Parks and Conservation Service/Urban Reserves (Territory and Municipals Services) engaged SMEC Australia to undertake baseline vegetation surveys within the Pinnacle Nature Reserve offset site, as specified by the University of Canberra Public Hospital Offset Management Plan (Umwelt 2014b). The majority of the offset site supports Gum Woodland. Data requirements for the site were determined according to the ACT Environmental Offsets Calculator (ACT Government 2015) and field survey techniques were undertaken according to the Monitoring Guidelines for Box-Gum Woodlands (Conservation Research 2015). Plot locations were selected based on representative spatial coverage and apparent floristic diversity. Landscape attributes and floristic condition assessments were recorded six plots in the Pinnacles Nature Reserve offset site on 17 and 24 December 2015. The plot locations were recorded and photograph monitoring points established. Baseline data for each plot is provided for future trend analyses. The key outcomes were that: Identification of disturbance sensitive native flora and the presence of mature woodland trees indicates the presence of moderate to high quality Box-Gum Woodland, consistent with Umwelt (2014a) The habitat structure in the plots ranges in quality from low-medium-high The floristic condition of the five Box-Gum Woodland plots varies from quality, while the floristic condition of the remaining plot (Eucalyptus Tableland Grass/Shrub Forest) is very high macrorhyncha The extent of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Tableland Grass/Shrub Forest observed was more restricted than that mapped in Umwelt (2014a). Management priorities for the Pinnacles Nature Reserve offset site include: Weed management, particularly for St John’s wort Appropriately timed biomass management such as light grazing or slashing Continued placement of woody debris should take into consideration minimising establishment of pest species Management and monitoring of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Tableland Grass/Shrub Forest should be implemented as for surrounding woodland areas.
Parks and Conservation Service/Urban Reserves (Territory and Municipals Services) engaged SMEC Australia to undertake baseline vegetation surveys within the Pinnacle Nature Reserve offset site, as specified by the University of Canberra Public Hospital Offset Management Plan (Umwelt 2014b). The majority of the offset site supports Woodland. Data requirements for the site were determined according to the ACT Environmental Offsets Calculator (ACT Government 2015) and field survey techniques were undertaken according to the Monitoring Guidelines for Box-Gum Woodlands (Conservation Research 2015). Plot locations were selected based on representative spatial coverage and apparent floristic diversity. Landscape attributes and floristic condition assessments were recorded six plots in the Pinnacles Nature Reserve offset site on 17 and 24 December 2015. The plot locations were recorded and photograph monitoring points established. Baseline data for each plot is provided for future trend analyses. The key outcomes were that: Identification of disturbance sensitive native flora and the presence of mature woodland trees indicates the presence of moderate to high quality Box-Gum Woodland, consistent with Umwelt (2014a) The habitat structure in the plots ranges in quality from low-medium-high The floristic condition of the five Box-Gum Woodland plots varies from quality, while the floristic condition of the remaining plot (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Tableland Grass/Shrub Forest) is very high The extent of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Tableland Grass/Shrub Forest observed was more restricted than that mapped in Umwelt (2014a). Management priorities for the Pinnacles Nature Reserve offset site include: Weed management, particularly for St John’s wort Appropriately timed biomass management such as light grazing or slashing Continued placement of woody debris should take into consideration minimising establishment of pest species Management and monitoring of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Tableland Grass/Shrub Forest should be implemented as for surrounding woodland areas. Gum
Pinnacle_Nature_Reserve_Offset_2015MonitoringReport.docx