BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1168          Total No. of Sites: 4
Survey/Project Name: The ecological role of the Murray River turtles
Abstract: In the light of recent dramatic declines in freshwater turtles in South Australia, it is important to understand the ecological role of the scavenging habits of these turtles. In view of an impending ecological crisis, this project aims at assessing how turtles contribute to the provision of key ecosystem services, particularly carrion consumption. Indeed, this large-scale field experiment will quantify what will happen to the waters of the river and associated wetlands if this fundamental group of vertebrates disappears. This will aid the design of appropriate management interventions and boost the conservation value of these animals. The field part of the project carried out near Murray Bridge,SA, has been completed, however the data analysis is just starting. This study will be published in an academic journal.
 
Start Date: 10/02/2018      End Date: 17/04/2018
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: The wetlands of Paiwalla and Riverglades, near Murray Bridge.
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: The turtles were trapped with fyke and cathedral traps. No more than 8 traps were in the water at any one time. The traps were baited with offal which was changed every morning. The traps were left in the water for 3 consecutive days at each site (2 sites in Riverglades, 2 sites in Paiwalla), for three times in total. METHODOLOGY: 1. Turtles were first trapped at four sites within the Paiwalla and Riverglades wetlands, in order to calculate an estimate of local population numbers of the three species. 2. Dead European Carp (Cyprinus carpio) were introduced, either accessible or not accessible (covered with mesh) to turtles, and monitored for decomposition rates by weighing the dead fish daily. 3. Decomposition rate of accessible and not accessible dead carp was compared to quantify how turtle scavenging has an impact on the ecosystem.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Fauna : Rare and Threatened Species Protection Strategies. - Standard Survey methodology used.
Information Authority: University of Sydney