<strong>Flinders</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>Land</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> <strong>Flinders</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>2004</strong> - <strong>2050</strong> <strong>South</strong> Australia The Biodiversity and Conservation – Professional Experience subject offered in the third year of the Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation requires students to undertake a three week work placement in the field of biodiversity and conservation, then present a report on their findings. This presents an opportunity for students to gain this experience on-campus, through undertaking the work outlined in the management actions. For benefit to accrue to maintenance teams it is recommended that the numbers of students involved be not less than four, and that work be undertaken within the same precinct each year. This would also provide a useful case study for students to document the progress of this work. It is recommended this work commence in Precinct Six, where the highest priority for action currently is. Similarly, the Environmental Weeds subject offered in the same course should also incorporate a practical component on-campus 7.2 Implementation Monitoring In order to gauge the effectiveness of the LMP in achieving the stated objectives it is necessary to maintain a reasonably detailed account of work undertaken, so that the success or otherwise of each action can be recorded for future reference. 7.2.1 Financial Records of hours and expense for each action outlined in the LMP should be kept in a centralised records system. This will assist <strong>University</strong> management in forward planning for budgets and staffing requirements, and can also be provided to the project partners as part of the commitment required for grant approvals. 7.2.3 Social The increased use and appreciation of the study area by staff, students and the community will be an important indicator of the success of the LMP. As there has been no survey of attitudes or opinions that current users (and non-users) may have about the study area, it may be difficult to determine a baseline. Rather than actively seeking this feedback, it is recommended that the records also contain a register of any comments that may be received in relation to the implementation or progress of the LMP. This will be useful in gauging which areas are of greatest interest to the site users, and should assist in developing communication strategies relating to areas of the LMP such as management actions etc. 7.3 Medium and Long-term <strong>Plan</strong>ning The Action <strong>Plan</strong>s provided for each precinct detail the recommended actions, based on the current priorities. Future changes to legislation, funding arrangements, public liability requirements, or any other area addressed in this <strong>Plan</strong>, may result in the need to reassess these priorities. Therefore it is recommended that the <strong>University</strong> review the success of the actions against achieving the stated objectives, in 2008-09, as part of a future planning process. This timespan since implementation (4 years) will allow a meaningful analysis of the results achieved against the plan’s objectives. This can then be used to determine the priorities for the following five year period (2010/11-2014/15) to follow the conclusion of this LMP. 7.2.2 Ecological Two types of monitoring are recommended for the study area – site specific and overall site. Some variables, such as plant species diversity and the density of each species, should be monitored within small quadrats. However, other variables, such as fauna and the use of non-preferred trails, should be monitored across the whole site. A photopoint survey should be undertaken annually, preferably in spring when many flora species are at their optimum. The photopoints should be permanently marked by placing a star dropper in the ground from which the photos can be undertaken each year. Measuring change over time can be very effective from viewing photos of the same area, which have been taken at various time intervals. This provides a clear visual record of the success or failure of each action. It will also be beneficial when re-applying for funding, as proof of onground results. As well as undertaking monitoring at specific locations, general monitoring for the entire site should also be undertaken once a year, preferably in spring. The monitoring should be conducted by generally inspecting the site and recording appropriate information Attributes that can be monitored across the site include the fauna species utilising the site, and the success of the revegetation efforts. This may include recording the survival of the planted vegetation and the total area that has been planted each year. Additionally, the trails within the study area should be monitored to determine if usage is restricted to formal tracks and for signs of erosion, and weed colonisation. The Adelaide Mountain Bike Club is well placed to provide assistance in this task. All of this information will give an indication of whether the management actions implemented to improve the biodiversity value of the study area are being successful. If these results are not positive, management actions can be updated and improved. ⏐ AUGUST <strong>2004</strong> ⏐ PAGE 25
Appendix A Flora and Fauna Species Lists, Weed Control Techniques and Recommended Revegetation Species Lists