Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253:clause:2_2:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00253
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 2 cl 2 (pt 2/3)
Character Range: 134024–137522

to assess the number of plant species, the proportion of ground area covered by each groundcover category and (where appropriate) subcategory, and the crown cover provided by native and non-native plant species in the canopy and mid-storey layers in the survey plot.
 (2) For the purposes of subclause (1), use the groundcover categories and subcategories in the table in subclause (1) of Step 2 in Schedule 3.

Step 4—Applying the quadrat method to the survey plots
  In each survey plot, apply the quadrat method to assess the number of plant species, and the proportion of ground area covered by each plant species in the survey plot.

Step 5—Canopy height measurement
  In each survey plot:
 (a) select 3 or more representative native trees from the canopy layer; and
 (b) measure their heights using a clinometer or hypsometer.

Step 6—Plot survey—gathering plant species composition data
 (1) In each permanent sampling plot:
 (a) survey the entirety of the sampling plot; and
 (b) identify and record the number of plant species found and what those species are.
 (2) This is referred to in the table as the plot survey method.

Step 7—Calculation of the values of the indicators and sub-indicators for each survey plot
 (1) For each survey plot, calculate the value of each indicator or sub-indicator for ecosystem condition in the survey plot in accordance with the following table.

     Indicator or sub-indicator                                                                                        How to calculate the value of the indicator or sub-indicator in a survey plot

(a)  canopy height of native vegetation (in metres)                                                                    Calculate the value of this indicator as the average height of the measured trees

(b)  crown cover from native plants in the canopy layer (as a percentage)                                              Using the data obtained from the point intercept method, calculate the value of  this indicator by:

                                                                                                                           a. adding the number of sample points that fall beneath crowns on native plants in the canopy layer in the survey plot; and

                                                                                                                           b. multiplying the result by two to derive the percentage crown cover

(c)  crown cover from native plants in the mid-storey layer (as a percentage)                                          Using the data obtained from the point intercept method, calculate the value of this indicator by:

                                                                                                                           a. adding the number of sample points that fall beneath crowns on native plants in the mid-storey layer in the survey plot; and

                                                                                                                           b. multiplying the result by two to derive the percentage crown cover

(d)  crown cover from plants in the canopy layer provided by non-native plants (as a percentage)                       The benchmark value of this indicator is 0%

(e)  crown cover from plants in the mid-storey layer provided by non-native plants (as a percentage);                  The benchmark value of this indicator is 0%

(f)  ground cover from sub-category A1, A2 and A3