Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2013L00875
Timestamp: 2019-08-21 04:41:25
Document Index: 457346191

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 3', 'art 6', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3']

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation and Afforestation-1.1) Methodology Determination 2013
Details: F2013L00875
- F2013L00875
This determination sets out the detailed rules for implementing and monitoring offsets projects under the Carbon Farming Initiative that sequester carbon by establishing and maintaining trees that have the potential to attain a height of at least 2 metres and a crown cover of at least 20% on land that has previously been used for agricultural purposes in any part of Australia.
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation and Afforestation—1.1) Methodology Determination 2013 1
1.4 Type of project to which this Determination applies 14
2.4 Project mechanisms 15
3.2 Requirements for a stratum 17
3.3 Delineating stratum boundaries 18
3.4 Growth disturbances and revision of strata 19
3.5 Requirements for revisions of strata boundaries 21
5.9 Target probable limit of error – full inventory 30
5.11 Plot configuration 31
5.14 Plot visits during full inventory 32
5.31 Developing stratum specific functions 40
5.33 Regional functions 42
5.36 Assessing root biomass of biomass sample trees 45
5.37 Assessing biomass of entire biomass sample tree 46
5.38 Record keeping and reporting 46
5.40 Testing the applicability of allometric functions 47
6.5 General 56
6.30 Calculating biomass in dead standing trees within a plot 77
6.40 Calculating the dry weight of biomass components for biomass sample trees and test trees 86
6.41 Calculating the variance of weighted residuals for biomass sample trees and test trees 86
6.42 Calculating the F-test statistic 87
Subdivision 6.2.15 Data collection
6.43 Project emissions 89
6.44 Project removals 89
7.1 Application 90
7.2 Project monitoring 90
7.3 Records that must be kept 91
7.4 Stratum records 91
7.5 Project tree measures 91
7.6 Carbon stock calculations 91
7.8 Sampling plans 92
7.9 Quality assurance and control 92
7.10 Fuel use 92
7.13 Stratum description and status 93
7.14 Baseline land use history and forest cover history for strata 93
7.15 Quality assurance and control 94
7.16 General 94
7.17 Project information 94
7.19 Stratum description and status 95
7.20 Carbon stocks for stratum 95
7.21 Carbon stocks for plots 96
7.22 Basis of allometric function applied to a stratum 97
7.23 Application of allometric functions 97
7.26 Quality assurance and control 98
7.27 Fuel use 98
This Determination is the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation and Afforestation—1.1) Methodology Determination 2013.
allometric dataset means predictor measures and biomass measurements recorded from biomass sample trees which are used to develop an allometric function.
allometric function means a species-specific regression function fitted to a scatter of data-points that relate predictor measures collected through a non‑destructive measurement process to a measure of the weight of biomass within a project tree, and includes stratum specific and regional functions.
allometric report means a document that describes a project proponent’s approach to the development of allometric functions, including descriptions of allometric data, allometric domain, regression fitting processes and outcomes of checks against regression fit requirements.
biomass sample site means an area of land in which biomass sample plots are randomly located and biomass sample trees are randomly selected, for the purposes of developing a regional function.
branches means the hard, woody above-ground support elements of a tree that are connected to the stem, support the crown, and have a distinct, thick bark layer.
block plantings means discrete patches of project trees that have been established so the average minimum width is greater than 50 metres.
carbon dioxide equivalent means carbon dioxide mass equivalent, calculated by multiplying the mass of elemental carbon by .
carbon fraction means the proportion, by weight, of dry organic matter that is composed of carbon.
centroid option means a plot established so that the actual location coordinates are located at the centre of the plot.
consistent edge option means a plot established so that:
(a) the starting edge passes through the actual location coordinates and is aligned perpendicular to the orientation of the edges of a belt planting; and
(b) if a belt planting has:
(i) an east-west orientation, the plot is laid out toward the most westerly end of the belt planting; or
(ii) an orientation other than east-west, the plot is laid out toward the most southerly end of the belt planting;
(c) the plot extends across the full width of the belt planting.
constant position option means a plot established so that the actual location coordinates are located at the same relative position on the plots, for example, the most southern and eastern corner.
crown means non-woody, above-ground tree structures that include twigs, petioles, and leaves, and that are involved in photosynthesis or supporting photosynthetic structures.
crown radius, for a stratum, means:
(a) if an average expected radius of a fully mature project tree in the stratum can be reliably estimated—that radius; or
(b) otherwise—2 metres.
dead standing tree means a dead tree that shows no signs of having been affected by fire and which remains in an upright position.
dead standing fire affected tree means a dead tree that shows obvious signs of having been affected by fire and that remains in an upright position.
disturbance affected stratum means a stratum that has been subject to a growth disturbance event, other than fire—see section 3.4.
extant project forest means the area of land defined by a project proponent as being occupied by project trees at a specified point in time or during a specified reporting period.
fallen dead wood means dead woody stem and branch components that:
(b) are derived from a project tree; and
fire affected stratum means an area of project forest that has experienced a fire event and that has been dealt with in accordance with section 3.5.
(b) the vegetation on the land includes trees that:
Note This is one of the 2 measurement processes available to a project proponent to estimate carbon stocks within a stratum and involves the use of temporary sample plots and, optionally, permanent sample plots to estimate carbon stocks. The other process is PSP assessment.
infill planting is a planting, for the purpose of replacing project trees that have died or otherwise failed to establish, that occurs in a stratum within the period ending:
(a) 12 months from the first planting finish date for the stratum; or
(b) at the time of submission of the first offset report for the stratum;
Note The death or failure to establish of project trees is not defined as a disturbance event when infill planting is subsequently undertaken.
initial carbon stocks means the amount of carbon, expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, estimated to have been contained within the project forest biomass occurring within a stratum as at the declaration date.
lateral root means the woody material that extends laterally from a tree’s tap root or lignotuber, or both, and that forms part of a tree’s below-ground structure.
litter means dead, project-tree derived material which occurs at ground level and is less than 2.5 centimetres in diameter, and can include fallen leaves, twigs, bark and small woody stems in various stages of decomposition.
planting means the planting of seedlings or the sowing of seed derived from trees.
planting finish date means the date that planting activities were first completed within a stratum, being:
(a) the date when the last seedling was planted; or
(b) the date when the last seed was sown; or
(c) 180 days from the planting start date;
planting start date means the date that planting activities commenced within a stratum, being the date when the first seedling was planted or the first seed was sown.
planting window means the 180 day period of time beginning on the planting start date.
plot layout option means any of the following:
(a) centroid option;
(b) consistent edge option;
(c) constant position option.
project activity means an activity carried out within the project area as part of the establishment and management of project forest.
starting edge means, for a plot established within a belt planting, the first edge of the plot to be laid out on the ground.
stratum identifier means a unique numeric, alpha numeric, or text string that is used to refer to and identify a stratum in the project area.
tap root or lignotuber means a thickened, rigid and dense woody mass connected directly to a tree’s stem at ground level and extending downwards into the regolith, and with lateral roots extending from it.
(1) For at least 5 years before the project commencement, the project area must have included:
Note Under the Act a project declaration date cannot be earlier than 1 July 2010. Projects that have a project commencement before 1 July 2010 will have a project declaration date of 1 July 2010. A declaration date is the date on which the declaration of the project as an eligible offsets project under section 27 of the Act takes effect.
The project must establish and maintain a planting which is:
(3) New strata may be excised from existing strata, may replace existing strata or may cover land within the project area not previously included within stratum boundaries.
(4) The boundaries of a stratum must be defined in accordance with section 3.3, together with the stratum area for the stratum.
(5) The boundaries of a stratum may be redefined, subject to the requirements at section 3.5.
(6) If the boundaries of a stratum are varied, the new boundaries and the new area must be recorded.
3.2 Requirements for a stratum
(1) A stratum is made up of:
(a) an extant project forest area; and
(b) the area of land that lies within the crown radius of the extant project forest area specified in (a).
(2) The extant project forest area of a stratum must have been planted with one or more species of project trees within the planting window.
Note Project proponents may further define strata based on any of the following:
(1) A project proponent must delineate the boundaries of strata included within the project area by generating a set of spatial coordinates that define the geographic limits of the land area included within each stratum by:
(a) using one of the following methods, or a combination of them, to identify the limits of extant project forest area and stratum boundary:
(ii) using ortho‑rectified aerial imagery; and
(b) using a geographic information system to generate spatial data-files to identify the limits of extant project forest area and stratum boundary.
Use of ortho-rectified aerial imagery
(2) If ortho‑rectified aerial imagery is used:
(a) the relevant land area must be digitised from the imagery; and
(b) the imagery must meet the accuracy requirements specified in the CFI Mapping Guidelines; and
(3) The boundary of the extant project forest area of a stratum is the polygon that is the outer limit of the stems of the project trees that are included in the stratum.
Stratum boundary
(4) The stratum boundary of a stratum is the polygon that is the outer limit of land that lies within a crown radius of the extant project forest area of the stratum, other than:
(a) land that lies outside the project area;
(b) land that lies in the extant project forest area of another stratum;
(c) land that is non-project forest.
(5) If application of the stratum boundary would result in the mapped geographic limits of the stratum:
(a) overlapping the geographic limits of a second stratum—then the boundary must be equidistant between the two strata along the length of the area where the overlap would otherwise have occurred; or
(b) exceeding the geographic limits of the project area—then the boundary of the stratum boundary must be the limits of the project area.
3.4 Growth disturbances and revision of strata
Note Examples include floods, fires, droughts, pest attacks, diseases and natural disturbance that would be a significant reversal under the Regulations.
(3) If the growth disturbance affects an area of more than 10 hectares in a stratum, the project proponent must, before submitting the offsets report that relates to the time when the growth disturbance occurred, revise the affected stratum in accordance with this section.
(a) define a new stratum to include the growth disturbance affected area in accordance with this section; or
Revision of stratum affected by growth disturbance
(5) Subject to subsections 3.4(4) and 3.4(5), if the whole of the stratum is affected by the growth disturbance, the stratum is revised by creating a new stratum identifier and labelling the newly created stratum:
(6) If only a part of the stratum is affected by the growth disturbance, then the stratum is revised by excising that portion of the stratum affected by the growth disturbance and defining this area as a separate stratum which:
(a) complies with section 3.2; and
Requirements for disturbance affected stratum
(7) If a disturbance affected stratum is created, then for the purposes of calculating carbon stock changes and standard error for carbon stock change in accordance with Equations 3a and 3c, the initial carbon stocks and the standard error for initial carbon stocks must be assumed to be zero for the disturbance affected stratum.
Requirements for fire affected stratum
(8) If a fire affected stratum is created:
(c) for the purposes of calculating carbon stock changes and standard error for carbon stock change in accordance with Equations 3a and 3c, the carbon stocks and the standard error for initial carbon stocks must be assumed to be zero for the fire affected stratum.
3.5 Requirements for revisions of strata boundaries
(1) Subject to subsection (3), where a stratum or a stratum boundary is redefined, revised boundaries must comply with section 3.3.
(a) a full inventory must be conducted in accordance with Subdivision 5.1.2 within the revised stratum no earlier than 6 months before the submission of the next offsets report, which includes the revised stratum area;
(b) if a PSP assessment is intended to be referenced from within the stratum in a future offsets report, PSPs must be established across the revised stratum using the process specified in Subdivision 5.1.6.
(3) Where a stratum area is reduced to zero through redefining stratum boundaries in accordance with section 3.1 or 3.4, subsections (1) and (2) do not apply.
(a) if the non-project trees are prescribed weeds, they can be removed at any time during the life of the project; or
(b) if removal of the non-project trees is otherwise required by law, they can be removed as required under the relevant law; or
(c) if, at the time of commencement, non-project trees subject to removal:
(i) cover a total land area that represents less than 5% of the project area, as measured by crown cover;
(ii) do not meet the definition of native forest; and
Subject to section 4.1, one preparation burn may be applied to each stratum at commencement or between commencement and planting.
(2) The most recent map of the stratum and the most recent stratum area estimate generated in accordance with Part 3 must be used to conduct a full inventory.
(5) If the project proponent intends to conduct PSP assessment in the stratum and:
(a) an existing stratum specific function developed in accordance with section 5.31 may be applied; or
(11) The biomass estimates specified in subsections (6), (9) and (10) must be converted to estimates of carbon stocks within each plot by using Equations 12 to 22.
(b) the establishment of PSPs specified in subsection 5.2(5) or the PSP assessment specified in Subdivision 5.1.6 is conducted;
(b) hard- and soft-copy maps showing the geographic boundaries of the stratum;
(d) a description of the plots, including whether they are to be centroid, consistent edge or constant position;
(i) the ex ante estimate of the number of plots required to achieve a target probable limit of error for each time the estimate was calculated; and
(ii) the ex post analyses testing whether the target probable limit of error has been achieved for each time the analysis was calculated; and
(g) the number of grid intersections that occur wholly within the stratum boundary as specified in section 5.7;
(iii) seed numbers referenced by the pseudo random number generator when selecting biomass sample trees.
(e) hard-copy and soft-copy maps showing:
(2) In order to define the intended location coordinates for plots, a geographic information system must be applied to:
(a) establish a grid overlay on a recent map of the stratum boundary developed in accordance with Part 3; and
(b) specify selected points of intersection from the grid overlay specified in paragraph (a).
(i) a software-based pseudo random number generator must be used to generate a random angle value between 0 and 89 degrees; and
(f) when grid size and grid orientation are established as specified in paragraphs (b) and (e), one grid intersection must be aligned over an anchor point as specified in paragraph (g); and
(g) the anchor point referred to in paragraph (f) must be:
(i) spatially projected using the ‘Lamberts’ conformal conic projection referencing the GDA94 datum; and
(ii) defined as having either of the following coordinates:
(A) X = 1,277,100 metres, Y = -3,762,300 metres; or
(B) X = -1,666,331 metres, Y = -3,482,739 metres.
(9) Subject to subsection (10), the project proponent must select and record the plot layout option for each stratum.
(10) A project proponent must apply the plot layout option for a stratum according to the following requirements:
(a) for a stratum containing only block plantings, the proponent must use either the centroid option or constant position option.
(b) for a stratum containing block and belt plantings, the proponent must use:
(i) either the centroid option or the constant position option for the block plantings; and
(ii) the consistent edge option for belt plantings.
(c) for a stratum containing only belt plantings, the proponent must use the consistent edge option.
Note Subdivision 5.1.7 specifies the treatment of grid intersections and plot locations that fall close to stratum boundaries.
5.9 Target probable limit of error – full inventory
(a) a full inventory or PSP assessment previously conducted in the stratum or in other analogous strata; or
(b) a pilot inventory conducted within an analogous strata and in which at least 5 TSPs are established and assessed; or
(5) Data from TSPs assessed as part of a pilot inventory specified in paragraph (4)(b) must be used only for the purposes of Equations 29a and 29b and must not be further included in the calculation of carbon stocks.
5.11 Plot configuration
(1) Plots may be established in one of the following shapes:
(b) rectangular.
(2) Once the plot shape is selected, all plots in the stratum must be of the same shape.
(3) In the case where rectangular plots are established in strata:
(a) which are composed of block plantings; and
(b) in which project tree planting follows a consistent planting pattern;
the project proponent may orientate the direction of the plot sides so that the longest plot sides run approximately parallel to the direction of planting lines.
(4) The plot actual location must not be deliberately shifted from the intended location coordinate as a result of the process specified in subsection (3).
(a) the corners of a rectangular plot;
(3) The plot parts specified in subsection (2) must be marked in a way that allows for the identification of:
(a) a TSP and the project trees included within the TSP for at least 12 months from the completion of a full inventory assessment; and
(b) a PSP and the project trees included within the PSP for at least the first 5 years following the date of the establishment or most recent assessment of the PSP.
(4) The boundary markers for a PSP must be fire and flood resistant to allow for the identification of the PSP if a growth disturbance event occurs within 5 years from the establishment, or most recent assessment, of the PSP.
(4) Except where subsection 5.10(9) applies, the variation between the coordinates specified in subsection (3) must be no greater than 10 metres (the location tolerance).
Note Subsection 5.10(8) requires the project proponent to relocate a plot to the nearest safe point if establishing a plot at the intended location coordinates would constitute a serious safety risk.
(5) Except where subsection 5.10(9) applies, if the difference between the intended location coordinates and the actual location coordinates for a plot is greater than the location tolerance specified in subsection (4), then:
(c) the processes specified in subsections 5.10(7) to 5.10(10) and subsections (2) to (4) of this section must be repeated until the location tolerance specified in subsection (4) of this section is met, at which point data can be collected from the plot for the purposes of application to the calculations specified in Part 6.
(5) If the project proponent chooses to account for carbon contained in litter and fallen dead wood, the carbon must be assessed in accordance with sections 5.44 and 5.45.
(1) Where full inventory is conducted, a project proponent must calculate the probable limit of error for mean plot carbon stock for a stratum using Equation 28 to determine whether the target probable limit of error specified in section 5.9 has been achieved.
(2) The project proponent must use Equation 28 to calculate the probable limit of error in (1).
(3) If the target probable limit of error specified in subsection (1) is achieved, closing carbon stocks for the stratum are to be calculated using Equation 6a.
(1) This section applies if the intended location coordinates for a plot as determined in accordance with section 5.7 fall close to the boundary of a stratum.
(3) Plot markers for rectangular edge plots must be either:
(a) aligned with the limits of the stratum boundary; or
(b) placed at all corners of the plot.
(4) Circular edge plots must be marked in accordance with paragraph 5.13(2)(b).
(5) The plot area for an edge plot is taken to be equivalent to the target plot size as established in accordance with section 5.12.
(2) If the project proponent has elected to assess litter and fallen dead wood within the stratum, then the litter and fallen dead wood that occur both within the plot boundary and the stratum boundary must be assessed in accordance with the specified section:
(a) litter—section 5.44;
(3) Plot carbon stocks must be calculated using Equations 12a to18, where the plot area value (Ap) is equivalent to the target plot size as specified in subsection 5.21(5) and as documented in the sampling plan.
(3) Both above-ground and below-ground biomass components of the biomass sample trees specified in subsection (2) must have been sampled in accordance with Subdivision 5.1.10.
(4) An allometric function used as part of an offsets project to which this Determination applies must not assume a below-ground biomass fraction.
(b) the mean of the weighted residuals calculated at Equation 32b is not statistically significant from zero, as determined through applying a student t-test with two-tailed probability level of <0.05; and
Note The outcome of the calculation referred to in this section is required for the validation process that must be performed in accordance with Subdivision 5.1.12 and to ensure that the fit of the allometric function meets the minimum requirements described at section 5.27.
(a) unique identifier for the allometric function, being numeric, alpha-numeric or a text string;
(g) wet-weight for biomass components for all biomass sample trees assessed in order to develop the allometric function;
(h) sub-sample wet and dry weights and wet to dry weight ratios;
(i) estimates of error associated with measuring equipment used to measure wet-weight and dry-weight;
(m) the outcomes of checks against conditions specified in subsection 5.27(3);
(a) developing stratum specific functions, in accordance with section 5.31;
(b) updating pre-existing stratum specific functions, in accordance with section 5.32; and
(c) developing regional functions, in accordance with section 5.33.
(d) the project tree which corresponds to the integer generated at paragraph (c) must be selected as a biomass sample tree; and
(e) the steps described at paragraphs (c) and (d) must be repeated until the necessary number of biomass sample trees have been selected for the size class.
(4) For the purposes of subsection 5.31(7), at least 10 biomass sample trees, including the 2 trees selected at subsection 5.31(4), must be selected.
(5) The data collected from the biomass sample trees in accordance with subsections (3) to (4) must be combined with the allometric dataset used to develop the original stratum specific function.
(8) In the case where the minimum regression fit requirements specified in subsection 5.27(3) are not met, the project proponent may apply section 5.31 to develop a new stratum specific function by combining the dataset collected from the biomass sample trees assessed at subsections (3) to (4) with a minimum of at least a further 10 biomass sample trees assessed in accordance with section 5.31.
(d) the minimum target plot size is to be 5 square metres.
If a stratum specific function is validated in accordance with Subdivision 5.1.12 for a stratum outside the stratum from which the function was developed, then:
(2) For each biomass sample tree, measures of candidate predictor measures must be collected.
(d) dead material, including dead branches, dead stem and dead crown, attached to the biomass sample tree.
(7) Subject to subsection (13), the wet-weight of the sub-samples specified in subsection (6) must be recorded and documented in an allometric report as specified in section 5.29.
(a) the dry-weight of the sub-samples that have been oven-dried in accordance with subsection (8); or
5.36 Assessing root biomass of biomass sample trees
(1) A project proponent must undertake the processes specified in this section when assessing the below-ground biomass of a biomass sample tree.
(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (5), the roots of each individual biomass sample tree must be excavated by defining those parts of the root system that will be included in the sampling and measurement process.
(3) Roots that have a diameter of less than 2 millimetres must not be included in the processes specified in subsections (5) to (14), except where the roots are attached to larger root sections.
(4) A root system must be cleaned so that contamination from soil and any other contaminants is minimised.
(5) Once excavated and cleaned, the root system must be divided into its separate biomass components which must include at least:
(6) After completing the processes specified in subsection (5), the total wet weight for each of the separated below-ground biomass components must be recorded and documented in an allometric report as specified in section 5.29.
(7) Subject to subsection (14), for each biomass sample tree at least 3 representative sub-samples must be collected from each biomass component and weighed immediately after carrying out the requirement specified in subsection (6).
(8) Subject to subsection (14), the wet-weight of all sub-samples specified in subsection (7) must be recorded and documented in an allometric report.
(9) The following must be oven-dried to constant weight between 70 and 80 degrees Celsius:
(a) the sub-samples specified in subsection (7); or
(b) the biomass component as specified in subsection (14).
(10) The following must be recorded and documented in an allometric report as specified in section 5.29:
(a) the dry-weight of the sub-samples that have been oven-dried in accordance with subsection (9); or
(b) the dry weight of the biomass component as specified in subsection (14).
(11) The dry-wet weight ratio for each of the sub-samples specified in subsection (7), or the biomass component as specified in subsection (14), must be calculated by dividing dry weight by wet weight.
(12) The average of the dry-wet weight ratios specified in subsection (11) must be calculated.
(13) The dry weight of each below-ground biomass component of the biomass sample tree must be estimated using Equation 31 and applying the average of the dry-wet weight ratios as specified in subsection (12).
(14) As an alternative to the sub-samples specified in subsection (7), the entire biomass component may be used in the processes specified in subsections (8) to (11).
(a) of all measures collected as part of the processes specified in sections 5.35 to 5.36; and
(b) that demonstrate constant weight is achieved in accordance with subsections 5.35(8) and 5.36(9).
(4) If the project proponent considers that, over time, a set of live fire affected trees has returned to a state that is equivalent to a live tree, the project proponent may revert to using an allometric function developed for live trees in accordance with Subdivision 5.1.9, subject to subsection (5).
(a) seek to validate an alternative existing regional function by undertaking the process specified in this section; or
(1) If a project proponent chooses to assess the carbon stocks in litter, the project proponent must undertake the assessment process specified in this section.
(8) The dry-to-wet weight ratio of the sub-samples collected each day must be calculated by dividing the dry weight for each sub-sample by its wet weight.
(9) When the dry-to-wet weight ratio of each sub-sample has been calculated in accordance with subsection (8), the average of the ratios must be calculated.
(10) The average dry-to-wet weight ratio calculated in accordance with subsection (9) must be used to estimate the dry weight of the bulked samples collected on that day.
(1) If a project proponent chooses to assess the carbon stocks in fallen dead wood, the assessment process specified in this section must be undertaken.
(10) The dry-to-wet weight ratio of each sub-sample must be calculated by dividing the dry weight for a sub-sample by its wet weight.
(11) When the dry-to-wet weight ratio of each sub-sample has been calculated in accordance with subsection (10), the average of the ratios must be calculated.
(12) The average dry-to-wet weight ratio specified in subsection (11) must be used to estimate the dry weight of the fallen dead wood collected and weighed on the same day that the sub-samples specified in subsection (5) were collected.
A project proponent must calculate the emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) as a result of fire events in accordance with section 3.4 and Equations 26a to 27d.
(3) The data used in the calculations set out in Division 6.2 must comply with the data collection requirements set out in Subdivision 6.2.15.
Only the greenhouse gases set out in column 2 of the following table must be taken into account when making calculations under this Part in respect of the carbon sources and sinks specified in column 1.
Note Emissions from a preparation burn are excluded.
Above-ground and below-ground live project tree biomass (including fire affected).
Above-ground dead standing project tree biomass (including fire affected).
(a) a full inventory; or
(6) In addition to the circumstances specified in subsection (5), a full inventory must be conducted at the times specified in subsection 3.4(8) or 3.5(2).
Note Sections 3.4 and 3.5 deal with revisions of strata due to growth disturbances and other reasons.
(2) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a project is to be calculated for a reporting period using the following formula:
= net abatement amount for a project for a reporting period ( ), in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e).
= a generic reference to a reporting period, which is applied interchangeably to refer to reporting periods referencing full inventory ( ), or PSP assessment ( ) events within a stratum.
= carbon stock change for a project for a reporting period ( ) in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equation 2a.
= project emissions for reporting period in tonnes of CO2‑e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equation 23a.
(2) The size of the 90% confidence interval for the net abatement amount for a project is to be calculated for a reporting period ( ) using the following formula:
The degrees of freedom for calculating the confidence interval for the net abatement for a project is to be calculated using the following formula:
standard error for the carbon stock change for the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equations 3c and 3d.
(a) be calculated in accordance with Equation 2a; and
(2) The carbon stock change for a project is to be calculated for a reporting period using the following formula:
carbon stock change for the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equations 3a and 3b.
(3) When calculating the carbon stock change for a project for a reporting period, the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
(i) Equation 3a for the first reporting period; or
(ii) Equation 3b for subsequent reporting periods;
(i) Equation 3c for the first reporting period; or
(2) Carbon stock change for a stratum is to be calculated for the first reporting period in which the stratum is referenced ( ) using the following formula:
(3) The carbon stock change for a stratum that has been referenced in a previous offsets report is to be calculated for the current reporting period ( ) using the following formula:
closing carbon stocks for the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equation 5a or 6a.
(4) When calculating the carbon stock change for the first reporting period in which a stratum is referenced ( ), the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
(5) When calculating the carbon stock change within a stratum that has been referenced in a previous offsets report ( ), the standard error is to be calculated for the current reporting period ( ) using the following formula:
standard error for the closing carbon stocks for the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equations 5b and 6b.
= standard error for the closing carbon stocks for the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equations 5b and 6b.
(a) the initial carbon stocks for the stratum (ICStratum,j) is zero; and
(b) the standard error for the initial carbon stocks for the stratum (SEICStratum,j) is zero.
(4) For a stratum that is entirely composed of project trees planted before the declaration date that have not previously been referenced in an offsets report, the calculation of the initial carbon stocks for the stratum must:
age of project trees in the th stratum for reporting period , calculated as the difference in absolute years between the planting finish date and the date for reporting period .
difference in absolute years between the planting finish date for the th stratum and the declaration date.
standard error for closing carbon stocks for the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equations 5b and 6b.
age of project trees in the th stratum at the end of reporting period , calculated as the difference in absolute years between the planting finish date and the date at the end of reporting period .
(3) The closing carbon stocks for a stratum for a reporting period in which a PSP assessment has been conducted within the stratum in accordance with subsection (1) is to be calculated using the following formula:
The lower confidence bound for the closing carbon stocks for a stratum is to be calculated for a reporting period using the following formula:
two-sided students t-value for the 90% confidence level at the appropriate degrees of freedom ( -1), where n is the number of plots assessed in the th stratum during reporting period .
The lower confidence bound for the mean ratio of change in PSP carbon stocks is to be calculated for a reporting period using the following formula:
two-sided students t-value for the 90% confidence level at the appropriate degrees of freedom ( -1), where n is the number of permanent sample plots in stratum assessed during reporting period .
(2) The weighted average for the values of PSP carbon stock change ratios is to be calculated using the following formula:
(3) When calculating the mean ratio of change in PSP carbon stocks, the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
is to be calculated using the following formula:
current reporting period during which permanent sample plot was assessed as part of PSP assessment, as a calendar date.
Note In the case where is equal to zero for permanent sample plot , then permanent sample plot must be ignored for the purposes of Equations 9a, 9b and 10.
(2) The mean plot carbon stocks for a stratum ( ) for reporting period is to be calculated using the following formula:
carbon stocks in carbon pools assessed within plot for reporting period in tonnes per hectare of CO2-e (t.ha‑1 CO2-e), calculated in accordance with Equations 12a and 12b.
(3) When calculating the mean plot carbon stocks for a stratum, the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
standard deviation of plot carbon stocks, calculated in accordance with Equations 12a and 12b, for plots assessed in the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes per hectare of CO2-e (t.ha‑1 CO2-e).
The carbon stocks in a TSP or PSP assessed as part of a full inventory are to be calculated using the following formula:
carbon stocks in carbon pools assessed within plot for reporting period in tonnes per hectare of CO2-e (t.ha‑1 CO2-e).
The carbon stocks in a PSP assessed as part of a PSP assessment are to be calculated using the following formula:
carbon stocks in carbon pools assessed within permanent sample plot for reporting period in tonnes per hectare of CO2-e (t.ha‑1 CO2-e).
The amount of carbon contained within the biomass of live trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
carbon stocks in live trees within plot in tonnes per hectare of CO2-e (t.ha‑1 CO2-e).
The amount of carbon contained within the biomass of live fire affected trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
carbon stocks in live fire affected trees within plot in tonnes per hectare of CO2-e (t.ha‑1 CO2-e).
The amount of carbon contained within the biomass of dead standing trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
The amount of carbon contained within the biomass of dead standing fire affected trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
The amount of carbon contained within litter in plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
carbon fraction of dry biomass in litter as a proportion and applying a value of 0.5.
The amount of carbon contained within fallen dead wood in plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
carbon fraction of dry biomass in fallen dead wood as a proportion and applying a value of 0.5.
The total biomass contained in live trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
The total biomass contained in live fire affected trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
The total biomass contained in dead standing trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
The total biomass contained in dead standing fire affected trees within plot is to be calculated using the following formula:
(2) The project emissions for a reporting period ( ) are to be calculated using the following formula:
(3) When calculating the project emissions for a reporting period ( ), the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
Emissions from fuel use for a stratum ( ) for a reporting period ( ) are to be calculated using the following formula:
emissions for each fossil fuel type ( ) and each greenhouse gas ( ), being carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide, for the th stratum for reporting period in tonnes of CO2-e (t CO2‑e), calculated in accordance with Equation 25.
Emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide from combustion of fossil fuels for a reporting period ( ) are to be calculated using the following formula:
Note Emissions from fossil fuel use must be estimated using the energy content and emission factors outlined in Schedule 1, Part 3 of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination 2008, as amended from time to time.
(b) the fire event exceeds the area threshold of 10 hectares;
(c) the part of stratum affected by the fire is separated as fire affected stratum , in accordance with section 3.4; and
(d) a full inventory is conducted in both the fire-affected and non‑fire-affected strata within 12 months of the date of the fire event in accordance with section 3.4.
(3) The weight of elemental carbon released as a result of a fire event in a stratum for a reporting period is to be calculated using the following formula:
(4) The amount of methane emitted from a fire-affected stratum for a reporting period is to be calculated as follows:
(5) The amount of nitrous oxide emitted from a fire-affected stratum for a reporting period is to be calculated as follows:
(6) The total emissions of methane and nitrous oxide from a fire-affected stratum for a reporting period are to be calculated as follows:
(1) When calculating the emissions for a fire affected stratum, the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
(2) When calculating the amount of methane emitted from a fire-affected stratum for a reporting period, the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
(3) When calculating the amount of nitrous oxide emitted from a fire‑affected stratum for a reporting period, the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
(4) When calculating the total emissions of methane and nitrous oxide from a fire‑affected stratum for a reporting period, the standard error is to be calculated using the following formula:
The probable limit of error around mean carbon stock values for a set of plots within a stratum is to be calculated using the following formula:
(1) The number of plots likely to be required to achieve a target probable limit of error must be calculated in accordance with Equations 29a to 29b.
(2) The coefficient of variation for the sample population of plots is to be calculated using the following formula:
two-sided students t-value for the 90% confidence level at the appropriate degrees of freedom ( -1, where m is the number of plots in the sample population used to estimate CV).
The total biomass for a biomass sample tree or a test tree is to be calculated using the following formula:
6.40 Calculating the dry weight of biomass components for biomass sample trees and test trees
fresh-weight of biomass component in kilograms of wet matter.
6.41 Calculating the variance of weighted residuals for biomass sample trees and test trees
(3) The weighted residual for a biomass sample tree or a test tree is to be calculated using the following formula:
(4) The weighting factor applied to a biomass sample tree or test tree is to be calculated using the following formula:
6.42 Calculating the F-test statistic
(3) The degrees of freedom for the comparison specified in subsection (2) are to be calculated in accordance with Equation 33b.
(4) The F-test statistic is to be calculated using the following formula:
(5) The degrees of freedom for the comparison between the value for F derived using Equation 33a and the critical value for the F-test statistic ( ), are to be calculated using the following formula:
6.43 Project emissions
(2) A project proponent must collect data relating to the occurrence of fire events in accordance with section 3.4.
6.44 Project removals
(e) the number, expressed as an integer, of project trees located within each plot assessed; and
(4) Subject to Part 3, if the project monitoring specified in subsections (1) to (3) indicates that the project requirements specified in subsection 2.3(2) are not met across part or all of a stratum, the non‑compliant area must not be included in the calculations for the stratum area.
(5) Subject to subsection (6), if the project monitoring indicates that the project requirements specified in subsection 2.3(2) are not met for a stratum, then for the purposes of the processes specified in Division 5.1:
(a) the stratum area must be recorded as zero; and
(b) any carbon stocks must be excluded from the stratum.
(6) Subject to Part 3, if the project monitoring specified in subsections (1) to (3) indicates that the project requirements specified in subsection 2.3(2) are not met for a stratum, a project proponent may redefine stratum boundaries so that any land that does not meet the project requirements specified in subsection 2.3(2) is not included in the stratum area.
(7) A project proponent must monitor growth disturbance events within the project area and record the features of these events in accordance with the requirements specified at sections 3.4 and 7.25.
Note Under section 81 of the Act the Regulator must be notified of certain natural disturbance events.
(a) allometric reports;
(b) equipment checks; and
(c) staff training records.
(b) staff training in relation to the delivery of full inventory, PSP assessment and biomass sample tree assessment;
(c) type of measurement equipment used to collect measures during any of the activities specified in Division 5.1;
(d) measurement equipment calibration undertaken and equipment checks applied when collecting measures during any of the activities specified in Division 5.1; and
(e) corrective action taken where the equipment checks specified in paragraph (d) indicate equipment is returning inaccurate measures.
Note If fuel use records for project activities cannot be disaggregated from other non-project activities, estimates of project fuel use may be based on the time spent undertaking project activities and the known average fuel consumption of vehicles or machinery.
(2) The first offsets report for a project must also include the information set out in Subdivision 7.3.2.
(c) hard-copy maps showing the boundary of the project area.
(b) hard-copy maps showing the boundary of the stratum;
(a) identifying and correcting data transcription errors;
(b) conducting training of field staff for the purposes of conducting full inventory and PSP assessment; and
(c) conducting equipment checks and equipment calibration.
Note The first offsets report for a project must also contain the information specified in Subdivision 7.3.1.
(c) electronic and hard-copy maps showing the location and boundary of each stratum; and
(d) if ortho-rectified aerial imagery has been obtained by the project proponent in relation to the stratum area during the reporting period – the imagery or, if not yet collected, the date the imagery is next intended to be collected.
(b) actual location and identity of plot;
(d) dimensions, shape (circle or rectangle) and plot layout option (centroid, consistent edge, or constant position) of the plot, including an estimate of the land area occupied by the plot;
(d) outcomes of the validation test for allometric functions specified in subsections 5.42(1) to 5.42(19), where the allometrics have been applied during the reporting period.
(a) date of, and the time elapsed since, the disturbance;
(b) stratum area affected by the disturbance, including maps of affected areas and supporting geospatial data;
(c) nature and severity of the event, including a statement detailing the project proponent’s opinion on the likely long-term impact on carbon stocks, and the anticipated time to recovery of the affected area;
(b) outcomes of data transcription error checks and a description of corrective actions taken;
(c) any documented procedures for conducting training of field staff for the purposes of conducting full inventory and PSP assessment that have been updated since the first offsets report for the project; and
(d) any documented procedures for conducting equipment checks and equipment calibration that have been updated since the first offsets report for the project.