BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 201          Total No. of Sites: 30
Survey/Project Name: Striped Legless Lizard Project
Abstract: Grassland sites in the Lower South East, centred on the Naracoorte region, particularly were surveyed for Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar). Habitat descriptions were also sought in relation to Delma impar. Also generate information about Pseudemoia rawlinsona, which appears to live in similar habitats to Delma impar through trapping in grassland sites.
 
Start Date: 25/08/1999      End Date: 17/05/2007
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Grassland sites in the Lower South East, centred on the Naracoorte region. Grasslands considered potentially suitable habitat for Delma impar were surveyed, including Hacks Lagoon, Lake Ormerod, Lake Hawdon, Lake St Clair, Lake George
Objectives
         Vegetation: Locate and map remaining areas of degraded and intact grassland in the South East. To briefly describe plant associations, dominant species and level of disturbance at known, or possible Delma impar population sites. Increase the awareness of the wider community of the importance of grassland habitats and of the presence of Delma impar in the region.
         Fauna: Determine the extent of the known Delma impar population at Hacks Lagoon CP and Lake Ormerod, describe the habitats used at this location, and provide habitat management advice to DEH. Locate and map remaining areas of degraded and intact grassland in the South East, and search and trap in a selection of these sites, with an aim to uncover further Delma impar populations, and also to generate information about Pseudemoia rawlinsona, which appears to live in similar habitats to Delma impar. A combination of 'pitfall trapping' and 'tile trapping' was used to determine which sites were been used by Delmar impar. 14 pitfall traps and 26 tiles were installed at Hacks Lagoon. 30 pitfalls and 24 tiles were installed at Lake Ormerod. 14 trips were made to the South East between august 1999 and april 2002 to lift tiles at the site. Pitfall traps were set 4 times; in august and september 1999, march 2001 and march 2002 for a total of 464 trap days. 7 sites were identified as potential Delmar impar habitat. All specimens caught were weighed, measured, sexed and any distinguishable marks or scale patterns were noted and photographed.
Methodology
         Vegetation: No actual survey sites were defined. Rather a list of the most prominent plants was made at each survey location (called a site). The area of each "site" is not stated in the report.
         Fauna: A combination of pitfall trapping and "tile trapping" was used at the sites to determine which areas and habitats ere being used by Delma impar. Pitfall trapping was carried out using ten litre buckets (255mm diameter, 230mm deep) as pits. Drift fences between the pits were not used. Tile trapping involves laying individual roofing tiles around the site, which are lifted on later visits. Delma impar and other reptiles which are using the tiles as shelter or basking sites can be captured as the tile is lifted. Fourteen pitfall traps and 26 tiles were installed at Hacks Lagoon, and 30 pits and 24 tiles were installed at Lake Ormerod. Fourteen separate trips were made to the South East between August 1999 and April 2002 to lift tiles at the sites. Pitfall traps were opened for four periods, in August and September 1999, March 2001 and March 2002, for a total of 464 trap-days. The trapping planned for spring 2001 was postponed until March 2002, as the conditions were too wet and cold for successful trapping. Seven sites were identified as potential Delma impar habitat - at these sites tiles were installed in March 2001. The tiles were lifted on numerous occasions between March and July 2002.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Monitoring - Vegetation/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Fauna : Fauna species/population Study (ie trapping records over time period for species study). NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Information Authority: South Australian Herpetology Group