Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

however, most showed minor fluctuations;• In 2010 most quadrats recorded minor fluctuation in the percentage composition ofintroduced species;• Across the five years of sampling the average change in the percentage compositionof introduced species was:» Between minus eight and plus five percent per quadrat; and» Between minus three and plus one percent per vegetation community.• The River Oak / Rough-barked Apple Forest community recorded the most variableintroduced species composition over the five years.2.2.4 Introduced Species Abundance• Appendix C (Table 1) lists the introduced species recorded in 2010 and the numberof quadrats in which they were recorded;• A total of 47 introduced species were recorded in 2010;• The total number of introduced species recorded each year has ranged from 40 to 59species;• Senecio madagascariensis* (Fireweed) was the most frequently recorded introducedspecies in 2010, occurring in 27 quadrats;• Opuntia stricta var. stricta* (Prickly Pear) and Anagallis arvensis* (Scarlet Pimpernel)were recorded at 20 and 16 sites respectively in 2010;» Prickly Pear was observed at moderate densities in grassland areas in thewestern portion of RWEP area A. All individuals were less than half a metre inheight and were scattered (rather than occurring in dense stands);• All other introduced species in 2010 were recorded at less than eight sites and mostwere recorded at less than four sites;• Forty five introduced species recorded during the previous four years were notrecorded during 2010;• Fireweed, Prickly Pear and Scarlet Pimpernel were the most abundant introducedspecies during all years of sampling.2.2.5 Vegetation Heights• The 2010 vegetation height data (plus previous years) is shown in Appendix D;• Canopy height ranges recorded in 2010 were typically higher than those recorded in2009;• Most quadrats in 2010 recorded an increase in the height ranges of the first midstorey(the higher of two mid-storey layers when two are present);• Most quadrats in 2010 recorded the same height ranges for the second mid-storey(above the ground cover layer) as recorded in 2009;• Almost all quadrats in 2010 recorded the same lower strata (ground cover) heightranges as those recorded in 2009;2010 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Draft Report, January 2011 Page 8