A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY of the SOUTH EAST SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1991 and 1997
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A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE SOUTH EAST SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1991 and 1997 Editors J. N. Foulkes Biological Survey and Monitoring Science and Conservation Directorate Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia L. M. B. Heard Environmental Analysis and Research Unit Environmental Information Directorate Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia 2003 South East Biological Survey The Biological Survey of the South East, South Australia was carried out with the assistance of funds made available by the Commonwealth of Australia under the National Estate Grants Programs and the State Government of South Australia. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Australian Heritage Commission or the State Government of South Australia. This report may be cited as: Foulkes, J. N. and Heard, L. M. B. (Eds.) (2003). A Biological Survey of the South East, South Australia. 1991 and 1997. (Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia). Copies of the report may be accessed in the library: State Library of South Australia North Terrace, ADELAIDE SA 5000 EDITORS J. N. Foulkes and L. M. B. Heard Biological Survey and Monitoring Section, Science and Conservation Directorate, Department for Environment and Heritage, GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001 AUTHORS T. Croft, J. N. Foulkes, D. Hopton, H. M. Owens, L. F. Queale, Biological Survey and Monitoring Section, Science and Conservation Directorate, Department for Environment and Heritage, GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001. G. Carpenter, Biodiversity Assessment Services, Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, BO Box 2834 ADELAIDE SA 5001 L. M. B. Heard, F.M. Smith, Environmental Analysis and Research Unit, Department for Environment and Heritage, PO Box 550, MARLESTON SA 5033. M. Benbow, Latlong Enterprises, PO Box 458, KAPUNDA SA 5373. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) ANALYSIS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Vegetation Component: Environmental Analysis and Research Unit, Department for Environment and Heritage Fauna Component: Biodiversity Survey and Monitoring, Biodiversity Strategies Branch, Department for Environment and Heritage COVER DESIGN Public Communications and Visitor Services, Department for Environment and Heritage. PRINTED BY JMJ Printing Services, ADELAIDE © Department for Environment and Heritage 2003. ISBN 7590 1050 1 Cover Photograph: Stringybark Woodland, The Bluff Native Forest Reserve, ESE of Tantanoola. Photo: L. M. B. Heard ii South East Biological Survey PREFACE A Biological Survey of the South East, South Australia is a further product of the Biological Survey of South Australia. The program of systematic biological surveys to cover the whole of South Australia arose out of a realisation that an effort was needed to increase our knowledge of the remaining vascular plants and vertebrate fauna of South Australia and to encourage its conservation. Over the last 18 years, there has been a strong commitment to the Biological Survey by Government and an impressive dedication from hundreds of volunteer biologists. By 2015, it is anticipated that the Biological Survey will achieve complete statewide coverage. The Biological Survey of South Australia will be an achievement for which we can be very proud. We will have substantially improved our knowledge of the biodiversity of South Australia to enable biologists in the future to measure the direction of long-term ecological change. This will greatly enhance our ability to adequately manage nature conservation into the future. JOHN HILL MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION iii South East Biological Survey ABSTRACT A vegetation survey was carried out in the South East in 1991 that sampled 340 quadrats. This was followed by a vertebrate survey in January-February 1997 that sampled a sub-set of 96 quadrats. These sites aimed to sample representative areas of all the remaining natural vegetation in the area in proportion to the broad habitat variability of the total area. In addition, at least one sampling site was located in the majority of the reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1972) in the study area. The total number of records contributed to the Biological Survey Database as a result of this survey were: 23, 212 plants, 1,579 amphibians, 676 reptiles, 3,168 birds and 1276 mammals. A combined analysis of the plant quadrat data with a sub-set of Murray Mallee and South East Coast plant data resulted in the description of 29 PATN floristic groups. Using this analysis as a basis, a vegetation map of the South East was produced comprising 54 regional plant communities based on the dominant upper-storey plant. Using these 54 regional communities, 362 unique combinations (pure communities and mosaics of communities) have been identified and mapped. A combined analysis of the fauna quadrat data and data from eight other fauna surveys was undertaken. PATN analysis of the combined data set comprising 165 quadrats revealed six communities. PATN analyses on reptiles and birds tended to show clear patterning, however some groups were poorly defined. The reptile analysis resulted in the recognition of five communities with definite habitat preferences for species defined. Similarly, five bird communities were recognised, some of which appeared to have more ecological integrity than others. Of 62 reptile species known from the area, 41 species were recorded during the South East Survey. Populations of the Swamp Skink and Glossy Grass Skink are significant for the overall conservation of these species. There were nine species of amphibians recorded during the survey of the 12 known from the region. One hundred and sixty eight of the two hundred and fifty-seven species of birds were recorded from the study area during the survey. Eight exotic species were recorded from quadrats during the survey. Bird species of conservation significance include: Malleefowl, Rufous Bristlebird, and Red Tailed Black Cockatoo. The South East Survey recorded 21 extant mammal species of the 60 recorded from the area. Eleven species were exotic. Native terrestrial mammal captures and observations were low, even of species perceived as common. This raises some serious concerns for the long-term survival of small mammal communities in the South East. iv South East Biological Survey CONTENTS Preface ................................................................................................................................................................................ i Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................................ iv List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables.................................................................................................................................................................... xi List of Appendices ......................................................................................................................................................... xiii Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................................................xv INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 Historical Perspective ......................................................................................................................................................1 Physical Environment ......................................................................................................................................................7 Climate ..........................................................................................................................................................................13 Previous biological research..........................................................................................................................................17 Geology and geomorphology.........................................................................................................................................27 Historical vegetation communities.................................................................................................................................43 METHODS ......................................................................................................................................................................49 RESULTS........................................................................................................................................................................ 65 Vegetation ....................................................................................................................................................................65 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 65 Survey Coverage....................................................................................................................................................... 66 Total Plant Species