Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

2 Flora2.1 MethodsIn 2010 at total of 34 permanent flora quadrats (20m x 20m) were surveyed (see Figure2-1), comprising 33 quadrats sampled in 2009 plus a new quadrat in 2010. The newquadrat was located within RWEP Area D bringing the total number of permanent floraquadrats in Area D to two. The new quadrat in Area D was added at the request ofLachlan Crawford of Wambo Coal Pty Ltd.The following parameters were collected in accordance with Table 8 of the Wambo CoalFlora and Fauna Management Plan:• Flora species diversity;» Total number of flora species;» Number and percent of native flora species; and» Number and percent of introduced flora species.• Flora species abundance (modified Braun-Blanquet 1-6 (Braun-Blanquet 1982)); and• Vegetation height of each vegetation layer in metres.Specimens of plant species which could not be identified within the field were collectedand identified according to nomenclature in Harden (1992, 1993, 2000 & 2002).Figure 2-1 shows the location of the 2010 flora plots.During the 2010 flora surveys, five flora plots (V1-A1, V1-A2, V1-B1, V1-B2 & V1-B3)were moved from within the channel of Wollombi Brook to the banks of the Brook as perthe recommendation in the 2009 report.2.1.1 Limitations of Flora SurveyNot all flora species occurring throughout the year are likely to be detected during asurvey undertaken once during the year. For example cryptic orchids flower within certainseasons and cannot be detected at other times of the year. Also, vegetation structure andcover abundance was estimated visually and as a result there are likely varied levels ofobserver bias.2010 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Draft Report, January 2011 Page 4