Reptile and frog utilisation of rehabilitated bauxite minesites and dieback-affected sites in Western Australia's Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest
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Published source details
Nichols O.G. & Bamford M.J. (1985) Reptile and frog utilisation of rehabilitated bauxite minesites and dieback-affected sites in Western Australia's Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest. Biological Conservation, 34, 227-249.
Published source details Nichols O.G. & Bamford M.J. (1985) Reptile and frog utilisation of rehabilitated bauxite minesites and dieback-affected sites in Western Australia's Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest. Biological Conservation, 34, 227-249.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Replant vegetation Action Link |
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Restore former mining or energy production sites Action Link |
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Replant vegetation
A site comparison study in 1978–1984 of restored sites within bauxite mined areas in Western Australia (Nichols & Bamford 1985) found that six frog species were recorded in replanted sites compared to eight in the surrounding unmined forest. Community composition comparisons indicated high degrees of similarity between some rehabilitated sites and high quality forests. Species use of revegetated sites depended largely on suitable microhabitats being present. Restoration included just planting native eucalypt species or adding topsoil soil, planting with 50% eucalypts and a native understory and fertilizing the area. Amphibians were monitored monthly in a wide range of restored areas and in surrounding unmined forest. More detailed studies were conducted between December 1980 and February 1981 in three rehabilitated areas and four unmined forests. Surveys involved pitfall trapping, live-traps and hand-collecting.
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Restore former mining or energy production sites
A site comparison study in 1978–1984 of restored sites within bauxite-mined jarrah forest in Western Australia (Nichols & Bamford 1985, same experimental set-up as Nichols & Grant 2007) found that most species recorded in unmined forest were also recorded in restored ex-mined forest. Results were not statistically tested. In total, 17 reptile species were recorded in replanted sites compared to 23 in the surrounding unmined forest. Restored sites that received fresh top soil, or that were heavily sown with native seed were more similar to healthy forest (result reported as a similarity index) and had a higher abundance of reptiles (132 and 136 individuals) than restored sites that received no top soil or seed (40 individuals). Three restoration sites were planted native eucalypt species. One of the sites was also sown with native seed, and another received fresh topsoil (see paper for more details on restoration). In 1978–1984, reptiles were monitored monthly in a wide range of restored areas and in surrounding unmined forest (number of survey locations not provided). More detailed studies were conducted between December 1980 and February 1981 in three restored areas (4.5–10 years since restoration activities) and four unmined forests (two healthy and two poor quality sites). Surveys involved pitfall trapping, live-traps and hand-collecting.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
