BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 228          Total No. of Sites: 12
Survey/Project Name: Experimental Vegetation Management at Mokota Conservation Park
Abstract: The experimental trial was established to assess the need for biomass reduction to conserve the temperate native grassland at Mokota Conservation Park. The management aim is to maintain the plant species diversity of the grassland and the trials were designed to indicate whether the reduction of plant litter and living plant biomass would achieve this goal. The 9 treament plots and 3 control plots of 2.9 hectares were established in 2002 in native grassland in the north west section of the park. The biomass was reduced by 1.Burning in Autumn (once- in 2003); 2. Sheep grazing twice in winter (in Autumn/winter2003 and Winter 2004); 3. control plots; and a 50 x 50 m kangaroo exclosure was established in each fire plot. The presence or absence of every plant species was recorded for 50 square quadrats of 30 cm x 30 cm located along each set of transects. The frequency of plant species was analysed. Biomass estimates were recorded using the BOTANAL method. Transects were monitored in November-December over a period of about 2 weeks annually from 2002 (before treatments) to 2007.
 
Start Date: 01/01/2002      End Date: 01/12/2007
Survey Type: Vegetation Only
   
Study Area Description: Mokota Conservation Park - north west quarter.+
Objectives
         Vegetation: 9 plots of 2.9 hectares in native grassland in the north west section of the park are established. The biomass was reduced by 1.Burning in Autumn 2. Sheep grazing twice in winter 3. control plots and a 50 x 50 m kangaroo exclosure was established in each fire plot. The presence or absence of every plant species was recorded for 50 square quadrats of 30 cm x 30 cm located along each set of transects. The frequency of plant species in 2002 and 2003 are compared.
         Fauna: *** No fauna survey objectives recorded
Methodology
         Vegetation: Biomass estimation was based on the method of Tothill J.C.; Hargreaves J.N.G.; Jones R.M.; McDonals C.K. BOTANAL - a comprehensive sampling and computing procedure for estimating pasture yield and composition. St Lucia, Qld.: CSIRO Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures; 1992. Modified as summarised in Reseigh and Foster 2009.
         Fauna: *** No vertebrate methodology recorded

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.
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Northern & Yorke)