The soils on the calcareous sand dunes southeast of South Australia

1996 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Urushibara-Yoshino
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Calcareous Sand

Population Dynamics and Movement Patterns of Bolam's Mouse, Pseudomys bolami, at Roxby Downs, South Australia.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 353
Author(s):  
K.E. Moseby ◽  
J.L. Read
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Breeding Strategy ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Land Systems ◽  
Single Night ◽  
Time Of Year

Basic ecological data were collected on Bolam's mouse, Pseudomys bolami, during a six year trapping study at Roxby Downs in northern South Australia. Pseudomys bolami inhabited mixed arid land systems in the Roxby Downs area, sheltering in the longitudinal orange sand dunes but foraging at night principally on the adjacent chenopod swales. Distances of up to 334m were traversed in a single night and recapture rates were high within trapping sessions but low between sessions suggesting wide-ranging movements and short-term residency. Dietary observations imply an omnivorous diet. Whilst the closely related P. hermannsburgensis is regarded as having an opportunistic breeding strategy, P. bolami reproduced opportunistically but also regularly in spring and early summer. Different reproductive strategies may be influenced by the latitudinal distribution of P. bolami near the southern margin of the arid-zone, where rainfall can occur at any time of year but winter rainfall is more predictable. This contrasts with P. hermannsburgensis, which inhabits more northerly arid areas where rainfall is erratic and unpredictable. There was a 10 fold fluctuation in P. bolami captures over the trapping period with numbers of P. bolami and house mice, Mus domesticus peaking 12 months after above average rains during 1992. Rodent captures remained high for two years afterwards. Although P. bolami persisted throughout the study period, M. domesticus was only present when conditions were above average. Trap success of P. bolami or M. domesticus did not vary between the five sub habitats at the 1 ha study site. However, trap success of P. bolami was positively related to vegetation cover, particularly cover of low bluebush, Maireana astrotricha. Maireana astrotricha may be important in providing both food and cover for P. bolami, a scenario consistent with the utilisation of spinifex, Triodia spp. by P. hermannsburgensis in the northern arid-zone. Past over- grazing of chenopod shrublands may have reduced cover and contributed to the suggested decline in the distribution of P. bolami.

Dark Island heath (Ninety-mile Plain, South Australia). II. The effects of microtopography on climate, soils, and vegetation

1957 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Rayson
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Vegetation Pattern ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Representative Species ◽  
Westerly Winds ◽  
The Individual

The topography of the experimental area at Dark Island is described as a series of crescentic sand dunes formed under the influence of westerly winds and separated by undulating sandplain. Variation in the heath vegetation of the area in relation to topography was described by means of the varying densities of 12 representative species. These densities indicated the individual growth tolerances of the vegetation components. One hundred and twenty-six quadrats sampled from different topographical positions were sorted into homogeneous groups by the method of positive interspecific correlation. The four resultant vegetation communities were located respectively on eastern dune slopes, western dune slopes, sandplain, and in scattered sites. Examination of soil texture, rainfall incidence, and average daily hours of direct sunlight in relation to topography showed that three microhabitats can be separated: namely, eastern and western dune slopes and the sandplain. Eastern dune slopes have the most favourable growth conditions, western the least favourable. Neither the vegetation communities nor the microhabitats could be sharply delimited. The gradual changes of soil and microclimate produced a varying but continuous vegetation pattern. This pattern depended on the growth tolerances of different species and probably also on interspecific competition for the more favourable growth sites.

Stabilization of calcareous sand dunes using phosphoric acid mulching liquid

2018 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 34-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooshang Katebi ◽  
Ahmad Fahmi ◽  
Hossein Samadi Kafil ◽  
Masoud Hajialilue Bonab
Keyword(s):  
Phosphoric Acid ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Calcareous Sand

A new record of the dusky hopping mouse (Notomys fuscus) in New South Wales

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Val ◽  
T. Mazzer ◽  
D. Shelly
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Perennial Plant ◽  
Broken Hill ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Desert Rodent

The dusky hopping mouse, Notomys fuscus, is a desert rodent that occurs in the Simpson Strzelecki Dunefield Bioregion in Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales, where stabilised sand dunes are its preferred habitat. A recent capture from the Broken Hill Complex Bioregion in an atypical habitat (bluebush shrubland) and new locality ~170 km south of the nearest New South Wales record may indicate a significant population eruption and subsequent migration into new areas following the widespread ephemeral and perennial plant production pulse that occurred in 2010.

Species distribution over part of the Coonalpyn Downs, South Australia

1956 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
WH Litchfield
Keyword(s):  
Water Relations ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Poor Correlation ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Rainfall Gradient ◽  
Profile Characteristics ◽  
Sclerophyllous Vegetation

An account is given of edapho-climatic ranges and species area of elements of the mainly sclerophyllous vegetation of a representative portion of the Coonalpyn Downs. Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Acacia, Hakea, Leptospermum, Casuarina, and Callitris are the principal genera discussed. Water relations as governed by soil profile characteristics, landscape position, and the depth and salinity of water-tables are considered to be the main factors influencing plant distribution. The rainfall gradient across the area is gentle and rainfall as an independent factor only appears to influence water relations sufficiently to affect species distribution in a few cases. The fertility of soils on sandplain and sand dunes is invariably of a low order and a species composition typical of higher fertility soils is usually only found on inliers of such soils. Subsidiary edaphic responses include gross changes in soil reaction and soil salinity. A few indicator species in a given plant community can be associated with some particular soil characteristic and such correlations are distinct from community responses. For example, Hakea vittata in heath is generally associated with sandplain soils with a lime pan or a calcic subsoil within 2 ft of the surface. An examination of the area of numerous species shows that there is considerable variation across the territory in the composition of communities with repetitive dominants. Evidence is presented that suggests that species migrations may have spread from refuges or at least continuously vegetated areas within the territory as well as from outside it. The poor correlation between the area or limits of centres of frequency of some species and their observed edapho-climatic ranges suggests that migration is still occurring and that the climax community has not been produced in all cases.

scholarly journals Micromorphological evidence for mineral weathering pathways in a coastal acid sulfate soil sequence with Mediterranean-type climate, South Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 403 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Poch ◽  
B P. Thomas ◽  
R. W. Fitzpatrick ◽  
R. H. Merry
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sulfide Oxidation ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Mineral Weathering ◽  
Solution Chemistry ◽  
Local Source ◽  
Coastal Environments ◽  
Calcareous Sand ◽  
Acid Sulfate

Soil micromorphology, using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was used to describe detailed soil morphological and compositional changes and determine mineral weathering pathways in acid sulfate soils (ASS) from the following 2 contrasting coastal environments in Barker Inlet, South Australia: (i) a tidal mangrove forest with sulfidic material at St Kilda, and (ii) a former supratidal samphire area at Gillman that was drained in 1954 causing sulfuric material to form from sulfidic material. Pyrite framboids and cubes were identified in sulfidic material from both sites and are associated with sapric and hemic materials. Gypsum crystals, interpreted as a product of sulfide oxidation, were observed to have formed in lenticular voids within organic matter in the tidal mangrove soils at St Kilda. Sulfide oxidation was extensive in the drained soil at Gillman, evidenced by the formation of iron oxyhydroxide pseudomorphs (goethite crystallites and framboids) after pyrite and jarosite, and of gypsum crystals. Gypsum crystals occur where a local source of calcium such as shells or calcareous sand is present. Sporadic oxidation episodes are indicated by the formation of iron oxide and jarosite coatings around coarse biogenic voids. These observations indicate that mineral transformation pathways are strongly influenced by soil physico-chemical characteristics (i.e. oxidation rate, Eh, pH, soil solution chemistry, mineralogy, and spatial distribution of sulfides). This information has been used to illustrate the interrelationships of pyrite, carbonate, gypsum, jarosite, and organic matter and help predict soil evolution under changing hydro-geochemical, redoximorphic, and thermal conditions in soils from coastal environments.

The activity of Sand Goannas Varanus gouldii and their interaction with reintroduced Greater Stick-nest Rats Leporillus conditor

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Bolton ◽  
Katherine Moseby
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Prey Item ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Activity Area ◽  
High Maximum ◽  
European Rabbits ◽  
Maximum Temperatures

The activity pattern of the Sand Goanna Varanus gouldii in northern South Australia was estimated by radio telemetryduring the summer months. Individuals were located within the Arid Recovery Reserve where introduced European Rabbits Oryctolagus cunniculus, Feral Cats Felis catus and European Foxes Vulpes vulpes were removed. Interaction between the re-introduced Greater Stick-nest Rat Leporillus conditor and the Sand Goanna, a potential significant predator in the absence of cats and foxes, was examined. Mean activity area for Sand Goannas was 5.9 ha (�1.0, n = 9), and their summer activity was concentrated on sand dunes rather than the adjacent inter-dunal swales. Tracks of Sand Goannas were found more often around Greater Stick-nest Rat nests than control sites. However, Sand Goanna predation on re-introduced Greater Stick-nest Rats could not be confirmed and most deaths of radio-collared Greater Stick-nest Rats coincided with a period of exceptionally high maximum temperatures and were probably due to heat and dehydration. Sand Goannas scavenged Greater Stick-nest Rat carcasses, and analysis of scats and stomach material revealed that although invertebrates were the most common prey item, mammal material (hair and bones) was present in 20% of scats.

Acacia longifolia (golden wattle).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanine Vélez-Gavilán
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New South ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Gum Arabic ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Natural Distribution ◽  
South Wales

Abstract A. longifolia has commonly been recognized as having two variants - var. longifolia and var. sophorae. Biochemical and morphological evidence, presented by Murray et al. (1978) and Pedley (1978), suggests that var. longifolia and var. sophorae should be treated as distinct species. However, this view has not been adopted in a number of recent works, notably Whibley and Symon (1992) and Tame (1992). Further research is required to ascertain if differences in habit, morphology and habitat warrant acceptance at a higher taxonomic level. Variety longifolia occurs as a tall shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall, usually with relatively thin, linear-lanceolate phyllodes 6-15 cm long and 3-15 mm wide. Its pods are more or less straight and 3-6 mm wide. Its natural distribution extends from northern New South Wales south to Victoria and South Australia along coastal hinterlands and adjacent ranges. It grows a on range of sites in open forests or woodlands. Variety sophorae is a low spreading, prostrate shrub, 2-5 m and up to 15 m wide, with relatively thick, obovate oblong or oblong elliptic phyllodes, 5-10 cm long and 12-35 mm wide. Its natural distribution extends along the coast in southeast Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and west to the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. This variety is restricted to coastal foredunes where it forms dominant stands. A. longifolia has fast growth and is mainly grown for its ability to stabilise sand dunes (e.g. Berenhauser, 1973; Kosmer, 1975; Avis, 1989). However, in a number of countries, notably South Africa, these plantings have resulted in A. longifolia becoming a serious weed species, invading and displacing native vegetation. Integrated control operations to eradicate A. longifolia in South Africa started as early as 1943 and have had variable results (Macdonald et al., 1989). More recently, the introduction of biological controls agents, such as gall-forming wasps, have apparently been effective in locally eradicating the species (Dennill and Gordon, 1990; Dennill and Donnelly, 1991; Moll and Trinder-Smith, 1992; Manongi and Hoffmann, 1995). However, the wasps are reported to have spread to plantations of the commercially important tree species A. melanoxylon (Dennill et al., 1993). A. longifolia is also reported to have established naturalised populations in California and New Zealand (Whibley and Symon, 1992). A. longifolia is planted as an ornamental in Spain and has been trialled for its potential as a source of gum arabic in Corsica (Vassal and Mouret, 1989; Trigo and Garcia, 1990). Recently, it has also been grown as a successful substrate for the production of oyster mushrooms in South Africa (da Serra and Kirby, 1999). The seeds of var. sophorae were traditionally used as food by Australian Aborigines (Isaacs, 1987).

Late Quaternary Palaeoecology of Wyrie Swamp, Southeastern South Australia

1977 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Dodson
Keyword(s):  
Major Element ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
South Australia ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Last Glaciation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Postglacial Expansion ◽  
Preceding Period ◽  
Open Woodland

Pollen analysis of two radiocarbon-dated cores provides a history of Wyrie Swamp and the surrounding vegetation, and the result compares with other palynological data from southeastern South Australia. Eucalypt (Eucalyptus) forest or woodland with a scrub understory was the major element before about 50,000 years BP, between ca. 40,000 and 30,000 BP, and after ca. 11,000 BP. More open woodland prevailed between ca. 50,000 and 40,000 BP, and between ca. 26,000 and 11,000 BP. Casuarina stricta, common on sand dunes, migrated to the area about 10,500 years ago and remained as a dominant species until the time of European settlement at about 1840 ad . Postglacial expansion of this species implies that the climate since 10,500 years ago has been warmer than in the preceding period. It probably was drier during the period from 50,000 to 10,500 BP than in the Holocene. The driest period was from 26,000 to 11,000 BP, perhaps corresponding to the time of the last glaciation in Australia. The site is archaeologically important, as a number of wood and stone artifacts that date between 10,200 and 8000 BP have been recovered from the swamp sediments.

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