| Abstract: |
This project aims to collect data on the flora and fauna of remnant vegetation sites within the area known as Reeves Plains,
north of Gawler in the Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges (AMLR) region. The project will address knowledge gaps in baseline data
on fauna that is at risk from sand mining and is being undertaken in collaboration with the South Australian Herpetology Group
Inc. The survey is to be undertaken to meet with the biological survey standards of the Department of Environment and
Heritage (DEH), and lodged with the Biological Survey of SA database to enable sharing of information between state agencies
and community groups working towards biodiversity conservation.
The vegetation and birds were surveyed September 19-20 (2009) and other fauna before the end of the year.
The 2009 NCSSA Volunteer survey was of the remnant flora of eight remnant vegetation sites within the area known as Reeves Plains, north of Gawler in the Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges (AMLR) region. The work was undertaken to address knowledge gaps in baseline data on vegetation that is at risk from sand mining.
Fourteen keen volunteers assisted to gather data across two days in September 2009. This survey was done in conjunction with the Gawler Environment and Heritage Association Inc.
A total of 155 species were found in the vegetation survey quadrats in the eight sites. Of these, 104 were native and 51 were introduced. Of the native species, one was Vulnerable at state level and 34 were rated as significant at regional level, made up of
one Endangered, six Vulnerable, 16 Rare and 11 Uncommon species.
Whilst there were a relatively large proportion of weeds at most sites, the survey revealed a significant diversity of native species still exist in the Reeves Plains area. Only 3% of native vegetation remains in the Mallala region. |