Permanent sample sites

As the site is preparing for revegetation activities, permanent monitoring sites could not be established as it would interfere with the machinery required for revegetation. To minimise the impact of this, GPS coordinates were recorded for each star picket location at every sample site. These coordinates and the photos taken at each picket will be used to establish permanent monitoring sites during the next data collection period (likely less than 12 months after baseline collection). By this time, revegetation activities will have concluded, and star pickets will not interfere with the ongoing maintenance activities. 

Sample sites were placed 30 metres from edges, rather than the 50 metres specified in the method, due to a misinterpretation of the method’s requirements. The impact of this difference is expected to be minor. Sites closer to tracks and edges can experience greater weed incursion and reduced growth from environmental factors such as prevailing winds. However, the site has good connectivity and is surrounded by intact vegetation, which is likely to limit these effects.

Reference Benchmarks

There were limitations in the availability of Reference Condition Benchmark data. The composition benchmark data that is advised for use in the Method for Environmental Accounts in NSW, does not provide the complete data set required for the composition indicators in the Method. The missing indicators include: 

• Tree canopy height (m) 

• Sub-canopy height (m) 

• Sub-canopy cover (%) 

Where data was lacking, composition data was taken at the vegetation class level instead of the PCT level.  Expert opinion was also utilised for each PCT to provide appropriate benchmark scores for the missing indicators.  

Impacts to the calculation and accuracy of the Econd should remain minor. The use of vegetation class data will reduce the accuracy of some of the specific composition indicators for each of the PCTs benchmarked. However, using vegetation classes as a guide provides a good estimate. Importantly, seeking and using expert opinion to provide accurate reference benchmark measurements for the missing indicators ensures the benchmarks are as accurate as can be practically expected.