Gulf Savannah NRM has been field-testing the effectiveness of easy-to-use survey methods to measure biodiversity on extensive grazing properties. These techniques, and a few others out there, might also help to reveal what lives in your own backyard.
The Resilient Landscapes for Better Biodiversity project looked at the effect cattle grazing intensity has on biodiversity. Previous studies had shown that paddocks stocked with high cattle numbers had reduced land condition and drought resilience — leading to lower profits over time compared with paddocks containing more moderate numbers of cattle. Moderately stocked paddocks were also highlighted as having greater biodiversity.
Another key part of the project was to research ways landowners could more easily conduct their own biodiversity surveys using low-labour methods on their own properties — and avoid the need for a team of specialists. Working with researchers from James Cook University we set out to collect four rounds of data at eight properties in the Einasleigh Uplands bioregion, including Undara, Oolarat Station and Mount Surprise. The remote survey methods used were acoustic recording, camera traps and pitfall traps. So, what did we find out?
Acoustic recordings were analysed using BirdNet — an AI-powered system that identifies birds by their song. The BirdNET analysis tool identified between 63 and 83 bird species in the different survey periods, including apostlebirds, rainbow bee-eaters, magpie-larks, olive-backed orioles, pale-headed rosellas, pied butcherbirds and red-backed fairywrens. BirdNET is available as an app and can identify around 3000 of the world’s most common species.
Camera traps were also used across the study period and captured almost 40 species (not including cattle!). The camera traps were securely attached to a tree and then trained on a bait station used to attract animals to the location.
Pitfall traps are just as they sound and consist of a container buried in the ground with its rim at surface level used to trap, in this case, invertebrates that fall into it.
Overall, BirdNET provided the best results to show differences in biodiversity associated with grazing intensity — and this is just one of the methods you can use to measure biodiversity in your own backyard.
Find out about apps that can help you measure biodiversity at home in our Gulf Croaker article: