These list is a compilation of resources, many available freely online, that we have found useful in our property research, design and management process. More resources will be added as appropriate.

Environmental Planning Resources for the Fleurieu Peninsula
One Page Place Assessment, Yarnauwi Farm, 2014
A Place Assessment for Yarnauwi, Second Valley, based on the model developed by Brad Lancaster. Lists climatic, landscape and ecological details for use in designing property plans.

Observe and Interact: Strategies for Learning the Landscape, Yarnauwi Farm, 2015
Developed originally as a handout for a property tour for the Southern Fleurieu Permaculture Group, this article outline practical strategies for learning a landscape to inform property planning. This version also includes an updated One Page Place Assessment.

Bioregions of South Australia, Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, no date
Map and summary of the bioregions of South Australia. Bioregional mapping is a method of identifying and classifying landscapes according to their unique biological, climatic and geographical characteristics. Incidentally, the southern Fleurieu Peninsula is part of the Kanmantoo Bioregion (follow the link for more detailed information about some of the unique characteristics of the bioregion, as well as a compilation of iconic and vulnerable plant and animal species for the region).

Biomes of South Australia, Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, no date
Map and summary of South Australia’s ecological communities, also known as biomes, within which the bioregions are nested. The Fleurieu Peninsula is part of South Australia’s extensive coastal ‘Mediterranean’ biome. Incidentally, these resources are listed as part of Natural Resources’ extensive collection of educational resources that also includes a range of outstanding printable plant and animal guides, amongst other things.

Southern Fleurieu Peninsula Salinity Management Plan, Rural Solutions SA, 2002
Mapping and data pertaining to ground and surface water salinity and geology of the Southern Fleurieu.

Surface Water Assessment for the Southern Fleurieu Region, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, 2007
Mapping and data relating to the surface water, topography, geology, rainfall and evaporation rate of the Southern Fleurieu.

Southern Fleurieu Groundwater Assessment, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, 2006
Mapping and data relating to the hydrogeology of the Southern Fleurieu, including current status and dependent ecosystems.

Mammals of the Fleurieu Peninsula, Department for Environment and Heritage, 2004
Mammals documented and confirmed by surveys conducted in Deep Creek Conservation Park throughout the 1970s-80s.

Reptiles of the Lower Fleurieu Peninsula, Department for Environment and Heritage, 2004
Reptiles documented on the Fleurieu, confirmed by surveys conducted in Deep Creek Conservation Park throughout the 1970s-80s.

A Biological Survey of the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges, Department for Environment and Heritage, 2003
Comprehensive survey of the status of plants and animals in the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges, including status of vulnerable species. Note that the link above will take you to the Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources Regional Surveys page which contains surveys for regions across South Australia.

Kalamunda, Springs Road and Congeratinga Native Forest Reserves Management Plan, Forestry SA, 2006
This Management Plan for three Native Forest Reserves in the southwestern Fleurieu is especially useful as a source for vegetation lists for common plant associations of the region, as well as animals sighted in the reserves.

HillsRain
HillsRain is a dedicated meteorology website for the Mount Lofty Ranges. In addition to climate observations, it also provides explanations of climatic patterns and phenomena in the Ranges, as well as a collection of photographic imagery.

What Seed Is That?, Neville Bonney, 2003
Neville Bonney’s self-published “guide to the identification, collection, germination and establishment of native plant species for central southern Australian landscapes”, has been absolutely indispensable. It’s illustrations and descriptions are detailed, and the information on seed gathering and propagation clear, and in our experience, highly successful.

Mangroves to Mallee: The Complete Guide to the Vegetation of Temperate South Australia, Todd Berkinshaw, 2009
Todd Berkinshaw’s lavishly illustrated field guide to South Australian plant associations has been another essential resource, often consulted in conjunction with Bonney’s What Seed Is That? Mangroves to Mallee offers both detailed descriptions and plant listings for an almost obscene number of plant communities, then, if that wasn’t enough, spends another 150-or-so pages providing individual descriptions and photographs of common native plant species and bushland weeds of South Australia. When determining the pre-colonial ecosystem of our property, we found this volume useful in comparing a number of the likely plant communities. We would look at commonly-occurring species between different possible communities, then cross-check them again with other research and their regional occurrences to develop a picture of what species may have been present.

Rainwater Management and Erosion Control
Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Brad Lancaster, 2006
We’ve gushed elsewhere on this blog about Brad Lancaster’s work. His three volume set Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond is really an essential addition to the library of anyone who is interested in thinking about increasing a landscape’s water retention abilities, and to use accessible strategies and materials to heal landscapes affected by erosion. Some of the strategies described in detail in Brad’s books are also introduced in the online resources listed below.

Erosion Control Field Guide, Craig Sponholtz & Avery C. Anderson, 2010
This guide together with the resources listed below are our primary references for thinking about patterns of water flow and erosion on our property and designing appropriate, lo-fi interventions to restore the landscape. While Sponholtz and Zeedyk write primarily from the desert southwest of the USA, many of their principles are applicable in South Australia (and beyond).

Let the Water do the Work, Bill Zeedyk & Van Clothier, 2009

Dryland Stream Restoration Methods, Structures and Examples, Craig Sponholtz, 2010

An Introduction to Erosion Control, Bill Zeedyk & Jan-Willem Jansens, 2009

An Introduction to Induced Meandering: A Method for Restoring Stability to Incised Stream Channels, Bill Zeedyk, 2009

Saving Soil: A Landholder’s Guide to Preventing and Repairing Soil Erosion, Stephanie Alt, Abigail Jenkins & Rebecca Lines-Kelly (NSW Department of Primary Industries), 2009
A comprehensive overview of common erosion patterns combined with a range of mechanical, chemical and biological suggestions for addressing them.