| Survey/Project Number: | 1059 Total No. of Sites: 0 |
| Survey/Project Name: | Balcanoona Rabbit Exclosure Study |
| Abstract: | An area of the eastern outwash-plains section of the Gammon Ranges National Park, South Australia (formerly Balcanoona pastoral lease), was fenced to form an exclosure in 1983/84 (Map 1). As a pastoral lease, Balcanoona had a maximum stock carrying capacity of 15,000 sheep or 3000 cattle. Since 1959 it has been stocked as a lower level, although for some months prior to the transfer to NPWS. Stock were concentrated on the plains country. Consequently, grazing impact around watering points was higher. The fence was erected by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS.) using funds obtained from the Australian Government Employment Scheme. Following discussion between NPWS. and Department of Lands [Outback Management Section], it was decided a co-operative project approach would mutually benefit each group. There are a number of objectives of this project which are of mutual interest to NPWS. and the Department of Lands. These are to: 1. Conserve a representative area of habitat on the outwash plains region of the Flinders Ranges. 2. Examine the effect of exclusion of exotic grazing animals (sheep, goats and rabbits) on the soils, vegetation and fauna of this representative area. 3. Monitor the long term vegetation changes after exclusion of exotic grazing animals e.g. of special interest is regeneration of mulga and perennial shrubs. 4. Monitor the changes in the avian, mammalian and reptilian faunal populations. These objectives will be met in a number of ways. Firstly, the site was selected by NPWS because the habitat/diversity favoured wildlife diversity. Vegetation data will be collected on a continuing basis to monitor changes. This project will also fulfil broader objectives of interest to both groups: 1. Determine the long term effects of rabbit and sheep grazing within a semi-arid rangeland system. This information may then prove useful in assessing rangeland condition in areas of similar vegetation type. 2. Determine the success of the exclusion of non-native grazing animals in relation to improving the habitat of other fauna and, then, its worth as an extensive control. REFERENCES: L. Stewart and R. Tynan (July 1984) Gammon Ranges National Park - Balcanoona Rabbit Exclosure Study - Part 1: Initial Vegetation Monitoring Department of Lands - Outback Management |
| Start Date: | 01/01/1983 End Date: 31/12/1984 |
| Survey Type: | Vegetation and Fauna |
| Study Area Description: | The exclosure is located on the eastern plains section of the Gammon Ranges National Park (Maps 1 and 2). The southern boundary adjoins Wertaloona pastoral lease while the northern boundary is location along an old seismic line (Map 2). The Exclosure was erected across the fence dividing Home Rule East and Nobles Well paddocks of the old Balcanoona pastoral lease (Map 2a). In this position it is 2-2.5 km south east of Home Well. The exclosure comprises five different land units, and has 15 photopoints, located within it (e.g. Figure 1). Another 15 photopoints are located on the park, outside the exclosure. Of these, ten are on the northern side of the exclosure and five are on the eastern side (e.g. Figure 2). Three sites, with a total of 9 photopoints, are located on Wertaloona pastoral lease. The cottonbush (Maireana aphylla) open flat site is located approximately 30 km south of the Wertaloona/Balcanoona boundary fence on the pipeline road (Map 3, Figure 3). It is approximately 2 km south east of Collins Dam in Double Dam paddock. The black oak (Casuarina cristata) site is located along the Balcanoona/Wertaloona boundary fence on the pipeline road (Map 3, Figure 4). It is approximately 3 km north west of Mulga Well in Sandhill paddock. The mulga (Acacia aneura) low open woodland site is also on the Balcanoona/Werta loona boundary, near the south west corner of the exclosure. |
| Objectives | |||
| Vegetation: | Refer to Abstract. | ||
| Fauna: | Refer to Abstract. | ||
| Methodology | |||
| Vegetation: | 3. Methods. The exclosure represents a three phase grazing experiment: (a) within exclosure - sheep and rabbits excluded. (b) outside exclosure, on park - sheep excluded (c) control (outside explosure, off park - Wertaloona Pastoral Lease) - all animals may graze. N.B. kangaroos are not excluded from the exclosure. 3.1 Exclosure Fencing N.P.W.S. erected a netting fence approximately 90 cm high with a further 20 cm pinned flat on the ground to prevent rabbits digging under the fence. (Plate 1). The area exclosed 255 ha (2.55 kmsq). The fence is designed to prevent the entry of sheep, goats and rabbits, but does not prevent movement of kangaroos i.e. they can jump over the fence. An earthern ramp has been constructed in the S.W. corner to facilitate kangaroo movement out of the exclosure, thereby minimizing fence damage. 3.2 Mapping Vegetation types were deliniated from colour aerial photographs (scale 1:5,000) and confirmed by ground truthing, resulting in a Vegetation type map (Map 4). Plant species within each type were listed (Appendix 1) and soil types (Northcote) determined. 3.3 Monitoring 3.3.1 Photopoints - a total of 36 photopoints were established (Tables la - e) in the five vegetation types, and permanetly marked with a round metal 'vegetation photopoint' disk, mounted on fence posts. A 20 cm jarrah peg is located 15cm from the fenceline on both sides of the fence (i.e. inside and outside the exclosure) along a N-S bearing. A 35 mm colour print and slide frame was taken from the fenceline, whilst standing on a ladder, and focussing on the jarrah peg (Plate 2). For photopoints 1130-4 and 1138-41 the ladder was placed over the marker pole (Place 3). Slides and prints were taken at the time of the exclosure establishment (6.6.84) and again when monitoring began (19.7.84). Negatives and slides are held at Outback Management Section, Department of Lands, Adelaide, and copies of prints at Balcanoona. 3.3.2 Transects - Wheelpoint and shrub density transects originate from the jarrah pegs, extending for 100-300 m. along a N-S bearing to a white topped steel post. Percentage foliage cover was measured using the wheelpoint method (Tidmarsh and Havenga, 1955) with each point at an interval of 1.5 m. (i.e. 2 points per wheel revolution). A minimum of 250 points were recorded for each site. The results for sites within each land system were eggregated, yielding between 1,000 and 2,000 points for each system. Species percentage cover and bare ground was calculated from these results (Tables 2-5). Perennial shrub density in the cottonbush open flat and cottonbush shrubland types was measured via a belt transect along the wheelpoint line. A stadia or Jessup stick, 2 meters long, was used to define the belt. Shrubs with mre than half their canopy within the belt are counted, giving a density conversion to schrubs ha(-1) (Table 6). | ||
| Fauna: | A bird survey conducted identified a wide variety of birds utilising the area, with some 40 species being listed (Ian May, District Manager). Another survey has provided an inventory of the vegetation and quantitative baseline data for monitoring vegetation changes. This report presents the results of that survey. In addition, surveys of kangaroo, bird, mammal and reptile populations will be conducted. | ||
| Data Distribution Rules: | Public Dataset |
| Project Basis: |
Vegetation
:
Habitat rehabilitation/restoration
Vegetation : Monitoring - Vegetation/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used. Fauna : Monitoring - Fauna/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used. Fauna : Pest/Diseases/Threats - control project |
| Information Authority: |
Department of Environment and Heritage (Crown Lands SA)
Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Adelaide) |