BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 48          Total No. of Sites: 398
Survey/Project Name: Rare Rodents Project
Abstract: This project aims to collect distributional data for target and off-target species of small mammals, as part of the Rare Rodent Project across northern South Australia. The project began in 1992 and hopes to continue in the long-term, subject to funding. BACKGROUND: The Rare Rodent project involves the ongoing monitoring of two species of threatened rodent, the Plains mouse (Pseudomys australis) and the Dusky Hopping-mouse (Notomys fuscus). AIMS: The project aims to look at distribution, status and ecology of the species (in Outback South Australia). Currently there are two monitoring sites for each species, which are visited twice a year. An additional species, Kultarr (Antechinomys laniger), is now being targeted as part of the project due to its unknown status. NOTE: Site coordinates were reviewed in 2017. Site was projected against Google Earth imagery and compared with physical and vegetation site data. Original site survey sheets including mud maps were consulted where available. In 2019 locations were either verified or moved the minimum distance required to improve data consistency. All changes were documented within the site audit data.
 
Start Date: 01/01/1992      End Date: 30/09/2015
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Sandy and stony desert areas north of Port Augusta in arid zone Sandy deserts - south west Queensland, Tirari desert, Strzelecki desert, Simpson desert. Stony desert areas - around Oodnadatta, Mt Dare, Coober Pedy, Woomera, Lake Eyre South. Average rainfall 160mm pa. Vegetation descriptions: sandy areas - canegrass, nitre bush clumps, Acacia ligulata dunes; stony areas - Atriplex nummularia gilgais, Sclerolaena plains Area east of the Stuart Highway, north of 32*30', up to NT border (26*), across to Qld to include two 1:250,000 mapsheets in Queensland (Birdsville and Betoota, to 25*) and west of the Qld/SA and SA/NSW border. Wintinna SG53-14 mapsheet was added to the existing study boundary to incorporate 4 sites that fell outside. (March 2001).
Objectives
         Vegetation: First Visit period 1982-2003 Visit period April 2005: Familiarise new OUTBACK threatened fauna officer with the sites. Photopoint only
         Fauna: To locate and study populations of Notomys fuscus and Pseudomys australis. Set up monitoring sites and monitor for 3 years or more subject to funding. Determine conservation status and distribution of both species and suggest reasons for decline. First Visit period 1982-2003 Visit period April 2005: 50 elliotts laid randomly on grid Visit Period September 2011
Methodology
         Vegetation: Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used. Plant vouchers were labelled variously as BS48-# or RR#. They were entered with prefix = BS48.
         Fauna: Elliot trapping / pitfall trapping / spotlighting. At opportunistic sites no set methodology but usually 100-200 Elliotts set for 1-4 nights. At selected monitoring sites methodology consistent: 200 Elliotts and 20 pits opened for 4 nights. Bird list compiled by casual observation over the 4 days of trapping.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Fauna : Rare and Threatened Species Protection Strategies. - Standard Survey methodology used.
Fauna : Education, Training or Workshops. NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
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:S&C Div) - Biological Survey and Monitoring
Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:S&C Div) - BCP Threat species