Contact Information:
National Centre for Sustainability
(03) 5022 3741
Russell Elliot (Tona)
(03) 5027 3206
Three surveys are undertaken across Tona Station floodplains twice
annually to assess vegetation changes that occur after de-stocking,
changed flood regimes and groundwater mounding.
Key Transect Line Vegetation SurveyBlack box and red gum floodplains are surveyed to provide a significant snapshot of the vegetation that occurs upon the wetlands of Tona Station. The method that is used occurs on a line of 200 metres throughout the designated area with six key sites along it. At each site, all the vegetation within a 20 metre square (quadrat) is marked out and identified. The height, breadth and width are recorded of the vegetation present, along with the amount of leaf litter, lichen, exposed soil and fallen timber. This surveying technique gives a detailed profile of the vegetation which is an important planning tool in rehabilitation work. The information is collected and stored within a database which is updated twice a year. Key Random Point Sampling Vegetation Survey
Vegetation surveying occurs upon a horseshoe lagoon to identify the response from flooding events. This site was identified due to its natural water holding capacity and size. The lagoon is currently in its dry phase. The National Centre of Sustainability team conduct vegetation surveys at specific points (Random points) that were identified using a computer mapping program. Nine individual sites give a good broad indication of vegetation species that occur specifically upon the floodplains, when it is dry. Also the lagoon is adjacent to a floodplain where ground water mounding is occurring. The method used to collect vegetation details was the same as the transect line survey, and set up for the biannual monitoring program. The thorough surveys were undertaken by the 1st year Diploma of Conservation and Land management students, lead by National Centre of Sustainability (NCS) and Sunraysia Institute of TAFE Staff.