Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253:clause:6_2:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 6 cl 2 (pt 1/3)
Character Range: 167761–171551

2  The relevant reference ecosystem
  In this Schedule, a reference to the relevant reference ecosystem is a reference to the reference ecosystem that applies in the permanent sampling plot in which the data that is being measured against the restoration target was gathered.

Qualitative descriptions
Restoration target level 1 – A degree of compositional and structural fidelity to the reference ecosystem. The canopy layer and at least one other stratum must be represented.  The dominant stratum/ strata from the relevant reference ecosystem must be represented. Some verified reduction in non-native cover or moderate level of non-native cover.

Restoration target level 2 – Moderate degree of compositional and structural fidelity to the relevant reference ecosystem. The canopy layer and at least two other strata must be represented.  The dominant stratum/ strata from the relevant reference ecosystem must be represented. Moderate reductions in non-native cover or low level of non-native cover.

Restoration target level 3 – High degree of compositional and structural fidelity to the reference ecosystem for the activity area. All strata from the relevant reference ecosystem must be present. High reduction in non-native cover or low level of non-native cover.

Restoration target level 4 – Very high degree of compositional and structural fidelity to the relevant reference ecosystem. All strata from the reference ecosystem must be present. Significant reductions in non-native cover or very low level of non-native cover.

Table of quantitative requirements

     Indicator                                                                                                                              Restoration target level 1                                                                                                               Restoration target level 2                                                                                                               Restoration target level 3                                                                                                               Restoration target level 4

(a)  Canopy height                                                                                                                          At least half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem                                                   At least half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem                                                   At least half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem                                                   At least half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem

(b)  Crown cover from native plants in the canopy layer                                                                                     Crown cover must be at least 20% and must be greater than half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem  Crown cover must be at least 20% and must be greater than half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem  Crown cover must be at least 20% and must be greater than half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem  Crown cover must be at least 20% and must be greater than half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem

(c)  Crown cover from native plants in the mid-storey layer                                                                                 Crown cover must be at least half of benchmark value of the indicator for the relevant reference ecosystem                               Crown cover must be at least half