The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve: Final

ground mammal surveys in all vegetation classes
insectivorous bat surveys, in particular cave-roosting bats.
2.4 BIODIVERSITY SURVEY PRIORITIES (BSP) SURVEY PROGRAM
2.4.1 Systematic fauna survey techniques
The systematic fauna survey techniques used for this survey are based on those developed for the
Comprehensive Regional Assessments in 1997 (NPWS 1997) and have been adopted as the OEH
standard ever since (NPWS 1997). In this document these systematic fauna survey techniques are
referred to as OEH standard systematic survey techniques. These techniques sample the following
vertebrate fauna groups: diurnal and nocturnal birds, diurnal and nocturnal reptiles, bats, arboreal and
ground-dwelling mammals and amphibians. These OEH standard systematic survey techniques have
been applied by the BSP program across the GBMWHA over the last eight years, including through
neighbouring Kanangra-Boyd NP. Consistency in the use of these systematic techniques allows a
comparison between fauna species detected in different vegetation communities and habitats, not only
within JKCR but also across other reserves and environments.
Field surveyors were supplied with field proformas to facilitate comprehensive, consistent recording of
field data and to increase accuracy and efficiency of data entry into the OEH Biodiversity Sub-system
(BSS) of the Atlas of NSW Wildlife computer database. The names of observers and recorders were
noted on every data sheet to aid data verification and entry.
Site Selection
The site selection strategy aimed to fill the
gaps identified in the gap analysis so that each
statewide vegetation class present with the
area was sampled in proportion to the area of
land it occupies. Where possible repeat
sampling within each class was undertaken to
provide reasonable reliability that potential
variation within each stratum was captured.
Such replication of sites serves to strengthen
the reliability of patterns derived from collected
data. An effort was made to sample the full
variety of vegetation communities comprising
each broad vegetation class wherever
possible. The selection of sites within specific
broad vegetation classes was prioritised
towards filling large spatial gaps where
possible.
Sites were initially selected using a Geographic
Information System (ArcMap 9.3) with
information gained from the derived vegetation
map, topographic maps, access trails, and
knowledge held by park staff. Where possible
sites were placed a minimum of one kilometre
apart, or two kilometres for nocturnal call
playback surveys. In some cases, due to the A survey site on the Six Foot Track. Photo © C.H. Barker
relatively small area of the reserve and the
clustering of some habitat features such as the caves, survey sites were placed closer than one
kilometre. The placement of harp trap sites to sample microbats was limited by the availability of
suitable fly-ways, such as constrictions in taller vegetation types along roads and creek lines.
Systematic surveys for bats were also performed on cleared or heavily disturbed lands as these areas
often contained dams or open waterbodies, which frequently have high bat activity.
In the field, proposed site locations were ground-truthed to ensure that they were representative of the
mapped vegetation community/statewide vegetation class, that they had suffered minimal disturbance
and comprised a single vegetation type. If these criteria were not met, an alternative location was
selected for the site. Systematic survey sites were 100 metres by 200 metres (two hectares) in area.
The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve 13