Distribution and Abundance of Emus Dromaius novaehollandiae in Relation to the Environment in the South Australian Pastoral Zone

Abstract

The distribution and abundance of Emus in the South Australian pastoral zone between 1978 and 1989 was determined by winter aerial surveys. The average number of Emu groups present ranged from a low of 0.02 km^-2 in 1983 to 0.08 km^-2 in 1980, 1981 and 1988. Between 1984 and 1989, average size of these groups was found to range from 2.22 to 4.55 Emus. Although the distribution varied from year to year, Emu density was generally highest in the north- east of the pastoral zone and lowest in the more arid north-west. The northeast of the pastoral zone is a relatively productive area, containing a mixture of land systems, particularly 'run-on' areas. The low open woodlands and tall shrublands of the northwest and south of the pastoral zone supported low densities of Emus. Areas of high Emu density were generally dominated by more intensive sheep grazing, by fans and/or hills, by red duplex soils, and by low shrublands of predominantly bluebush. Rainfall during summer and autumn was considered an important determinant of Emu density, with this period being important in terms of egg production.