Appendix D Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity - Environment ...

Identification of Sensitive Habitat or Vegetation Types
In terms of conserving catchment-based ecological resilience a habitat or geographic place may be
considered ‘sensitive’ because it:
• Supports threatened taxa or communities;
• Serves important ecological or hydrological functions;
• Serves as an important corridor for the movement of individuals, range extension or genetic
exchange between otherwise disjunct populations;
• Provides habitat during times of vulnerability or adverse conditions (e.g. drought);
• Supports a concentration of a diverse range or abundance of species within a local area (i.e. a subcatchment);
• Supports a disjunction population or degree of genetic diversity for a species that is not well
represented elsewhere; or
• Serves as a representation of habitat in sound condition which is more often in adverse condition in
the catchment or bioregion.
In addition, the Northern Territory Land Clearing Guidelines (NRETAS 2010) includes riparian vegetation as
a significant or sensitive vegetation community that requires buffers. The minimum buffer width is dependent
on the hierarchy of stream order in the area targeted for clearing.
Assessment of “sensitive” habitat (particularly within the haul road corridor) places a particular focus on
tributaries, wetlands, vegetation types and landforms which may form particular refugia such as: riparian
vegetation, mangroves, monsoon forest, monsoon vine thicket and freshwater swamps, all rivers and
tributaries, likely habitat corridors and geological features which may support unique ecosystems such as
escarpments, gorges, gullies and springs. These areas may or may not be protected under legislation; but
they may be locally or regionally significant therefore warrant specific consideration and protection from
disturbance. These areas should be avoided altogether, buffered or recommended for specific management
actions to minimise adverse impact.
Client: Western Desert Resources Ltd Page 35 of 150
Doc No. DW120004-C0302-EIA-R-0036
Doc Title: Appendix D – Terrestrial Biodiversity Technical Report