~0063627. - EPA WA

1 introduction

1.1 The Lake Carey Study

Lake Carey is a large inland salina in the north-eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. It is the most northerly of three extensive, roughly parallel, south-east trending palaeodrainage systems. The Lake Carey system, as delimited by the hypersaline lake sediments, covers an area of around 1000 km2 (Pringle, Van Vreeswyk and Gilligan 1994). Numerous islands of outcrop and aeolian deposits of powdery gypsum (Kopi) or red siliceous sand occur within the lake. Kopi and quartz sand dunes have also developed along the shoreline and define the terrestrial margins of the lake system.

Lake Carey lies amongst the north-west trending belts of greenstone, which are highly prospective for gold and other minerals, and a number of significant goldmines are now operating on or near its shores. Placer Dome Asia Pacific and Delta Gold operates the Granny Smith gold mine in an area immediately east of Lake Carey (Figure 1) and has an active exploration program in prospective areas overlying the lake sediments and islands.

At this stage no project involving mining operations within Lake Carey has been identified, however the GSEJV partners (Delta Gold NL and Placer Dome Asia Pacific) considers there to be a high probability that a mining resource will be discovered in the future. The Lake Carey study was therefore commissioned as a strategic investigation into the environmental values and ecological processes of the salinaland. The study was designed to provide predictive information for the assessment, planning and environmental management of the ongoing exploration program and for any subsequent mining project. As such the study area, near the northern end of the lake, largely encompasses Placer's area of exploration activity (Figure 1), but the Horses Head Peninsula has also been examined for a combination of scientific and logistic reasons.

There are two components to the Lake Carey Study. There is the "terrestrial" survey of the flora and fauna of the vegetated islands and lake margins, which is reported here, and the "aquatic" survey. The aquatic survey awaits the next filling and drying cycle of the lake and involves parallel investigations of the microalgae, macro-invertebrates (particularly the brine shrimp) and the aquatic waterbirds.

One of the more interesting features of the Lake Carey system is the large number of islands within the area of bare, hypersaline sediment subject to periodic flooding. Continental islands, surrounded by the ocean, have a variety of characteristics which distinguish them biologically from similar areas of mainland. These biological characteristics result from the combined consequences of restricted habitat area and physical/genetic isolation and include;

• a smaller number of species than mainland areas of equivalent size,

• the number of species being proportional to island area,

• the evolution of isolated populations into distinctive forms, and

• the persistence of species which have declined or become extinct on adjacent mainlands due to the introduction of feral animals, changes in fire frequency, and land-use.

The bare and occasionally flooded sediments forming the bed of Lake Carey were considered unlikely to pose a significant barrier to the dispersal of plants, birds, bats or large terrestrial vertebrates. However it was considered possible that the expanses of lake bed could isolate populations of small terrestrial vertebrate animals. It was also possible that island populations could be protected to some extent from the activities of feral carnivores and from fire. The environmental significance of the islands was therefore likely to depend on the extent to which they actually constituted "biological islands". The small vertebrate sampling program was therefore designed to investigate the existence of biological island processes in the distribution of animals.

2 the physical environment of lake carey

2.1 Origin of Salt Lakes in Central Western Australia

The majority of Western Australia's inland lakes are dry, salt-encrusted expanses which rarely contain water. Since the late 1800's many theories have been presented to explain the origin of salt lakes, the most recent and widely accepted by Johnson (1980).

Inland salt lakes are relatively recent features of the landscape in terms of geological history. At the close of the Tertiary Period (Table 1) vast river systems existed, transporting large quantities of eroded material across the country. Slight crustal movements blocked many of the river outlets and resulted in the development of shallow basins into which rivers poured their sediment loads, forming huge inland deltas of alluvium (King 1950).

In the late Pleistocene there was a change in the climate to more arid conditions, and the rivers and lakes eventually dried up. It is believed many of the present inland lakes are deflation hollows in the alluvium, excavated by wind action (King 1960). Excavation along relict river courses has resulted in the formation of distinctive chains of lakes.

In the past, the sea has transgressed over areas of the Australian continent where salinas are presently found. This first occurred during the Cretaceous Period, and again during the Tertiary Period (Eocene) - prior to the formation of salt lakes. The present saline nature of salt lakes however has not resulted from the direct evaporation of sea water, but rather is linked with connate salts (Wopfner and Twidale 1967, Johnson 1980). Connate salts are sea water salts entrapped in the sediments from the time the sediments were deposited in a marine environment. The later weathering of rocks containing marine evaporites has contributed to the present saline nature of the salinas (Johnson 1980).

The proliferation of inland salt lakes is the result of the unique characteristics of the Australian environment.

The first is associated with low relief. In Australia's recent history there has been no major tectonic activity to create the mountain ranges from which significant rivers could emerge to flush the land free of the residue of transgressing seas. Here the fossil sea salt of ancient marine rocks has not been carried away, but merely redistributed by the wind or by slow meandering rivers. These rivers never reached the sea but dropped their sediment loads into vast alluvial plains of the inland (Johnson 1980).

A second factor is the arid climate. With the assistance of an arid climate, the wind has been unhampered in its work of excavating lake hollows in these sediments. The largest lakes are thus found in the driest parts of the continent. The sea salt trapped in the sediments can find an outlet in these hollows through the medium of

groundwater, resulting in the formation of the white lakes of dried sea salt hundreds of kilometres from the nearest ocean (Johnson 1980).

Salt lakes are closely linked with ground water, which in most of the arid regions of Western Australia is saline. Hydrological studies have consistently found that salt lakes are connected to shallow groundwater systems and receive a periodic input of saline water by the seepage of groundwater through the sediments of the lake floor (Bettenay 1962, Cane 1962, Johnson 1980). This knowledge further supports the theory that salt lakes are hollows scooped out of the alluvium by wind (King 1960), and that deflation proceeded until the water table was reached, after which the process could proceed no further.

It is thus the combination of an abundance of marine rocks, low topographic relief, and an arid climate which has produced Western Australia's characteristic salt lakes.

TABLE 1: Geologic Time Scale.

Era Period Epoch Approximate Age Before Present (Millions of Years)

Cenozoic Quarternary Recent (Holocene) .011Pleistocene 1.6

Tertiary Pliocene 5.3Miocene 23.7Oligocene 36.6Eocene 57.8Paleocene 67

Mesozoic Cretaceous 144Jurassic 208Triassic 240

Paleozoic Permian 286Pennsylvanian 320Mississippian 360Devonian 408Silurian 438Ordovician 505Cambrian 570

Precambrian Time Proterozoic Eon 1,000Archean Eon

Formation of EarthSource: Harland et al. (1983) A Geologic Time Scale

2.2 Landforms and Geomorphology

The Study Area forms part of an extensive plain developed on Archaean rocks which has not experienced mountain building or glaciation for the past 30 million years (Hall and Milewski 1994). Eroded into this plain is portion of an ancient river valley, Lake Carey. The topography of the area is characterised by gently undulating relief of less than 30 m, with the highest hills present to the east and west of Lake Carey.

Parent rocks are of two main types; granites and gneisses, and mafic and ultramafic ("greenstones"). These are exposed in some parts of the study area, particularly on the north-western mainland margin of the lake, and south-eastern margin of the larger islands. Recent erosion has allowed deep weathering of bedrock, deposition of sand at lower points of the landscape, and exposed remnant laterite. Hence, current physical features evident on Lake Carey are related to the underlying rock types.

Lake Carey has been formed in a long narrow basin at points of deposition, providing internal surface drainage. It is aligned in a general north-west to south-east direction, with elevation decreasing to the south.

A number of prominent landform units can be described from the study area.

Dunefields composed of very deep aeolian quartz sands have formed along the north-western margin of Lake Carey, on the Horses Head Peninsula. These dunes are neither high nor extensive. The red, freely drained soils have developed from coarse grained parent rocks over a long period of time. These aeolian soils have a complex history of frequent reworkings, especially by wind during the recent arid periods. The positioning of the dunes has presumably resulted from the predominantly north-westerly winds experienced at the end of the Pleistocene.

The hills situated on Kevin Island and the southern margin of the Horses Head, rise up to 30 m above the surrounding plains and salt lake bed. The outcrop comprises ultramafic rocks (dolerite), and are thought to be less than 2.6 million years old (Archaean). Surfaces have weathered to form acidic skeletal soils with many areas of bare rock present on the hill crests. The steeply rolling hills are aligned in a north-west to south east direction and form a number of parallel rocky ridges. On Kevin Islands (East and West) the outcrop occurs along the south-eastern margin. Located in the middle of the lake system, these formations have acted to trap wind blown materials on their north-western side (deposited at the end of the Pleistocene) and are thus responsible for the significant size of Kevin Island.

Both the fine material in suspension and salt in solution are deposited when water ponds following entry into the salt lake system. Present day deposits consist of a thin crust of halide crystals and gypsum, below which is a zone of varying thickness of lime and gypsum extending down into the saline muds of the lake bottom. Fossil shells of the brackish water mollusc, Coxiella spp., are also commonly found both on

the lake surfaces and as consolidated lake bed materials.

Salt lake vegetation is zoned according to the evaporite deposits. Saline alluvial flats, up to 0.3 m above the lake floor, have endured varying regimes of salinity and waterlogging. Soils around these vegetated lake margins are saline, poorly drained clays.

Aeolian deposits of calcium sulphate (kopi), also of past Pleistocene origin, have been deposited in islands of varying size across the lake bed. These alkaline dunes occur up to 10 m in height and support a sparse vegetation cover, characterised by the presence of Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper.

3 survey methods

3.1 Flora

Beard (1974) mapped vegetation of the Great Victorian Desert region at a scale of 1:1,000,000. Vegetation over the Project area was described as Mulga over saltbush succulent steppe.

Keighery, Hall and Milewski (in Hall et al. 1994) also surveyed vegetation and flora in the Laverton-Leonora Area. Their closest study site to Lake Carey was located at Mount Morgans, approximately 15 km to the north-west. Only broad landform units were mapped in this study, with the Lake Carey region being described as a salt lake feature.

A third survey which included broad descriptions of the vegetation associated with Lake Carey (and the other salt lakes of the region) was performed by the Department of Agriculture (Pringle, Van Vreeswyk and Gilligan 1994). A summary description of landforms and associated vegetation was made under the heading "Carnegie Land System".

Literature regarding previous biological surveys of salt lakes appears to be limited. This is the first survey of the islands within Lake Carey, however previous work has been carried out on the eastern margin (mainland), associated with the "Sunrise" gold deposit (Muir Environmental 1994).

The objective of the project was to document terrestrial flora and describe vegetation communities found within distinct "map-units", thought to be representative in the northern part of Lake Carey. The types of vegetation encountered were described using the life form, height/density classes of Muir 1977 (see Appendix 1.1), and the botanical significance of the vegetation was assessed in both the local and regional contexts.

Vegetation types for the project area have been described as 'map-units' rather than as 'communities' or 'associations' which have specific ecological connotations. The vegetation map-units provide realistic information about the environment. Following Muir (1977), a largely structural classification suitable for broader scale mapping is produced which takes all ecologically significant strata into account.

Prior to the field survey, use was made of aerial photography at a scale of 1:5 000 in selecting potential study islands, areas for traverses, and giving preliminary vegetation classification. In the field detailed study sites (each 1 ha in area) which were thought representative of distinct vegetation communities were chosen (see Appendix 1.2). Each 1 ha site and the surrounding vegetation unit was intensively sampled. Following this, the area between the study sites was traversed to ensure all plant species had been collected. There was subsequent mapping of the vegetation communities.

The vegetation survey was conducted over ten days, between 3-12 September 1997. Field time was used to ground truth map signatures, traverse areas, collect voucher specimens, and to develop a classification for vegetation communities. During the field survey, map-units were developed as a basis for mapping.

Voucher specimens were taken for all species to verify identification. Nomenclature follows Green (1985) and amendments. One specimen of each species will be housed at the Western Australian Herbarium, a second will be located in the Mine Rehabilitation Group laboratory at Curtin University.

Soil samples were collected from the detailed study sites, and analysed for salinity (EC1:5) and pH.

3.2 Fauna

The fauna survey concentrated on 21 trapping sites located in 18 detailed study areas on four islands ( Kevin, Italy, Induction and Paradise - Figure 2) and the Horses Head Peninsula (Figure 2). Mainland sites were selected which matched, as much as possible, the habitats sampled on the islands. The habitat characteristics of each vertebrate trapping area are described in Appendix 2.1 using the vegetation strata classes of Muir (1977). The life form, height and density classes developed by this authority to describe Western Australian fauna habitats are provided in Appendix 1.1.

Bird observations and most opportunistic fauna records ( tracks, signs, scats, skeletal remains) were also concentrated on the 18 detailed study sites as these areas were checked routinely. Head torches were used for night searches in all broad habitat types. A range of other islands in the study area were visited to extrapolate from the habitat observations obtained at the detailed study sites and to look for evidence of previous nesting by colonially breeding waterbirds.

Mist-net lines were set in areas close to the small vertebrate trapping sites where habitat characteristics and weather conditions provided the opportunity to capture bats. Suitable bat trapping conditions were scarce throughout the study area. Bats were also observed against the lighted sky when emerging after dusk. Attempts were also made to mist-net bats over short-lived puddles of water on the clay pans.

Field work took place between 4 and 23 September 1997. During this period diurnal temperatures gradually increased from maxima in the low 20°C range to around 30°C. Strong winds were experienced for several days and there was one rainfall period producing about 20 mm on 15 and 16 September.

3.2.1 Small vertebrate live-trapping

Small vertebrate animals were sampled using pitfall and drift trap clusters and Elliott box traps.

Each pitfall and drift cluster consisted of five empty 20 litre chlorine buckets buried with the opening flush with the ground surface. The pitfall traps were arranged in a cross pattern, with a central hole and four outer holes each 5 m away. Each outer trap was connected to the central one by 5 m of 0.6 m high flywire drift fence, the base of which was inserted into a furrow 25-50 mm below the soil surface. A minimum of 25 trap days (i.e. a trap day = one open pitfall trap per day) was undertaken at each trapping location.

Elliott (small mammal) traps were set in lines of 10, 15 or 20 at 17 trapping locations. Fifteen of these lines were run over locations with pitfall and drift clusters. Two lines were deployed in rocky habitats where it was not possible to excavate pitfall traps. Elliott traps were baited with a peanut butter-rolled oats mixture. All traplines were checked early in the morning.

The pitfall and Elliott trapping effort at each sampling site, and the aggregate effort figures for the Islands and Horses Head Peninsula, are summarised in Appendix 2.2.

3.2.2 Specimen collection

Voucher specimens were collected for most of the reptile and small mammal species captured during the survey. The majority of captures were however released alive. Specimens were fixed 5-7 days in 4% formalin before being transferred to 70% ethanol for long term preservation. All specimens were lodged with the Western Australian Museum (WAM). WAM accession numbers are provided in Appendix 2.3.

4 Results

4.1 Vegetation and Flora

4.1.1 Description of Vegetation Map-Units Identified

One hundred and sixty species of plants representing 74 genera in 35 families were collected during the Lake Carey survey (Appendix 1.3). Vegetation associations were broken into eleven distinct map-units (Appendix 1.4).

Vegetation communities grade into one another and are distinguished by overall physiognomy, floristic elements and soil features. Where appropriate communities identified in this survey have been matched to those described by Pringle et al. 1994. Site type numbers and abbreviated descriptions according the Department of Agriculture study have been made in parenthesis after map-unit titles.

Vegetation communities recorded in the eleven map-units are described below.

1 WOODLAND

a Acacia aneura (mulga) Woodland over mixed Scrub and chenopod Dwarf Scrub C over Aristida contorta Open Low Grass (2:SACS)

Mulga Woodland occurs on red aeolian quartz sand situated on the Horses Head Peninsula (mainland). This red sand has formed a foredune along the eastern lake margin and becomes shallower to the west. The sandy soil is well drained, non-saline, and acidic in reaction (Appendix 1.5).

Vegetation of this mainland map-unit shows distinct layering based on plant heights, and higher species richness per unit area in comparison to the other map-units. A total of 85 species were recorded, with Chenopodiaceae being the dominant plant family.

Acacia aneura (mulga) dominates the upperstorey, with trees taller than 15 m in height. Pittosporum phylliraeoides, Brachychiton gregorii and Hakea preissii occur as less prevalent trees in association with mulga (Table 2).

Tall shrubs recorded, which were also common to the islands, included Acacia tetragonophylla, Scaevola spinescens, Grevillea sarissa ssp. rectitepala, Senna glutinosa ssp. chatelainiana, Santalum spicatum, Pimelia microcephala, Exocarpos aphyllus and Eremophila miniata. Eremophila forrestii, E. glabra ssp. albicans and Jacksonia acicularis were restricted to the mainland (Horses Head).

The mid shrub and low shrub vegetation layers were more similar to those present on Kevin Island. Chenopod species dominated with three Atriplex spp. and seven Maireana spp. recorded, along with Chenopodium gaudichaudianum, Enchylaena tomentosa and Rhagodia drummondii. Senna nemophila, S. sturtii, Sida

calyxhymenia and Lycium australe occurred to 1 m tall, with lower shrubs including Gunniopsis quadrifida, Solanum orbiculatum, Ptilotus obovatus and Solanum lasiophyllum.

The ground cover comprised a suite of grasses and daisies. Aristida contorta and Monochather paradoxa occurred with the less dominant Eragrostis lanipes and Eriachne pauciflora. Triodia basedowii occurred in small isolated clumps, similar to those recorded on Kevin Island, and Austrostipa scabra was restricted to bare areas of sandy soil. Daisies were prolific at the time of the survey and included Rhodanthe chlorocephala ssp. rosea, R. charsleyae, Cephalipterum drummondii and Podotheca wilsonia. Swainsona formosa, Calandrinia polyandra and Sclerolaena eurotioides were other species collected at ground level.

TABLE 2: Species common to Map-unit 1 - Acacia aneura (mulga) Woodland over mixed Scrub and chenopod Dwarf Scrub C over Aristida contorta Open Low Grass.

Trees Tall Shrubs Mid Shrubs Low Shrubs Ground Cover

Acacia aneura Eremophila miniata Maireana convexa Eremophila forrestii Aristida contorta

Pittosporum phylliraeoides

Eremophila latrobei Maireana pyramidata Maireana atkinsoniana

Eriachne pauciflora

Brachychiton gregorii Eremophila forrestii Maireana amoema Maireana triptera Eragrostis lanipes

Hakea preissii Eremophila glabra ssp. albicans

Atriplex stipitata Maireana georgei Monochather paradoxa

Acacia tetragonophylla Atriplex bunburyana Maireana pyramidata Austrostipa scabra

Scaevola spinescens Atriplex vesicaria Maireana radiata Rhodanthe chlorocephala

Senna glutinosa ssp. chatelainiana

Enchylaena tomentosa

Gunniopsis quadrifida Podotheca wilsonia

Santalum spicatum Lycium australe Solanum lasiophyllum Helipterum charsleyae

Jacksonia acicularis Senna sturtii Solanum orbiculatum Swainsona formosa

Pimelia microcephala Senna nemophila Ptilotus obovatus Lepidium platypetalum

Rhagodia drummondii Zygophyllum aurantiacum

Sclerolaena diacantha

Rhagodia eremaea

Sida calyxhymenia

2 LOW WOODLAND A

a Acacia aneura Low Woodland A over Frankenia / Gunniopsis quadrifida / chenopod Dwarf Scrub D over Aristida contorta Open Low Grass (12:SBLS)

This map-unit occurs extensively over the largest island, Kevin Island (east and west), on relatively deep red quartz sand of aeolian origin. Plains occur on the north-western side of prominent ultramafic outcrops, and were likely formed at the end of the Pleistocene when the continent was subject to extremely dry environmental conditions and strong north-westerly winds. Soils are non-saline and acidic in reaction (Appendix 1.5).

The associated vegetation of this map-unit shows subtle changes in species composition with movement from west to east on Kevin Island (particularly Kevin West). As the suite of dominant species remain more or less constant over this region, it has been classed as a single map-unit.

Acacia aneura is the dominant species which forms the low woodland, occurring to 15 m tall but more commonly established in cohort to 8 m. Eremophila bignoniiflora and Allocasuarina eriochlamys ssp. eriochlamys both occur to 6 m tall in areas of lower relief in the centre of Kevin Island (West). E. longifolia occurs over a wider area, with Hakea preissii observed in pockets of sandier soil.

Taller shrubs of Canthium lineare, Eremophila scoparia, E. latrobei ssp. latrobei and ssp. glabra, and Scaevola spinescens (to 2 m) occur above mid level shrubs of Lycium australe, Maireana convexa, M. pyramidata, Sida calyxhymenia, Rhagodia drummondii and Enchylaena tomentosa. The two latter species were common at the base of mulga trees. One distinct population of Eremophila margarethae occurred in close proximity to Acacia craspedocarpa and Maireana sedifolia shrubs. The latter species were characteristic shrubs over adjacent foothills to the south-east.

Dominant low shrubs (less than 0.5 m tall) which formed Dwarf Scrub D were Ptilotus obovatus, Gunniopsis quadrifida, Atriplex vesicaria and Solanum orbiculatum. Zygophyllum aurantiacum was prolific in disturbed areas of sandier soil, particularly around rabbit burrows (Table 3).

A suite of grasses and daisies completed the ground layer. Aristida contorta was the dominant grass sampled, with Enneapogon caerulescens prominent in basins of lower lying ground. Austrostipa spp. occurred in the more open areas with Eragrostis dielsii and Calandrinia polyandra, while E. eriopoda, E. lanipes and Monochather paradoxus showed wider distributions. Isolated and relatively small patches of Triodia basedowii were sampled, forming characteristic rings. In one population a second generation plant was observed growing around the perimeter of a dead plant, indicating the absence of fire for at least 20 years. This phenomenon is rarely seen in current mainland populations.

TABLE 3: Species common to Map-unit 2a - Acacia aneura Low Woodland A over Frankenia / Gunniopsis quadrifida / chenopod Dwarf Scrub D over Aristida contorta Open Low Grass.


Acacia aneura Eremophila scoparia Maireana pyramidata Atriplex vesicaria Aristida contorta

Hakea preissii Scaevola spinescens Maireana convexa Maireana amoena Enneapogon caerulescens

Hakea arida Lycium australe Rhagodia drummondii Maireana triptera Austrostipa drummondii

Sida calyxhymenia Maireana georgei Eragrostis dielsii

Frankenia laxiflora Enchylaena tomentosa Eragrostis lanipes

Gunniopsis quadrifida Monochather paradoxa

Solanum orbiculatum Rhodanthe chlorocephala

Solanum lasiophyllum Podolepis capillaris

Zygophyllum aurantiacum Sclerolaena cuneata

Ptilotus obovatus Senecio lautus ssp. dissectifolius

b Eucalyptus striaticalyx Low Woodland A over Open Scrub above Open Dwarf Scrub D (13:KOPI)

Eucalyptus striaticalyx (kopi mallee) occurred as Low Woodland A on five of the eleven smaller islands surveyed to the south of Kevin Island (Alison, Beer, and three un-named Islands), but entirely covered only one of these islands (Alison Island). On the remaining islands E. striaticalyx was only sampled in isolated pockets, usually on the south eastern margin. Established trees were 8 - 10 m tall and provided approximately 20 percent ground cover. Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper co-existed as an upperstorey species, however it was less prominent when in association with E. striaticalyx than where it occurred alone.

The gypsiferous kopi on which E. striaticalyx occurred had a hardened surface crust, below which material was highly friable. The kopi was saline and alkaline in reaction (Appendix 1.5). Areas where the trees were prevalent had a higher sand content, however the factor influencing establishment is likely related to differences lower in the soil profile. Soil beneath the tree groves showed high humus content and appeared less compacted than surrounding kopi dunes where E. striaticalyx was absent.

The understorey beneath E. striaticalyx Low Woodland A was very open with tall Open Scrub layer of C. cristata ssp. pauper, Eremophila scoparia, Grevillea sarissa ssp. rectitepala and the occasional Santalum acuminatum (Table 4). Eremophila oldfieldii ssp. augustifolia occurred in low numbers where rocky outcrops broke the kopi surface, while Acacia tysonii was restricted to the low foredune of coarse white "beach" sands along the lake shoreline.

Low shrubs of Halosarcia halocnemoides, Maireana glomerifolia, M. appressa and Zygophyllum aurantiacum were scattered and provided less than 10 percent ground cover (Open Dwarf Scrub D).

TABLE 4: Species common to Map-unit 2b - Eucalyptus striaticalyx Low Woodland A over Open Scrub above Open Dwarf Scrub D.

Trees Tall Shrubs Mid Shrubs Low Shrubs

Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper Santalum acuminatum Halosarcia halocnemoides Zygophyllum aurantiacum

Eucalyptus striaticalyx Eremophila scoparia Maireana glomerifolia

Grevillea sarissa ssp. rectitepala

Maireana appressa

3 LOW WOODLAND B

a Acacia aneura / Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper Low Woodland B over Open Low Scrub A

This map-unit is located on the southern tip of Kevin East Island, over a small dolerite outcrop. Surface rocks are large and angular, and show a high degree of resistance to erosion. The small pockets of soil present are non-saline and slightly alkaline in reaction (Appendix 1.5). Map-unit 5a, located to the east and west, occurs over a similar geological formation but exhibits a higher degree of weathering.

The shallow nature of the soil layer existing over the dolerite outcrop has contributed to decreased tree heights. Acacia aneura, although prominent, occurred to a maximum height of just 4 m, with only the thin leaf variety being recorded. Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper was a second dominant species recorded. Only male plants were observed within the map-unit, with trees reaching a maximum height of 8 m. Pittosporum phylliraeoides, Eremophila longifolia and E. oldfieldii ssp. augustifolia were other tree species which occurred with tall shrubs of Acacia tetragonophylla and Santalum acuminatum (Table 5).

Mid-shrubs recorded included Atriplex bunburyana, Maireana pyramidata, Senna nemophila and Enchylaena tomentosa. Maireana sedifolia and Sida calyxhymenia were prominent at the base of, and on footslopes surrounding the main outcrop.

The lower shrubs Solanum orbiculatum, S. lasiophyllum, Ptilotus obovatus and Zygophyllum aurantiacum were scattered and only provided a sparse ground cover. The lack of competition at ground level has encouraged the establishment of Enneapogon caerulescens (limestone grass) and small plants of Rumex vesicarius (5 cm tall).

TABLE 5: Species common to Map-unit 3 - Acacia aneura / Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper Low Woodland B over Open Low Scrub A.


Casuarina pauper Acacia aneura Maireana pyramidata Ptilotus obovatus Rumex vesicarius


Eremophila longifolia Maireana sedifolia Zygophyllum aurantiacum

Enneapogon caerulescens

Eremophila oldfieldii Atriplex bunburyana Solanum lasiophyllum

Acacia tetragonophylla Atriplex stipitata

Santalum spicatum Enchylaena tomentosa

Senna nemophila

Sida calyxhymenia

4 OPEN LOW WOODLAND A

a Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper Open Low Woodland A over Open Dwarf Scrub D (13:KOPI)

This map-unit is restricted to narrow dunes of kopi (calcium sulphate), deposited by prevailing winds which blow across the open lake bed. Surface kopi layers have compacted to form a hardened crust, below which materials are friable. Analysis confirms materials are saline and slightly acidic in reaction (Appendix 1.5). These dunes are generally located on the south eastern margin of salt lakes, however in the case of Lake Carey, dune location may be affected by the position of other salt lake islands.

The presence of a well developed calcareous hardpan is thought to be responsible for the appearance of Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper, which is the dominant vegetation type over kopi dunes in the survey area. Trees average 8 m in height and provide less than 30 percent ground cover. Tall shrubs of Grevillea sarissa ssp. rectitepala and occasionally Acacia tysonii are the only other species above 2 m tall, with the remaining plants sampled less than 0.5 m tall.

Lycium australe and Maireana amoena are both succulents which occur as mid-level shrubs. Low shrubs are restricted to salt and bluebushes (Atriplex nana, Maireana glomerifolia, M. appressa, M. erioclada, M. amoena), samphires (Halosarcia halocnemoides, H. undulata), frankenias (Frankenia cinerea), and the cosmopolitan Solanum lasiophyllum (Table 6).

A ground cover of scattered shrubs includes Zygophyllum aurantiacum, Sclerolaena diacantha, grasses of Aristida contorta, Enneapogon caerulescens, Eragrostis dielsii and Austrostipa drummondii, and the daisy Kippistia suaedifolia.

TABLE 6: Species common to Map-unit 4 - Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper Open Low Woodland A over Open Dwarf Scrub D.


Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper

Casuarina pauper Halosarcia halocnemoides

Atriplex vesicaria ssp. incompta

Austrostipa drummondii

Grevillea sarissa Halosarcia undulata Atriplex nana Aristida contorta

Acacia tysonii Maireana erioclada Frankenia cinerea Enneapogon caerulescens

Lycium australe Maireana amoena Eragrostis dielsii

Maireana appressa Asteridea chaetopoda

Maireana glomerifolia Kippistia suaedifolia

Solanum lasiophyllum Sclerolaena diacantha

Zygophyllum aurantiacum

5 OPEN LOW WOODLAND B

a Acacia aneura Open Low Woodland B over acacia / eremophila / dodonaea Open Low Scrub B (29:GHAS)

Shallow soils exist over the ultramafic (dolerite) outcrops on Kevin Island (East and West) and south-eastern margin of the Horses Head, where this map-unit occurs. The dolerite outcrops at these locations occur as elongated ridges, running in a north-west to south-east direction. The shallow soil layer is non-saline and acidic in reaction (Appendix 1.5).

The tallest species present are Acacia aneura (thin leaf variety to 5 m tall), A. ramulosa, A. tetragonophylla, Grevillea nematophylla and Santalum acuminatum. Eremophila oldfieldii ssp. augustifolia and to a lesser extent E. latrobei ssp. latrobei are characteristic species restricted to these outcrops.

Shrubs which are also typical of this map-unit were Maireana sedifolia, Senna cardiosperma ssp. cardiosperma, Dodonaea lobulata, D. rigida, Eremophila georgei, E. serrulata and Chrysocephalum puteale (Table 7). Other more common shrubs recorded included a suite of bluebushes; Maireana convexa, M. triptera, M. georgei, M. villosa and M. turbinata, Scaevola spinescens and Ptilotus obovatus. Aristida contorta, Ptilotus helipteroides, Sclerolaena densiflora and Zygophyllum compressum were all recorded at ground level.

The ultramafic outcrop sampled on the mainland (Horses Head) showed a similar vegetation structure to that on Kevin Island, with slight variation in species composition.

A higher number of Senna species were recorded on the mainland, with S. nemophila of particular prominence. Other species recorded within this map-unit but restricted to the mainland were, S. helmsii, S. sturtii, Atriplex bunburyana, Prostanthera striatiflora, and the ground cover species Ptilotus exaltatus, Sclerolaena deserticola, Goodenia pinnatifida and Peplidium sp.. Dodonaea lobulata appears restricted to the island map-unit and was not recorded on the mainland.

TABLE 7: Species common to Map-unit 5 - Acacia aneura Open Low Woodland B over acacia / eremophila / dodonaea Open Low Scrub B.


Acacia aneura Eremophila latrobei Senna cardiosperma Maireana georgei Aristida contorta

Eremophila oldfieldii Dodonaea lobulata Maireana triptera Ptilotus helipteroides

Acacia aneura Dodonaea rigida Maireana turbinata Sclerolaena densiflora

Acacia tetragonophylla Eremophila georgei Ptilotus obovatus Zygophyllum compressum

Santalum acuminatum Eremophila serrulata Chrysocephalum puteale

Maireana convexa

Scaevola spinescens

6 LOW SCRUB B

a Maireana sedifolia (pearl bluebush) Low Scrub B over Enneapogon caerulescens Open Low Grass (22:SBMS)

This map-unit occurs over low dolerite foothills on the eastern side of the major dolerite outcrop on Kevin island (west), and northern side of the similar outcrop on Kevin Island (east). Surfaces comprise pebbly scree materials and colluvial clayey sands which originate from the adjacent weathered dolerite outcrops. The shallow soils are non-saline and slightly acidic in reaction (Appendix 1.5).

Vegetation is characterised by the dominance of Maireana sedifolia (pearl bluebush) which occurs to 1 m tall, with a lower shrub cover of Ptilotus obovatus (0.5 m) and ground cover of Enneapogon caerulescens Open Low Grass.

Acacia aneura (thin leaf variety) and Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper are scattered and stunted in growth. More prevalent are tall shrubs of Acacia ramulosa, A. tetragonophylla, Eremophila georgei and Dodonaea lobulata (Table 8). These species are also common to the adjacent dolerite hills to the east (map-unit 5).

A second group of species recorded are common to the Low Woodland A, which occurs over the surrounding aeolian quartz sands. Species include Hakea preissii, Eremophila scoparia, Maireana pyramidata and Enchylaena tomentosa.

Aristida contorta occurs as a less dominant with Enneapogon caerulescens, with a third grass, Thyridolepis multicormis, entangled within pearl bluebush.

TABLE 8: Species common to Map-unit 6 - Maireana sedifolia Low Scrub B over Enneapogon caerulescens Open Low Grass.


Acacia aneura Acacia ramulosa Maireana sedifolia Maireana villosa Aristida contorta

Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper

Acacia tetragonophylla Dodonaea lobulata Enchylaena tomentosa Enneapogon caerulescens

Eremophila georgei Senna chatelainiana Solanum lasiophyllum Rumex vesicarius

Eremophila scoparia Solanum orbiculatum

Hakea preissii Ptilotus obovatus

7 DWARF SCRUB C

a Halosarcia (samphire) Dwarf Scrub C on lake margin (11:SAMP)

Salt lake margins are characterised by the presence of Halosarcia spp. (samphire), which are adapted to tolerate elevated salinity and periodic inundation. The environmental extremes encountered result in lower plant heights and reduced species richness. The soils are extremely saline and alkaline in reaction (Appendix 1.5).

Halosarcia halocnemoides ssp. tenuis was recorded on the immediate lake margin within the area of probable inundation following rainfall. Further inland and on slightly elevated ground, there was integration with H. undulata, Frankenia cinerea, F. fecunda, Atriplex nana and the daisy Kippistia suaedifolia (Table 9).

The presence of Maireana glomerifolia and M. appressa marked the transition zone into taller and less tolerant species on elevated ground.

b Halosarcia (samphire) Dwarf Scrub C on saltpan.

The saltpans occur as small internal drainages in the centre of Kevin Island. These areas are of lower relief than the surroundings, which generally comprise Mulga Low Woodland. Soils within the saltpans are heavy saline clays, which are slightly acidic in reaction (Appendix 1.5).

Halosarcia halocnemoides ssp. caudata and H. undulata occurred on fine clay soils in the lowest points of the saltpans, areas subject to frequent inundation during the wetter periods. At the time of assessment surfaces were covered with a salt precipitate confirming their highly saline nature. Frankenia setosa, Halosarcia halocnemoides, Maireana glomerifolia, M. appressa, M. tomentosa, Atriplex nana and Eragrostis dielsii were other dominant species which were established on slightly elevated mounds of sandier soil (Table 10). These areas were less subject to inundation and the soils more leachable, hence less saline. Scattered low shrubs sampled within the saltpan depressions included Atriplex vesicaria, Lawrencia helmsii, Lycium australe, Frankenia laxiflora, Maireana appressa, M. erioclada and M. atkinsiana. The ground cover comprised Zygophyllum compressum, Scaevola collaris, Sclerolaena spp. and the daisy Senecio lautus ssp. dissectifolius.

A transitional zone occurred between the low lying saltpan and surrounding mulga woodland situated on elevated ground. With increasing relief the vegetation cover became taller and more diverse. Sparse trees of Acacia aneura and Pittosporum phylliraeoides were mixed with mid / tall shrubs of Acacia tysonii, Grevillea sarissa ssp. rectitepala, Cratystylis subspinescens, Maireana pyramidata, Lycium australe and Senna nemophila. Low shrubs included Ptilotus obovatus, P. exaltatus, Solanum lasiophyllum, Gunniopsis quadrifida, Atriplex vesicaria and Eremophila scoparia. Ground cover vegetation species were Zygophyllum aurantiacum, Austrostipa drummondii, and Kippistia suaedifolia.

TABLE 9: Species common to Map-unit 7a - Halosarcia (samphire) Dwarf Scrub C on lake margin.

Mid Shrubs Low Shrubs Ground Cover

Halosarcia halocnemoides ssp. caudata Atriplex nana Kippistia suaedifolia

Halosarcia halocnemoides ssp. tenuis Frankenia cinerea Scaevola collaris

Halosarcia undulata Frankenia fecunda

Halosarcia indica ssp. bidens Maireana glomerifolia

Maireana appressa

TABLE 10: Species common to Map-unit 7b - Halosarcia (samphire) Dwarf Scrub C on saltpan.


Acacia aneura Grevillea sarissa Halosarcia halocnemoides ssp. caudata

Atriplex nana Enneapogon caerulescens


Acacia tysonii Halosarcia undulata Atriplex vesicaria Eragrostis dielsii

Lycium australe Frankenia setosa Sclerolaena fimbriolata

Maireana erioclada Maireana carnosa Senecio lautus

Maireana glomerifolia Kippistia suaedifolia

Maireana tomentosa Scaevola collaris

Maireana atkinsiana Zygophyllum compressum

Gunniopsis quadrifida

Solanum lasiophyllum

Solanum orbiculatum

Ptilotus obovatus

Zygophyllum aurantiacum

8 LOW HEATH C (14:FRAN)

a Frankenia / Chenopod Low Heath C

Shallow aeolian quartz sands interspersed with minor gypsiferous deposits extend up to 500 m from the Halosarcia (samphire) flats on the lake margin to the inland Mulga Woodland. Soils in this region are saline and slightly alkaline in reaction (Appendix 1.5). This map-unit is prevalent on the eastern side of Kevin Islands (east and west).

Low shrubs (less than 1 m tall) provide greater than 50 percent ground cover within this map unit. Atriplex vesicaria and Frankenia cinerea dominate the Low Heath C (Table 11). Less prominent shrubs were Maireana pyramidata, M. appressa, M. erioclada, M. amoena, Solanum orbiculatum, S. lasiophyllum, Zygophyllum aurantiacum and Z. compressum. Ground cover species included Swainsona sp. and the grasses Enneapogon caerulescens, Aristida contorta and Austrostipa spp..

Taller species were less prevalent, generally occurring on "islands" of slightly elevated ground as Open Low Woodland A. Prevalent species recorded were Acacia aneura, A. ramulosa, Hakea preissii, Pittosporum phylliraeoides, Eremophila longifolia, E. scoparia, Senna chatelainiana and Grevillea sarissa ssp. rectitepala.

TABLE 11: Species common to map-unit 8 - Frankenia / Chenopod Low Heath C.



Acacia tysonii Halosarcia halocnemoides

Atriplex vesicaria Enneapogon caerulescens

Acacia aneura Acacia ramulosa Maireana pyramidata Maireana amoena Aristida contorta

Eremophila longifolia Eremophila scoparia Solanum lasiophyllum Senecio lautus

Grevillea sarissa Solanum orbiculatum Zygophyllum compressum

Hakea preissii Swainsona sp.

Senna chatelainiana

9 TALL GRASS

a Eragrostis eriopoda Tall Grass (5:WABS)

The incoherent aeolian quartz sands on which this map-unit exists are non-saline and acidic in reaction (Appendix 1.5). Although structureless they are very deep, enhancing the infiltration rate of water and nutrients and resulting in increased productivity.

A tall grassland of Eragrostis eriopoda dominates the low dunes, providing up to 70 percent ground cover (Table 12). Monochather paradoxa and Eragrostis laniflora are less prominent, occurring with the daisies Rhodanthe chlorocephala ssp. rosea and Rutidosis helichrysoides.

Occasional Acacia aneura and Hakea preissii trees provide a very open upperstorey, with Senna nemophila, Eremophila latrobei ssp. latrobei and Atriplex stipitata characteristic understorey shrubs.

TABLE 12: Species common to Map-unit 9 - Eragrostis eriopoda Tall Grass.


Acacia aneura Eremophila latrobei Maireana convexa Atriplex stipitata Eragrostis eriopoda

Hakea preissii Senna nemophila Enchylaena tomentosa Eragrostis laniflora

Sida calyxhymenia Maireana convexa Monochather paradoxa

Solanum lasiophyllum Rutidosis helichrysoides

Ptilotus obovatus

4.1.2 Dominant Taxa

The greatest number of species in the survey area was represented by the family Chenopodiaceae (Table 13). Chenopods characterise alluvial plains flanking salt lake systems throughout the North-Eastern Goldfields, with many species showing high tolerance to both elevated salinity and drought. The number of species recorded in each of the eleven map-units ranged from 3 to 21.

Encouraged by consistent rainfall prior to the survey, high numbers of Asteraceae were also collected, making it the second largest family recorded. A greater variety of daisies occurred together below the more prominent mulga stands, growing in red quartz sands on the Horses Head (map-unit 1) and on the largest island sampled (Kevin Island - map-unit 2a).

The Poaceae (grasses) were collected in a variety of environments over soils of both acidic and alkaline reaction. The Myoporaceae was represented by a single genus Eremophila, of which 12 species were collected. Fewer members of the Mimosaceae and Caesalpiniaceae were collected (8), occurring mainly on the neutral to acidic red earths.

TABLE 13: Major families and dominant genera of plant species recorded in the survey area.

Family No. Species Dominant GeneraAsteraceae 15 RhodantheCaesalpiniaceae 8 SennaChenopodiaceae 42 Atriplex, Halosarcia,

Maireana, SclerolaenaMimosaceae 8 AcaciaMyoporaceae 12 EremophilaPoaceae 12 Eragrostis

4.1.3 Comparison Between Map-Units

Lake Carey and its associated islands occur in the lowest parts of the surrounding landscape. The strong zonation observed between vegetation communities in these parts has been influenced by a number of variables including climate, geomorphology, and edaphic factors. A total of eleven distinct map-units was identified over the survey area, all exhibiting unique vegetation composition and structure.

The Chenopodiaceae was the dominant family recorded in terms of species richness, for all eleven map-units identified. The dominance of chenopods at lower points of the landscape is characteristic of the Goldfields region. Areas of lower relief tend to have elevated salinity, to which many members of the Chenopodiaceae show high tolerance.

The highest species richness was achieved in the deep quartz sands of map-unit 1 (Woodland), located on the Horses Head. A total of 85 species were collected, of which chenopods represented one quarter (Table 14). In addition 5 eremophilas, 5 sennas and 4 acacias were collected. The "tallest" map-unit identified on the islands (2A - Low Woodland A) contained the second highest number of species (62), with 10 grasses, 6 eremophilas and 4 acacias collected (Table 14). Map-units 1 and 2a were similar with respect to soil and vegetation structure.

The ultramafic outcrops (map-unit 5) located on the south-east of Kevin Island (east and west) and to the south of Horses Head, supported 41 species. Five species of each Eremophila and Senna were collected from this elevated and rocky map-unit (Table 14). A number of the other genera were restricted to this landform, i.e. Dodonaea, Prostanthera. The vegetation community sampled on the foothills below the ultramafic outcrops (map-unit 6) showed reduced species richness (Table ). This may have been related to the dominance of Maireana sedifolia.

When traversing from the bare lake bed to the shores of an island, map-units are clearly defined by distinct changes in vegetation composition and structure. A belt of vegetation dominated by Halosarcia spp. (samphire) extends around the lake margin (map-unit 7a). A low number of species (15) were collected from this map-unit, a likely response to the extreme salinity (Appendix 1.5) and periodic inundation experienced. Inland of this belt there is usually one of two vegetation communities represented; Low Heath C dominated by Frankenia and chenopod spp.(map-unit 8), or Open Low Woodland A on kopi dunes dominated by Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper (map-unit 4). Low Heath C showed high species richness (32), with almost half of the species collected being chenopods. Lower species richness was recorded over the kopi dunes (map-unit 4 - 24 species), with upper- and understorey vegetation very sparse. A second vegetation community sampled on kopi was Eucalyptus striaticalyx Low Woodland A (map-unit 2b), which recorded the lowest species richness of all eleven map-units (12 spp.).

TABLE 14: Major families, with the number of plant species recorded in each of the eleven map-units identified over the survey area; and the total number of species recorded in each map-unit (last line).

Map-Unit

FAMILY 1 2A 2B 3 4 5 6 7A 7B 8 9Amaranthaceae 3Asteraceae 8 4 2 3 3Caesalpiniaceae 5 5Chenopodiaceae 21 14 3 4 9 11 5 10 15 10 4Frankeniaceae 2Malvaceae 5 3Mimosaceae 4 4 2 4 3 3Myoporaceae 5 6 2 2 5 2Poaceae 6 10 4 3 3 3Sapindaceae 2Solanaceae 3 3 2 2 3TOTAL 85 62 12 19 24 41 23 15 32 31 17

4.1.4 Rare and/or Endangered Species

Landforms associated with the Lake Carey study area are well distributed throughout the Goldfields region, and hence less likely to support declared rare or priority taxa. The landforms most commonly associated with rare flora in the Goldfields are breakaways, plateaux, granite, greenstone and basalt hills, and sandplains (Pringle et al. 1994). Greenstone hill is the only landform of these types in the current study area.

None of the 160 species collected during the survey are of any special interest in the context of conservation value, and none are listed as "declared" or "priority" flora (Atkins 1996, Appendix 1.6).

4.2 The Terrestrial Fauna of Lake Carey

Nineteen (19) reptile, 14 mammal (9 indigenous), and thirty-eight bird species were recorded during the Lake Carey survey of September 1997. An annotated list of reptile and mammal species is provided in Appendix 2.3 and birds in Appendix 2.5. This basic "faunistic" information reveals some trends in regional biogeography which need to be interpreted before considering more localised patterns of distribution determined by habitat selection and possible "island biology" factors.

4.2.1 Faunal biogeography of Lake Carey

The fauna of the salina habitats have received only limited attention in regional

fauna surveys. McKenzie et al. (1994) report on the sampling of three salina vegetation types in the Lake Irwin system on Erlistoun Station approximately 75 km north of the Lake Carey study area. There three sites denoted 1E-01, 1E-02 and 1E-03 broadly correspond to the kopi dune, samphire and red sand habitats of Lake Carey, although there were some qualitative and quantitative differences in the vegetation cover.

Dunlop (1990) carried out 1430 pitfall/drift trap-days on a low, red, siliceous sand-dune on the north-western shore of Lake Way between June 1988 and May 1989. This study site had the open broadleaf mulga woodland stratum typical of the red sands at Lake Carey but a hummock grass Plectrachne schinzii was dominant over Eragrostis eriopoda in the grass layer. Lake Way lies approximately 300 km north-west of the Lake Carey study area but on the same palaeodrainage channel (Pringle et al. 1994).

The small terrestrial vertebrate fauna of Lake Carey shows some significant differences to that of both the Erlistoun and Lake Way study areas.

Species recorded from salinaland habitats, and with distributions in the north-central interior, such as Diplodactylus squarrosus , Nephrurus vertebralis , Delma nasuta, Lerista desertorum , Ctenotus pantherinus , Ctenophorus isolepis and Pseudomys hermannsburgensis appear to be absent from Lake Carey. These were replaced by species or populations with more southerly arid and semi-arid distributions including Diplodactylus maini, Cyclodomorphus melanops elongatus, Underwoodisaurus milii, Ctenophorus maculatus, Rhamphotyphlops bituberculatus and Pseudomys bolami.. The changes in species from north-central to southern-eastern Goldfields forms is sufficiently marked to suggest that a significant arid zone biogeographical boundary may lie between Lake Carey and Lake's Way and Irwin.

The birds recorded at Lake Carey all have broad arid, semi-arid to sub-humid distributions.

4.2.2 Habitat selection by terrestrial fauna

The islands within Lake Carey range in size for several square kilometres (eg. Kevin Island) to a few hundred square metres. The largest islands have areas of outcropping dolerite and other rocks, expanses of red siliceous (quartz) sands, dunes of powdery gypsum (kopi) and samphire marshes. The smaller islands were reduced to kopi dunes and samphire habitats or to samphire alone. These habitats recurred along the Lake shoreline such as the area known locally as the Horses Head Peninsula.

The trapping sites were nested primarily within the three widespread terrestrial habitats of the salt lake systems, the red siliceous sandy banks or dunes, the gypsiferous (kopi) banks or dunes and the samphire marshes, in order to investigate habitat selection in the terrestrial vertebrates. Areas of comparable habitats were selected for sampling on the islands and on the Horses Head Peninsula to investigate possible "island biology" effects. Some transitional vegetation types e.g.

the bluebush dwarf scrub on the kopi/samphire boundary were not trapped.

Appendix 2.4 shows the standardised capture rates for the small vertebrate ground fauna trapped on the pitfall and drift lines. Data for traplines in the same broad habitats at the same locations (e.g. all Kopi sites on Kevin Island, all red sand sites on the Horses Head) have been combined.

The small terrestrial ground fauna of the red siliceous sand habitats (Sandy bank lake shrublands - Pringle et al. 1994) on the islands of Lake Carey consisted of Ctenotus leonhardii, Menetia greyii, Ctenophorus maculatus, Ctenophorus reticulatus, Rhynchoedura ornata , Heteronotia binoei and Mus domesticus. On the mainland this habitat also contained Lerista muelleri, Pogona minor and Rhamphotyphlops hamatus. This small vertebrate community is similar to that recorded at Lake Irwin and Lake Way when one excludes the species with ranges may not extend this far southwards. A number of other absentees from Lake Carey are species associated with a hummock grass stratum which is not present in these red sand habitats. These species include the legless lizard Delma butleri , Gecko Diplodactylus elderi. and the Dunnarts Sminthopsis ooldea and S. macroura.

The small ground vertebrate fauna of the islands of Lake Carey consisted of Underwoodisaurus milii, Gehyra variegata, Pogona minor, Cyclodomorphus melanops elongatus, Menetia greyi and Rhamphotyphlops bituberculatus. Captures on the kopi dunes at Horses Head were very low but some apparently common species on the mainland, such as the Barking Gecko Underwoodisaurus milii may have been absent or much less abundant. Again if the species with ranges not extending to Lake Carey are excluded the small vertebrate community resembles that at Erlistoun.

The samphire habitats are very limited and hostile environments for terrestrial vertebrates. The only permanent residents of this habitat (at least when its not flooded) are probably the Salt Lake Dragon Ctenophorus salinarum and the Gecko Diplodactylus maini. Main's Gecko was almost certainly associated with the burrows of the numerous salt lake Wolf Spiders which dominate the invertebrate fauna of the bare lake bed. The Fat-tailed Dunnart probably utilises the samphire as well as other vegetated salina habitats but was obviously extremely scarce at Lake Carey during the survey.

The only native small mammal live trapped during the survey was Bolam's Mouse Pseudomys bolami. A small population of these rodents was occupying the footslopes of a dolerite rise on western Kevin Island. The limited area of sandy clay soils in this area is typical of habitat recorded for this species in the southern Goldfields. It was not trapped in the equivalent habitat on the Horses Head Peninsula.

The inferred distribution of animal species across the vegetation map-units (see Section 4.1) is provided in Appendix 2.6.

4.2.3 "Island Biology" Effects

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are species-effort accumulation curves for pitfall and drift traplines. In Figure 3 the species accumulation curve for red sand habitats on the islands (combined data) is compared with the Horses Head study area. Figure 4 makes the same comparison for Kopi habitats and Figure 5 shows the pattern for all habitats combined including the samphire traplines.

In all cases the island's curve was flattening indicating the survey was approaching the total number of species available for capture in spring. The Horses Head curves on all three figures were steeper indicating that the within-habitat and study area species numbers would probably exceed that on the islands given adequate trapping effort.

Broadly, the small vertebrate ground fauna of the islands appears to be similar to, and perhaps contiguous with, that of the shoreline. However two species present in the Kopi habitats on the islands may be uncommon or absent from the mainland. One of these, the Barking Gecko Underwoodisaurus milii , appears to be relatively common on both the large and small islands (e.g. Kevin Island and Induction Island). It is interesting to note that this species has many population on large and small continental islands off south-western Australian and may have biological characteristics which enable it to use small habitat patches.

Our observations during the survey indicate that rabbits were more abundant on the islands than on the mainland, with numerous warrens particularly in Kopi areas adjacent to extensive bluebush forage. Not surprisingly feral cats and to a lesser extent foxes were also abundant on the islands. Tracks in the lake bed indicated regular passage between islands regardless of island size. This suggests that the islands do not protect their fauna from the affects of feral animals and in fact island fauna may be under greater pressure.

The size of Triodia hummock rings on Kevin Island suggest that the islands are relatively protected from fire. There was considerable evidence of severe fire damage 10 -20 years ago on the Horses Head Peninsula.

The following generalisations might be made about the biological significance of the islands of Lake Carey.

• The fauna of the salina habitats of the Lake is essentially the same on the islands and shoreline.

• Isolation and limited habitat area probably does reduce the number of species on the islands, particularly the smaller ones.

• This isolation only affects a small number of the least mobile animal species.

• There is no evidence of the presence of insular, endemic or relict populations of fauna on the islands.

• The islands may provide preferred habitat characteristics for at least one species

but this does not make them unique.

• The islands are not protected from the impact of feral animals although fire may be relatively infrequent.

5 Implications for Exploration and Mining Operations

The terrestrial environments of the Lake Carey study area including its many islands do not appear to present any significant flora or fauna conservation issues. Mineral exploration activities on the islands, subject to the normal environmental management controls, are unlikely to have significant impacts. Subject to best environmental planning and practice there would also appear to be no impediment to locating mining operations or infrastructure on the islands. Causeways constructed to the islands are unlikely to increase predation pressures on the terrestrial wildlife populations of the islands.

Evidence that colonial waterbirds such as the Banded Stilt do use Lake Carey (see Appendix 2.5) suggests that more significant fauna management issues may exist in relation to the aquatic environment. These issues will be addressed following completion of the aquatic component of the Lake Carey Study.

Plant species diversity is higher on the mainland map-units in comparison to any single island map-unit. In addition there appears to be no plant species of conservation interest over the Lake Carey study area. If mining was to proceed over Lake Carey, similar environmental procedures should be adhered to as would occur be followed with mainland operations.

6 References

Atkins, K.J. (1996). Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como - Perth.

Beard, J.S. (1974). Vegetation Survey of Western Australia - Great Victorian Desert. University of western Australia Press, Perth.

Bettenay, E. (1962). The salt lake systems and their associated aeolian features in the semi-arid regions of Western Australia. Journal of Soil Science 13, 10-17.

Cane, R.F. (1962). The salt lakes of Linga, Victoria. Royal Society of Victoria - Proceedings 75 (1), 75-88.

Dunlop, J.N. (1990). The small vertebrate ground fauna of mulga habitats near Wiluna, Western Australia. Mulga Research Centre Journal 10, 19-27.

Green, J.W. (1985). Census of the Vascular Plants of Western Australia. (2nd edition) Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

Hall, N.J. and Milewski, A.V. (1994). Physical Environment. In: N.J. Hall, N.L. McKenzie and G.J. Keighery (eds) The Biological Survey of the Eastern Goldfields Of Western Australia: Part 10 Laverton-Leonora Study Area. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement No. 47.

Harland, W.B., Cox, A.V., Llewellyn, P.G., Pickton, C.A.G., Smith, A.G. and Walters, R. (1983). A Geologic Time Scale. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Johnson, M. (1980). The origin of Australia's salt lakes. New South wales Geological Survey - Records 19 (2), 221-266.

Keighery, G.J., Hall, N.J. and Milewski, A.V. (1994). Vegetation and Flora In: N.J. Hall, N.L. McKenzie and G.J. Keighery (eds) The Biological Survey of the Eastern Goldfields Of Western Australia: Part 10 Laverton-Leonora Study Area. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement No. 47.

King, L. (1950). The cyclic land surfaces of Australia, a geomorphological summary. Royal Society of Victoria - Proceedings 62, 79-95.

King, D. (1960). The sand ridge deserts of South Australia and related aeolian landforms of the Quarternary arid cycles. Royal Society of South Australia - Transactions 83, 99-108.

McKenzie, N.L., Rolfe, J.K. and Youngson, W.K. (1994). Vertebrate fauna. In: N.J. Hall, N.L. McKenzie and G.J. Keighery (eds) The Biological Survey of the Eastern Goldfields Of Western Australia: Part 10 Laverton-Leonora Study Area. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement No. 47.

Muir, B.G. (1977). Biological survey of the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Records of the

Western Australian Museum. Supplement No.3.

Muir Environmental (1994). Flora and fauna evaluation Sunrise Deposit, Laverton. A Report to Placer Granny Smith Gold Mine.

Pringle, H.J.R., Van Vreeswyk A.M.E. and Gilligan, S.A. (1994). An inventory and condition surrey of rangelands in the north-eastern Goldfields, Western Australia (K.M.W. Howes, ed). Technical Bulletin No. 87, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, ISBN 0 7309 5997 X.

Wopfner, H. and Twidale, C.R. (1967). Geomorphological history of the Lake Eyre basin. In: Landform Studies From Australia and New Guinea. J.N. Jennings and J.A. Mabbutt (eds.). Australian National University Press, Canberra.

FIGURES

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1.3: Flora of the Lake Carey Study Area. All specimens were collected 3-12 September 1997 and are housed in the Mine Rehabilitation Group Herbarium at Curtin University of Technology. Botanical names after Green (1985 and 1987), common names from a variety of sources.

FAMILYSpecies (Botanical Terminology)

Common Name

ADIANTACEAECheilanthes lasiophylla Pichi-Serm. fernAIZOACEAEDysphyma clavellatum (Haw.) ChinnockGunniopsis quadrifida (F. Muell.) Pax in Engl sweet samphireAMARANTHACEAEPtilotus exaltatus Nees in Lehm. purple mulla mullaPtilotus helipteroides (F. Muell.) F. Muell. hairy mulla mullaPtilotus obovatus (Gaudich.) F. Muell. cotton bushPtilotus polystachyus (Gaudich.) F. Muell. green mulla mullaANTHERICACEAEThysanotus manglesianus Kunth. Enum.ASCLEPIADACEAEMarsdenia australis R. Br. in C. Sturt native pearASTERACEAEAsteridea chaetopoda (F. Muell.) G. KronerCephalipterum drummondii A. Gray pom-pom headChrysocephalum putealeCratystylis subspinescens (F. Muell. & Tate) S.

MooreHelipterum charsleyae (Hemsley) WilsonKippistia suaedifolia F. Muell.Podolepis capillaris Diels in Diels & Pritzel invisible plantPodotheca wilsoniaRhodanthe charsleyae F. Muell.Rhodanthe chlorocephalum ssp. chlorocephalum

(Turcz.) Benth.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala ssp. roseum (Hook.) Benth.Rutidosis helichysoides Dc.Senecio lautus ssp. dissectifolius G. Forster variable groundselSonchus oleraceus L. sow thistleWaitzia acuminata Steetz in Lehm. orange immortalBRASSICACEAELepidium muelleri-ferdinandi Thell.Lepidium platypetalum H.J. Hewson slender pepper cressCAESALPINIACEAESenna artemisioides Gaudich. in DC. silver cassiaSenna cardiosperma ssp. cardiosperma F. Muell.Senna glutinosa ssp. chatelainiana Gaudich. in Freyc. green cassiaSenna glutinosa ssp. glutinosa DC.Senna helmsii Symons in Eichler crinkled cassia

APPENDIX 1.3: (cont'd)


Common Name

CAESALPINIACEAESenna artemisioides Gaudich. in DC. silver cassiaSenna cardiosperma ssp. cardiosperma F. Muell.Senna glutinosa ssp. chatelainiana Gaudich. in Freyc. green cassiaSenna glutinosa ssp. glutinosa DC.Senna helmsii Symons in Eichler crinkled cassiaSenna nemophila Cunn. ex Vogel desert cassiaSenna phyllodinea R. Br.Senna sturtii R. Br. variable cassiaCASUARINACEAEAllocasuarina eriochlamys ssp. eriochlamysCasuarina cristata ssp. pauper Miq. black oakCHENOPODIACEAEAtriplex bunburyana F. Muell. silver saltbushAtriplex codonocarpa Paul G. Wilson flat topped saltbushAtriplex nana Parr-SmithAtriplex quadrivalvata Diels in Diels & E. PritzelAtriplex semilunaris Aellen annual saltbushAtriplex stipitata Benth. kidney saltbushAtriplex vesicaria ssp. incompta Heward ex Benth. bladder saltbushChenopodium gaudichaudianum (Moq.) P. Wilson scrambling saltbushDissocarpus paradoxus (R. Br.) F. Muell. ex Ulbr. cannon ballsDysphania kalpari Paul G. Wilson green crumbweedEnchylaena tomentosa R. Br. ruby saltbushHalosarcia halocnemoides (Nees) P. Wilson samphireHalosarcia halocnemoides ssp. caudata (Nees) P. WilsonHalosarcia halocnemoides ssp. tenuis (Nees) P. WilsonHalosarcia indica ssp. bidens (Willd.) P. WilsonHalosarcia undulata P. WilsonMaireana amoena (Diels) P. WilsonMaireana appressa (J. Black) P. WilsonMaireana atkinsiana (W. Fitzg.) P. Wilson bronze bluebushMaireana carnosa (Moq.) P. Wilson cotton bluebushMaireana convexa P. Wilson mulga bluebushMaireana erioclada (Benth.) P. WilsonMaireana georgei (Diels) Paul G. Wilson George's bluebushMaireana glomerifolia (F. Muell. & Tate) P. Wilson ball-leaf bluebushMaireana platycarpa Paul G. Wilson shy bluebushMaireana pyramidata (Benth.) Paul G. Wilson sago bluebushMaireana radiata (P. Wilson) P. WilsonMaireana sedifolia (F. Muell.) P. Wilson pearl bluebushMaireana tomentosa Moq. felty bluebushMaireana triptera (Benth.) Paul G. Wilson three-winged bluebush



Common Name

CHENOPODIACEAEMaireana turbinata P. WilsonMaireana villosa (Lindley) Paul G. Wilson silky bluebushRhagodia eremaea P. Wilson tall saltbushRhagodia drummondii Moq. in DC. Drummond's rhagodiaSalsola kali L. roly polySclerolaena cuneata Paul G. Wilson yellow bindiiSclerolaena densiflora (W. Fitzg.) A.J. ScottSclerolaena deserticola P. WilsonSclerolaena diacantha (Nees) Benth grey bindiiSclerolaena eriacantha Prantl bindiiSclerolaena eurotioides (F. Muell.) A.J. ScottSclerolaena fimbriolata (F. Muell.) A.J. ScottCHLOANTHACEAESpartothamnella teucriiflora (F. Muell.) Mold. mulga broombushEUPHORBIACEAEEuphorbia drummondii Boiss. caustic weedFRANKENIACEAEFrankenia cinerea A. Dc.Frankenia fecunda Summerh.Frankenia laxiflora Summerh.Frankenia setosa W. Fitzg.GERANIACEAEErodium crinitum Carolin crowsfootGOODENIACEAEBrunonia australis Smith blue pincushionGoodenia pinnatifida Schldl.Scaevola collaris F. Muell.Scaevola spinescens R. Br. currant bushLAMIACEAEProstanthera striatiflora C. GardnerLORANTHACEAEAmyema miquelii (Lehm. ex Miq.)Tieghem stalked mistletoeAmyema quandang (Lindley) Tieghem grey mistletoeLysiana casuarinae (Miq.) Tieghem mistletoeLysiana murrayi (F. Muell. & Tate) Tiegham parka parkaMALVACEAEAbutilon otocarpum F. Muell.Lawrencia helmsii (F. Muell. & Tate) LanderLawrencia repens (S. Moore) MelvilleSida calyxhymenia Gay ex DC. tall sidaSida corrugata Lindley in Mitch. prostrate sidaSida rohlenae Domin



Common Name

MIMOSACEAEAcacia aneura var. aneura F. Muell. ex Benth. mulgaAcacia craspedocarpa F. Muell. hop mulgaAcacia kempeana F. Muell.Acacia linophylla W. Fitzg. bowgadaAcacia ramulosa W. Fitzg. horse mulgaAcacia tetragonophylla F. Muell. curara (dead finish)Acacia tysonii Luehm.Acacia victoriae Benth. in Mitch. prickly wattleMYPORACEAEEremophila bignoniiflora (Benth.) F. Muell.Eremophila forrestii F. Muell. Wilcox bushEremophila georgei Diels in Diels & E. PritzelEremophila glabra ssp. albicans (R. Br.) Ostenf. tar bushEremophila latrobei ssp. glabra F. Muell.Eremophila latrobei ssp. latrobei F. Muell. warty-leaf eremophilaEremophila longifolia (R. Br.) F. Muell. berriganEremophila margarethae S. Moore sandbank poverty bushEremophila miniata C. Gardner lake poverty bushEremophila oldfieldii ssp. augustifolia F. Muell. pixie bushEremophila scoparia (R. Br.) F. Muell. broom bushEremophila serrulata (Cunn. ex A. Dc) DruceMYRTACEAEEucalyptus striaticalyx W. Fitz. kopi malleePAPILIONACEAEJacksonia acicularisSwainsona formosa Sturt's desert peaSwainsona sp.PITTOSPORACEAEPittosporum phylliraeoides DC. desert willowPOACEAEAristida contorta F. Muell. kerosine/wind grassAustrostipa drummondii SteudelAustrostipa scabra Lindley in Mitch. rough spear grassEnneapogon caerulescens (Gaudich.) N. Burb. limestone grassEragrostis dielsii Pilger ex Diels & Pritzel love grassEragrostis eriopoda Benth. woolly buttEragostis laniflora Benth.Eragrostis lanipes C.E. Hubb.Eriachne pauciflora W. Fitzg.Monochather paradoxa Steudel bandicoot grassThyridolepis multiculmis (Pilger) S.T. Blake soft wanderrieTriodia basedowii E. Pritzel



Common Name

POLYGONACEAERumex vesicarius L. ruby dockPORTULACACEAECalandrinia polyandraPROTEACEAEGrevillea nematophylla F. Muell.Grevillea sarissa ssp. rectitepala S. MooreGrevillea sarissa ssp. sarissa S. Moore wheel grevilleaHakea arida Diels in Diels & PritzelHakea preissii Meissner in Lehm. needlebushRUBIACEAECanthium lineare E. Pritzel native currantSANTALACEAEExocarpos aphyllus R.Br. leafless ballartSantalum acuminatum (R. Br.) A. DC. in DC. quandangSantalum spicatum (R. Br.) A. DC. sandalwoodSAPINDACEAEDodonaea lobulata F. Muell. hop bushDodonaea rigida J.G. WestSCROPHULARIACEAEPeplidium muelleriSOLANACEAELycium australe F. Muell. water bushSolanum lasiophyllum Dunal ex Poiret in Lam. flannel bushSolanum orbiculatum Dunal ex Poiret in Lam. wild tomatoSTERCULIACEAEBrachychiton gregorii F. Muell. desert kurrajongTHYMELAEACEAEPimelea microcephala R. Br. banjineZYGOPHYLLACEAEZygophyllum aurantiacum (Lindley) F. Muell. shrubby twin leafZygophyllum compressum J. Black

APPENDIX 1.5: Salinity (EC1:5) and pH of soils from within each map-unit.

Map-Unit EC1:5 (dS m-1) pH

1 A. aneura Woodland 0.06 5.132a A. aneura Low Woodland A 0.08 5.802b E. striaticalyx Low Woodland A 6.19 7.223 A. aneura/C. pauper Low Woodland B 0.19 7.334 C. pauper Open Low Woodland A 2.25 6.725 Open Low Woodland B 0.15 6.166 M. sedifolia Low Scrub B 0.18 6.547a Halosarcia Dwarf Scrub C (lake margin) 15.50 7.657b Halosarcia Dwarf Scrub C (saltpan) 2.45 6.788 Frankenia/chenopod Low Heath C 2.35 7.189 Eragrostis eriopoda Tall Grass 0.11 5.98

APPENDIX 1.6: Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora (see Atkins 1996).

R: Declared Rare Flora - Extant Taxa (Threatened Flora, Endangered + Vulnerable)

Taxa which have been adequately searched for, and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such, following approval by the Minister for the Environment, after recommendation by the State's Endangered Flora Consultative Committee.

X: Declared Rare Flora - Presumed Extinct Taxa

Taxa which have not been collected, or otherwise verified, over the past 50 years despite thorough searching, or of which all known wild populations have been destroyed more recently, and have been gazetted as such, following approval by the Minister for the Environment, after recommendation by the State's Endangered Flora Consultative Committee.

1: Priority One - Poorly Known Taxa

Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations which are under threat, either due to small population size, or being on lands under immediate threat, e.g. road verges, urban areas, farm land, active mineral leases, etc., or the plants are under threat, e.g. from disease, grazingby feral animals etc. May include taxa with threatened populations on protected lands. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need for further survey.

2: Priority Two - Poorly Known Taxa

Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need for further survey.

3: Priority Three - Poorly Known Taxa

Taxa which are known from several populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need for further survey.

4: Priority Four - Rare Taxa

Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5-10 years.

APPENDIX 2.1: Habitat description of vertebrate fauna sampling sites.

Annotations are as follows ;

Site: Field notation number see Figure 2 for location.Location: Location name - Figure 2Vegetation: Description by strata using life form/height/density classes of Muir (1977).Substrate/soil:Rangeland Survey Unit: The corresponding vegetation unit used for the regional rangelands survey (Pringle et al. 1994).

Site : KM 1

Location : Kevin Island

Vegetation : Broad-leafed Mulga Acacia aneura low woodland A over Frankenia sp ,Gunniopsis quadrifida , Ptilotus obovatus dwarf scrub D overAristida contorta open low bunch-grassland.

Substrate/soil : Red slightly saline quartz sand.

Rangeland survey unit : Sandy bank lake shrublands (SBLS).

Site : KM 2


Vegetation : Broad -leafed Mulga Acacia aneura low woodland A over Frankenia sp, Gunniopsis quadrifida, Ptilotus obovatus dwarf scrub D overAristida contorta open low bunch - grassland.

Substrate/Soil : Red slightly saline quartz sand.

Rangeland survey unit : Sandy bank lake shrublands (SBLS).

Site : KK 1


Vegetation : Black Oak Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper low forest A (clumped) over Maireana glomerifolia and Maireana appressa open dwarf scrub C.

Substrate/ Soil : Powdery gypsum (Kopi) material. Hard surface crust , highly friable below.

Rangelands survey unit : Kopi dune woodlands (KOPI).

Site : KK 2


Vegetation : Black Oak Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper low forest A (clumped) over Maireana glomerifolia , Maireana appressa open dwarf scrub C.

Substrate / Soil : Powdery gypsum (Kopi) material. Hard surface crust, highly friable below.


Site : KS 1


Vegetation : Samphire Halosarcia halocnemoides caudata open dwarf scrub C.

Substrate/ Soil : Saline, yellow - brown sandy clay.

Rangelands survey unit : Samphire low shrublands (SAMP).

Site : KS 2


Vegetation : Samphire Halosarcia halocnemoides caudata open dwarf scub C.

Substrate/ Soil : Saline, yellow-brown sandy clay.

Rangelands survey unit : Samphire low shrublands (SAMP)

Site : SK 1

Location : Italy Island

Vegetation : Black Oak Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper low woodland B overMaireana glomerifolia , Maireana appressa open dwarf scrub C.

Substrate/ soil : Hard, crustal (blocky) gypsum with more friable kopi below dune crest.


Site : SS 1

Location : Italy Island

Vegetation : Samphire Halosarcia halocnemoides caudata open dwarf scrub C.

Substrate/ Soil : Saline, yellowish brown sandy clay.


Site : IK 1

Induction Island

Vegetation : Black Oak Casuarins cristata ssp. pauper open low scrub B over Maireana glomerifolia open dwarf scrub D.

Substrate/ Soil : Hardened blocky Kopi, more friable in pockets around casuarina.


Site : PS 1

Location : Between Kevin I. and North Italy.

Vegetation : Samphire Halosarcia halocnemoides open dwarf scrub C.

Substrate/ Soil : Saline, yellow brown sandy clay.


Site : KD 1


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura low woodland A over Hakea preisii, Eremophila longifolia scrub over Eragrostis eriopoda and Triodia basedowii open low grassland.

Substrate/ Soil : Deep red quartz sand in broad dune swale.

Rangelands survey unit : Sandy bank lake shrublands (SBLS).

Site : KD 2


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura ( broad-leaf) low woodland A over A. aneura (narrow leaf), Hakea preissii and Eremophila longifolia scrub over Eragrostis eriopoda open low grassland.

Substrate/ Soil : Deep red quartz sand in broad swale.


Site : KD 3


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura (broad-leaf) low woodland A over Eragrostis eriopoda open tall grassland.

Substrate / Soil : Slightly drifted red quartz sand on dune crest.


Site : KR 1


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura (terete leaf), Eremophila longifolia and Eremophila oldfieldii open low woodland B over Maireana sedifolia open low scrub B over Aristida contorta very open low grassland.

Substrate/ Soil : Pebbly scree material and colluvial clayey sand soil from weathering dolerite outcrop.

Rangelands survey unit : Stoney bluebush mixed shrublands (SBMS).

Site : HK 1

Location : Horses Head

Vegetation : Black Oak Casuarina cristata ssp. pauper low woodland B.

Substrate/ Soil : Hardened gypseous crust on a low kopi dune.


Site : HK 2


Vegetation : Eucalyptus striaticalyx low woodland B (clumped) over mixed Atriplex vesicaria and Rhagodia drummondii open dwarf scrub D.

Substrate/ Soil : Hardened, blocky gypsum on kopi dune.

Rangelands survey unit : Kopi dune woodlands.

Site : HS 1


Vegetation : Samphire Halosarcia halocnemoides and Bluebush Maireana glomerifolia open dwarf scrub C.

Substrate/ Soil : Saline, yellow-brown sandy clay.


Site : HR 1


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura, Grevillea sarissa and Hakea preissii open scrub over Maireana sedifolia open low scrub B over Aristida contorta open low grassland.

Substrate/ Site : Red-brown sandy clay strewn with pebble on lower slopes of ultrmafic ridge.

Rangelands survey unit : Stoney bluebush mixed shrublands (SBMS).

Site : HD 1


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura (broad-leaf) low woodland A over Eragrostis eriopoda open low grassland.

Substrate/ Soil : Deep red, quartz sand on dune slope.


Site : HD 2


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura (broad-leaf) low woodland A over Hakea preissii and Eremophila miniata scrub over Eragrostis eriopoda open low grassland.


Site : HO 1


Vegetation : Mulga Acacia aneura open scrub over Ptilotus obovatus open dwarf scrub D over Cymbopogon ambiguus and Aristida contorta open low grassland.

Substrate/ Soil : Rocky outcrop with little soil.

APPENDIX 2.2: Trapping effort with pitfall/drift fence clusters and Elliott box traps at each of the vertebrate sampling sites. Numbers are pit and box trap days.

ISLANDS

Vertebrate Sampling Site Pitfall and Driftlines Elliott TrapsKM1 65 40KM2 25 40KK1 30 50KK2 60 50KS1 60 60KS2 35 50SK1 55 160SS1 55 160IK1 50 140KD1 40 80KD2 40 -KD3 30 -KR1 - 100PS1 35 -

HORSES HEAD

Vertebrate Sampling Site Pitfall and Driftlines Elliott TrapsHK1 25 60HK2 25 60HS1 25 60HR1 25 60HD1 25 60HD2 25 60HO1 - 40

Total Survey Effort In Trap Days -735 Pitfall and Driftlines, 1330 Elliott Traps

APPENDIX 2.3: Reptile and mammal fauna of the Lake Carey Study Area.

The vertebrate fauna recorded at Lake Carey during the survey of September 1997.

The annotations are as follows; Systematic Name : Common name ( WA Museum accession number)Capture/encounter method ( observation, pitfall traps, elliott traps, mist nets).Sampling Sites Recorded ( Locations on Figure 1 : Habitat descriptions in Table 1.)Notes

REPTILES

GEKKONIDAE - GECKOS

Diplodactylus maini - Main's Gecko(131839)Pitfall traps, observationKS 1, KS 2 and IK 1.On north-eastern edge of its range. Probably associated with the Wolf Spider Lycosidae burrows on the Lake bed.

Underwoodisaurus milii - Barking Gecko(131833)Pitfall trapsKK 2, IK 1On north-eastern extremity of range. Common on south-western offshore islands.

Gehyra variegata - Tree Dtella(131835)Pitfall traps.SK 1, HK 2 Also collected from under E. striatycalyx bark on kopi islands.

Rhynchoedura ornata - Bird-billed Gecko(131831)Pitfall trapKD 3Single capture only.

Heteronotia binoei - Binoe's Gecko(131844)Pitfall trapKM 2

AGAMIDAE - DRAGONS

Ctenophorus maculatus maculatus (131842)Pitfall trap, observationsKM 1, KM 2, KK 2, HK 1Apparently a significant eastward extension of known range possibly due to the sand dune habitats bounding the Lake.

Ctenophorus reticulatus - Reticulated Dragon(131840)Pitfall trapKD 2

Ctenophorus salinarum - Salt Lake Dragon (131838)KS 1, KS 2, IK 1, SS 1, HS 1Pitfall traps, observationsAbundant in samphire habitats adjacent to kopi, widespead over small kopi islands.

Pogona minor minor - Western Bearded Dragon(131841)Pit traps, observationKK 2, HD 1, HK 1Also present amongst bluebush dwarf scrub close to samphire boundary.

SCINCIDAE - SKINKS

Ctenotus leonhardii ( 131834)Pit traps, observationsKM 1, KM 2, KD 1, HR 1, HD 1Observed in red sand areas.

Cyclodomorphus melanops elongatus - Gilled Skink(131832)Pit trapKK 2Only observed at the one sample site.

Lerista muelleri - Mueller's Skink(131845)Pit trapHD 2Not recorded from any islands.

Menetia greyii - Menetia(131843)Pit trap, observationsKM 1, KM 2, KD 1, KD 2, KD 3, KK 1, KK 2, SK 1, HR 1One observed attempting to cross the bare lake bed.

VARANIDAE - MONITORS

Varanus caudolineatus - Mulga goanna(131829)Elliott trapHD 2Not recorded from islands despite apparently suitable habitat.

Varanus gouldii - Sand MonitorNot collectedObservationsRecorded near KD 2.Tracks almost certainly this species were observed in several parts of the Horses Head peninsula. The species was inactive until late in the survey.

TYPHLOPIDAE - BLIND SNAKES

Rhamphotyphlops bituberculatus - Blind Snake(131846)Pit trapKK 2

Rhamphotyphlops hamatus - Hooked -nosed Blind Snake(131827)Pit trapHD 1

ELAPIDAE - VENOMOUS SNAKES

Pseudechis australis - Mulga SnakeNot collectedObservationsIdentified from a shed skin (Italy Island) and a specimen occupying a rabbit warren on Kevin Island.

Rhinoplocephalus monachus - Monk Snake(131830)Pit trapHS 1Habitat in which it was captured probably not representative.

MAMMALS

TACHYGLOSSIDAE - ECHIDNAS

Tachyglossus aculeatus - Short-beaked EchidnaNot collectedObservationsOne male recorded on the dolerite hill on eastern Kevin Island.

DASYURIDAE - MARSUPIAL CARNIVORES

Sminthopsis crassicaudata - Fat-tailed DunnartNot retainedObservationsKS 1A mummified specimen was picked up in samphire close to sampling site KS 1 on Keith Island. Its absence from the trapping indicates that the species extremely scarce during the survey.

MACROPODIDAE - KANGAROOS

Macropus rufa - Red KangarooNot collectedObservationsRecorded visiting all the islands including the small ones.

Macropus robustus - EuroNot collectedObservations.Present in the ultramafic hills on the Horses Head. Not observed on the islands.

MOLISSIDAE- FREETAILED BATS

Nyctinomus australis - White-striped Freetailed BatNot collectedObservation.Heard in flight over Kevin Island and the Horses Head Peninsula.

Mormopterus sp. - Flat BatNot collectedObservationAn unidentified Mormopterus was heard and observed at dusk of central parts of Kevin Island.

VESPERTILIONIDAE - Evening Bats

Chalinolobus gouldii - Gould's Wattled BatNot collectedObservation

Observed emerging after dusk on Kevin Island.

Nyctophilous geoffroyi - Lesser Long-eared BatNot collectedMist-netTwo males and a female were captured at sampling site KM 1 on Kevin Island.

MURIDAE - RATS & MICE

Mus domesticus - House MouseNot retainedPit and Elliott trapsKM 1, KM 2, KD 1, KD 3, HR 1, HO 1, HD 1,HK 1, HK 2, HS 1

Pseudomys bolami -Bolam's Mouse(No accession number)Elliott trapsKR 1Two males captured on footslopes.

CANIDAE - CANINES

Vulpes vulpes - Red FoxNot collectedObservationFresh tracks were common on the islands and across the Lake bed.

FELIDAE - CATS

Felis catus - Feral CatNot collectedObservationCommon on Kevin Island. Track evidence of regular visits to the smaller islands.

CAMELIDAE - CAMELS

Camelius dromedarius - CamelNot collectedObservationFresh tracks recorded on Lake bed.

LEPORIDAE - RABBITS & HARES

Orcytolagus cuniculus - European RabbitNot collectedObservationThere were many warrens and rabbits in the kopi and bluebush areas of the islands than on the Horses Head Peninsula.

APPENDIX 2.4: Small vertebrate captures in pitfall & dift traplines( standardised to captures/100 trap-days). The data for traplines in the same habitat unit on the same island/area have combined (eg. all SBLS traplines on Keith Island). The islands/areas are KI - Keith Island, IT - Italy Island, IN - Induction Island, PI - Paradise Island and HH - Horses Head Peninsula.

SBLS KOPI SAMP SBMS

Vertebrate Species KI HH KI IT IN HH KI IT PI HH HHDiplodactylus maini 5.0 4.2Underwoodisaurus milii 1.1 7.5Gehyra variegata 1.8 4.0Rhynchoedura ornata 0.4Heteronotia binoei 0.4Ctenophorus maculatus 1.5 1.1 2.0Ctenophorus reticulatus 0.4Ctenophorus salinarum 10 1.0 1.8 8.0Pogona minor 2.0 3.3 2.0Ctenotus leonhardii 2.2 2.0 4.0Cyclomorphus melanops 3.3

Lerista muelleri 2.0

Menetia greyii 2.6 2.0 2.2 1.8 4.0

Rhamphotyphlops bituberculatus

1.1

Rhamphotyphlops hamatus 2.0

Rhynoplocephalus monachus

4.0

Mus domesticus 0.7 2.0 2.0 4.0

APPENDIX 2.5: Birds Of Lake Carey Study Area - September 1997.

Emu - Dromaius novaehollandiaeApparently a common visitor to the islands and the Horses Head Peninsula.

Black Kite - Milvus migransTwo observed over rabbit carcass on the lake bed south of Kevin Island.

Wedge - tailed Eagle - Aquila audaxProbably the one pair occupied a territory which included Kevin Island, the island north- east of Kevin Island and Italy Island.

Brown Falcon - Falco berigoraThe most common raptore on the larger islands and Horses Head Peninsula.

Australian Hobby - Falco longipennisOne observed on east Kevin Island and another on Italy Island.

Nankeen Kestrel - Falco cendroidesFreqently observed over the islands and Horses Head Peninsula.

Australian Bustard - Ardeotis australisOne observed near a claypan on Kevin Island.

Little Button-quail - Turnix veloxCommon in low bluebush margins of Kevin Island.

Banded Stilt - Cladorhynchus leucocephalusMummified eggs, and quantities of egg shell fragments, were observed on a low bluebush and samphire island south-east of Italy Island. This indicates the Stilts nested on Lake Carey at the same time as breeding was recorded on Lakes Ballard and Marmion after cyclone Bobby ( February 1995).

Common Bronzewing - Phaps chalcopteraOccassional sightings on Horses Head Peninsula. Lack of surface water may restrict the use of the islands by pigeons.

Galah - Cacatua roseicapillaVisited the islands regularly during the survey and was present on the Horses Head Peninsula.

Cockatiel - Nymphicus hollandicusObserved on Kevin Island. Flocks congregated around rain water puddles on the claypans on the Horses Head.

Australian Ringneck - Barnardius zonariusCommon in mulga low woodland on Kevin Island and the Horses Head.

Mulga Parrot - Psephotus varius One observation on Kevin Island but more common in woodland habitats on the Horses Head Peninsula.

Pallid Cuckoo - Cuculus pallidusOne heard calling on Kevin Island.

Boobook Owl - Ninox novaeseelandiaeOne observed in headlights inland of Horses Head Peninsula.

Australian Owlet Nightjar - Aegotheles cristatusOne captured in a mist- net in mulga low woodland near the middle of Kevin Island. Several individuals heard calling in mulga on the red fringing dunes on the Horses Head.

Sacred Kingfisher - Todirhamphus sanctusOne observed on Kevin Island.

Western Gerygone - Geryone fusca Observed in mulga on Kevin Island.

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill - Acanthiza uropygialisOne observation in mulga low woodland on Kevin Island.

Spiny - cheeked Honeyeater - Acanthagenys rufogularisApparently absent from the islands but quite frequently observed on the Horses Head Peninsula in mulga and Casuarina woodlands.

Yellow-throated Miner - Manorina flavigulaThe most common bird in woodland and scrub habitats on the larger islands and on the Horses Head Peninsula. Miner groups defended flowering Grevillea sarissa shrubs.

Singing Honeyeater - Lichenostomas virescensObserved in Casuarina woodland on Kevin Island, Italy Island and Horses Head. Attracted to flowing shrubs of Grevillea sarissa.

Black Honeyeater - Certhionyx nigerOne observation from mulga on red-earths inland from the Horses Head Peninsula.

Jacky Winter - Microeca fascinansOne observation from mulga woodland on Kevin Island.

Red-capped Robin - Petroica goodenoviiOne observation from kopi dune on east Kevin Island ( Jamie Reilly pers. comm. '97).

Crested Bellbird - Oreoica gutturalisObserved occupying Casuarina cristata low woodland on Kevin and Italy Islands. Recorded from mulga and Casuarina low woodlands on the Horses Head Peninsula.

Black-faced Cuckoo -shrike - Coracina novaehollandiaeMany observations in mulga woodland on Kevin Island and mulga and Casuarina woodland on the Horses Head.

Ground Cuckoo -shrike - Coracina maximaSeveral observations in open habitats on Kevin Island and on the Horses Head.

Masked Woodswallow - Artamus personatusOne observation of two roosting birds in Casuarina scrub on Italy Island.

Black-faced Woodswallow - Artamus cinereusSeveral observations in open habitats on Kevin Island and the Horses Head.

Grey Butcherbird - Cracticus torquatusCommon inhabitant of mulga low woodlands on the islands and Horses Head Peninsula.

Pied Butcherbird - Cracticus nigrogularisCommon inhabitant of marginal mulga woodland and Casuarina woodland on the islands and adjoining mainland.

Australian Magpie - Gymnorhina tibicenSeveral observations on Kevin Island and the Horses Head area.

Grey Currawong - Strepera versiclorOne heard calling in mulga woodland on Kevin Island.

Torresian Crow - Corvus orruCommon inhabitant of larger islands and Horses Head. Breeding in mulga woodland on Kevin Island.

Little Crow - Corvus bennettiSeveral observations of flocks over the larger islands and the adjacent mainland.

Welcome Swallow - Hirundo neoxenaOne observation on Kevin Island.

APPENDIX 2.6: The occurrence of vertebrate animal species in relation to vegetation uniits described in the Lake Carey Terrestrial Survey. As some of the detailed fauna sites do not correspond directly to map units some extrapolation of fauna habitat preferences has been undertaken.

VEGETATION MAP UNITVERTEBRATE SPECIES 1 2a 2b 3 4 5 6 7a 7b 8 9Reptiles Diplodactylus maini + + +Underwoodiisaurus milii +Gehyra variegata + +Rhynchoedura ornata + + Heteronotia binoei +Ctenophorus maculatus + +Ctenophorus reticulatus + Ctenophorus salinarum + + +Pogona minor + +Ctenotus leonhardi + + +Cyclomorphus melanops +Lerista meulleri +Menetia greyii + + + +Varanus caudolineatus + +Varanus gouldii + +Rhamphotyphlops bituberculatus +Rhamphotyphlops hamatus +Pseudechis australis + +Rhynoplocephalus monachus + +MammalsTachyglossus aculeatus +Sminthopsis crassicaudata + +Macropus rufa + + + + + + + + +Macropus robustus + +Nyctinomus australis + + +Mormopterus sp +Chalinolobus gouldii +Nyctophilus geoffroyi + +Mus domesticus + + + + + +Pseudomys bolami +Vulpes vulpes + + + + + +Felis catus + + +Camelius dromedarius +Orctolagus cuniculus + + + + + + + + + + +

APPENDIX 2.6: cont'd

VEGETATION MAP UNITVERTEBRATE SPECIES 1 2a 2b 3 4 5 6 7a 7b 8 9BirdsDromarius novaehollandiae + + + + + + + + + + +Milvus migrans +Aquila audax + + + + + + + + + + +Falco berigora + + + + + + + + + + +Falco longipennis + +Falco cendroides + +Ardeotis australis +Turnix velox +Cladorhynchus leucocephalus + +Phaps chalcoptera +Cacatua roseicapilla + + +Cockatiel + +Barnardius zonarius + + +Psephotus varius + +Cuculus pallidus +Ninox novaeseelandiae +Aegotheles cristatus + +Todiirhamphus sanctus +Gerygone fusca +Acanthiza uropygialis +Acanthagenys rufogularis + +Manorina flavigula + + + + + + + +Lichenostomus virescens +Certhionyx niger +Microeca fascinans +Petroica goodenovii +Oreoica gutturalis + +Coracina novaehollanddiae + + +Coracina maxima + +Artamus personatus +Cracticus torquatus + + + + + + +Cracticus nigrogularis + + + +Gymnorhina tibicen + +Strepera versicolor +Corvus orru + + +Corvus bennetti + +Hirundo neoxena +

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