BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1128          Total No. of Sites: 84
Survey/Project Name: Southern Yorke Peninsula Biofund - Goanna Monitoring
Abstract: This project aims to monitor goanna across Southern Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. The monitoring is a component of the greater Southern Yorke Peninsula (SYP) Biofund Project. OBJECTIVES: The SYP Biofund Project aimed to: 1. Undertake revegetation and habitat restoration works; 2. Improve landscape permeability; 3. Increase the system's resilience to climatic changes. METHODOLOGY: In addition to the on-ground works (establishing revegetation areas, undertaking coastal protection works, weed and feral animal control), various types of monitoring (threatened species, bushland condition, revegetation success) were undertaken to establish a baseline in the project area. This goanna monitoring forms part of the baseline to capture presence of, and improve distribution knowledge on, the regionally-endangered Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi) across SYP. It will also aid assessment of the response of the Heath Goanna population to the ongoing expanded fox-baiting program (Baiting for Biodiversity program), across SYP. The hypothesis is that the survival rate, abundance and distribution of the goanna population will improve and increase over time with the implementation and continuation of a regular and expanded fox baiting program. All fauna captured by camera-traps is recorded with this project. Data is not restricted to goanna data only. The project was funded through Australia Government funding (previously known as the Biodiversity Fund) and the Northern and Yorke NRM Board.
 
Start Date: 06/08/2013      End Date: 30/06/2017
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Southern Yorke Peninsula study area includes the area from Point Souttar to Corny Point, Daly Head, Innes NP, Foul Bay and Sturt Bay.
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Objectives 1. Establish a baseline monitoring grid of 70 camera-traps across the Southern Yorke Peninsula restoration project, 2. Time camera-trap deployment to focus on goannas activity, and 3. Record the presence of goannas and/or other species when sighted using camera-traps. NOTE - 30/06/2017 - This data is still being prepared under R:\IST\SRC\Projects\BioDataStore\Data\NotLoaded\SU1128_SYP PROJECT - GOANNA MONITORING Visit data tables partly prepared are located in the R:\IST\SRC\Projects\BioDataStore\Data\NotLoaded\SU1128_SYP PROJECT - GOANNA MONITORING\Goanna_Ellen_working\BDBSA_SU1128_data\SU1128_Goanna_All_data_BDBSA_29062017.xls file. Species data is still being prepared. When the species data is ready to be prepared for loading cross checks are required to make sure all data consistent.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: Goanna monitoring sites were selected using an ArcGIS generated "fishnet" grid with 70 sites selected to provide a reasonable spread of sites across the project study area within the variety of habitats. Sites were selected across both public and private land within native vegetation cover with privacy of location important for camera-trap security. Sites are named GM1-GM70 however if the initial site was subsequently moved to a better location (for a variety of reasons) then the initial location siteid name has the suffix "-old" added (e.g. GM38-old). Cameras were deployed when Heath (Rosenberg) goannas were most active within their largest territories (generally November-December), each year over the 3 year period (2014 -2016) with the exception of April 2014 when the program commenced and the grid was initially established. Each monitoring period consisted of approx. 21 days (varying between 7-35 days depending on camera batteries and retrieval times). Where possible the same type of camera has been used at each site per monitoring period. The exception was when more advance cameras became available in 2015 and 2016 replacing some of the earlier camera-traps. In 2014 & 2015 cameras were set for the period approx. 6am- 9pm while in 2015-2016 they were set for 24hrs. Monitoring sites consist of 2 posts (galvanised star-droppers), one providing a stable base for attaching the camera-trap and other for attaching the sealed PVC bait lure. The posts are set approx. 2-4.5m part. A SA Government photo-point disc is attached to the camera post.

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:Northern & Yorke) - Clare Office - Regional Ecologist
Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region