Woodside 22 sep2015(2)

What is Bushland Condition Monitoring?

A standardized method to measure

1. Health / Condition / State of bushland2. 10 indicators – covering main aspects of health3. 30m x 30m quadrat4. Permanent point for measuring changes in

condition over time What does it comprise?

5. A manual in 3 volumes2. SABAT database (South Australian Biodiversity Assessment Tool)

3. 1650 + sites to date across SA (NatureMaps)

http://spatialwebapps.environment.sa.

gov.au/naturemaps/?viewer=naturemaps

Nature Maps

What is Bushland Condition?

Diversity? – species, lifeforms, structure Functional?

self-sustaining / regenerating providing habitat “services”

Under Threat? - degrading influences – weeds, grazing, feral animals

Healthy plants? or Stressed? Position in Landscape? – shape, size connectivity

What are the BCM Indicators? (Volume 1)(order in the manual)

1. Plant Species Diversity2. Weed Abundance and Threat3. Structural Diversity (A. Ground cover, B. Native life forms)4. Regeneration5. Tree and Shrub Health (dieback, lerp, mistletoe)6. Tree Habitat Features (habitat value, hollows, logs)7. Feral Animals8. Total Grazing Pressure9. Fauna Species Diversity10. Bushland Degradation Risk

What are the BCM Indicators? (Volume 1)Conceptual Groups

Core Attributes1. Plant Species Diversity3. Structural Diversity (A. ground cover, B. native life forms)4. Regeneration9. Fauna Species Diversity

Key Threats2. Weed Abundance and Threat8. Total Grazing Pressure7. Feral Animals

Overstorey Health5. Tree and Shrub Health (dieback, lerp, mistletoe)

Overstorey Habitat Values6. Tree Habitat Features (habitat value, hollows, logs)

Landscape Attributes10. Bushland Degradation Risk

How does it work?

• 30m x 30m quadrat - uses a quadrat to be representative of a patch

• 10 Indicators – actually 10-15 “calculated things” (Vol. 1) - converts raw data indicator scores via simple calculations (Vol. 1)

• Benchmarks - compares indicator scores against benchmarks, specific for different vegetation types in each region (Vol. 3)

• Condition Classes - Assigns condition states from Very Poor ( )– Excellent ( ), on the basis of this ☆ ☆☆☆☆☆comparison

• Raw Observations – very useful in their own right

Uses 30m x 30m quadrat to be REPRESENTATIVE of a patch

But any patch usually comprises areas of

1. Dominant Condition2. Better Condition3. Worse Condition4. Edges

So need to make a decision about which area/s to set up in

Which leads us back to considering the PURPOSE of the monitoring site

Representivity

A bushland patch

PURPOSE OF MONITORING3 main reasons for monitoring

1. Performance Monitoring (P)Looking to see a change due to change in management (weeding, fencing, grazing control)

2. Resource Condition Monitoring (R)Looking for an unbiased sample (SNAPSHOT) of condition across a defined area / vegetation type (random patch selection)

3. Community Engagement (E)Looking to engage / educate landholders with the ecological and biodiversity value of their bushland patches

REPRESENTIVITY and PURPOSEin selecting Site Location

• Performance monitoringo quadrat to represent the area that

will hopefully improve with change in management

o area that is most likely to show a change

o a section in worse condition (but not too degraded?)

• Resource Condition Monitoringo quadrat to be representative of

most vegetation in the patcho in section of dominant condition

for the patch (might be good or bad)

Site Selection MetadataWhichever is chosen (Dominant, Better, Worse) RECORD which it is and why it was chosen

• Community Engagemento want to show vegetation in its

best / most interesting lighto in area of better condition

for the patch

Site Selection Metadata

REPRESENTIVITY CONFIDENCE• How far can I extrapolate these findings?

• Different management on neighbouring properties?• Ecological gradients – soil, aspect, slope, exposure, etc.

Representivity Metadata• Using aerial photography + SA vegetation mapping• Draw or digitise representivity confidence polygons

(High, Moderate, Low) for the area around the quadrat • Or assign representivity confidence (High, Moderate,

Low) to nearby patches

Monitoring TimingTIMING• 5 years

– Recommended maximum interval between assessments

– For Long term trends

• Yearly– Optimal but not necessary– Yearly, medium and long term trends

• Twice a year – For the enthusiast with lots of time

and money– Spring = maximum biomass and

diversity– Autumn = minumum biomass and

diversity– Seasonal, yearly, medium and long

term trends

• However - Re-assessments need to be made in **equivalent seasons to be comparable

• Spring Spring• Autumn Autumn

What are Benchmark Communities? (Volume 3)• 10-15 benchmark vegetation communities for each NRM

region

• Basically pre-European (best example) (non-derived)

• Summarise many specific vegetation associations under a smaller number of main types, which share similar characteristics in terms of structure, soils, rainfall, understorey species, and expected indicator scores

• Volume 3 – communities described, in terms of geography, soils, rainfall, species, vegetation structure, and benchmarks for the 10 indicators - e.g. of benchmark table

2. Forests and Woodlands with an Open sclerophyll Shrub Understorey – Benchmark

ScoresIndicator Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent1. Species Diversity < 6 6 - 12 13 - 20 21 - 30 31+2. Weed Abundance & Threat

> 28 19 - 28 13 - 18 8 - 12 < 8

3. Structural Diversity A - Ground Cover

< 0 0 1 - 2 3 4

3. Structural Diversity B – Plant Life Forms

< 6 6 - 8 9 - 13 14 - 18 19+

4. Regeneration – Trees 0 1 2 3 4+4. Regeneration Trees & Woody Shrubs

0 1 2 - 3 4 - 5 6+

5. Tree Health – Dieback < –4 -4 to –1.1 -1.0 to 0.9 1 to 2.5 > 2.5 5. Tree Health - Lerp -4 to -1.6 -1.5 to 0.4 0.5 to 1.9 2 to 3 > 3 5. Tree Health - Mistletoe < -3 -3 to –2.1 -2 to –0.6 -0.5 to 0.4 > 0.56. Tree Habitat Score 0 - 1 2 - 3 4 - 6 7 - 8 9 - 106. Tree Hollow Score 0 1 2 - 4 5 - 6 7+6. Fallen Trees and Logs 0 1 2 3 4+7. Feral Animal Abundance

> 7 5.1 - 7 2.1 - 5 1.1 - 2 0 - 1

7. Feral Animal Frequency

< -22 -22 to -16 -15 to –11 -10 to –5 -4 to 0

8. Total Grazing Pressure < -17 -17 to –10 -9 to -5 -4 to -1 0

The 10 Indicators – Methods and Scoring

• What is measured and how?• How is the indicator score calculated?• How is the condition class assigned?

Indicator 1. Plant Species Diversity

METHOD• All plant species - record all plant species inside

quadrat, including weeds (use later)• Overhanging plants – included• Dead Plants - include dead plants if still attached

by roots• Mistletoe - don’t forget• Moss and Lichen species – not included

Indicator 1. Plant Species DiversityMethod

• Start - start with obvious overstorey and understorey species

• Microbotany - on your knees in a corner get your eye in for ground level / small understorey spp.

• Searching - make sure cover all quadrat - walk around the edges of quadrat in circular direction then come back to centre

• Plant Refuges - Check bases of trees, shrubs and rocks

• Working Names - Use for species you don’t know “small, fuzzy lanceloate opposite leaves”

• Collect / Photograph specimens - Indicate collected plants with © - press for future reference

• collect a bit of everything (unless v. few)

• Taxanomic uncertainty – write “?” before genus or species name to show not sure e.g. ?*Trifolium sp., e.g. Austrostipa ?nodosa

Indicator 1. Plant Species DiversityMethod

• Weeds - write “*” in front of plant name to indicate is weed e.g. *Plantago lanceolataNot sure if weed? write (U) next to name / working name. Note: If (U) is abundant, need to estimate % cover as an individual species for possible inclusion in other indicators

• In addition, while searching quadrat for species - take note of the most abundant weeds, plus regeneration and grazing of native species (for later)

Note: When you get more experienced, you will want to make your observations for all indicators as you go around the first time 1. saves time 2. reduces impact on quadrat

Will still need more than one “lap” 5-10+ “laps” is still pretty typical

Is hard to keep memory of all corners of the quadrat at the same time

Indicator 1. Species Diversity

Indicator Score Calclulation

• Add up the number of native species

Deriving a Condition Rating

• Compare the score against the benchmarks in the tables

• Spring species count multiply benchmarks x 20%

Some vegetation types are expected to have more species than others• E.g. Good condition for samphire

= 5 species vs heathy forest (24) • E.g. Good condition in Heathy

forest in Autumn = 24 species (Spring = 29)

Indicator 2a. Weed Abundance and Threat

Indicator combines abundance and threat/invasiveness into a single score

Method• “5 most abundant”- decide which are 5 most

abundant inside quadrat (abundance = % projective cover)

• Estimate % cover (projective cover = shade caused by a light shining from directly above, as a proportion of the whole quadrat)

• Include dead plants if they are still attached to ground (e.g. annual grasses, dried up herbs – i.e. not litter yet).

Coming up

Indicator 2a. Weed Abundance and Threat

Calculating the Indictor Score

• Cover Ratings – convert % cover for each species to a cover rating (1-6) using table

• Weed Threat Ratings – find the weed threat rating for each species using the table

• Individual Species Score = cover rating x threat rating

• Site Score = sum for the 5 species

Deriving the corresponding Condition Rating • Compare – against the

benchmarks in the table• Assign – a condition class from

Very Poor ( ) to Excellent (☆ ☆☆☆ )☆☆

Notes• some vegetation communities

considered more susceptible and/or resilient to weeds than others

• e.g. SMLR 1 Heathy Woodlands: 9 = Good (not too weedy), while for SMLR 8 Samphire: 9 = Poor (really weedy for Samphire)

Indicator 2b. Red Alert Weeds

Method

• Red Alert Weeds = threat rating 3, 4, or 5

• Record presence/absence (not abundance)• in quadrat• in surrounding bushland patch• elsewhere on property

• Remember to keep an eye out as you drive around property and walk to the monitoring site

Calculating Indicator Score

• Score for Quadrat = number of species

• Score for Patch = number of species (including quadrat)

• Score for Property = number of species (including patch and quadrat)

• Not benchmarked (any high threat weeds are bad – none is good)

Indicator recognises that high threat weeds are highly significant even if currently low abundance (or not in quadrat)

Structural Diversity A – Ground Cover

Stablility and protection of the soil

Looks at all possible components of ground cover – but the relative contribution of each component can vary significantly even among healthy examples of the same vegetation type

Therefore the only consistent aspect of soil health that applies consistently across the board is the amount of “truly bare ground” and so this is what the indicator uses


Method

• Estimate % cover of ground cover components Native Weed Litter Rock Moss, lichen, microphytic crust Bare Ground

• Imagine the mosaic – after quadrat sawn off with a chainsaw at shoe-sole height

• So… this means• Trees and shrubs = only cross-

section of stems• Hanging foliage = only if resting on

the ground• Moss and lichen - on rocks as well

as soil (record amount on each)• Overlap – there may be some

overlap • because hard to tell layers apart• real overlap e.g. litter on moss,

foliage on weed• carpet / lino analogy• accounting for overlap - add up

the total and see if you can account for the overlap


• Truly Bare Ground = only component for calculating the score

• learn to distinguish microphytic crust from bare ground (the “tap tap” test)

• Highly organic soil crumbly “humus” will be considered “litter” where it is obviously derived from litter decomposition


Calculating the Score

• Sum % cover of all non-bare components

• Cover Rating non-bare components - convert total non-bare % cover to a cover rating using the table

• Cover Rating of Bare Ground - convert % cover of bare ground to cover rating using the table

• Site Score = add the sum of non-bare and bare ratings together

Deriving a Condition Rating

• Compare Site Score – against the benchmarks using the tables

• Assign a Condition Class - from Very Very Poor (☆) to Excellent ( )☆☆☆☆☆

Notes

• E.g. Coastal dune communities are expected to have higher bare ground than sclerophyll forests and woodlands

Indicator 3. Structural Diversity B – Native Life-forms

Indicator recongnises importance of diversity of native life-forms in providing habitat for both plant and animal species

Habitat diversity is maximised by a higher number of life-forms and by a higher % cover in each life-form present

Indicator 3. Structural Diversity B – Native Life-forms

METHOD• Estimate % cover - in each life-form

category (Volume 1)• Cover Ratings – convert % cover to

cover ratings for each layer using the table

NOTES• Group native species – in each layer• Dead Plants – include dead plants if

still attached• Flower Heads – included in height• Current Life-form – not what it may

grow into• “Tussocks” = sedges, rushes and

similar forms - non-grass, perennial, mostly stiff blades – Juncus, Gahnia, Dianella, Schoenus spp.

• Woody Herbs – counted as herbs e.g. Vittadinia spp.

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE

• Site Score = sum of cover ratings

ASSIGNING A CONDITION CLASS

• Compare – the score against the benchmarks for the vegetation community and assign a condition rating Very Poor ( ) to Excellent (☆ ) ☆☆☆☆☆

NOTES• Some plant communities are expected

to have greater diversity of life-forms than others

• E.g. Samphire: 8 = Good• Heathy Forest: 8 = Poor

Indicator4. Regeneration

This indicator recognises vegetation needs to be self-sustaining in terms of recruitment

Epsisodic recruitment events aside (e.g. flood / fire), most systems have a background rate of recruitment of trees and shrubs that is characteristic of the vegetation type

(at least over medium to long term time scales)

Indicator uses tree and woody shrub species only more conservative / practical measure

Indicator4. Regeneration

METHOD

• Count Seedlings and Juveniles - inside the quadrat for each native tree shrub species

• Count Adults – for each species with seedlings or juveniles

• Count Number of height classes - for each native tree and shrub species (e.g. S, J, A: young adult, mature adult, old adult, senescent adult)

NOTES• Definition of Seedling - Eucalypts: < 1mOther tree species: <0.5m Shrubs: <10cm (use judgement)• Definition of Juvenile – smaller than

adult + yet to flower or fruit• Very numerous ? estimate

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Site Score = number of native tree and

shrub species with either a seedling or juvenile present

• Seedling Abundance – assign rating using table and sum for site

• Juvenile Abundance – as above

ASSIGNING A CONDITION CLASS• Compare – the score against the

benchmarks for the vegetation community and assign a condition rating from Very Poor ( ) to Excellent (☆ ☆☆☆☆

) ☆NOTES• May need several re-assessments for

accurate picture

Indicator 5. Tree and Shrub Health

Uses the dominant overstorey layer (tree or shrub) as an indicator of system stress levels

And recognises the overstorey’s dominant role in affecting the “micro-environment” of the understorey

Signs of physiological stress in the canopies:

DiebackLerpMistletoe

Indicator 5. Tree and Shrub HealthMETHOD• Tree Map - map the 10 nearest trees

to the corner post• Inside or Outside Quadrat? both• Measure distance - bearing - species -

number of trunks – girth at breast height (GBH) (1.35m)

NOTES• Which trees? – native, adult, from

species comprising the dominant overstorey layer (tallest layer with >5% cover)

• doesn’t have to be currently in upper stratum, as long as is adult

• Alive or Dead (as long as still attached by roots)

• Dead, snapped off trees - don’t measure if no trunk at 1.35m (breast height)

NOTES• 1 tree or 2 trees? – “if trunks touch

above ground = 1 tree”

Indicator 5. Tree and Shrub Health – 1. DiebackMETHOD• Estimate %Dieback for each of the 10

trees• Apply dieback rating to each tree

using the table and diagrams

Dieback • = % of canopy missing/dead due to ill

health• View from all sides – to estimate

dieback• Look for healthy trees nearby• From the tips (not density) imagine

branches have leaves all the way to ends

• Lower branches – don’t count loss of leaves on lowest branches

• Epicormic leaves - do count as dieback

• Long Dead Branches? Judgement call - dieback or possibly storm damage


• Site Score = sum of individual dieback ratings 10


• Compare – the score against the benchmarks for the vegetation community and assign a condition rating from Very Poor ( ) to Excellent (☆ ☆☆☆☆

) ☆

NOTES• Do different communities expect

different levels of dieback?• •

Indicator 5. Tree and Shrub Health – 2. Lerp DamageMETHOD• Estimate % of leaves with Lerp

Damage for each of the 10 trees• Assign Lerp Damage Rating to each

tree using the table and diagrams

Lerp Damage

• Datum = % of leaves with signs of significant lerp damage (>10% of individual leaf area?)

• Difficult to distinguish – Lerp may be difficult to distinguish from other forms of attack estimate total % of leaves with damage from any source.

• Use binoculars – and extrapolate from a representative clump

• Check upper branches – older leaves on lower branches have more accumulated damage


• Site Score = sum of individual lerp ratings 10


• Compare – the score against the benchmarks for the vegetation community and assign a condition rating from Very Poor ( ) to Excellent (☆ ☆☆☆

) ☆☆

NOTES• Different species are more or less

susceptible to lerp

Indicator 5. Tree and Shrub Health – 3. Mistletoe

METHOD• Count the number of mistletoe on

each of the 10 trees• Assign a Mistletoe Rating to each tree

using the table

Mistletoe

• Alive or Dead? Count alive only• Difficult to distinguish – Mistletoe

mimic their host• Use binoculars


• Site Score = sum of mistletoe ratings for the ten trees ÷ 10

DERIVING A CONDITION CLASS

• Compare – the score against the benchmarks for the vegetation community and assign a condition rating from Very Poor ( ) to Excellent (☆ ☆☆☆☆

) ☆

NOTES• Species susceptibility – some species

are more susceptible to mistletoe

Indicator 6. Tree Habitat Value A. Tree Habitat Value

Recognises the importance of tree size, canopy health, tree hollows and fallen trees and logs, in providing food, protection and a variety of niches

No equivalent measures for shrub habitat

Indicator 6. Tree Habitat Value A. Tree Habitat Value3 MEASURESA. Tree Habitat ValueB. Tree HollowsC. Fallen Trees and Logs

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Individual Tree Score = size

category rating + canopy health rating + hollows rating

• Site Score = number of trees with score >5

DERIVING A CONDITION CLASS• Compare – the score against the

benchmarks for the vegetation community and assign a condition rating from Very Poor ( ) to ☆Excellent ( ) ☆☆☆☆☆

NOTESDifferent size ratings for mallee vs. non-mallee eucalypts

A. Tree Habitat Value

METHOD

• Measure the Girth- at breast height (1.35m)- multistems? – measure largest- assign a size rating from the table

• Assign a Canopy Health Rating – - using the %dieback estimations already done

• Hollows - search for hollows and assign a hollow rating to each tree using the table

Indicator 6. Tree Habitat Value B. Tree Hollows3 MEASURESA. Tree Habitat ValueB. Tree HollowsC. Fallen Trees and Logs

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Site Score = number of trees with a

hollow


benchmarks for the vegetation community and assign a condition rating from Very Poor ( ) to Excellent ☆( ) ☆☆☆☆☆

NOTESHollows near ground less likely to be used – use judgement

B. Tree Hollows

Rule of thumb – a hollow is useful if you could fit your whole thumb

Fissures and Bark – if relatively stable / permanent

METHOD

Record presence / absence of any hollows in each of the 10 trees

Indicator 6. Tree Habitat Value C. Fallen Trees and Logs3 MEASURESA. Tree Habitat ValueB. Tree HollowsC. Fallen Trees and Logs

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Site Score = number of logs in the

quadrat



NOTES• Minimum size criteria - Is the same

minumum size reasonable for mallee as for woodland species?

C. Fallen Trees and Logs

• Full weight resting on ground and dead

• Minimum size: 10 cm wide at widest point

• 1 log or 2? – judgement call - if obviously detached from a larger limb, count separately

• Weed species – include

METHOD

Record number of logs inside the quadrat

Indicator 7. Feral Animal Abundance

Recognises that vegetation is unlikely to be providing sustainable habitat for many native animal species if there are foxes or cats

Recognises that regeneration of many native plant species is likely to be low if rabbits, sheep, goats, or deer are present in the area

Indicator 7. Feral Animal Abundance

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Site Score = number of signs / ha



NOTES• Where signs are very numerous, record

no more than 1 sign per 10m2 approx.

METHOD

Record number of signs inside a 50m radius of the centre of quadrat

• Vertebrates only - include introduced birds (compete with native birds)

• Main signs - dung, scratchings, dens / burrows, live animal

• Stock animals – include sheep, goats, deer etc. if not mandated

• Kangaroos / Koalas – make a note, but record separately

Indicator 8. Grazing Pressure

Recognises grazing pressure in the understorey as a significant impact on the regenerative capacity of bushland

Grazing by any vertebrate species (native, stock, feral)

Grazing on all native species (not weeds) (including all native life-forms)

Indicator 8. Grazing Pressure

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Individual Species Score = sum of

grazing ratings for that species• Site Score = sum of grazing ratings for

all native species



NOTES• Palatability – useful information can

also be obtained using information on palatability of species, where known

3 Grazing Intensities - Light (L) - Heavy (H) - Severe (S)

METHOD

Record number of plants (or % of plant population ) grazed at each level of intensity (L,H,S) for each native species

Assign a grazing rating – to each instance of grazing using the table

• Native Species – all native species including herbs / non woody species

• Total population size – record / estimate this for the calculations

• Who is grazing? – doesn’t matter whether native or introduced grazer

• Koala / Cocky grazing on upper canopy – not included

Indicator 9. Fauna Species Diversity

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Score = number of speciesDERIVING A CONDITION CLASS• Not benchmarked

NOTES

• This information is important to relate vegetation condition with habitat function

• These will become official opportune records - BCM data integrated with BDBSA and ALA

• Not benchmarked• Cumulative

METHOD

• Record observations of native animal species

• Vertebrate species only• Collect - notes, photos, dung, and

other traces

NOTES• Important to collect: date, time,

weather, location, behaviour

Indicator 10. Bushland Degradation Risk

CALCULATING THE INDICATOR SCORE• Site Score = sum of ratings for A, B, C

and D


benchmarks (common to all benchmark communities) and assign a condition rating from Very Poor to Excellent

NOTES

METHOD

Record information on A. Size and Nature of Remnant B. Shape of RemnantC. Surrounding Land UseD. Remnancy in Environmental

Association

Assign a ratings to these using the tables

A. Size and Nature – desktop• Boundary fences – patches end

at boundary fencesB. Shape – desktopC. Land Use – field and desktopD. Remnancy – Nature Maps

• Near edge of EA – use average

Visual % cover Estimation

• Projective Cover = area of shade caused by a light shining from directly above, as a proportion of the whole quadrat

• 2 (or more) -step process – involves estimating Extent and Density and then multiplying them together and then adding up sub-areas

• % Extent = the fraction of the quadrat covered by the sum of polygons around the perimeters of canopies

• % Density = the fraction of shade produced by the leaves and branches within a typical plant canopy polygon

• % cover = ∑ %Extent x %Density (repeat for any number of sub-areas in the quadrat then add them up)

Method for “Extent”• Tetris - imagine stacking polygons of

canopies into a corner, tetris-style, without compression

• Standard Corners – use diagrams of standard corners of different fractions of a 30m x 30m quadrat to decide which corner they would fit into

• Standard Area Diagrams – use diagrams of standard areas 5%, 25%, 50% and 75% to estimate the cover of canopies without “compression”

Method for “Density”• Look up (or down) through the

canopy and estimate the fraction of shade made by the leaves under a light shining directly from above (or what fraction blue sky, looking up) .

• Revise and Cross-check against other components etc. until you’re happy

Stepwise estimation

> or < 50% ?

> or < 75% ?

> or < 90% ?

> or < 95% ?

> or < 25% ?

> or < 5% ?

> or < 1% ?

Cover Diagrams

Estimating Cover – Pushing into a Corner

30 m x 30 m square

1%

5% 10%

25%

50%

3m

3m

7m

7m

10m

10m

30 m

30 m

3 m x 3 m square in a 30 m x 30 m square

0.1%

0.5%

1m 2m

3m

1%

3m

2m

1m

30 cm

30 cm

.01%

Cover Calculation Matrix0% 1% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100%1% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 15% 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5

10% 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 1015% 0 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 1520% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2025% 0 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 23 24 2530% 0 2 3 5 6 8 9 11 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 23 24 26 27 29 3035% 0 2 4 5 7 9 11 12 14 16 18 19 21 23 25 26 28 30 32 33 3540% 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 4045% 0 2 5 7 9 11 14 16 18 20 23 25 27 29 32 34 36 38 41 43 4550% 1 3 5 8 10 13 15 18 20 23 25 28 30 33 35 38 40 43 45 48 5055% 1 3 6 8 11 14 17 19 22 25 28 30 33 36 39 41 44 47 50 52 5560% 1 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 6065% 1 3 7 10 13 16 20 23 26 29 33 36 39 42 46 49 52 55 59 62 6570% 1 4 7 11 14 18 21 25 28 32 35 39 42 46 49 53 56 60 63 67 7075% 1 4 8 11 15 19 23 26 30 34 38 41 45 49 53 56 60 64 68 71 7580% 1 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 8085% 1 4 9 13 17 21 26 30 34 38 43 47 51 55 60 64 68 72 77 81 8590% 1 5 9 14 18 23 27 32 36 41 45 50 54 59 63 68 72 77 81 86 9095% 1 5 10 14 19 24 29 33 38 43 48 52 57 62 67 71 76 81 86 90 95

100% 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

Perc

ent o

f Qua

drat

Cov

ered

by

Cano

pies

Percent of Canopies covered by leaves and branches

E.G. Estimating Canopy CoverQuadrat Covered by Canopies Outlines461 m2

461 m2 / 900 m2 = 51%

Canopies Covered by Leaves and Branches45%

• Overall Cover• 45% x 51%• = 23% = ‘sparse’

Quadrat = 900 m2

Step 0 – Assigning a Benchmark Vegetation Community

Notes

Current vegetation association – may be significantly different to the pre-European state

Pre-European or other target ? – pre-European may not always be the most desirable, or practical target for management

Method

• Current Formation - is it significantly modified or relatively unmodified

• Understorey – is it significantly modified or relatively unmodified

• Volume 3 – use the decision tree and chapter descriptions to determine which one is appropriate

2. Forests and Woodlands with an Open sclerophyll Shrub Understorey – Benchmark

ScoresIndicator Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent1. Species Diversity < 6 6 - 12 13 - 20 21 - 30 31+2. Weed Abundance & Threat

> 28 19 - 28 13 - 18 8 - 12 < 8

3. Structural Diversity A - Ground Cover

< 0 0 1 - 2 3 4

3. Structural Diversity B – Plant Life Forms

< 6 6 - 8 9 - 13 14 - 18 19+

4. Regeneration – Trees 0 1 2 3 4+4. Regeneration Trees & Woody Shrubs

0 1 2 - 3 4 - 5 6+

5. Tree Health – Dieback < –4 -4 to –1.1 -1.0 to 0.9 1 to 2.5 > 2.5 5. Tree Health - Lerp -4 to -1.6 -1.5 to 0.4 0.5 to 1.9 2 to 3 > 3 5. Tree Health - Mistletoe < -3 -3 to –2.1 -2 to –0.6 -0.5 to 0.4 > 0.56. Tree Habitat Score 0 - 1 2 - 3 4 - 6 7 - 8 9 - 106. Tree Hollow Score 0 1 2 - 4 5 - 6 7+6. Fallen Trees and Logs 0 1 2 3 4+7. Feral Animal Abundance

> 7 5.1 - 7 2.1 - 5 1.1 - 2 0 - 1

7. Feral Animal Frequency

< -22 -22 to -16 -15 to –11 -10 to –5 -4 to 0

8. Total Grazing Pressure < -17 -17 to –10 -9 to -5 -4 to -1 0

Site Establishment

Equipment

2 Star Droppers aerial photo 3 x 60m tapes camera compass binoculars Dressmakers measuring tape

First Steps (? last steps)

select site for quadrat permanently mark and

photograph describe the bushland

patch

1 - Setting upQuadratSize 30m x 30m any configuration of 900m2

Orientation

NSEW is standard corner post (star dropper) – one of northern corners (photo considerations) photo post (star dropper) – 10 m from corner looking into middle of quadrat (45o

to one side)

Location Representative Non-edge

RecordingNon-standard set-up is permissible, all details being carefully recorded

Site Naming Conventione.g. B U R – M C K B – B – 2

• Part 1 _ _ _ = 1st 3 letters of nearest town or gazzetted locality (e.g. Burra)

• Part 2 _ _ _ _ = 1st 3 letters of landowner’s surname + landowner’s first initial (Brian McKeough)

• Part 3 _ = letter A, B, C… assigned to each separate patch of bushland on a property (2nd patch with a monitoring site on this property)

• Part 4 _ = number 1, 2, 3… assigned to each successive quadrat set up in a patch (2nd quadrat set up in this patch)

• Roadside: Part 2 _ _ _ _ = 1st 4 letters of road name

• Reserves: Part 2 _ _ _ _ = 1st 2 letters of reserve name + initials of park status e.g. CP

Step 2 – Setting up Photopoints

METHOD• Set up quadrat with a view to a good

photo• Camera-post = cnr stake• Sighter post = 10m @ 45o (or other

good sightline)• Record distance and bearing, height

of camera / camera post and sighter post

• Photo - focus and centre on the site-board

• Quadrat edges – also take photos down edges to show orientation of quadrat for re-assessments

• Re-assessments - similar time of day = similar light conditions.

Step 3 - Bushland Description

Describing the patch / sub-patch

= the area of which the quadrat is a representative sample

1. Vegetation Structure2. Landscape Description3. Disturbance History

A bushland patch

3 - Bushland Description

A. Vegetation StructureSouth Australian Vegetation Classification System structural formation

Uses:1. Life form of the tallest layer (e.g.

tree, shrub)2. Ave. height of the tallest layer3. % Cover of the tallest layer

METHODDominant stratum - identify the tallest layer with cover 5%Average Height – estimate the ave. ht of plants that belong to this stratum% cover – estimate the average % projective cover in the patch / sub-patch

Determining the structural formationUsing the combination of 1, 2, and 3 and the table, assign the patch a vegetation formation

Notes• Average % cover in patch maybe

different to % cover in quadrat• weeds may comprise part of the

dominant stratum• Benchmark Community – current

formation may not correspond to assigned Benchmark Community due to disturbance

Vegetation Formations in South Australia

LIFE FORM/ HEIGHT CLASS

PROJECTIVE FOLIAGE COVER OF TALLEST STRATUM Dense (70 – 100%) Mid-dense (30 – 70%) Sparse (10 – 30%) Very Sparse (<10%)

Trees > 30m Tall closed forest Tall open forest Tall woodland Tall open woodland Trees 10 – 30m Closed forest Open forest Woodland Open woodland Trees 5 – 10m Low closed forest Low open forest Low woodland Low open woodland Trees <5m Very low closed forest Very low open forest Very low woodland Very low open woodland Mallee > 3m Closed mallee Mallee Open mallee Very open mallee Mallee < 3m Closed low mallee Low mallee Open low mallee Very open low mallee Shrubs > 2m Tall closed shrubland Tall shrubland Tall open shrubland Tall very open shrubland Shrubs 1 – 2m Closed shrubland Shrubland Open shrubland Very open shrubland Shrubs < 1m Low closed shrubland Low shrubland Low open shrubland Low very open shrubland Grasses Closed grassland Grassland Open grassland Very open grassland Sedges Closed sedgeland Sedgeland Open sedgeland Very open sedgeland

Cover Calculation Matrix0% 1% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100%1% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 15% 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5

10% 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 1015% 0 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 1520% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2025% 0 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 23 24 2530% 0 2 3 5 6 8 9 11 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 23 24 26 27 29 3035% 0 2 4 5 7 9 11 12 14 16 18 19 21 23 25 26 28 30 32 33 3540% 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 4045% 0 2 5 7 9 11 14 16 18 20 23 25 27 29 32 34 36 38 41 43 4550% 1 3 5 8 10 13 15 18 20 23 25 28 30 33 35 38 40 43 45 48 5055% 1 3 6 8 11 14 17 19 22 25 28 30 33 36 39 41 44 47 50 52 5560% 1 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 6065% 1 3 7 10 13 16 20 23 26 29 33 36 39 42 46 49 52 55 59 62 6570% 1 4 7 11 14 18 21 25 28 32 35 39 42 46 49 53 56 60 63 67 7075% 1 4 8 11 15 19 23 26 30 34 38 41 45 49 53 56 60 64 68 71 7580% 1 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 8085% 1 4 9 13 17 21 26 30 34 38 43 47 51 55 60 64 68 72 77 81 8590% 1 5 9 14 18 23 27 32 36 41 45 50 54 59 63 68 72 77 81 86 9095% 1 5 10 14 19 24 29 33 38 43 48 52 57 62 67 71 76 81 86 90 95

100% 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

Perc

ent o

f Qua

drat

Cov

ered

by

Cano

pies

Percent of Canopies covered by leaves and branches

Part B: Landscape DescriptionSlope (circle any of the following in the Assessment Area)Relatively flat land, slope < 50 Moderately steep, slope 50– 200

Steep hillside, slope > 200 Landform (circle any in Assessment Area)

Flat/plain Valley bottom Ridge-top Hill slope Swamp

Creekline River Floodplain Sand dune Inter-dune Swale

Soil type (Tick one)

Mainly Sand Sandy-loam Mainly Loam Clay-loam Mainly Clay Other: Ironstone

(fine texture, water penetrates rapidly) (high moisture holding capacity)

Assessment Site Landscape (use the descriptive words

above to describe landscape for each assessment site)Assessment Site No. 1 On mod –steep slope in scrub, thin sandy

loam over ironstone ridge. Assessment Site No. 2 In Gully, mainly sandy loam with sparse

ironstone.

How does this assessment area vary from other areas of bush?

3. Bushland DescriptionB. Landscape Description

• Slope is the ground at head height = 20m away ? slope 5o

is the ground at head height = 5m away ? slope 20o

• Aspect = useful information (which direction would a ball roll ?)

• Soilois it sand, loam, clay, clay-loam ?owhat colour is it ? yellow, brown, red, grey, black ?oare there rocks ? are they outcropping-like ? or strew-like ?

3. Bushland DescriptionC. Disturbance History

• Past Land-use• Current Land Use• Fire History• Tree Clearance• Understorey Clearance

Woodside 22 sep2015(2)

Environment

Transcript of Woodside 22 sep2015(2)