Field data sheets for BioBanking:
local reference site data
February 2009
Published by:
Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
59–61 Goulburn Street
PO Box A290
Sydney South 1232
Ph: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)
Ph: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests)
Ph: 1300 361 967 (national parks information and publications requests)
Fax: (02) 9995 5999
TTY: (02) 9211 4723
Email: info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au
DECC 2009/115
February 2009
Contents
Field methodology for measuring condition attributes
at a local benchmark reference site
1
Native plant species richness
1
Native over-storey cover
1
Native mid-storey cover
1
Native ground cover (grasses)
1
Native ground cover (shrubs)
1
Native ground cover (other)
2
Exotic plant cover
2
Number of trees with hollows
2
Total length of fallen logs
2
Plot modification (scoring codes and Notes table)
3
Developing the benchmark
3
Site value: Benchmark reference
5
Local benchmark: Transect tally table
7
Transect plot worksheet
9
Field methodology for measuring condition attributes
at a local benchmark reference site
Native plant species richness
Native plant species refers to vascular species local to the area and, if planted, come
from a local seed source. Systematically walk the plot counting the number of
indigenous plant species for all vascular plants (i.e. the species do not have to be
identified).
Native over-storey cover 1
Native over-storey is the tallest woody stratum present (including emergent) above
1 m and includes all species native to New South Wales (i.e. native species not local
to the area can contribute to over-storey structure). In a woodland community the
over-storey stratum is the tree layer, and in a shrubland community the over-storey
stratum is the tallest shrub layer. Some vegetation types (e.g. grasslands) may not
have an over-storey stratum. Over-storey cover is estimated as the percentage of
foliage cover, which is equivalent to the amount of shadow that would be cast on the
ground if there were a light source directly overhead. It can be estimated as follows:

At 10 points along a 50-m transect (i.e. every 5 m), estimate the percentage
foliage cover directly overhead using the images provided in Appendix 7 (of the
Operational Manual). Divide the total by the number of points (i.e. 10) measured
along the transect (e.g. 50%, 0%, 0%, 40%, 0%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 0%, 0%
= 240/10 = 24% foliage cover).
Native mid-storey cover
Native mid-storey contains all vegetation between the over-storey stratum and 1 m in
height (typically, tall shrubs, under-storey trees and tree regeneration) and includes
all the species native to New South Wales (i.e. native species not local to the area
can contribute to mid-storey structure). The percentage of foliage cover of the midstorey is estimated as follows:

At 10 points along the 50-m transect (i.e. every 5 m), estimate the percentage
foliage cover in the mid-storey. Divide the total by the number of points (i.e. 10)
measured along the transect (e.g. 50%, 0%, 0%, 40%, 0%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 0%,
0% = 240/10 = 24% foliage cover).
Native ground cover (grasses)
Native ground cover contains all native vegetation below 1m in height and includes
all species native to New South Wales (i.e. is not confined to species indigenous to
the area). Native ground cover (grasses) refers to native grasses (i.e. plants
belonging to the family Poaceae). The percentage foliage cover of the ground
stratum (grasses) is estimated as follows:

At 50 points along the 50-m transect (i.e. every 1 m), record whether native grass
intersects that point. Divide the total of ‘hits’ by the number of points measured
along the transect (i.e. 50).
Native ground cover (shrubs)
Native ground cover contains all native vegetation below 1 m in height and includes
all species native to New South Wales (i.e. is not confined to species indigenous to
1
indicates that an alternative method is provided where tree density is very low (e.g. paddock
trees)
Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
1
the area). Native ground cover (shrubs) refers to native woody vegetation <1 m. It is
measured in the same way as for native ground cover (grasses) (see above).
Native ground cover (other)
Native ground cover contains all native vegetation below 1 m in height and includes
all species native to New South Wales (i.e. is not confined to species indigenous to
the area). Native ground cover (other) refers to non-woody native vegetation
(vascular plants only) <1 m that is not grass (e.g. herbs, ferns, lilies, rushes, sedges).
It is measured in the same way as for native ground cover (grasses) (see above).
Exotic plant cover
Exotic plants are vascular plants not native to Australia. Exotic plant cover is
measured as total per cent foliage cover of all exotics in all strata. If the exotics are in
the over-storey then measure using the same method as native over-storey cover
(see above), if exotics are in the mid-storey then measure using the same method as
native mid-storey cover (see above), and if exotics are in the ground stratum then
measure using the same method as described for native ground cover (grasses) (see
above).
Number of trees with hollows
This is a count of the number of living and dead trees within a 50m x 20m plot with at
least one hollow (note that the hollows do not have to be within the plot). A hollow is
only recorded if: (a) the entrance can be seen; (b) the minimum entrance width is at
least 5 cm across; (c) the hollow appears to have depth (i.e. you cannot see solid
wood beyond the entrance); (d) the hollow is at least 1 m above the ground (this
omits hollows in cut stumps or at the base of trees); and (e) the centre of the tree is
within the plot. The tree should be examined from all angles.
Total length of fallen logs
This is the total length of logs of at least 10 cm diameter and at least 0.5 m long, in a
50 m x 20 m plot. The diameter is estimated with a measuring tape (or callipers if
available) held horizontally immediately above the log, and the length is estimated to
the nearest metre by measuring with a tape, or pacing, along the part of the log that
is at least 10 cm in diameter. If estimating length by pacing, then the actual length of
a sample of logs should be measured regularly with a tape so the assessor can
calibrate their estimate derived from pacing. Only those parts of logs lying within the
plot are measured.
Suggested transect/plot layout:
Plot maker and GPS point
where relevant
20 m x 20 m
plot
50-m line transect
20 m
20 m
Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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Plot modification (scoring codes and Notes table)
The assessor should record the type and extent of any disturbance and modification
to the plot using the codes shown below. The codes are recorded in the Plot
modification table on page 6. Any descriptive information (e.g. species of feral
animals) can be recorded in the Notes table below.

Timber harvesting: stumps, coppicing, cut logs, ringbarking, etc. (use Notes table
below to record details)

Grazing and trampling: grazing and trampling by introduced herbivores or overabundant native herbivores (use Notes table below)

Soil disturbance: ripping, cultivation, compaction, erosion (use Notes table below)

Fire damage: indicate if high frequency, or if certain strata particularly affected
(use Notes table below)

Feral animals: indicate species (if known) and observed impacts (use Notes table
below)

Weeds: indicate species and strata and percent foliage cover (use Notes table
below)
Severity codes
Frequency codes
Evidence codes
Age codes
0 = No evidence
A = n/a (i.e. absent)
O = Observation
R = Recent (<3 years)
1 = Light
B = Rare
P = Personal
communication
(e.g. landholder)
NR = Not recent
2 = Moderate
C = Occasional
3 = Severe
D = Frequent
O = Old
Notes table
Modification type
Plot number
Details
Developing the benchmark
The data from all reference points for a specific development or biobank site need to
be entered into the Local Benchmark Calculator (.xls) which is available for download
from the BioBanking website. Once the data has been entered into the spreadsheet,
the benchmark values are automatically calculated. These benchmarks then need to
be copied by the assessor into the Credit Calculator as part of the Site Value
assessment.
Step point transect tally tables: for methodology details see above and refer to
Appendix 3 of the Operational Manual.
Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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Site value:
Benchmark reference
(Start a new sheet for each reference site)
Reference site ID
CMA
Recorder(s)
Date
assigned by assessor
Vegetation formation
Vegetation class
Vegetation type
Dominant
species per
stratum (see
p.1 for strata
definitions)
Geo-reference
Over-storey
Mid-storey
Ground stratum
Plot 6
Plot 7
Plot 8
Plot 9
Plot 10
Plot 6
Plot 7
Plot 8
Plot 9
Plot 10
Easting
Northing
Zone AMG
Photo number
Geo-reference
Easting
Northing
Zone AMG
Photo number
Transect at 10 or 50 points along 50-m transect (Refer to methods in Operational Manual)
Site attribute
Transect number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Native plant species richness
Native over-storey cover (%)
alternative method if applies
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover-grasses (%)
Native ground cover-shrub (%)
Native ground cover-other (%)
Larger sampling area 20m x 50m plot (Refer to methods in BioBanking Operational Manual)
Number of trees with hollows
alternative method if applies
Total length of fallen logs (m)
Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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Plot Modification Table
Plot number
Modification type
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Firewood collection and tidying up
Grazing and trampling
Soil disturbance
Canopy dieback
Dense regrowth post-disturbance
Weeds
Timber harvesting
Fire damage
Flood damage
Storm damage
Feral herbivores
Other indicative type
Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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Local benchmark:
Transect tally table
Site type: Local benchmark reference site
CMA area
Proposal ID
CMA subregion
Recorder
Proposal name
Date
Zone ID
Vegetation formation
Vegetation class
Vegetation type
Condition (low or mod/good)
Zone descriptor (optional)
Transect number_____________
Geographic/habitat features
(tick after printing step 2 of
Credit Calculator)
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrub) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover grasses (%)
Native ground cover shrubs (%)
Native ground cover other (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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Transect number_____________
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Number of hits (tally)
%
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Transect number_____________
Native over-storey cover (%)
Native mid-storey cover (%)
Native ground cover (grasses) (%)
Native ground cover (shrubs) (%)
Native ground cover (other) (%)
Exotic plant cover (%)
Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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Transect plot worksheet
Full species IDs are not required for BioBanking, but may be useful for identification of correct vegetation type and for monitoring and audit purposes.
Site type:
Development / BioBank
Proposal ID: ________________
Date: ____________________________
Recorder(s): ______________________________________
Vegetation type: ______________________________________________AMG Zone________________ Easting/Northing: ___________________________________________Photos: _________________________
Native over-storey
species list
At 10 points along the
50-m transect
Regeneration
(√)
(zone)
Native mid-storey
species list
(>1m to <over-storey)
At 10 points along the
50-m transect
Native ground cover
(grasses) species list
(ground stratum <1m)
At 50 points along the
50-m transect
Native ground cover
(shrubs) species list
(ground stratum <1m)
At 50 points along the
50-m transect
Native ground cover
(other) species list
(ground stratum <1m)
At 50 points along the
50-m transect
Exotic plants
species list
At 50 points along the
50-m transect
Fallen logs
(min. 10 cm
diameter x 50 cm
long)
(20 x 50m plot)
Total no of species =
Foliage cover (%) =
Total no of species =
Foliage cover (%) =
Total no of species =
Foliage cover (%) =
Total no of species =
Foliage cover (%) =
Total no of species =
Foliage cover (%) =
Total (m) =
Benchmark (m) =
Total number of species =
Foliage cover (%) =
Benchmark value (%FC) =
Average crown diameter =
Average foliage cover (%) =
Number of trees =
Sample area =
Whole zone
Number of trees with hollows =
Sample area =
Benchmark value =
SITE AND OTHER NOTES:
NB: Transects / plots should be placed randomly with the minimum number required for the zone in accordance with Table 4 of the Operational Manual.
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Field data sheets for BioBanking: local reference site data February 2009
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