000A88A4.0C4.tif · 132003.221037

a ™

2.2.3

 

In each quadrat, structural data were recorded for each vegetation stratum,
including height and foliage projective cover (FPC). All vascular plants
encountered were recorded, stratified by layer, and assigned a cover value to
indicate the abundance of the species. Plants that could not be identified in
the field were pressed and identified at base or submitted to the Queensland
Herbarium for identification. A photograph was made of each quadrat
location.

A hand held Global Positioning Systems (GPS) receiver was used to mark as
many of the quadrats as possible. However, the GPS was unable to provide a
position within the central heathland basin and some eastern slopes,
presumably due to the particular topography and dense vegetation cover
experienced in these areas.

Random meander searches were used within suitable habitat to:
® search for threatened species potentially present;
e confirm the representativeness of quadrat locations; and

e confirm boundaries between communities

Fauna

Arrangement

To determine the faunal assemblages of each habitat type, a variety of survey
techniques were utilised, including terrestrial Elliott A traps, arboreal and
terrestrial Elliot B traps, hair-funnels, ultrasonic detection of bats, call
playback for owls, spotlighting, meandering transect surveys for birds and
active searches for reptiles. Elliot traps and hair-funnels were placed at three
Fauna Assessment Sites which were chosen to cover the range of habitat types
present within the study area. Site 1 was located in the central heathland
/Callitris forest, Site 2 was located near the eastern boundary in Melaleuca
swamp/heathland while Site 3 was located in Eucalypt Woodland in the
centre of the site. The location of each site is shown in Figure 2.1

During surveys, any tracks, scats or other indirect signs were observed and
recorded. Predator scats were collected and sent to Georgeanna Story of
Scatsabout for analysis. Opportunistic sightings made in the areas
surrounding the study site were also recorded.

This survey has had regard to the guidelines for the conduct of fauna
assessments and surveys contained in recommendation 5.1 of the Noosa Shire
Fauna Study (Ecological Management Services 2002) and the survey complies
with those guidelines.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA 8030724 ECOLOGICAL REPORT/FINAL /17 SEPTEMBER 2003