Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253:clause:5_11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 5 cl 11
Character Range: 165014–167303

11  Determining the starting ecosystem condition state

Calculating overall cover percentage for a subcategory
 (1) For each subcategory in category A (A1, A2, A3, A4 or A5), calculate the proportion (as a percentage) of ground cover from category A plants in the activity area that is provided by plants from that subcategory:
 (a) first, using the data from Step 2 (giving the PI percentage for that subcategory;
 (b) second, using the data from Step 3 (giving the quadrat percentage for that subcategory;
 (c) then calculate an average of the two (giving the overall cover percentage for that subcategory.
 (2) Calculate the PI percentage for a subcategory as follows:
 (a) add together the number of sampling points (across all the permanent sampling plots in the activity area) assigned to the subcategory; and
 (b) divide this amount by the total number of sampling points (across all the permanent sampling plots in the activity area) assigned to category A.
 (3) Calculate the quadrat percentage for a subcategory as follows:
 (a) for each quadrat in each of the permanent sampling plots in the activity area—calculate the proportion (as a percentage) of ground cover from category A plants that is provided by plants from the subcategory;
 (b) add the percentages from those quadrats and divide by the total number of quadrats.
 (4) Calculate the overall percentage for a subcategory as the average of the PI percentage and the quadrat percentage.

Calculating species numbers
 (5) Using the data obtained from the quadrat method (Step 3) and the survey of the sampling plot (Step 4), calculate the total number of category A plant species identified in each permanent sampling plot in the proposed activity area.
 (6) For the avoidance of doubt, the number of species identified in a permanent sampling plot must include unidentified species described to the genus level that are assigned to numbered categories based on observable plant characteristics and life forms (see subsection (5) in Step 3 and paragraph (1)(b) in Step 4 above).
 (7) Based on:
 (a) the data from paragraphs (c) and (d), and
 (b) the history of cropping on the land (if any),
assign the starting ecosystem condition state for each proposed activity area to one of State A, State B, State C or State D.