| Survey/Project Number: | 14 Total No. of Sites: 283 |
| Survey/Project Name: | Nullarbor |
| Abstract: | This project aims to systematically sample the range of vegetation associations for flora and fauna on the Nullarbor Plain, western South Australia. METHODOLOGY: 1. In the early stages of rangeland condition monitoring in South Australia a number of photopoints were established in various places. Throughout 1956 and 1973 sites that were chosen and sampled focussed on particular plant communities or plant species. Photopoint PP154 was established on Koonalda Pastoral Lease, in vegetation suited to pastoral production. Since the site was installed, the land has been declared a national park. This site is one where long-term trends in vegetation change may be evaluated; 2. Throughout 1972 and 2001, vegetation, mammals and reptiles were surveyed using Standard Biological Survey of SA methods. 3. Vegetation mapping of the area occurred in 2002. |
| Start Date: | 01/04/1981 End Date: 11/05/2002 |
| Survey Type: | Vegetation and Fauna |
| Study Area Description: | The Nullarbor Plain is one of the largest continuous karst areas in the world and is therefore of national significance to Australia. The area is defined for the purposes of the survey included the majority of the Eucla Basin. The study area boundaries are those previously designated in Western Australia as the Eucla Botanical Province in WA and in South Australia as the Nullarbor Environmental Region. It should be noted that the study area in SA included a range of vegetation associations - it was not simply confined to the treeless plain. The Eucla Botanical Province in WA and Nullarbor Environmental Region in SA. |
| Objectives | |||
| Vegetation: | To sample the range of vegetation associations systematically for flora and fauna using Standard Biological Survey of South Australia. NB: (Vegetation and vertebrate data for site ME00201 and vertebrate data for site ME00301/02 entered on database Decenber 2000) Visit period 6/7/1956-1/6/1972: Photopoints Note: changed end date from 21-SEP-1973 to fit this visit in. In the early stages of rangeland condition monitoring in South Australia a number of photopoints were established in various places. Sites focussed on particular plant communities or plant species. PP154 was established on Koonalda Pastoral Lease, in vegetation suited to pastoral production. Since the site was installed, the land has been declared National Park. This site is one where long term trends in vegetation change may be evaluated. Photos of Koonalda Pastoral Lease and Nullarbor Plain within Pastoral Board's Historic Photos Collection (1950 to 1970) offer additional opportunity to evaluate long term vegetation change. Visit period 2002: Vegetation Mapping. | ||
| Fauna: | NOTE: Mammal and reptile voucher records for specimens registered with the South Australian Museum were updated (datasheets and database) in December 2000. Mammal vouchers lodged with the Western Australian Museum - (assigned a 'FW' prefix on datasheets and database) have not been updated (no museum records found in folders for these specimens - December 2000). Reptile vouchers lodged with W.A. Museum - (assigned various prefixes on datasheets and on some database records) have not been updated (no museum records found in folders for these specimens - December 2000). | ||
| Methodology | |||
| Vegetation: | Quadrats were 1 x 1km sampling within each patch produced a complete list with percent occurrence for The Muircode of X was used at the time of the survey in the assemblage data, encompassing mosses, lichen and liverworts. This data was entered as LI in the assemblage data as it was felt that most would be a lichen coverage. The Emergent, Overstorey, and Understorey dominance codes and the SA Structural Formation were derived from the species lists, photos and assemblage codes in Feb 2006 as part of an update of the data to current standards. | ||
| Fauna: | Standard Biological Survey methods used - see report for details. | ||
| Data Distribution Rules: | Public Dataset |
| Project Basis: |
Vegetation
:
Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Vegetation : Vegetation Mapping. Standard BSSA methodology used. Vegetation : Photopoint - General Purpose PP's not directed at resolving specific issues. NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used. Fauna : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used. |
| Information Authority: | Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:S&C Div) - Biological Survey and Monitoring |