A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY of the

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY of the

STONY DESERTS SOUTH AUSTRALIA

1994-1997

Edited by

R. Brandle

Biological Survey and Research Section Heritage and Biodiversity Division

Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, South Australia

&

National Parks Foundation of South Australia Inc.

1998

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iii The Biological Survey of the Stony Deserts, South Australia was carried out with the assistance of funds made available by the National Parks Foundation of South Australia Inc., the Commonwealth of Australia under the

1994-96 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.

The report may be cited as:

Brandle, R. (1998)

A Biological Survey of the Stony Deserts, South Australia, 1994-1997.

(Heritage and Biodiversity Section, Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, South Australia).

Copies of the report may be accessed in the library:

Environment Australia Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs GPO Box 636 or 1^st Floor, Roma Mitchell House

CANBERRA ACT 2601 136 North Terrace, ADELAIDE SA 5000

EDITOR

Robert Brandle

Biological Survey & Research

Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs GPO Box 1047, Adelaide, SA, 5001

CARTOGRAPHY AND MAP DESIGN

Tim Hudspith

All geographical data from Statewide Map Library, Environmental Data Base of South Australia

Biological Survey & Research Section

Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs GPO Box 1047, Adelaide, SA, 5001

Printed by

Cover Photograph:

Stony tableland country around Arrabunda Creek, Witjira National Park.

Photo: AC Robinson

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PREFACE

A Biological Survey of the Stony Deserts, South Australia is a further component 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 the state and to encourage its conservation.

Over the last fifteen years, there has been a strong commitment to the Biological Survey by Government and an impressive dedication from hundreds of volunteer biologists.

It is anticipated that the Biological Survey will achieve complete statewide coverage by 2015 and will be an achievement for which we can be very proud. Biologists in the future will be able to measure the direction of long-term ecological change, and we will have substantially improved our knowledge of the biodiversity of South Australia and our ability to adequately manage nature conservation into the future.

MRS DOROTHY KOTZ MP

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

v

ABSTRACT

From September 1994, 344 sites were surveyed for flora and fauna (with a further 254 being surveyed for flora only) in the stony deserts of South Australia. This area includes the stony country of the Lake Eyre Basin extending north and north west from the Flinders Ranges to the Queensland and Northern Territory borders, and the Arcoona Plateau west of Lake Torrens. All plant species within a 1 ha quadrat were recorded and their cover abundance estimated.

Vertebrate animals were systematically recorded through direct observations of individuals and traces, and trapping using metal box, pitfall and wire cage traps. Collections were also made opportunistically through spot light observations, predator scat and gut analysis, mist nets, harp traps and bat call recordings. The number of records contributing to the South Australian Biological Survey Database as a result of this survey were: 14784 plants, 4994 birds, 1327 reptiles, 1546 mammals.

Site based information from eight other survey efforts, which overlapped the study area, were included in the analyses.

This resulted in the description of 29 floristically distinct plant communities. The vertebrate analyses related 18 bird, 18 reptile and 15 mammal assemblages, as well as seven frog species, to the landform parameters and vegetation analyses.

Of the 784 plant taxa recorded for the study area only 6% of species were recent introductions. Forty-seven species of conservation significance were identified as occurring in the study area. Twenty were of national conservation significance and 20 were of State conservation significance. The other seven nationally significant species known to occur in the survey area were not recorded at survey sites. Nine species are considered to be endemic to the stony deserts. A further five plant taxa, yet to be described, may be added to this list.

Of the 157 bird species recorded at sites in the study area only one species (recorded at one site) was a European introduction. Forty-two of these are rated as species of conservation significance with four having a national conservation rating. None are endemic to the study area but the stony deserts provide a critical area of habitat for four species.

The 81 reptile species recorded at sites in the study area represent 80% of the total known reptile fauna. Three of these are rated as being of national conservation significance. Four species are considered to be endemic to the study area which also represents the bulk of suitable habitat in South Australia for a further four species.

Of the 40 mammal species recorded at sites in the survey area ten were recent introductions. The 30 native species recorded represent 83% of the known extant mammal fauna. Fifteen species are rated as being of conservation significance of which six are rated at the national level. Three species are considered to be endemic to the stony deserts and two have the bulk of their South Australian distribution within these habitats.

Seven of the ten frog species known from the study area were recorded during the surveys - five at sites and two opportunistically. The other three species have only rarely been recorded. The Innamincka region supports the highest diversity of species (7). Generally, species richness decreases with latitude through the study area - northern regions with more than five species and southern regions with less than four species.

Structural vegetation groups were mapped at a scale of 1:250000 across the study area and these are presented as two 1:650000 scale maps with the report. Geometrically rectified Landsat TM imagery and aerial photography were used to assist in the extrapolation of vegetation boundaries from site based data.

Sites and areas containing high species richness and high diversity of conservation significant species were identified from the site survey information. This information can be used as a basis for identifying areas of high conservation significance for the various taxonomic groups. Important habitat features such as the Davenport Range were not identified by this process, because the sampling intensity did not adequately investigate the complexity of this and other local systems of minor extent. Conservation measures and National Estate values were also discussed.

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The Mesa Gecko Diplodactylus galeatus occurs only on breakaway country along the western margin of the study area to the south-eastern extent of the Stuart Range (Photo: PD Canty).

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

vii .

FIGURES

Figure 1. Stony Deserts Biological Survey study area showing the Environmental Associations of South Australia (Laut et al. 1977)...2

Figure 2. Residual tablelands at the Breakaway Reserve in the west region (Photo: PD Canty). ...4

Figure 3. Dissected tableland in the north-east region supporting Barley Mitchell-grass plains and Gidgee lined creeks (Photo: PD Canty). ...4

Figure 4. Gibber plain supporting parallel dunes in the Sturt Stony Desert. The dark areas represent gibber pavement whilst the lighter areas reflect the drainage depressions (Photo: PD Canty). ...5

Figure 5. Gibber pavement in the north-west region near the SA/NT border (Photo: PD Canty)...5

Figure 6. Oodnadatta Bush Atriplex nummularia ssp. omissa dominates many of the stony plains in the Lake Eyre South, west and north-west regions. The pools of water are a rarer sight (Photo: PD Canty). ...6

Figure 7. Barley Mitchell-grass Astrebla pectinata with low Chenopod shrubs dominate the stony plains of the Marree-Callabonna, Sturt Stony Desert, north east and Innamincka regions (Photo: PD Canty)...6

Figure 8. Study area and rainfall isohyets (mm). ...7

Figure 9. Monthly rainfall averages (Ave) and medians (Med) for four weather stations. ...8

Figure 10. Annual rainfall totals for four weather stations since their inception. ...8

Figure 11. Average monthly temperature maxima for four weather stations. ...9

Figure 12. Average monthly temperature minima for four weather stations. ...9

Figure 13. General setting showing the distribution of stony desert tableland soils and drainage of the Lake Eyre Basin (taken from Stephens 1961). ...11

Figure 14. General geological setting of northern South Australia (modified after MESA 1982). ...12

Figure 15. Geological setting of the Arcoona Plateau region (Modified after MESA 1982)...14

Figure 16. Cross sections through the Arcoona Plateau (Taken from Preiss 1993; Johns et al. 1981)...14

Figure 17. Silcrete-capped mesa at the Breakaways, Stuart Range. Scarps expose deeply weathered Cretaceous Bulldog Shale (Photo 38888 courtesy of MESA)...16

Figure 18. Cross section across the Dalhousie anticline showing relationship between folded Cordillo surface and younger surfaces (Taken from Krieg 1985a). ...16

Figure 19. Gypsite surface east of the Denison Range viewed south-west across the Neales River toward the Davenport Range. Here the surface has developed on fresh Cretaceous Bulldog Shale (Photo 41942 courtesy of MESA). ...18

Figure 20. Benitos Clay overlies Oolgelima Gravel of late Pleistocene alluvial floodplain dissected by a modern drainage channel. Duricrust mantled tableland...19

Figure 21. Gilgai or patterned ground terrain...21

Figure 22. Pleistocene mound springs of Beresford Hill. Note surrounding erosional plain developed on the Cretaceous Bulldog Shale. Also note the degree of erosion since mound formation. (Photo 31909 courtesy of MESA)...21

Figure 23. Regional section across the Mesosoic Eromanga Basin (Modified after Krieg et al. 1995). ...23

Figure 24. Geological time, provinces and selected events. ...25

Figure 25. Russo Beds overlying weathered Cretaceous Shale (at the base) exposed in an opal cut at Coober Pedy. Exposure displays lower gypseous, middle conglomerate and upper calcrete cemented (Giddina Formation) units (Photo 35794 courtesy of MESA). ...29

Figure 26. Benitos clay with vertical prismatic soil structure and white gypsum horizon. Also note gibber mantle and platy calcrete developed in the Giddina Formation at the base. Cut exposure at Black Flag opal field Coober Pedy (Photo 31872 courtesy of MESA). ...29

Figure 27. Benitos clay (0.6 m) conformably overlies Oolgelima Gravel (~1.3 m) which in turn sharply overlies fresh cretaceous Bulldog Shale. Oolgelima Creek north of Coober Pedy (Photo 31873 courtesy of MESA). ...33

Figure 28. The location of mound springs in South Australia. ...35

Figure 29. A typical mound spring (Dobrzinski 1994). ...36

Figure 30. Vaughan Spring showing extensive impact by cattle. The post in the left background is the last vestige of protective fencing erected around the spring in the early days of pastoralism...37

Figure 31. The Fountain - a fenced spring showing typical growth of Cyperus laevigatus in the outflow channel with Phragmites australis predominant in the springs pool area...38

Figure 32. Cattle grazing is the major economic activity in the stony deserts. Storm front brings dust and rain in the north-west region (Photo: PD Canty)...43

Figure 33. Opal mining impacts the greatest area of stony habitat in the west and Arcoona regions. Coober Pedy opal fields (Photo: PD Canty). ...43

Figure 34. Camp localities...45

Figure 35. Botanist Helen Vonow at work on a Canegrass swamp vegetation patch near Dickinna Hill (Photo: AC Robinson). ...50

Figure 36. Volunteer team in the field Laboratory at Bitchera Waterhole in the north west region (Photo: AC Robinson)...50 Figure 37. Patchiness is the nature of vegetation communities across the stony deserts. Witjira National Park site ME00601 (Photo: AC Robinson).

...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 38. Sites from the Stony Desert Biological Survey 1994-1996...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 39. Sites from the Witjira (light grey squares), Goyder Lagoon (dark grey squares), Arckaringa (mid grey squares) and Lake Eyre South (black squares) Biological Surveys. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 40. Sites from the Rare Rodents (black squares) and Kowari (grey squares) Endangered Species Projects, and the Pastoral Assessment Program (x). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 41. Proportions of each landform sampled. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 42. Proportions of broad surface soil characteristics sampled...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 43. Proportions of Surface Strew size and cover classes sampled. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 44. Geographic regions for the study area as discussed throughout the text...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 45. Barley Mitchell-grass Astrebla pectinata (Photo: PD Canty)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 47. Mulga Acacia aneura very low open woodland. Site RO00801 north-west region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 48. Deadfinish Acacia tetragonophylla over Silver Mulla Mulla Ptilotus obovatus, Bladder Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria and grasses. Site DT00301 at Mount Dutton in the west region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 49. Site PC00701 at Patchawarra Creek on the edge of the Innamincka Tableland. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 50. Scattered Senna spp. Often occur over Silver Mulla Mulla on breakaway plains. Site YS00603 in the north-east region.Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 51. Gidgee Acacia cambagei dominated creek. Site ME00101 Witjira National Park...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 52. Barley Mitchell-grass Astrebla pectinata and mixed Bindyi Sclerolaena spp. Site CD00102 in the north-east region. Floristic group 5 can be seen in the drainage line in the background. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

Figure 53. Site BH00201 in the Lake Eyre South catchment near Beresford Hill...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 54. Site IN00501 in the Innamincka region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 55. Site GA00401 after a prolonged dry spell. Sturt Stony Desert...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 56. Canegrass swamp in the north-east region. Site YS00101 in the north-east region...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 57. Pastoral Assessment site 3351 south of the Arcoona region indicating Mulga Acacia aneura over grass and herb understorey (Photo:

courtesy of Pastoral Management Branch DEHAA)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 58. The Cobbler Sandhills near Lake Blanche on the edge of the Marree-Callabonna region. Rare Rodent site 38 after exceptional rainfall during 1992. The exotic and ephemeral Turnip Weed Brassica tournefortii dominates the foreground...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 59. One example of the types of habitat containing Whitewood Atalaya hemiglauca. Site CD00403 in the north-east region.Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 60. Grey Bindyi Sclerolaena diacantha (Photo: PJ Lang)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 61. Site RR08801 was dominated by Never-fail Eragrostis setifolia following exceptional rainfall during 1992. West region north of Coober Pedy...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 62. Samphire low open shrubland. Site MM00101 in the Sturt Stony Desert near Mirra Mitta Bore. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 63. Coolabah Eucalyptus coolabah creek. Site ST00301 in the Lake Eyre South region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 64. Cottonbush Maireana aphylla swamp in the Sturt Stony Desert. Site GA00801. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 65. Lignum Muehlenbeckia florulenta with River Coolabah Acacia stenophylla and Scattered Coolabah Eucalyptus coolabah. Site KP00201 in the north-east region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 66. Sandhill Canegrass Zygochloa paradoxa on a dune overlooking a Coolabah woodland Eucalyptus coolabah (Floristic group 19). Site MM00401 in the Sturt Stony Desert...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 67. Sparse Umbrella Wattle Acacia ligulata over Sandhill Canegrass Zygochloa paradoxa in Witjira National Park. Site AL00201 in the north-west region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 68. Sticky Hop-bush Dodonaea viscosa on a dune in the Marree-Callabonna Region. Site LH00401...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 69. Low open Western Myall Acacia papyrocarpa over Pearl Bluebush Maireana sedifolia. Pastoral Assessment site 3383 of the southern tip of the Arcoona region (Photo: courtesy of the Pastoral Management Branch, DEHAA)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 70. Sparse Bladder Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria and Barley Mitchell-grass Astrebla pectinata. Site WW00301 in the north-east region...Error!

Bookmark not defined.

Figure 71. Oodnadatta Bush Atriplex nummularia omissa. Site EN00301 in the west region...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 72. Site CA00701 in the Lake Eyre South Region...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 73. Salt Bindyi Sclerolaena ventricosa. (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 74. Site DU00401 in the Marree-Callabonna region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 75. Vegetation patches in this group are usually sparse and patchy. Site MU00401 in the Sturt Stony Desert. ..Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 76. Site CA00801 in the Lake Eyre South region...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 77. Bladder Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria with Cottonbush Maireana aphylla low shrubs and Gidgee Acacia cambagei trees in the background.

Site RO00101 in the north-west region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 78. Low Bluebush Maireana astrotricha shrubland in the Marree-Callabonna region. Site DH00801...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 79. Desiccated sub-shrubland dominated by Sclerolaena spp. Site YH00101 in the Marree-Callabonna region.Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 80. Low shrubland in the Arcoona region. Site BA00701...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 81. Average species richness (perennial and all) for each floristic group. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 82. Average perennial species richness for sites within each landform type (include 95% confidence limits)....Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 83. Average perennial species richness for sites within each broad surface soil texture category (include 95% confidence limits). ...Error!

Figure 84. Average perennial species richness within each strew size and cover category (include 95% confidence limits)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 85. Botanical Regions as used by the SA Herbarium and the Census of Australian Vascular Plants (Hnatiuk 1990)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 86. A new species of native Tobacco Nicotiana truncata (Symon) discovered in the gypseous clays in the west region during the survey (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 87. The samphire Halosarcia cupuliformis had not been recorded since the 1890’s prior to this survey. This record extended the known range from the SA/NT border area to the west region of the study area south-east of Coober Pedy (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 88. The bright purple flower of the recently described and endangered Bluerod Stemodia haegii was recorded at new localities in the west region (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 89. Checking a pitfall trapline at one of the Goorikiana Sites in the west of the study area. (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 90. Mammal groups from PATN - dendrogram of 15 groups from the association matrix. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 91. The Fawn Hopping-mouse Notomys cervinus is the only species of hopping mouse which lives on gibber plains. (Photo: PD Canty).

Figure 92. Checking the harp trap for overnight captures of bats. Arrabunda Creek, Witjira National Park (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

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xi

Figure 101. Sandy Inland Mouse Pseudomys hermannsburgensis occurs along sandy creek beds in regions dominated by stony plains. (Photo: BS&R, DEHAA). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 102. Fat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata is common in the most open habitats of the stony deserts. (Photo: PD Canty). ...Error!

Figure 103. Stripe-faced Dunnart Sminthopsis macroura the most common species in the study area and prefers some cover of low shrubs. (Photo:

AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 104. The Plains Rat Pseudomys australis occurs at sites with more surface soil complexity which enables it to burrow in cracks or at the bases of low shrubs (Photo: PD Canty)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 105. Stick-nest Rats Leporillus spp. once occupied hill slope sites in the stony deserts. Remnant Stick-nests in rocky shelters survive as monuments to their passing (Photo: AG Davey)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 106. Average number of mammals per site (using all species and terrestrial small native mammal species) are presented against landform category and the number of sites in each category. The error bars represent the 95% confidence interval for the averages presented. ...Error!

Figure 107. Average number of mammals per site (using all species and terrestrial small native mammal species) is presented against surface soil texture category and the number of sites in each category. The error bars represent the 95% confidence interval for the averages presented.

Figure 108. Average number of mammals per site (using all species and terrestrial small native mammal species) is presented against Floristic Groups identified in the vegetation chapter, and the number of sites in each category. The Floristic groups are clustered into structural groupings (Woodland 5-24; Tall shrubland 3-23; Shrublands 12-18; Low shrubland with emergent trees and shrubs 2-33; Low shrublands 20-26; Sub- shrublands/grasslands 8-17; and Grasslands 6-22). The error bars represent the 95% confidence interval for the averages presented...Error!

Figure 109. Average number of terrestrial small native mammals per site is presented against dominant structural vegetation categories and the number of sites in each category. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 110. The Long-haired Rat Rattus villosissimus is a native species and is the only true rat occurring in the study area. (Photo: AC Robinson).

Figure 111. Bird groups from PATN - dendrogram of 23 groups from the association matrix. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 112. Average bird species diversity at sites and the number of sites for each bird assemblage. 95% confidence limits are presented as error bars...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 113. Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae in Witjira National Park. Site ME00601 north-west region. (Photo: AC Robinson). ....Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 114. Bourke’s Parrots Neophema bourkii are most commonly encountered in wooded habitats of the west and north-west regions (Photo: L Pedler)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 115. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae is a common and widespread grassland species throughout the study area (Photo: L Pedler).

Figure 116. White-winged Wrens Malurus leucopterus are one of the most widespread and common inhabitants of shrublands and Sandhill Canegrass hummock grasslands (Photo: L Pedler). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 117. Brolga Grus rubicundus in a clay pan in the Sturt Stony Desert region. (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 118. Cinnamon Quail-thrush Cinclosoma cinnamomeum are characteristic of low very open shrublands throughout the study area. This male was photographed near Mt Gason Bore in the Sturt Stony Desert (Photo: L Pedler)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 119. Australian Raven Corvus coronoides (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 120. Gibber Birds Ashbyia lovensis are nomads of the gibber grasslands and sub-shrublands (Photo: L Pedler). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 121. Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides. (Photo: R Brandle) ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 123. The nomadic Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella is often found in small flocks on gibber plain grasslands and sub-shrublands which have responded to recent rainfall (Photo: L Pedler). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 124. The Inland Dotterel Charadrius australis roosts on open gibber and clay flats away from vegetation. This habit leads them to roost on tracks and major roads, making them vulnerable to traffic. (Photo: H Owens). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 125. Western Fieldwren Calamanthus campestris is common in low shrubland communities in the southern regions of the study area (Photo:

L Pedler). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 126. Average number of birds per site is displayed against landform category and the number of sites in each category..Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 127. The average number of bird species per site for each floristic group (as described in the vegetation chapter) are displayed with 95%

confidence intervals along with the number of sites in each group. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 128. Average number of species per site by region with 95 % confidence intervals...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 129. The Chestnut-breasted White-face Aphelocephala pectoralis is the only bird endemic to South Australia and has a large part of its range in the stony deserts (Photo: L Pedler)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 130. The study area is the stronghold for the eastern sub-species of the vulnerable Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis textilis (Photo: L Pedler)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 131. Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis near Marla (Photo: L Pedler)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 132. Proablepharus kinghornii. Collection of this species in the Innamincka region represents the first record of this species in South Australia (Photo: R Brandle)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 133. Reptile groups from PATN - dendrogram of 18 groups from association matrix...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 134. A stony desert endemic, the Gibber Dragon Ctenophorus gibba. (Photo: R Brandle)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 135. Pink Blotched Gecko Diplodactylus byrnei from the north-west region (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 136. The Smooth-snouted Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis intima from the Sturt Stony Desert region (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error!

Figure 137. Eastern Desert Ctenotus Ctenotus regius from the Marree-Callabonna region (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 138. The Beaked Gecko Rhynchodeura ornata from the west region (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 139. The Central Netted Dragon Ctenophorus nuchalis from the Sturt Stony Desert region (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 140. The Sandplain Ctenotus Ctenotus schomburgkii from the Sturt Stony Desert region (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 141. The Millitary Dragon Ctenophorus isolepis is found in the north-east region on sand dunes (Photo: AC Robinson).Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 142. The Long-nosed Dragon Amphibolurus longirostris occurs along wooded creeks in the west and north-west regions (Photo: AC

Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 143. The Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko Nephrurus levis is widespread on sand dunes across the stony deserts (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error!

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Figure 144. Within the study area Gillen’s Goanna Varanus gilleni is restricted the residual tablelands supporting woodland in the west and north- west regions (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 145. The inappropriately named Broad-banded Sand-swimmer Eremiascincus richardsonii is common in breakaway areas and loamier soils across the study area (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 146. The Gidgee Skink Egernia stokesii is patchily distributed across the study in rock piles as well as hollows in Gidgee Acacia cambagei Trees (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 147. The Tree Dtella Gehyra variegata was one of the most common species in areas supporting rock piles and woodland (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 148. The Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko Strophurus intermedius was only recorded in the Arcoona region of the study area (Photo: PD Canty).

Figure 149. The Eastern Striped Skink Ctenotus robustus occurs on rocky slopes and replaces the similar sized Centralian Striped Skink Ctenotus saxatilis in the southern parts of the study area (Photo: PD Canty). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 150. The ubiquitous Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii was the most commonly detected species in the study area (Photo: AC Robinson)...Error!

Figure 151. The Central Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps can be found in most habitats but is more common in the vicinity of shrubs and trees such as this Native Apricot Pittosporum phyllaerioides (Photo: R Brandle). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 152. The Thick-tailed Gecko Nephrurus milii occurs in rocky regions and loamy soils across the study area (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error!

Figure 153. The Perentie Varanus giganteus is found in the west and north-west regions of the study area (Photo: PD Canty). .Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 154. The ‘Saltbush Ctenotus’ Ctenotus sp. cf uber is highly variable in its colour patterns throughout the study area (Photo: PD Canty).

Figure 155. The widespread and abundant Eyrean Earless Dragon Tympanocyptis tetraporophora lurks on clay plains in low open shrublands and grasslands (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 156. The Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylus tessellatus inhabits the stoniest gibber plains (Photo: PD Canty). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 157. The Black-headed Scaly-foot Pygopus nigriceps (Photo:AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 158. Average number of reptile species per site and the number of sites for Landform categories. The error bars represent the 95% confidence interval for the averages presented. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 159. Average number of reptile species per site and the number of sites for Surface Soil Texture categories. The error bars represent the 95%

confidence interval for the averages presented...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 160. Average number of reptile species per site and the number of sites for Floristic Groups. The error bars represent the 95% confidence interval for the averages presented. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 161. Average number of reptile species per site and the number of sites for Dominant Vegetation Structure categories. The error bars represent the 95% confidence interval for the averages presented. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 162. The Black-headed Goanna Varanus tristis is restricted to the northern parts of the study area (Photo:AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 163. The Water-holding Frog Cyclorana platycephala is widespread across the study area (Photo: AC Robinson). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 164. The Knife-footed Frog Cyclorana cultripes is restricted to the north-east region (Photo: PD Canty). ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 165. Camp areas with highest plant species richness...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 166. Camp areas with highest plant species richness for consistently detectable species...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 167. Camp areas with highest bird species richness. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 168. Camp areas with highest reptile species richness. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 169. Camp areas with highest species richness for native fossorial small mammals. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 170. Camp areas with highest frog species 6 richness. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 171. A habitat mosaic is evident from this oblique aerial view of the Sturt Stony Desert, and provides clues to why some parts of this region (eg the Koonchera Dune, Damperannie Overflow and Dickinna Hill areas) featured highly in the species richness stakes. The photo shows a myriad of drainage depressions and gibber pavement with major creeks, swamps and isolated sand dunes (Photo: PD Canty).Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 172. Numbers of significant plant species at camp areas...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 173. Numbers of significant bird species at camp areas. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 174. Numbers of significant reptile species at camp areas. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 175. Numbers of significant mammal species at camp areas...Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

xiii

TABLES

Table 1. Glossary of geological terms. ...32

Table 2. Survey effort for the Stony Deserts Biological Survey...46

Table 3. Trapping effort...48

Table 4. Other survey efforts contributing to this study. ...48 Table 5. The survey effort included for the vegetation analyses. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 6. Distribution of species in the major plant groups. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 7. Regional summary of species including the number and percentage of conservation rated species (Aus = nationally, SA = State), and introduced species...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 8. Summary of the relative contribution from each genus and species to each plant family recorded in the study area (species count includes subspecies and some varieties). This is compared to the surrounding herbarium regions impinging on the study area and three regions in south-west Queensland which cover the stony desert country in that state...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 9. Australian conservation status ratings (Briggs & Leigh 1995) for species recorded within the study region.

Table 10. Conservation rated species not recorded at sites but recorded in the study area. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 11. Introduced species by region in decreasing order of frequency...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 12. Number of sites per region...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 13. Species summary. Numbers in brackets denote introduced genera and species. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 14. Species recorded at more than 10% of sites. Numbers presented by region reflect the number of sites at which each species was recorded. The ‘Total # recorded’ refers to the numbers of each species recorded at all sites. The ‘recording rate’ presents the ‘total # recorded’ for each species divided by the ‘total # recorded’ for all species during the surveys. This is presented as a percentage. An asterisk (*) by the common name denotes introduced species...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 15. The relationship between small mammal assemblages and selected habitat variables. ..Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 16. Number of sites in each region. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 17 Bird Order summary. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 18 Bird Family summary. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 19. Regions marked with an asterisk(*) summarise species records from sites adjacent to the study area. (A) is used where species were not recorded. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 20. Bird groupings from PATN by structural vegetation descriptions. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 21. Species, conservation status and regions in which they were recorded. Regions marked @ were outside of the study area boundaries. Fields marked * indicate that species is known to occur in the region but was not recorded at a site. E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, K = Poorly Known, R = Rare, U = Uncommon, I = Indeterminate. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 22. Number of sites by region...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 23. Species summary. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 24. Species recorded at more than 10% of sites. Numbers presented by region reflect the number of sites at which each species was recorded. The ‘# recordsfor species’ refers to the numbers of each species recorded at all sites. The ‘recording rate’ displays the ‘# records for species’ divided by the total # records for all 89 species.

This is presented as a percentage. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 25. Reptile assemblages by habitat parameters...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 26. The number of survey sites where a species was encountered is displayed for each region of the study area.

An asterisk (*) denotes that the species has been collected from a region in the past but was not recorded for this study. The letter (o) denotes the species was recorded opportunistically within a region.Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 27. Frog species by landform...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 28. Frog species by surface soil texture groups. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 29. Frog species by structural overstorey vegetation category. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 30. Site species richness - all plant species...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 31. Site species richness - consistently detectable plant species...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 32. Site species richness - birds. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 33. Site species richness - reptiles...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 34. Site species richness - native fossorial small mammals. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 35. Site species richness - frogs. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 36. Species lists of conservation significant species known to occur in the stony deserts study area. ...Error!

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

Table 37. Numbers of conservation significant species for each taxon by study area regions. ...Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 38. Camp area conservation importance summary table...Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

xv

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1.

Survey site names, locations and trapping efforts...312 APPENDIX 2.

Tables comparing floristic analyses with structural vegetation categories described for the region by other

overviews of the vegetation in the study area. ...324 APPENDIX 3.

Plant species list presenting frequency in each region. Sorted alphabetically. ...327 APPENDIX 4.

Plant species frequency by all survey efforts. Sorted by highest total frequency then species...340 APPENDIX 5.

Frequency tables for the vegetation PATN groups...352 APPENDIX 6.

Full mammal species list for survey...355 APPENDIX 7.

The number of sites within each floristic group for each mammal species. ...356 APPENDIX 8.

Mammal PATN frequency tables...357 APPENDIX 9

The number of sites at which mammal species were recorded by regions. ...360 APPENDIX 10.

Bird species list by Order and Family detailing regional site frequency and observation totals. ...361 APPENDIX 11.

Bird species alphabetical list by floristic groups with the number site records for each. ...365 APPENDIX 12.

Bird PATN group frequency tables. ...368 APPENDIX 13.

Reptile species list in family order by regions in which they were recorded...370 APPENDIX 14.

Reptile species by floristic groups - numbers indicate the number of sites in which species were recorded. ...372 APPENDIX 15.

Reptile species recorded in the study area.. ...373 APPENDIX 16.

Reptile PATN analysis frequency tables...375 APPENDIX 17.

Key to the South Australian and Australian conservation status codes. ...378

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Funding for this project originated with the National Parks Foundation of South Australia and the efforts of Peter Copley and Julian Reid in preparing the original Stony Deserts Biological Survey project proposal which was able to secure three years of funding from the National Estate Grants Program (Australian Heritage Commission) and two years from the Government of South Australia.

The project would also not have been possible without the assistance and cooperation of the many people who provided expertise, assistance, equipment and encouragement. Hopefully they are all listed below.

1. Field assistance: Geoff Abrahams, Darren Alderson, Neville Amos, Dale Arnett, Chris Austin, Colin Bailey, Rick Barratt, Scott Bemmer, Jackie Bice, Samantha Bywaters, Peter Canty, Keith Casperson, Tom Celebrezze, Quentin Chester, Jo Chivell, Bernice Cohen, Simon Cook, Peter Copley, Steven Courtney, James Crocker, Mike Dale, Rick Davies, Sharon Downes, Steve Doyle, Harald Ehmann, Jody Gates, Ifeta Gee, Tod Goodman, Kate Graham, Rebecca Hall, Mark Hammond, Tony Herbert, Deb Hopton, Ian Hopton, Phillippa Horton, Tim Hudspith, Mark Hutchinson, Scott Jennings, Natashia Kearslake, Cath Kemper, Sue Kenny, Gavin Kluske, Peter Lang, Vicki Lashmar, Rebecca Last, Martin Lawson, Dale Leary, Kate Lloyd, Christina MacDonald, Anthony Maguire, Keith Martin, Jamie Mathew, Rosemary McArthur, Graham Medlin, Steve Milne, Josie Morelli, Tom Mowbray, Emma Moysey, Robin Noye, Patrick O’Conner, Helen Owens, Joanna Park, Mat Pearson, Lynn Pedler, Jason Pelgrave, George Pickerell, Stewart Pillman, Rob Poore, Queale, Julian Reid, Meg Robertson, Tony Robinson, Sarah Ruff, Franca Scopacasa, Adam Shalekoff, Bob Sharrad, Felicity Smith, Stewart Southcombe, Sarah Spackman, Hafiz Stewart, David Symon, Roger Tynan, Jason van Weenen, Helen Vonow, Annalise Weibkin, Sue Weibkin, Vernon Wells, Nigel Willoughby.

2. Technical expertise: David Symon - plant determinations.

Mark Hutchinson and Adrienne Edwards - reptile and amphibian determinations.

Lynette Quealle, Cath Kemper, Graham Medlin and Chris Watts - mammal determinations.

Phillipa Horton, Graham Carpenter and Lynn Pedler- birds.

Jan Forrest and David Hirst - invertebrate collection and identification.

Archie MacAthur - ant identifications.

Stewart Pillman - computing assistance.

3. Equipment: Pete Smith, Ben Luxton (Salsibury Campus University of South Australia), Roseworthy Campus University of Adelaide, Lynette Queale, Terry Reardon, Rick Benz (Lands Survey Section of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources).

4. Data Entry and verification: Scott Jennings, Felicity Smith and Sarah Spackman.

5. Comments on drafts and proof reading: Franca Scopacasa, Tony Robinson, Julian Reid, Peter Copley, Peter Canty, Mark Hutchinson, David Symon, Tim Hudspith, Barbabara Hardy, Robert Sharrad, Jeff Foulkes and Cath Kemper.

6. Vegetation Mapping: Thanks to Justine Drew, David Hart and other staff from Image Data Services, Resource Information Group, Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, for help with satellite imagery used as a basis for vegetation mapping.

Sincere thanks to Jason Phillips, Greg Wilkins, Louise Malcolm, Leonie Heard, Iain Malcolm, Gavin Burgess, Lee

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

1

INTRODUCTION

R Brandle¹ Northern South Australia, and in particular the Lake

Eyre Basin, is made up of three dominant landscape or environment types:

• wetlands (including creeks, flood plains, lakes and mound springs);

• sandy deserts (consisting mostly of parallel sand ridges and swales);

• stony or gibber deserts (usually associated with clay soils).

The stony or gibber deserts of the Lake Eyre Basin were first described to the European settlers by Captain Charles Sturt following his search for the great inland sea during the mid 1840’s. The inland sea turned out to be an ocean of rocks and sand, of which the most forbidding, now bears his name, Sturt Stony Desert.

His initial impression of this landscape is quoted below (Sturt 1849).

“... On arriving at this point we saw an immense plain, occupying more than one half of the horizon, that is to say, from the south round to the eastward of north. A number of sandy ridges, similar to that on which we stood, abutted upon, and terminated in this plain like so many head lands projecting into the sea. The plain itself was of a dark purple hue, and from the elevated point on which we stood appeared to be perfectly level.

There was a line of trees far away upon it to the N.E.; and to the north, at a great distance, the sun was shining on the bright point of a sandhill. The plain was otherwise without vegetation, and its horizon was like that of the ocean. In the direction I was about to proceed, nothing was to be seen but the gloomy stone-clad plain, of an extent such as I could not possibly form any just idea. ...”

The stony deserts north-west of Lake Eyre were traversed 50 years later (1894) by the Horn Natural History Expedition (Spencer 1896). The impression this region left on its participants are summarised by this quote:

“Travelling over this country during the daytime, with its dried up creeks and stony gibber plains, there is little which looks picturesque; but at sundown the scene becomes quite changed, and it is hard to believe that the picturesque appearance is due simply to atmospheric conditions.

In the desolate gibber country near Macumba the effect was really beautiful. Away to the east the land rose to flat- topped, terraced ranges. In the foreground were white-blue salt-bushes, with pale, light blue patches of low herbage and still lighter tuffts of grass amongst them, standing out in strong contrast to the purple-brown gibbers. The country was crossed by dark lines of mulga, marking the creek beds and streaking away up to the hills, which stood out sharply against a cold steel-blue sky, melting above into salmon-pink and this into deep ultra marine. In the west was a rich after- glow, against which the stony plains and hills looked dark purple, with the mulga branches standing out sharp and thin

against the sky.”

For the purpose of this study the stony deserts have been defined to include the red-duplex mostly clay soil regions of the Lake Eyre Basin. Australians have become familiar with these landforms through popular films such as ‘Mad Max 3’ and ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’. The area is recognised for being part of the driest area in Australia, however its diverse flora and fauna are not generally appreciated.

The Study Area

The Stony Deserts Biological Survey Study Area has been largely defined by the bulk of the ‘Environmental Associations’ (described in Laut et al. 1977) for the Central Tablelands Environmental Region (8.3) and three Environmental Associations in the Lake Eyre Basin Environmental Region (8.4). It also extends into the eastern associations of the Western Pastoral Environmental Region (7.3) (Figure 1).

The Study Area extends from the north-eastern margin of the Flinders Ranges adjacent to Lake Callabonna;

running west below Lake Eyre South to Coober Pedy;

then north just over the Northern Territory border. In the east the gibber deserts follow the Birdsville Track over the border into south-west Queensland where they dominate the land surrounding the Diamantina River and Cooper Creek.

The Stony Deserts Biological Survey sought to systematically survey the central Australian gibber country, the bulk of which occurs in the South Australian portion of the Lake Eyre Basin, and to draw together information gathered about similar land types in adjacent areas of other states. The impetus for the survey came from members of the National Parks Foundation of South Australia who saw the deficiency in information with regards to this region. Their part funding of the study enabled more funding to be procured from the National Estates Grant Program to investigate national estate values. The timing of the survey was fortuitous in regard to the Lake Eyre Basin World Heritage Proposal. The controversy between conservation and pastoral lobby groups as well as the major political parties, ensured that the project gained sufficient funding to run a three year study.

The survey methodology used was developed for the Biological Survey of South Australia to systematically document the vascular plants and vertebrate fauna of the various habitats found across the state. To date these surveys have gathered information for South Australia’s offshore islands, Kangaroo Island, the

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eastern agricultural lands and some of the arid-zone including the Olary Plains, southern Strzelecki Desert, the Nullarbor Plain, Yellabinna Region and the Anangu-Pitjantjatjara Lands in the north-west of the state. Areas surveyed purely for vegetation include the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula and southern Eyre Peninsula. Survey titles and dates are listed in Forward & Robinson (1996) and Playfair

& Robinson (1997).

Objectives

The primary aim of the Biological Survey of South Australia is to systematically and consistently sample a representative range of the ecological habitats to be found in South Australia. This information is collected to enhance, with scientific data, integrated land management and the conservation of South Australia’s biological diversity.

The specific objectives of the Stony Deserts Biological Survey were:

• to collate existing information about the flora, fauna and physical features of stony deserts in South Australia;

• to survey the flora and fauna at selected sample sites throughout the stony desert biome and describe the physical characteristics of these sites;

• to achieve a fauna sampling coverage equivalent to about 30 sites per 1 : 250 000 map sheet;

• to systematically survey the vertebrate fauna - the mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs - at each site using standard survey methods developed for the Biological Survey of South Australia;

• to sample the terrestrial invertebrates of the stony deserts using standard micro- and macro- pitfall trapping techniques to establish a stony deserts biological survey database;

• to provide distribution maps for stony desert flora and fauna species, using GIS technology;

• to analyse the stony desert biological survey database to produce maps of the distributions of plant and animal communities;

• to identify characteristic species, communities and habitats of the stony desert biome;

• to identify threats to the region’s biological diversity;

• to summarise all findings in a final report including recommendations for appropriate management strategies to achieve the goals of biodiversity conservation and ecological sustainability.

Figure 1. Stony Deserts Biological Survey study area showing the Environmental Associations of South Australia (Laut et al.

1977).

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3

PREVIOUS BIOLOGICAL STUDIES

No other biological studies in South Australia have attempted to incorporate the majority of habitats comprising a particular biome within South Australia.

Few studies have attempted to systematically document the flora and fauna of stony desert environments. The majority of arid survey work in South Australia has concentrated on the wetland environments of the Cooper Creek (Mollemans et al. 1984, Reid & Gillen 1988, Gillen & Drewien 1993), and the sandy deserts of Yellabinna (Copley & Kemper 1992). Previous studies adjacent to the survey area in other states include a survey of the Northern Simpson Desert (Gibson & Cole 1988); The Uluru Fauna Survey (Reid et al. 1991); The Western Arid Land-use Study in Queensland (Division of Land Utilisation 1974, 1980;

Wilson et al 1990). This major multidisciplinary study included stony desert environments in south-west Queensland which are continuous with the north- eastern corner of the Study Area. Vegetation overviews and mapping were published for the Diamantina Shire by RW Purdie (Wilson et al. 1990) and the Barcoo and Bulloo Shires by DE Boyland (Division of Land Utilisation 1974 & 1980). Some of the fauna information has been summarised in a report to the Queensland Government (McFarland 1992) and published in the form of an annotated species list for the Bulloo Shire (McGreevy 1987). Drafts of a more comprehensive compilation of results were made available by B Wilson (Atherton et al., unpubl.). The most comparable South Australian study is A Biological Survey of the Nullarbor Region in South &

Western Australia (McKenzie & Robinson 1987) which surveyed the structurally similar (though climatically milder) chenopod shrublands of that region.

Early biological descriptions and investigations of parts of the Study Area began with the Horn Expedition in 1894 (Spencer 1986), though earlier exploration parties often made notes about the vegetation types encountered and their potential for pastoralism. A number of interesting species were similarly collected.

Systematic descriptions of parts of the study area began with botanists. Jessup (1951) described the habitats of a substantial portion of the Study Area to the west of Lake Eyre, and produced some structural vegetation community maps. This work and the efforts of Murray (1931) and Crocker (1946) with the aid of Northcote’s (Northcote et al. 1968) soil maps, provided the groundwork for much of Specht’s synthesis of the vegetation communities of South Australia (Specht 1972). More recent survey work documenting the plants and animals of parts of the stony deserts were conducted by the Nature Conservation Society in the Sturts Stony Desert (Foale 1975) and Mound Springs (Greenslade et al. 1985).

Systematic site based surveys began in northern arid South Australia with studies of the Cooper Creek wetland systems. A small site based study in the Breakaways Reserve near Coober Pedy (Hobbs 1987) adopted a similar approach within the Stony Deserts Study Area. This has been followed up with other area specific surveys which have all contributed to the Biological Survey of South Australia Database.

Information from these surveys has contributed to the current study and are detailed in the vegetation and fauna sections.

Other work in the region has come in the form of a conservation management appraisal of the former Mount Dare Station, which resulted in its purchase for the Witjira National Park (Davey et al. 1985) and other more specific studies. For example there have been ongoing investigations into the mound springs since a major overview of the vegetation, fish and invertebrates was produced in 1985 (McLaren et al.

1985). A number of species specific studies which have been published are listed in the introductions to the various chapters. Davies (1995) published a report dealing with the management of several threatened plant species populations in the study area. This is based on the information that has been gathered for the Threatened Plant Population Database which is held and managed by the South Australian Government through the Department for Environment, Heritage &

Aboriginal Affairs.

Two books summarising much of the known natural history of the Lake Eyre Basin in South Australia which includes most of the stony desert habitats have also been published. The Natural History of the North east Deserts (Tyler et al. 1990) provides scientific summaries, whilst the much smaller A Natural History of the Lake Eyre Region (Badman et al. 1991) is written as a visitor’s guide to the region.

Less has been written about the natural history of the Arcoona Plateau (Woomera area). Summaries of the vegetation of this area can be obtained from the Pastoral Management Board’s Lease Assessment Overview Reports for the Kingoonya and Gawler Ranges Soil Conservation Districts (Tynan 1993 &

1995). Read & Ebdon (1998) reported on the diversity and abundance of wetland birds at ephemeral wetlands of this region.

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Figure 2. Residual tablelands at the Breakaway Reserve in the west region (Photo: PD Canty).

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5 Figure 4. Gibber plain supporting parallel dunes in the Sturt Stony Desert. The dark areas represent gibber

pavement whilst the lighter areas reflect the drainage depressions (Photo: PD Canty).

Figure 5. Gibber pavement in the north-west region near the SA/NT border (Photo: PD Canty).

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Figure 6. Oodnadatta Bush Atriplex nummularia ssp. omissa dominates many of the stony plains in the Lake Eyre South, west and north-west regions. The pools of water are a rarer sight (Photo: PD Canty).

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Stony Deserts Biological Survey

1. Biological Survey and Research, Dept. Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide, 5001. 7

CLIMATE

R Brandle¹ The Stony Deserts study area resides in and around the

most arid part of Australia. Summers are hot to extremely hot and dry, while winters are short, dry and cool to cold. There is a slight gradient for average maximum temperature from cooler in the southern Arcoona region to warmer near the northern South Australian border (January average maxima 34 ⁰C at Woomera to 38.5 ⁰C at Birdsville just north of the study area, July average maxima 16.7 - 20.3 see Figures 9 & 10). Rainfall is unpredictable in timing and quantity. However, larger showers more commonly fall in the summer rather than winter months and the heaviest falls are related to tropical cyclonic influences. This phenomenon is more pronounced in the northern parts of the study area.

The most southerly section of the study area (the Arcoona region around Woomera) is more often affected by southern weather cycles (particularly in winter) than the northern parts. However this does not imply that it’s rainfall is more predictable. This southern weather influence is reflected in cooler maximum temperatures and lower pan evaporation rates (~3000 mm in the south to ~4000 mm in the north).

Throughout the study area there are no mountainous regions of sufficient altitude to impact on average

rainfall. The adjoining Flinders Ranges do not exert their influence into the adjacent, more northerly Marree-Callabonna region. The majority of the study area lies between 0-200 m above sea level. The lowest parts of the study area are around the edge of Lake Eyre, which itself lies below sea level. The highest feature is Mt Margaret (412 m) in the Davenport Range, which rises out of the stony plains between Lake Eyre and Coober Pedy. These ranges are unlikely to significantly affect rainfall. However, there is no climate station on these ranges so its climatic effect is unrecorded.

The central Lake Eyre region is the driest part of the study area (and of Australia as a whole), with annual average precipitation well below 150 mm at several recording stations (Cowari, Murnpeowie, Anna Creek).

This increases in all directions away from Lake Eyre where averages are generally higher than 150 mm (Figure 8). Wind speed and direction for Oodnadatta have been published in ‘The Environments of South Australia - Province 8 Northern Arid’ (Laut et al.

1977) and indicate that spring-summer is the windiest time of the year, mostly from the south to north-east and that this pattern is similar at Leigh Creek, to the south of the study area.

Figure 8. Study area and rainfall isohyets (mm).