Examples of community-based biodiversity surveys
A number of community groups are already actively involved in biodiversity monitoring under the supervision of qualified team leaders. If you're interested in taking part in local biodiversity surveys, you could contact:
Some of the recent community -based biodiversity surveys which have been coordinated by the National Parks Association of NSW are listed below:
Avondale Community Biodiversity Survey
The survey was carried out in Avondale State Conservation Area, north-east of Armidale. This park is an important remnant of New England Tablelands vegetation. It is part of the corridor of plant and animal communities that runs from the coast to the tablelands. In 2003, management of the park was transferred from NSW State Forests to the NPWS.
This survey collected important information to assist the NPWS develop a plan of management for Avondale State Conservation Area. The survey was coordinated by the NPA, with the assistance of the NPA Armidale Branch and Department of Environment and Conservation staff. The methodology included:
- frog and reptile searches
- diurnal bird census
- scat collection
- habitat search
- spotlighting
- nocturnal playback
- Elliott trapping
- insect collection
- plant surveys.
A total of seven frog species, 61 bird species, five bat species, 10 other mammals, nine reptiles and four introduced animals were recorded during the survey. A total of 97 plant species were recorded. This survey doubled the list of species - both of plants and animals - that had previously been recorded in Avondale.
Platypus survey of the Upper Georges River : 12 - 14 and 19 - 21 April 2002
The survey was carried out in the upper Georges River and was coordinated by the Macarthur Branch of the NPA with financial support from BHP Billiton. To survey for the presence of platypus, 4 sites were netted and 34 sites observed.
No definite sightings of platypus were made but 6 tentative sightings were recorded. Five of the tentative sightings were made at sites where other reports had been received in the past.
It was concluded that due to the small number of reports of the species over time that platypuses currently occur in very low numbers in the upper Georges River. Sites where tentative observations of platypuses and previous reports were recorded will be pinpointed for future investigation.
Wheeler Creek Valley biodiversity survey: 24 - 26 March and 15 - 17 September 2001
The vegetation of the Wheeler Creek Valley links to Garigal and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney. The Wheeler Creek catchment is a relatively undisturbed part of the southern catchment of Narrabeen Lakes.
The survey was coordinated by the Sydney Branch of NPA with cooperation and assistance from local NPWS, Warringah Council, Metro Aboriginal Lands Council, and Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources staff and private landholders.
In total 11 species of mammals, 13 reptiles, rare species of birds not seen in nearby similar bush were recorded. The area was found to have a variety of vegetation communities and is good habitat for rare species of frog.
Pilliga State Forest: 14 to 20 November 2001
The survey was conducted in the south eastern portion of Pilliga State Forest east of the Newall Highway. Survey data was recorded for mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and plants as part of the Western Regional Assessment process for the Brigalow Belt South Region. NPWS and State Forests provided integral support.
Friends of the Pilliga members and Western Conservation Alliance members also attended the survey. The part of Pilliga State Forest that was surveyed had never had a fauna survey carried out, so all species records were extremely important data.
Lonesome Pine State Forest: 29 Sept - 2 Oct 2000
This survey was conducted in Lonesome Pine, Kentucky and Coreen State Forests, on private land and travelling stock reserves. The study focused on water quality, and survey data was taken on aquatic invertebrates, birds, and mammals (including micro bats), reptiles, frogs and plants.
The survey was coordinated with assistance from Greening Australia, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, State Forests, local Landcare Groups and the local Rural Lands Protection Board. This survey was held over four days and approximately 70 people attended. A few species were found in areas they had not previously been recorded in.
Woomargama State Forest: 21 - 25 April 2000
This survey was coordinated with assistance from Holbrook Landcare Group, Greening Australia, the NPWS, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources and State Forests.
It focused on water quality including aquatic invertebrates, birds, mammals (including micro bats), frogs, reptiles and plants. Seventy people over 5 days attended the survey. The data has been used for the plan of management for the new Woomargama National Park, entered on the NSW Wildlife Atlas, and used for the NPWS South West Slopes Bioregional Planning Project.
This survey recorded some extension of previously known ranges for several species of reptiles and bats.
Kumbatine National Park: 1 - 4 Oct 1999
The survey studied mammals, plants, reptiles, frogs and birds in this area. Approximately 60 people attended over four days, with major assistance from the NPWS. All of the data has been entered onto the NSW Wildlife Atlas for use in the new Kumbatine National Park plan of management.
Page last updated: 27 February 2011
