Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253:clause:5_10:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 5 cl 10 (pt 3/3)
Character Range: 161837–165010

native species in a life form is less than or equal to 150% of the relevant benchmark value, the native species richness contribution value for that life form for the sampling plot is the number of native species recorded.

                                                                                                                                             If the number of native species recorded is more than 150% of the relevant benchmark value for that life form, the native species richness contribution value for that life form for the sampling plot is the first whole number that is less than 150% of the benchmark indicator.

                                                                                                                                             For example: if the relevant benchmark value for trees is 3 species and the sampling plot has 5 species, the native species richness contribution value for trees (i.e. the number of tree species that count in assessing compliance) is 4 species, being the first whole number less than 150% of the benchmark indicator.

                                                                                                                                             Step 3

                                                                                                                                             Calculate the average native species richness index value for the activity area by:

                                                                                                                                                 a. Adding the native species richness contribution value for each life form from each sampling plot [as calculated in step 2]; and

                                                                                                                                                 b. Dividing the sum by the overall native species richness reference benchmark values for the sampling plot; and

                                                                                                                                                 c.  Averaging the overall native species richness reference benchmark values for each sampling plot in the activity area.

                                                                                                                                             For example: if the sampling plot has 1 shrub, 2 vines, 7 grasses and 1 herb, and the reference values for the plot are 3 shrubs, 1 vine, 4 grasses and 2 herbs, the value is (1+1+6+2+/(3+1+4+2)=100%.

                                                                                                                                             Step 4

                                                                                                                                             Where the activity area has more than one sampling plot – calculate the value for the overall native species richness index indicator for the activity area by averaging the native species richness contribution values for each sampling plot in the activity area.