Attachment 6 - Ecological Assessment

                          Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights




3 SITE ASSESSMENT
3.1 Introduction
This section discusses the methods used in the site assessment and presents the results of
the assessment.



3.2 Methods
3.2.1 Background
To provide a description of the vegetative characteristics of the subject site, site
assessments were completed and previous reports from the site or surrounding locality
were reviewed.


3.2.2 Site Vegetation Surveys
3.2.2.1 Introduction
A site inspection and survey of existing flora communities within the subject site was
undertaken by two (2) JWA scientists on the 13th November 2003. A total of
approximately six (6) person hours were spent on this component of the survey. A site
assessment was carried out by one (1) scientist during late November 2012 and again on
the 29th May 2013, to verify the existing mapping in relation to regional systems.

The flora surveys employed an assessment of floral taxa and vegetation communities in
keeping with the methodology employed by the Queensland Herbarium for the survey of
Regional Ecosystems and vegetation communities (Neldner et al. 2005). Preliminary
identification of the vegetation communities was conducted prior to the commencement
of fieldwork via interpretation of current RE mapping (Version 8) and aerial photographs.

Field surveys involved a botanical assessment at a number of representative sites within
remnant and non-remnant vegetation communities. The surveys utilised a number of
standard methods including random meander searches.


3.2.2.2 Random Meander Searches
The random meander technique (Cropper 1993) was used to identify changes in landform,
identify vegetation community boundaries and to complete targeted searches for
threatened flora species. The floral characteristics of each vegetation community that
was evident from detailed aerial photographs were examined by ‘on foot’ inspections.
Vegetation communities were mapped and described using the technique contained in
Walker and Hopkins (1998). Vegetation structural formation classes were assessed
according to Neldner et al. (2005). RE classification of vegetation communities were
determined as per Sattler and Williams (1999), and in accordance with the Regional
Ecosystems Description Database (REDD) (Queensland Herbarium 2014).




Job No: Q12038/Rw1                      JWA Pty Ltd                                    15