Expert boots on the ground. Defensible data in your hands.
When a project requires a flora survey, fauna survey or environmental impact assessment, the quality of that work determines everything that follows. Poorly executed surveys miss species, underestimate habitat value and produce reports that don't stand up to regulatory scrutiny. Trace Ecology's terrestrial ecology team produces surveys that are thorough, scientifically defensible and built to get your project through the approvals process — first time.
Our team of experienced botanists, zoologists and ecologists operates across the full breadth of Western Australia and the Northern Territory — from the biodiverse Kwongan heathlands of the southwest and the Jarrah and Wandoo woodlands of the wheatbelt, to the spinifex grasslands and mulga woodlands of the Pilbara and Goldfields, and the savanna landscapes of the Kimberley and NT. We understand WA's unique flora and fauna at a bioregional level — including the threatened species, ecological communities and vegetation complexes that trigger regulatory requirements under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA).
Our botanical surveys assess vegetation communities, flora composition, condition and diversity across project areas. We identify and map native vegetation, threatened ecological communities and declared rare flora using current DBCA methodology, producing survey reports that meet the requirements of the EPA, DWER and EPBC referral processes. We also conduct targeted rare flora surveys, weed surveys, vegetation condition assessments and flora monitoring programmes for ongoing environmental management.
Our fauna surveys cover the full spectrum of terrestrial vertebrate and invertebrate fauna — mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. We deploy a range of survey methods including Elliott and cage trapping, track stations, spotlighting, acoustic bat monitoring, passive acoustic recording, pitfall trapping and targeted searches for threatened species. Our targeted species work includes black cockatoo habitat assessments for all three threatened species present in WA — Carnaby's, Baudin's and the Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo — which are among the most common EPBC triggers for development and infrastructure projects in the southwest. We also conduct Greater Bilby surveys across the Pilbara, Goldfields and arid regions of WA, where bilby populations remain a significant consideration for mining and exploration approvals. Our surveys are designed to the requirements of the relevant regulatory framework and produce data that is statistically robust and fit for purpose.
For urban and peri-urban projects, our certified arborists and environmental scientists conduct tree risk assessments — evaluating individual trees and stands for health, structural integrity and risk to people and infrastructure. These assessments inform development planning, vegetation management and council compliance requirements.
We also prepare environmental impact assessments that integrate our terrestrial survey data with project design information to evaluate impacts and recommend mitigation and management measures. Our EIAs are structured to meet the requirements of the EPA, local government and the EPBC Act, and are written to support development applications and planning approvals.
Trace Ecology is a division of Trace Enterprises — Perth's only fully integrated heritage, environmental and planning consultancy.
Terrestrial Surveys & Assessments Index
Every flora and fauna survey starts with the right ecologist.
Whether you need a flora survey, fauna survey, black cockatoo habitat assessment or full EIA, Trace Ecology is ready to help. Talk to our team today — no obligation.