Population monitoring of the vulnerable wallum sedge frog (Litoria olongburensis) in north-eastern New South Wales

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Lewis ◽  
R. L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Successful Recruitment ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Population Indices ◽  
The Stability

The literature on the population ecology of Australian frogs provides relatively few accounts of population monitoring. This has hampered our ability to understand how frog populations respond to dynamic rainfall patterns and to determine the stability of populations of threatened frog species. We conducted biannual monitoring of the wallum sedge frog (Litoria olongburensis) along transects at 10 sites over a 4-year period (1996–2000). We recorded six environmental parameters to assess their influence on our population indices. Monitoring of transects indicated that populations were rarely stable and fluctuated from year to year. Counts of adults were negatively influenced by rain during the previous day but positively influenced by rain during the previous week. This suggests that timing of recent rainfall has a differing influence on habitat use by adult frogs. Counts of adults were also significantly influenced by site and census period. Numbers of juveniles were influenced by rain during the previous three months, which may suggest that successful recruitment depends on higher water levels in the sedge swamps. Counts of juveniles were also significantly influenced by census period. Our analysis reveals that, after controlling for the influence of rainfall, the number of adult frogs per census varied between 10 and 20 per transect. The number of juveniles varied between 5 and 15 per transect per census. We conclude that the wallum sedge frog across the geographic range of our sites was not in decline during our monitoring period. In light of our findings we provide a review on population monitoring of Australian frogs.

scholarly journals Horizontal or vertical? Camera trap orientations and recording modes for detecting potoroos, bandicoots and pademelons

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan D. Taylor ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
John M. Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Detection Probability ◽  
New South ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
North East ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Detection Probabilities ◽  
The Stability

Camera traps can detect rare and cryptic species, and may enable description of the stability of populations of threatened species. We investigated the relative performance of cameras oriented horizontally or vertically, and recording mode (still and video) to detect the vulnerable long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) as a precursor to population monitoring. We established camera traps for periods of 13–21 days across 21 sites in Richmond Range National Park in north-east New South Wales. Each camera trap set consisted of three KeepGuard KG680V cameras directed at a bait container – one horizontal and one vertical camera in still mode and one horizontal camera in video mode. Potoroos and bandicoots (Perameles nasuta and Isoodon macrourus) were detected at 14 sites and pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica and T. thetis) were detected at 19 sites. We used program Presence to compare detection probabilities for each camera category. The detection probability for all three taxa groups was lowest for the vertical still and similar for the horizontal cameras. The detection probability (horizontal still) was highest for the potoroos (0.43) compared with the bandicoots (0.16) and pademelons (0.25). We estimate that the horizontal stills camera could achieve a 95% probability of detection of a potoroo within 6 days compared with 8 days using a vertical stills camera. This suggests that horizontal cameras in still mode have great potential for monitoring the dynamics of this potoroo population.

Effectiveness of protected areas in north-eastern New South Wales: recent trends in six measures

2002 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L Pressey ◽  
G.L Whish ◽  
T.W Barrett ◽  
M.E Watts
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Recent Trends

Outflow ignimbrite sheets from Late Carboniferous calderas, Currabubula Formation, New South Wales, Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. McPhie
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Sedimentary Facies ◽  
Late Carboniferous ◽  
The West ◽  
Pyroclastic Deposits ◽  
Flow Units ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Accretionary Lapilli ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Thickness Variations

SummaryRegionally mappable, silicic, outflow ignimbrite sheets are interbedded with fluvial volcanogenic conglomerates and sandstones of the Late Carboniferous Currabubula Formation of north-eastern N.S.W. Four of the most widespread of these ignimbrites are described and defined as members. The oldest member is comprised of many thin, originally non-welded flow units. Interbedded accretionary lapilli horizons may indicate phreatomagmatic activity at vent during the eruption in addition to local rain-flushing of co-ignimbrite ash clouds. Of the three other members, two are multiple flow-unit sheets, 160–180 m in aggregate thickness. Substantial portions of these sheets were originally welded. The remaining member is a simple welded ignimbrite characterized by abundant spherulites and lithophysae. Irregular pre-eruption topography and contemporaneous erosion were responsible for thickness variations of the ignimbrite sheets. Some palaeovalleys, now delineated by the ignimbrites, persisted in spite of repeated pyroclastic influxes. Relic pumice, shards and crystal fragments are ubiquitous components of the sedimentary facies of the Currabubula Formation, and were probably derived from originally poorly consolidated pyroclastic deposits such as airfall ash layers and non-welded ignimbrites. No surface trace of the sources of these ignimbrites exists. However, internal facies, thickness variations and volumes of the ignimbrites indicate that they periodically emanated from a multiple-caldera terrain which was continuously active during the Late Carboniferous, and located several kilometres to the west of present exposures.

scholarly journals Modeling Methane Emission from Wetlands in North-Eastern New South Wales, Australia Using Landsat ETM+

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 1378-1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement E. Akumu ◽  
Sumith Pathirana ◽  
Serwan Baban ◽  
Daniel Bucher
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern

On-site domestic wastewater treatment by reed bed in the moist subtropics

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 353-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Davison ◽  
T. Headley ◽  
M. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Moisture Loss ◽  
Reed Beds ◽  
Treatment Performance ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Domestic Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Australian State ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Reed Bed

This paper summarises the results of studies on four subsurface flow wetlands (reed beds) located in the moist sub-tropical north eastern corner of the Australian state of New South Wales. The reed beds, which are subjected to a variety of effluent types, all have a gravel substrate planted with Phragmites australis. All four units were found to maintain satisfactory treatment performance year round. Mean removal efficiencies ranged from 56% to 90% (SS), 70% to 93% (BOD), 38% to 66% (TN), 87% to 99.8% (Faecal coliforms), and 42% to 70% (TP - with one seasonal result of 0% for the eight year old unit) for the four reed beds. After eight years in operation the oldest reed bed was showing signs of phosphorus saturation with outlet TP concentrations exceeding inlet concentrations on some occasions. The youngest reed bed studied appeared to be operating efficiently after five months. A summer water balance on one of the reed beds revealed an average crop factor of 1.6 and a moisture loss to atmosphere of 40% of influent flow. Treatment performance (particularly for TN and SS) was found to be negatively correlated with rainfall during one study. The paper discusses the implications of the above results for on-site system designers and regulators and identifies areas for further investigation.

Models of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in the eucalypt forests of north-eastern New South Wales in relation to environmental variables

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Catling ◽  
R. J. Burt ◽  
R. I. Forrester
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Slope Position ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Eucalypt Forests ◽  
A Site

Statistical models are presented of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in eucalypt forests in relation to environmental variables within an area of approximately 24 000 km2 in north-eastern New South Wales. Environmental variables are defined as climatic or topographic variables that may be useful to map the distribution of fauna. The environmental variables examined were season, temperature, rainfall, elevation, lithology, steepness of slope, position on slope, aspect and landform profile. The probability of recording some species was higher in spring than autumn and many species were in highest abundance in areas of low temperature (high elevation). Although aspect was a significant variable in a number of models, no species was absent from any aspect category. Mid-slopes down to and including creeks and drainage lines were particularly important for many species, as were areas with flatter terrain. Although we have modelled environmental variables only there will no doubt be longer-term interactions between habitat and environmental variables. Fundamentally, environmental variables will determine the type of habitat present at a site, and the distribution of canopy communities, at least, can be predicted from environmental variables. However, other studies have shown for ground-dwelling mammals that environmental variables contribute little and it is the state of the habitat locally, and particularly the understorey, that determines their presence and abundance at a site. The results are discussed in relation to similar models using habitat variables and in relation to the use of such models in the management of ground-dwelling fauna in forests.

Dragonflies (Odonata) of coastal sand-dune fresh waters of South-eastren Queensland and North-eastern New South Wales

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
AH Arthington ◽  
JAL Watson
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Coastal Sand Dune ◽  
Freshwater Streams ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Coastal Sand

The Odonata and physicochemical properties of freshwater streams, lakes, ponds and bogs in the sand-dune systems of Fraser, Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands and Cooloola, Queensland: and Wooli, New South Wales, are described. The odonate faunas of these dune masses show some differences from those of nearby areas, and there are close associations between some species and particular types of dune fresh water. Although no physicochemical characteristics were identified that might limit these dune dragonflies to their specific habitats, the lake-dwellers in particular may be useful indicators of environmental change.

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