangaroos, despite the sheep being removed in 1972. The location was chosen close to the access road into the gorge to maximise public awareness of the relative grazing impact. The soil type at the site suggests that it probably supported chenopod shrublands which may have been removed in the 1980s through heavy and constant grazing pressure. No Bladder Saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria), Bitter Saltbush (Atriplex stipitata) or Low Bluebush (Maireana astrotricha ) were present at the site in 1985, although a remnant stand of Low Bluebush occurs about 2 km NW of the site. Prickly Acacia (Acacia victoriae) also occurs within the area. Four plots (50m x 50m) were established: A. Kangaroo entry/No rabbits B. Rabbit entry/No kangaroos C. No rabbits/No kangaroo (Exclude all) D. All entry (Control). The plots were not replicated as the expense of a second set was too high, and the main objective was a demonstration plot. |
| Start Date: | 01/01/1985 End Date: 31/12/1994 |
| Survey Type: | Vegetation Only |
| Study Area Description: | Wilkawillana, Northern Flinders Ranges NP |
| Objectives | |||
| Vegetation: | To provide a demonstration plot on the relative grazing impact of kangaroos and rabbits. | ||
| Fauna: | *** No fauna survey objectives recorded | ||
| Methodology | |||
| Vegetation: | This work has been carried out at irregular intervals in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994. The exclosures are 50m x 50m and are pegged on a 5m grid. Then 1m squared quadrats were pregged in the centre of the plot to conform to the exitsing NPWS monitoring system. Plant density, number and cover were recorded within each plot. Additionally, each plot 50m x 50m was measured for plant cover for each species by step-point. All perennial plants are mapped on a grid, and the diameter and height are measured to the nearest cm. | ||
| Fauna: | *** No vertebrate methodology recorded | ||
| Data Distribution Rules: | Public Dataset |
| Project Basis: | Vegetation : Monitoring - Vegetation/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used. |
| Information Authority: | Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |