BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 64          Total No. of Sites: 40
Survey/Project Name: South-East Fire Study (Nature Conservation Society)
Abstract: This project aims to conduct a biological survey to determine relationships between fire regimes, vegetation and fauna communities and bushfire hazard of the South East region, South Australia. . It is aimed to identify patches of vegetation of conservation significance with different fire histories, and to establish relocatable-quadrats representative of the biological diversity of the South East.
 
Start Date: 25/08/1993      End Date: 09/09/1994
Survey Type: Vegetation and Fauna
   
Study Area Description: Study area lies in the southeast of SA, between Bordertown in south, Keith in west, Ngarkat CP in north and SA/VIC border in east. It is in the South-East Mallee Heathlands Environmental Region, in particular the Big Desert environmental association, Cannawigara environmental association, and Bordertown environmental association. Rainfall 400-500mm pa. Area of sandy low nutrient soils. The vegetation can be divided into woodlands on loamy flats, mallee broombush on sandy swales, mallee heath on dune slopes, mallee on gilgais and heathland on dunecrests. Between Bordertown in the south, Keith in the west, Ngarkat CP in the north and the SA/Victorian border. However one site is beyond study area, at approximately 36*30'.
Objectives
         Vegetation: The goals of the study were to determine relationships between fire regimes, vegetation and fauna communities and bushfire hazard. To identify patches of vegetation of conservation significance with different fire histories and to establish relocatable quadrats representative of the biological diversity of the South-East. To survey quadrats using Standard Biological techniques and use the data to make recommendations.
         Fauna: *** No fauna survey objectives recorded
Methodology
         Vegetation: 13 blocks with a total of 40 sites, 30 x 30m quadrat at a site. At each site vegetation structure, species present, distribution and cover/abundance (Braun/Blanquet cover) of each species, life stages, landform/soil of site and disturbance of vegetation. For each block information on management issues were discussed with landowners. Fuel records were collected at each site. One block (SEV0101 and SEV0102) were sampled twice to monitor fire response.
         Fauna: Bird, reptiles and mammal observations.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Vegetation : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Vegetation : Natural Hazard /Ecological studies - flood and bushfire mapping and fire behaviour assessment. - Standard Survey methodology used.
Fauna : Biological Survey of South Australia - Standard Survey methodology used.
Fauna : Natural Hazard /Ecological studies - flood and bushfire mapping and fire behaviour assessment. - Standard Survey methodology used.
Information Authority: Nature Conservation Society of SA Inc