| Survey/Project Number: | 259 Total No. of Sites: 0 |
| Survey/Project Name: | Para Wirra Vegetation Recovery Program |
| Abstract: | The Para Wirra Vegetation Recovery Program concerns the improvement of degraded park areas within the South Para Block by managing kangaroo populations. Grazing impacts were identified as a serious environmental issue for Para Wirra in the mid 1980's. Early studies estimated kangaroo population at 35-45 roos/sq km and showed that 5 roos/sq km was required to permit regeneration of palatable plant species. When rabbit grazing impact was determined as insignificant in the late 1990's (post calici-virus), a kangaroo culling program was established. Monitoring of kangaroo populations, and their impact on vegetation assists the determination of numbers to cull as well as evaluating the success of previous culling. Transect counts and various site studies are used to evaluate kangaroo numbers and their impacts. |
| Start Date: | 01/01/1985 End Date: 01/01/1995 |
| Survey Type: | Vegetation and Fauna |
| Study Area Description: | *** No study area description recorded |
| Objectives | |||
| Vegetation: | Plant cover at exclosure sites is measured using Step-point technique. Dung counts are recorded at exclosure sites to evaluate kangaroo population estimates. | ||
| Fauna: | Kangaroo counts along set transects are used to estimate kangaroo populations. Surveys are generally undertaken in Spring. Exclosure sites with photopoints are used to document and illustrate impact on vegetation, with measurements of plant cover and perennial plant density. Kangaroo and exclosure data has been collected since 1985 by Tertiary Students, Forestry SA, Park Staff and Kensington-based staff, possibly using varied techniques. Rabbits were included initially in population counts, but their grazing impact was determined not to be significant, | ||
| Methodology | |||
| Vegetation: | *** No vegetation methodology recorded | ||
| Fauna: | *** No vertebrate methodology recorded | ||
| Data Distribution Rules: | Public Dataset |
| Project Basis: | Vegetation : Unclassified - pending reassessment. |
| Information Authority: | Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Adelaide) - Para Wirra Office |