Appendix D Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity - Environment ...

intact. In all cases vegetation survey sites were placed within representative patches of a vegetation type
discernible from the aerial imagery.
Sampling Intensity
A total of 107 flora sites were sampled and surveyed within the 36km 2 area, including 62 full characterisation
and 45 check sites were selected (refer to Figure 14). This sampling density meets the minimum of four
sites per km 2 as recommended by Brocklehurst et al. (2007) for mapping at 1:25,000.
Targeting Notable Species
A field list of regional species was used to suggest areas and species (e.g. rare, restricted range, data
deficient or threatened) requiring special attention. Species identification in the field was assisted with the
use of The Plants of Limmen National Park, an unpublished collation of keys, species descriptions and
species lists compiled by NRETAS.
Analysis & Compiling Vegetation Descriptions
Attributes for each vegetation type were compiled by averaging data from three reference sites (or two
reference sites for small or less common vegetation units) for each discerned type. Height and cover data
have been used to generate average abundance, height and frequency summaries for the description of
each vegetation type. Frequencies for all species in each vegetation type were calculated via a unique count
of each species per site (e.g. if a species is present in multiple strata it is counted at present within the site
only once), then per vegetation type.
Vegetation descriptions are composed of up to 5 species which are above 20% frequency in each of the
three strata. Species are listed in descending order or frequency with species that achieved a 100%
frequency listed first. However, using frequency data alone does not readily permit conveying that the
vegetation cover within a type may be dominated by a particular suite of species. To overcome this
limitation, where possible, species with high cover values are listed first if they occurred with several other
species that are also of the same frequency. For example if three species are consistently present within a
vegetation types they will ranked the same frequency. If one of these three species generally dominates the
cover and structure this species is placed first in the description to convey this dominance. Species which
were not dominant are listed by strata under other species.
All vegetation mapping was undertaken using ArcMap (version 10) Geographic Information System software
in GDA94 Zone 53.
2.2.3 Haul Road
Sampling Regime and Site Selection
On ground surveys, aided by GIS and remote sensing data, were undertaken to both determine the habitat
value of the targeted sensitive habitat types and provide information to help direct design and construction of
the road to minimise impacts on sensitive areas along the route. The survey area includes a 6km corridor
with the haul road route being the centreline (see Error! Reference source not found. to Error! Reference
source not found.). Vegetation assessment aimed to align with NVIS Level V in areas where sensitive
habitat was identified.
Key habitat types targeted for delineating included:
• Rocky ridges – Targeted rocky outcrops with large areas of exposed rock face, crevices and
gullies.
• Rivers/creeks/tributaries
o Major – Rivers and Creeks (Limmen River, Cox River, Nathan River, Rosie Creek, Pine
Creek, Bing Bong Creek)
o Minor – creeks/tributaries were mapped but not examined on the ground.
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Doc No. DW120004-C0302-EIA-R-0036
Doc Title: Appendix D – Terrestrial Biodiversity Technical Report