Lewis Island (South Australia): Difference between revisions
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==Flora and fauna== |
==Flora and fauna== |
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==Terrestrial plants== |
===Terrestrial plants=== |
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As of 1996, the island was dominated by a [[shrubland]] of [[Marsh Saltbush]] on its deeper soil. It also supported at least 19 other species including [[Apium prostratum|Sea Celery]], [[Carpobrotus rossii|Karkalla]], [[Tecticornia australasica|Grey Samphire]], [[Australian Hollyhock]], [[Myoporum insulare|Native Juniper]], [[Pelargonium australe|Austral Stork's Bill]] and Pointed Twinleaf. Disturbance of the island’s surface by [[guano]] [[mining]] was suggested as the opportunity for [[weed]]s, particularly the [[Lycium|African Box Thorn]], to spread onto the island.<ref name= page240-241/> |
As of 1996, the island was dominated by a [[shrubland]] of [[Marsh Saltbush]] on its deeper soil. It also supported at least 19 other species including [[Apium prostratum|Sea Celery]], [[Carpobrotus rossii|Karkalla]], [[Tecticornia australasica|Grey Samphire]], [[Australian Hollyhock]], [[Myoporum insulare|Native Juniper]], [[Pelargonium australe|Austral Stork's Bill]] and Pointed Twinleaf. Disturbance of the island’s surface by [[guano]] [[mining]] was suggested as the opportunity for [[weed]]s, particularly the [[Lycium|African Box Thorn]], to spread onto the island.<ref name= page240-241/> |
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==Terrestrial animals== |
===Terrestrial animals=== |
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As of 1996, a breeding colony of [[White-faced Storm Petrel]]s was present on the higher southern section of the island. Also, the presence of ‘relatively high number’ of [[Silver Gull]]s and [[Pacific Gull]]s also suggested the possibility of the island being a breeding site for these species. [[Black-faced Shag]]s were also observed roosting at the island’s water line. Reptiles are represented by [[Marbled Gecko]]s, [[Four-toed Earless Skink]]s and [[Egernia|Bull Skink]].<ref name= page240-241/> As of 2013, the island is reported as being a breeding site for [[Flesh-footed Shearwater]]s.<ref name= page3>{{cite web|last= Goldsworthy |first= S.D. |title= Assessment of the status of the Flesh-footed Shearwater in South Australia: population status, subspecies status and foraging ecology. Final Report to Nature Foundation SA (SARDI Publication No. F2013/000013-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 736)|url= http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/214543/NFSA_Shearwater_Report_-_FINAL.pdf |publisher= South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences)|accessdate=6 April 2014|coauthors= Lavers, J., Carey, M. and Lowther, A.D.|pages=3|year=2013}}</ref> |
As of 1996, a breeding colony of [[White-faced Storm Petrel]]s was present on the higher southern section of the island. Also, the presence of ‘relatively high number’ of [[Silver Gull]]s and [[Pacific Gull]]s also suggested the possibility of the island being a breeding site for these species. [[Black-faced Shag]]s were also observed roosting at the island’s water line. Reptiles are represented by [[Marbled Gecko]]s, [[Four-toed Earless Skink]]s and [[Egernia|Bull Skink]].<ref name= page240-241/> As of 2013, the island is reported as being a breeding site for [[Flesh-footed Shearwater]]s.<ref name= page3>{{cite web|last= Goldsworthy |first= S.D. |title= Assessment of the status of the Flesh-footed Shearwater in South Australia: population status, subspecies status and foraging ecology. Final Report to Nature Foundation SA (SARDI Publication No. F2013/000013-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 736)|url= http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/214543/NFSA_Shearwater_Report_-_FINAL.pdf |publisher= South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences)|accessdate=6 April 2014|coauthors= Lavers, J., Carey, M. and Lowther, A.D.|pages=3|year=2013}}</ref> |
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==Marine animals== |
===Marine animals=== |
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As of 1996, observations of burrows immediately below the island’s calcarenite capping suggests that it may have supported a colony of [[Little Penguin]]s.<ref name= page240-241/> |
As of 1996, observations of burrows immediately below the island’s calcarenite capping suggests that it may have supported a colony of [[Little Penguin]]s.<ref name= page240-241/> |
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Revision as of 23:09, 7 April 2014
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Standort | Spencer Gulf |
| Administration | |
Australien | |
Lewis Island is an island located in Spencer Gulf off the east coast of Jussieu Peninsula on Eyre Peninsula in South Australia approximately 29 km (18 mi) south-east of Port Lincoln. It was named by Matthew Flinders in memory of George Lewis who was one of the eight crew lost from a cutter that capsized sometime after being launched from the HM Sloop Investigator to search for water on 21 February 1802. Since 2004, the island has been part of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area.
Description
Lewis Island is located approximately 29 km (18 mi) south-east of Port Lincoln, 926 m (3,038 ft) south of Little Island and 2.8 km (1.7 mi) north of Smith Island. The island has a maximum height of 44 m (144 ft) above sea level. Access is possible by boat on the island’s north east coast during calm weather subject to tidal conditions, particularly in the channel separating it from Little Island.[1][2]
Formation, geology and oceanography
Lewis Island was formed about 8400 years ago when sea levels rose at the start of the Holocene.[3] The island’s structure consists of granite outcrop finished with a capping of calcarenite. Unlike the neighbouring islands, the island’s cap finishes in a peak at its southern end rather in lieu of a flat plateau.[2] The island rises from the seabed at 30 m (98 ft) over a distance of within 100 m (330 ft) on its west, south and east faces.[1]
Flora and fauna
Terrestrial plants
As of 1996, the island was dominated by a shrubland of Marsh Saltbush on its deeper soil. It also supported at least 19 other species including Sea Celery, Karkalla, Grey Samphire, Australian Hollyhock, Native Juniper, Austral Stork's Bill and Pointed Twinleaf. Disturbance of the island’s surface by guano mining was suggested as the opportunity for weeds, particularly the African Box Thorn, to spread onto the island.[2]
Terrestrial animals
As of 1996, a breeding colony of White-faced Storm Petrels was present on the higher southern section of the island. Also, the presence of ‘relatively high number’ of Silver Gulls and Pacific Gulls also suggested the possibility of the island being a breeding site for these species. Black-faced Shags were also observed roosting at the island’s water line. Reptiles are represented by Marbled Geckos, Four-toed Earless Skinks and Bull Skink.[2] As of 2013, the island is reported as being a breeding site for Flesh-footed Shearwaters.[4]
Marine animals
As of 1996, observations of burrows immediately below the island’s calcarenite capping suggests that it may have supported a colony of Little Penguins.[2]
History
The island was one of several first sighted by Europeans on Saturday, 20 February 1802, from HMS Investigator whilst under the command of Matthew Flinders entered what is now Spencer Gulf. [5]
Flinders named the island on Wednesday, 24 February 1802, in memory of George Lewis who lost his life, presumably drowned, along with seven other members of the crew on Sunday 21 February 1802 when one of the HMS Investigator’s cutters capsized near Cape Catastrophe.[6][7]
Economic activity
Gauno
Lewis Island is one of the island sites from which guano was mined under licence from the South Australian Government prior to 1919.[8]
Protected areas status
Since 30 September 2004, Lewis Island has been part of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area. Previously, it had been part of the Lincoln National Park.[9] It originally obtained protected area status as a fauna reserve under the former Fauna Conservation Act 1964 in 1965.[10] As of December 2012, the waters surrounding the island are in the Thorny Passage Marine Park.[11]
References
- ^ a b Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service Hydrographic Department, (1983). Port Lincoln and approaches (chart no. Aus 134).
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ a b c d e Robinson, A. C. (1996). "South Australia's offshore islands" (PDF). Australian Heritage Commission. pp. 240–241. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Robinson, A. C. (1996). "South Australia's offshore islands" (PDF). Australian Heritage Commission. p. 11. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Goldsworthy, S.D. (2013). "Assessment of the status of the Flesh-footed Shearwater in South Australia: population status, subspecies status and foraging ecology. Final Report to Nature Foundation SA (SARDI Publication No. F2013/000013-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 736)" (PDF). South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences). p. 3. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Flinders, Matthew (1966) [1814]. A Voyage to Terra Australis : undertaken for the purpose of completing the discovery of that vast country, and prosecuted in the years 1801, 1802, and 1803 in His Majesty's ship the Investigator, and subsequently in the armed vessel Porpoise and Cumberland Schooner; with an account of the shipwreck of the Porpoise, arrival of the Cumberland at Mauritius, and imprisonment of the commander during six years and a half in that island (Facsimile ed.). Adelaide; Facsimile reprint of: London : G. and W. Nicol, 1814 ed. In two volumes, with an Atlas (3 volumes): Libraries Board of South Australia. p. 228. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ Flinders, Matthew (1966) [1814]. A Voyage to Terra Australis : undertaken for the purpose of completing the discovery of that vast country, and prosecuted in the years 1801, 1802, and 1803 in His Majesty's ship the Investigator, and subsequently in the armed vessel Porpoise and Cumberland Schooner; with an account of the shipwreck of the Porpoise, arrival of the Cumberland at Mauritius, and imprisonment of the commander during six years and a half in that island (Facsimile ed.). Adelaide; Facsimile reprint of: London : G. and W. Nicol, 1814 ed. In two volumes, with an Atlas (3 volumes): Libraries Board of South Australia. p. 232. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "An historic tablet; The Flinders inscription discovered". Chronicle. 26 April 1924. p. 53. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
- ^ Robinson, A. C. (1996). "South Australia's offshore islands" (PDF). Australian Heritage Commission. p. 134. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area Management Plan,". Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources. 2005. p. 1. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ Robinson, A. C. (1996). "South Australia's offshore islands" (PDF). Australian Heritage Commission. p. 140. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Thorny Passage Marine Park Management Plan 2012" (PDF). Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources. 2012. pp. 27/31. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
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