BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1132          Total No. of Sites: 133
Survey/Project Name: SouthernYP Caladenia fuliginosa (Coastal White Spider Orchid) Monitoring Project
Abstract: This project aims to monitor Caladenia fuliginosa ('Coastal Spider Orchid') in south-western Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, which is a refuge for many threatened fauna species. BACKGROUND: The Southern Yorke Peninsula (SYP) Conservation Action Planning (CAP) process has identified the need for revegetation and habitat restoration works to buffer high-quality remnant vegetation, re-establish landscape linkages and improve landscape permeability, and increase the system's resilience to climatic changes. The Northern and Yorke NRM Board (the Board) has received funding support to undertake habitat restoration works, between 2013 and 2017. As part of the monitoring and evaluation process, the Board is interested in undertaking monitoring of a threatened flora species in the SYP project area. This threatened flora monitoring provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the species populations, life history aspects and assess what may be threats to the species. Nineteen of the national and state threatened species found within the Southern Yorke IBRA7 subregion EYB01 (Gillam & Urban 2008) were considered with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) Threatened Flora Ecologist, and the Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Community Engagement Team Leader. Of the 19 threatened species considered, Caladenia fuliginosa ('Coastal Spider Orchid') was identified as the highest-priority species for monitoring. This species is currently rated as endangered at regional level (pers. comm. S Gilliam, DEWNR) and state level, and is being proposed for threatened-species nomination under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) (pers. comm. D. Bickerton, DEWNR). The Northern Lofty Orchid Recovery Team indicated that monitoring this species would provide a better understanding of the species to assist with EPBC Act nomination and listing. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this monitoring of C. fuliginosa is to attempt to determine: 1. Number of individuals and size of the known populations in the SYP project area; 2. Number of individuals that successfully set fruit and got fruit to maturity (dispersal stage) within the monitored populations; 3. Whether there is any grazing/browsing impact on individuals within the monitored populations.
 
Start Date: 31/08/2003      End Date: 31/12/2020
Survey Type: Vegetation Only
   
Study Area Description: Four main population locations on southern Yorke Peninsula. Foul Bay (2 properties - Julia Bignall and David Hackett), Lower White Hut (2 properties - Alan Wilson and Deborah Furbank) and Innes National Park. Some of these properties are on Heritage Agreements.
Objectives
         Vegetation: Refer to Abstract.
         Fauna: *** No fauna survey objectives recorded
Methodology
         Vegetation: SAMPLE SELECTION: Currently there are 4 known main population locations for this species. As orchids tubers do not always flower each season it is ideal to attempt to locate and monitor a reasonable number >75 - 100 individuals. Currently it is estimated that there is ~20-25 individuals at each of 3 locations. Therefore, where possible sampling should maximise the number of individual across these 3 populations. FIELD SAMPLING PROCESS: The field sampling method is summarised. A more detailed methodology is available in Heard 2017 (unpublished). 1. Using the existing population coordinates conduct initial searches to locate the population patches, then record the patch centroids and measure the radius from the centroid required to cover that population patch. 2. Within the identified patches, tag individual C. fuliginosa plants with a numbered tag. Tags should be placed approximately 5-10 cm from the individual and angled away to avoid damaging the orchid tuber. Pre-numbered metal pins are preferred as plastic tags deteriorate &/or can be dislodged by animals (pers. comm. J. Quarmby, DEWNR). 3. Record the distance each individual is from its tag and the direction (compass direction or bearing). This is important as orchids don't always flower each year hence making it difficult to recognise monitored individuals in subsequent years. A further complication is that orchids can also send up flowers from another tuber of the same plant so the distance and direction information attempts to assist with either correlating to a previously monitored individual or identifying a new separate plant. 4. For each individual record; a. Whether a single plant or not-single (i.e. multiple plants nearby) - Y (single)/N (not single), b. Life stage Status present - L = leaf; B = bud; A = bud aborted; F = flower; P = flower pollinated; S = flower shrivelled; SP = unsure whether pollinated or spent; CI = seed capsule - immature; CM = seed capsule - mature; CD = seed - dispersed. Additional codes for future revisits are; NE = not emerged, TNL = tag not located. c. Browse / Grazed impact present - EL = eaten - leaf, ES = eaten- flower stalk / flower; EF= eaten - flower. d. Add any additional information / clarification about damage to the plants or other threats in the comments field. 5. On return visit find tagged individuals and repeat observations of Status and Browse / Graze impact.
         Fauna: *** No vertebrate methodology recorded

Data Distribution Rules: Sensitive Dataset: Data supplied to approved clients via DEWBioDataRequests@sa.gov.au
Project Basis: Vegetation : EPBC/NPWSA Threatened species targeted survey. Flora or fauna species.
Vegetation : Presence and absence method
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Northern & Yorke) - Clare Office - Regional Ecologist
Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region