The Footprint 2011 Summer Edition - Eyre Peninsula Natural ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Range of fresh water fish found Caring for our natural resources Preliminary results from Eyre Peninsula’s first survey of fresh water fish show that a range of native species are breeding well in localised areas of the Little Swamp catchment. The survey was carried out in August by Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board with the assistance of South Australia’s leading native fish expert Dr Michael Hammer. Locally targeted surveys of the Tod River and Cummins Wanilla Basin catchments were also completed. The Board was given permission to use specialised survey nets, know as fyke nets, which were spread across the width of the waterways and left overnight. The captured fish were measured and then released back into the water. EPNRM water assessment officer Seb Drewer said the surveys were carried out to document the presence and diversity of native fish and the health of habitats in these catchments on lower Eyre Peninsula,. “Up until now very little work has been done in this area” he said, Dr Hammer also provided Board staff with training in fish identification, the use of specialised fish traps and a consistent protocol for conducting further surveys of inland waters on Eyre Peninsula. “A range of fish species were located throughout the catchments, and it was promising to see fish being detected high in the catchment despite the many barriers to migration such as flow alteration, habitat loss and disturbance, poor water quality and infrastructure including dams and watercourse crossings,” Mr Drewer said. “This indicates that fish are breeding successfully in localised areas, most likely seeking refuge in permanent pools of water over summer, before moving around the catchment during the wetter winter months. “ EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 Dr Hammer said the most commonly detected species included common galaxias, small- mouthed hardyhead, western blue-spot goby and the introduced species Gambusia. “It was also interesting that we detected three different species of mullet - the yellow eye, jumping and sea mullet - in the Tod River.” Dr Hammer said. “These fish generally spend the majority of their lifecycle in the marine environment. Often the reason they venture into waters higher in the catchment is to rid themselves of parasites that are unable to survive in the fresher waters or for breeding purposes. “We didn’t find the elusive climbing galaxia but we will keep trying because we have had anecdotal reports of this rare species. If it is living on EP, we would like to protect its habitat. Mr Drewer said the survey was an important first step in identifying targets for future monitoring so the Board can better understand and protect Eyre Peninsula’s inland fish. “We would like to thank the landholders who allowed us to come onto their land for the surveys and the community volunteers who helped with setting and emptying the nets,” he said. The results of the surveys are being compiled and will be available from the EPNRM office or website on completion. For more information, contact Seb Drewer or David Cunningham on 86827555. EPNRM water resources officer David Cunningham (left) and Dr Mike Hammer bring in a fish trap during the survey. 6
Caring for our natural resources Redgums recovering well Redgum trees growing in the Polda Basin have responded well to the past two years of good rainfall and recharge to the groundwater basin. That’s the assessment of applied ecologist Dr Kerri Muller, who has been contracted to determine the water requirements of redgum trees in the Polda Basin area on the West Coast for Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board. “Although the gums at Polda show signs of past water stress, they are currently growing new leaves and in many cases, flowers, Many gum trees in SA have suffered during the recent dry years and the response to better conditions that we are seeing in the redgums at Polda appear to be responding as strongly as has been observed in redgums anywhere in the State” she said. “By observing them over time we will further our understanding of their responses to changes in groundwater levels and quality.” The initiative was prompted by concerns expressed about the redgums by local residents who are members of the Musgrave Water Allocation Consultative Committee. This committee, and a similar committee for the Southern Basins, was set up by the Board as part of its community consultation during the development of the new draft Water Allocation Plan for the Musgrave and Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Areas. The Southern Basins covers the Lincoln, Coffin Bay and Uley underground basins, while Musgrave covers the basins to the east of Elliston, including the Polda, Kappawanta, Sheringa and Bramfield lenses. EPNRM water resources program manager Terry Boyce said the Board would carry out the proposed monitoring regime when it was finalised. Dr Muller is a member of a team working with the Department for Water which will provide the Board with a series of scientific reports that will underpin the development of the draft WAP. EPNRM will continue to work with the Consultative Committees to further develop the draft WAP in 2012. The proposed monitoring regime will be Elliston-based EPNRM officer Rob Coventry and Russell Dudley, a member of the Musgrave Water Allocations Consultative Committee developed based on a report being written by Dr Muller and another ecologist, Tim Doeg, on the environmental water requirements of a number of native vegetation species that depend on groundwater on EP. Mr Boyce said the Board had followed up on a number of other issues raised by the committees, including rainfall variability, projected water demand for stock and domestic use and the potential impacts of climate change on water supply. Dr Muller made an initial assessment of redgum health in the Polda Basin in July and again in November following her presentation to the Musgrave committee in Elliston. Dr Muller said the issues of grazing of seedlings and wood cutting also needed to be addressed to ensure the long term health of the redgum stands. She said that like many Australian plant species, redgums had evolved a number of adaptations to help them survive droughts and it was a mistake to assume they were dead or dying if they dropped their leaves. “Redgums often drop their leaves when water stressed and it can be quite difficult to work out which trees will come back after a good season and which ones will not,” she said. “They can have many lives.” “It is really important that trees are properly assessed before being cut down for wood or furniture. Even then we should take as few as possible because dead trees provide a lot of functions in the ecosystem, such as nesting sites, shelter, organic matter, carbon stores and erosion control. Other species that will be covered in the report include Melaleucas, samphires, Gahnia grasses, sedges, rushes and underwater plants. For more on the development of the new WAP, go to http:// www.epnrm.sa.gov.au/WaterResources/WaterAllocation- Plans/NewWaterAllocationPlan.aspx EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 7
Page 1 and 2: the footprint 2011 Summer Edition W
Page 3 and 4: Free feral trees for Christmas Port
Page 5: Protect your property against fire
Page 9 and 10: 1080 Fox baiting Distribution Days
Page 11 and 12: Clearance of native vegetation on E
Page 13 and 14: Caring for our natural resources Bu
Page 15 and 16: Weed could increase fire threat on
Page 17 and 18: Caring for our natural resources Wo
Page 19 and 20: Students get their hands dirty Prim

The Footprint 2011 Summer Edition - Eyre Peninsula Natural ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?