Objectives |
Vegetation: |
To measure changes in fine scale vegetation due to management. Changes in vegetation zones were monitored to assess changes driven by hydrology. Baseline sampling took place when communities were most diverse ( in late spring , mid October to late November ) depending on location along the River Murray. Monitored after changes in management, at the end of a dry stage, 2 months after inundation ( germination success). Two techniques are used: line intercept surveys identified veg communities/zones across the wetland for 2 m. each side of the line, ie. 4 m. band surveyed; quadrat surveys determined veg composition, lifestage and abundance within each zone. |
Fauna: |
To assess changes in bird, fish and frog species presence and abundances in response to management actions that affect changes in hydrology. Opportunistic sightings of birds were recorded with a numeric estimate only. Fish sightings are based on net sampling. Frogs were identified by call sound only. |
Methodology |
Vegetation: |
Species within the quadrat are listed, with cover abundance (using Biological Survey of SA classes) and lifestages (using Biological Survey of SA codes). Transect zone data collected is species list and includes a vegetation community definition that is based on the observers definition and not derived in a consistent format. |
Fauna: |
Frog sightings used a method of listening for frog calls adapted from the Frog Census by EPA. Listening time is around 10 minutes at a site. The method classifies calls into one, few, many and lots. These quantities were converted to numbers based on picking a value in the range - One = number observed of 1, Few = 2-9 = number observed = 2, Many = 10-50 = number observed = 10, Lots = >50 = number observed = 50. Fish observations were made by capturing fish using nets, counting the numbers of each species and measuring the length of the individuals. Bird observations include a number observed in a fixed area. Where length measurements were taken for reptiles, mammals and amphibians they were assumed to be total lengths.
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