RYDE FLORA and FAUNA STUDY 2007 - City of Ryde - NSW ...

3.3 Vegetation Survey Methods
Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd
Ryde Flora and Fauna Survey 2007 18
The flora study entailed:
1. a general survey of the plant species in each reserve
2. quadrat based survey of particular bushland areas in each reserve (using 7
stage Braun-Blanquet technique).
Initially, the reserves were explored to compile lists of local native plants and non-
local native/exotic plant species and to assess the vegetation communities. A draft
report Native Plants of the Ryde District: The Conservation Significance of Ryde’s
Bushland Plants (Kubiak, 2005) was used as a baseline species list on which to base
observation in this study. Native Species Checklists for Parramatta River, Terrys
Creek, Kittys Creek and Buffalo Creek Catchments and two quadrats from the Field
of Mars Reserve are in Appendix 1. This list has been added to as new observations
have been made during the survey. A Checklist of exotic and non-local native plants
for those catchments was also compiled (Appendix 2). Species nomenclature follows
The Flora of NSW (Harden, G (Ed.), 1990-1993).
Vegetation communities were determined by assessing colour aerial photographs
supplied by Council and then ground-truthed. Geology and soil types were also
determined. It was stipulated by Council that the methods used for this biodiversity
survey were to be the same as used by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
(NSW). The model for this survey was taken from Tozer (2003). Quadrats were to be
400 m 2 (0.04ha) in area and were placed in areas of highest diversity of local native
plants. In order to assess abundance a Braun-Blanquet scale was used. While this
method involves a subjective or qualitative description, it also provides for a
quantitative or measurable documentation for comparison of plant community
characteristics, especially species richness. Therefore, an inventory of plant species
and approximate species numbers was completed for each quadrat then each species
was assigned a Braun-Blanquet Cover Class. For assessment of tree cover the Specht
Vegetation Structure (Table 6.1 (Specht) in Recher, Lunney & Dunn, 1986) is used.
Finally, species contained in the quadrats were compared to species listed in the map
units described by Tozer (2003) for classification purposes. Tozer lists the number of
native plants and the number of positive diagnostic native species required to reach a
95% confidence interval in order to fulfill the map unit classification. This
information is provided in the individual quadrat descriptions (See Appendix 3).
The seven point Braun Blanquet Cover Class score (from Tozer, 2003) was assigned
as follows (Table 2):
Table 2
Braun Blanquet Cover Class Scores
Braun Blanquet
Cover Abundance
Cover Class
1 Rare, few individuals (three or less) and cover