Study

Mammals or reptiles, as surveyed by pittraps, as bio-indicators of rehabilitation success for mine sites in the Goldfields region of Western Australia?

  • Published source details Thompson G.G. & Thompson S.A. (2005) Mammals or reptiles, as surveyed by pittraps, as bio-indicators of rehabilitation success for mine sites in the Goldfields region of Western Australia?. Pacific Conservation Biology, 11, 268-286.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Restore former mining or energy production sites

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Restore former mining sites

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Restore former mining or energy production sites

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2000–2002 of woodland and scrub at five mines in Western Australia, Australia (Thompson & Thompson 2005) found that reptiles recolonized restored sites over three–nine years, although species richness and abundances were lower than on adjacent, undisturbed sites. The number of reptile species caught in restored sites were lower (9–16 species) than in adjacent, undisturbed sites (17–35 species). Reptile abundances were generally less on restored sites than undisturbed adjacent sites (results reported as model outputs). Five former mine site waste dumps, where restoration had started three–nine years previously, and an unmined area adjacent to each dump were monitored. At four mines, pitfall traps and drift fencing were used to survey sites over a seven-day period, on 10 occasions, from spring 2000 to winter 2002. At one mine, surveying was carried out five times, from spring 2001 to winter 2002.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

  2. Restore former mining sites

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2000–2002 of woodland and scrub at five mines in Western Australia, Australia (Thompson & Thompson 2005) found that restored sites had a similar mammal species richness compared to unmined sites. The average number of species/site/month in restored sites (2–4) was similar to that in unmined sites (2–5). The overall number of mammal species recorded/site was also similar (restored: 5–8; unmined: 4–7). Five former mine site waste dumps, where restoration had started 3–9 years previously, and an unmined area adjacent to each dump were sampled. At four mines, pit-traps and drift fencing were used to sample sites over a seven-day period, on 10 occasions, from spring 2000 to winter 2002. At one mine, sampling was carried out five times, from spring 2001 to winter 2002.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

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