BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1133          Total No. of Sites: 161
Survey/Project Name: Vegetation Impact Monitoring - Maralinga Tjarutja
Abstract: Monitoring program of vegetation sites to measure the long-term impacts of browsing on native vegetation by the introduced One-humped Camel (Dromedary, Arabian Camel) (Camelus dromedarius) in the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands. Regular Camel culls undertaken in Maralinga Tjarutja provides opportunity for baseline data of 1. Vegetation condition; 2. Impacts of herbivores; 3. Outcomes of feral animal management programs.
 
Start Date: 05/11/2018      End Date: 30/06/2023
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Maralinga Tjarutja Lands, west of Cook and north of the railway line
Objectives
         Vegetation: Refer to Abstract.
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: The survey methodology utilised was based on the methodology developed by Dr Jurgen Heucke (Philips, Heucke, Dorges & O'Reilly, 2001). Five vegetation monitoring transects were established. Each transect was 200 m long and 4 m wide. Every tree and shrub growing within the transect (foliage or trunk) was identified, height measured and any damage from browsing was recorded. The abundance of shrubs per transect was recorded in seven size classes (<25 cm, <50 cm, <100 cm, <200 cm, <400 cm, <800 cm and >800 cm). A GPS coordinate was recorded at each tree and shrub to ensure accuracy of data between monitoring surveys. Browsing intensity on trees and shrubs intersecting transects was classified into six categories: 0 = not browsed; 1 = nibbled; 2 = slightly browsed; 3 = regularly browsed (some branches broken); 4 = heavily browsed (nearly destroyed, most branches broken); 5 = destroyed (no regrowth after rain). A GPS coordinate was recorded at the start and end of each of the transects. A photograph was taken 5 m from the start of each of the monitoring transects.
         Fauna: Measure relative age and amount of broken branches and Camel scats.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Baseline Survey of flora and/or fauna - Standard Biol Survey of SA survey methodology not used.
Fauna : Pest/Diseases/Threats - control project
Information Authority: Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board