BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 619          Total No. of Sites: 38
Survey/Project Name: NCSSA Tothill Ranges Biological Survey
Abstract: The Tothill Ranges, is a low range (up to 650m above SL) running 15km south-north, north-east of Marrabel. It contains the largest area of remnant vegetation in the Northern & Yorke NRM Board region that is outside the DEH reserve system. Part of the Northern Mount Lofty Ranges, both the size and position of this remnant sitting in 'a sea' of cleared land ensures the conservation of this area is paramount in the protection of biodiversity of this region. The Tothill Ranges sit on the eastern edge of the Northern Agricultural area, the western edge of the Murray Darling Basin near Hopkins Creek Conservation Park and is less than 80 km south east of the Southern Flinders. It has been listed as both the largest remnant and key area in managing salinity in the Upper River Light Catchment (Upper Light River Salinity Management Plan 2003). The Nature Conservation Society South Australia will be conducting flora and fauna surveys, using standard Biological Survey of SA methodology over 10 days (Sep-Oct 2008), at 16 sites in privately owned land being managed for conservation. This includes setting pitfall traps and Elliott Traps for animals, (All trapping methods are undertaken based on Guidelines for Vertebrate Surveys in South Australia using the Biological Survey of South Australia Methodology (Owens, H.M. 2000). Survey results will be formally published by the Nature Conservation Society of SA.
 
Start Date: 01/05/2008      End Date: 30/06/2009
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: The Tothill Ranges, is a low range (up to 650m above SL) running 15km south-north, north-east of Marrabel. It contains the largest area of remnant vegetation in the Northern & Yorke NRM Board region that is outside the DEH reserve system. Part of the Northern Mount Lofty Ranges, both the size and position of this remnant sitting in "a sea" of cleared land ensures the conservation of this area is paramount in the protection of biodiversity of this region. The Tothill Ranges sit on the eastern edge of the Northern Agricultural area, the western edge of the Murray Darling Basin near Hopkins Ck Conservation Park and is less than 80 km SE of the Southern Flinders. It has been listed as both the largest remnant and key area in managing salinity in the Upper River Light Catchment (Upper Light River Salinity Management Plan 2003). All survey sites occurr within 1 km of the Range.
Objectives
         Vegetation: The NCSSA will be conducting flora surveys, using standard Biological Survey of SA methodology over 10 days, at 16 sites in privately owned land being managed for conservation.This includes conducting an inventory of the plant species present at each site and assessing each survey quadrat according to the methodology of the Bushland Condition Monitoring Manual developed by the Nature Conservation Society of South Australia. The aim is to provide a comprehensive inventory of flora species of the Tothill Ranges to aid in their long-term management.
         Fauna: The NCSSA will be conducting fauna surveys, using standard Biological Survey of SA methodology over 10 days, at 16 sites in privately owned land being managed for conservation.This includes setting pitfall traps and Elliott Traps for animals, (All trapping methods are undertaken based on Guidelines for Vertebrate Surveys in South Australia using the Biological Survey of South Australia Methodology (Owens, H.M. 2000)), and listing bird species present. The aim is to provide a comprehensive inventory of fauna species of the Tothill Ranges to aid in their long-term management.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: *** No vertebrate methodology recorded

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Information Authority: Nature Conservation Society of SA Inc