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(Please note all plant names are as per Jessop and Toelken, 1986)
Whyalla Conservation Park is one relatively small part of the State reserves network. One of its main roles is to conserve a representative sample of the native flora and fauna of the eastern upper Eyre Peninsula. The natural habitats found within this Park are very poorly conserved within the State's Park system. Whyalla Conservation Park and its larger neighbour to the west, Lake Gilles Conservation Park, are the only two parks that conserve substantial tracts of largely undisturbed Western myall woodland. As such, this Park's importance in the conservation of the native flora and fauna of the north-eastern Eyre Peninsula, is quite significant.
According to Lewis (1974, p 43), there are seven distinct vegetation types within the Whyalla Conservation Park. These vary in structure and composition and their distribution is influenced by variations in topography and soil type and depth. These are as follows:
i Low Woodland
Western myall with under-storey of Bladder saltbush and Bluebush
This is the predominant vegetation type over most of the north-east Eyre Peninsula region. The Whyalla Conservation Park is one of few reserves containing this particular vegetation association.
The Western myall is the predominant tree species, however other tree species are also present. In particular there are isolated individuals of Sugarwood (Myoporum platycarpum), dense clonal groves of Bullock-bush (Heterodendrum oleifolium syn. Alectryon oleifolium), occasional individuals of Native peach (Santalum acuminatum) and open groves of Black oak.
The shrub under-storey also includes species such as Spiny saltbush (Rhagodia spinescens), Goosefoot (Chenopodium gaudichaudianum), Bitter saltbush (Atriplex stipitata) and Buckbush (Salsola kali ).
In those areas which were less heavily grazed and trampled when the area carried stock, a well developed ground surface crust of lichen and moss species is noticeable (Lewis, 1991). These areas are away from areas of disturbance from both humans and, in the past, sheep.
Other shrub species in this vegetation type are Tall or Rock sida and Australian boxthorn (Lycium australe).
ii Low Open Woodland
Western myall with Bladder saltbush under-storey.
This vegetation type is essentially the same as the Low Woodland described above except that Bluebush is absent or very rare and that Bristly sea-heath (Frankenia serpyllifolia), and Bindyi (Dissocarpus biflorus) are present. Total foliage cover of the dominant species is less than 10%.
iii Low Woodland
Black oak groves
Distinct closed groves of Black oak with a unique structure and composition occur infrequently in the Park, however they are common outside the reserve in the north-east Eyre Peninsula region.
The groves can be very dense, with trunks only 1 - 2 m apart. Other trees, particularly Western myall, Sugarwood and Bullock-bush are sometimes also present in those stands that are less dense. Bladder saltbush and Bluebush are the predominant species in the under-storey and there is characteristically a heavy lichen and moss crust.
iv Shrubland
Rock sida
Rock sida shrublands intergrade with low open woodlands on the lower more gradual slopes of the hills. The dense growth of this shrub gives the appearance of a mono-specific community, however, Bladder saltbush, Bluebush, Spiny saltbush, Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa), Spiny goosefoot (Rhagodia ulicina), Desert goosefoot (Chenopodium desertorum) and Thorny lawrencia (Lawrencia squamata syn. Plagianthus microphyllus) are present as an under-storey.
v Shrubland
Lobed-leaved hop-bush
On the higher, more exposed slopes Sida shrubland gives way to a more open community in which Lobed-leaved hop-bush is the most characteristic component. On the southern hills of the Park these shrublands may be more varied in composition including Narrow-leaved fuchsia bush and Silver mulla mulla (Ptilotus obovatus).
vi Low shrubland
Thorny lawrencia and Twiggy sida (Sida intricata)
These low shrublands are restricted to the hill-tops. The character of the vegetation is largely determined by the small shrub Thorny lawrencia and the spreading prostrate Twiggy sida.
vii Shrubland
Rock Community
A unique community of shrubs occurs on the northern rock faces of Wild Dog Hill. A number of species occur here and not elsewhere in the Park, no doubt reflecting the unique micro-habitat afforded by the rock substrate (Lewis, 1991). Although the community is limited, it is quite distinct, containing such species as Cough bush (Cassinia laevis), Rock isotome (Isotoma petraea), Rock ferns or Cloak-ferns (Cheilanthes spp.) and Narrow-leaved hop-bush (Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima) thus giving added significance to this locality.
There has been no detailed study of the lichens of the Whyalla Conservation Park at this stage. The Australian Heritage Commission in its nomination of the area noted: "This area is also an Australian centre of richness for soil lichens..." Future studies are required to determine the diversity of the Parks lichen flora.
(Please note all names of mammals are as per Strahan, 1983)
The mammal fauna of Whyalla Conservation Park is typical of the species found throughout the dryland Acacia scrubs and woodlands of the semi-arid zone. The predominantly open Western myall woodland of this Park, with patches of open chenopod shrubland, supports a small variety of native mammal fauna of which the larger kangaroo species are the most obvious.
The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) is well suited to this Park's open woodland habitat and is the most common macropod seen. Also present, mostly in the rocky hillside habitat, is the Euro or Common Wallaroo (Macropus robustus). Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufous syn. Megaliea rufa) is typically an arid adapted species which are close to the southern edge of their range in Whyalla Conservation Park.
Much of the smaller mammalian fauna of the semi-arid zone has been decimated since European settlement. However, small carnivorous marsupials still occur quite widely and at least one species is known to occur in Whyalla Conservation Park. The Fat-tailed (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), Stripe-faced (Sminthopsis macroura) and Common Dunnart (Sminthopsis murina) occur either within or just outside the Park.
Other species present include several species of Bat.
(Please note all bird names are as per Blakers et al., 1984)
Whyalla Conservation Park has a typically semi-arid assemblage of birds. There are a variety of habitats as outlined previously.
Species typical to this Parks open woodland habitat are Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Brown Falcon (Falco berigora), Blue Bonnet (Northiella haematogaster), Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis), Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens), Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), Thick-billed Grasswren (Amytornis textilis),White-winged Fairy-wren (Malurus leucopterus), Redthroat (Sericornis brunneus), Rufous Calamanthus (Sericornis campestris), Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis), Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus) and Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides).
There is a small dam on the central southern boundary, which sometimes holds water for extended periods. This attracts small numbers of waterbirds eg Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae).
To date over 80 species of birds have been recorded. For full details, see a complete bird list in THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY OF THE WHYALLA CONSERVATION PARK, which will be published separately.
Most of the reptiles found in the Park are also found in the surrounding area. The Park is an important refuge for reptiles.
Control of rabbits in the Park should provide and enhance reptile habitat. Frequent Park visitation and monitoring by the Friends of the Whyalla Conservation Park should discourage illegal collecting.
While 29 species of reptiles and amphibians have now been identified in the Park, species commonly found include the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps), Western Brown Snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis), Sleepy Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa), Gidgee Skink (Egernia stokesii) and the Striped Skink (Ctenotus robustus).
Two species of frog, the Spotted Grass Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) and a species of Neobatrachus have been found in the Park. Both of these were located at the dam after heavy summer rain.
The Australian Heritage Commission has recognised the Park as part of an area which is an Australian "centre of distribution of ant species". To date no detailed investigation of invertebrates in the Park has occurred.
The present pest plants in the Park were introduced and spread with the advent of sheep grazing. Attempts to eradicate those that were noxious to sheep and detrimental to wool quality, particularly Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), were concentrated around the dam on the southern boundary of the paddock. Rubbish dumping has also introduced pest plants into the Park.
There are a significant number of pest plant species in the Park which have been introduced since grazing began. There are two pest plant species that are considered environmentally significant These are African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) and Wards weed. (Kraehenbuehl in Walton, 1992).
In some areas of the Park, the impact of pest animals such as rabbits is obvious. The impact of carnivores such as foxes and cats has not been assessed but has almost certainly affected the small mammal and lizard populations.
Rabbits
These are the Conservation Park's biggest pest animal problem. They damage established plants and seedlings and cause erosion. They also may attract foxes and cats.
Foxes
Foxes have been found in nearby areas but not in large numbers. Their numbers will need to be monitored as numbers could build up in good seasons.
Cats
There have been four sightings of cats in the Park, including one set of kittens and female which were dumped in the Park. Cats may be coming into the Park more regularly either as feral animals or as domestic animals from nearby Tregalana Park. Their presence needs to be monitored.
Sheep
A few sheep (Ovis aries) have been found in the Park. They are not a serious problem as long as fences are kept in good repair and the sheep are removed as soon as they are found.
Mice
House Mice (Mus musculus) have been found in the Park. Unless in plague numbers, they should not pose a significant problem.
Starlings
Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) have been seen in the Conservation Park occasionally. As starlings spread disease and parasites as well as take over nesting sites, they are a potential problem which needs to be monitored.