Module 5 - VicForests

FOREST AUDIT PROGRAM TOOLBOX
Table A.1
Absolute Risk Rating Methodology
Slope and soil erosion hazard carries an inherent risk to the stability of soils within the
coupe. Steep slopes are more susceptible to erosion which could potentially affect
water quality and road networks. Soils with a high erosion hazard are more likely to
erode affecting potential for regeneration, water quality, stream flow and the road
network. Management procedures and controls are enhanced for sites with greater
slope or higher erosion potential.
Slope Risk (S)
Slope risk (S) values should be assigned as outlined in Table A.1.
Slope Risk Value by Class
Slope Class*
Slope Risk Value
27º 4
* An average of all slope values
Soil Erosion Hazard (SE)
The assessment of soil erosion hazard should be carried out on each coupe assessed
during the Module 5 field assessment.
The hazard assessment is the product of two processes; soil erodibility and soil
permeability. Reference should be made to the Soil Erosion Hazard and Soil
Permeability Assessment and Classification, Forest Management Branch Forests
Service, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, March 1999. The
assessment within this reference uses a categorical point score system to determine a
soil erosion classification of low, medium, high or very high.
The soil erosion hazard falls into the three classes: low, medium and high (including
very high). These are assigned a soil erosion risk (SE) value of 1, 2 and 3
respectively.
Table A.2
Soil Erosion Hazard
Soil Erosion Hazard
Soil Risk Value
Low 1
Medium 2
High 3
FOREST AUDIT PROGRAM – MODULE 2 AUDIT PROCESS
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