Appendix H - Biodiversity Code

                                                                                Native Foresters



    Where multiple habitat types or vegetation communities were present within a clearing
     impact area, a timed meander assessment was undertaken within each of these areas.
    Where certain preferred habitat types or vegetation communities may be extensively
     represented within a site, multiple meanders per habitat type were undertaken across the
     clearing impact area to increase the probability of detecting an EVNT species.

In the event that an EVNT listed plant is identified during the timed meander survey, a more
comprehensive and systematic assessment of species abundance, distribution and habitat
associations is conducted using the Plot or Quadrat Survey Method as described by Neldner et
al. 2008.

An estimate of the statistical power of the flora survey has been made for the site. It is
determined that there is a 95% (power of 0.95) certainty that all EVNT flora species occurring
within the survey area and 100 metre buffer zone for the site have been recorded by the survey.

2.2.2 Fauna survey

A comprehensive fauna survey was undertaken between the 9th and 11th May 2017 by an
experienced fauna specialist using the following methods:

        Active search - searching for fauna under logs, rocks, leaf litter and decorticating bark.
        Passive search - identifying species both visually and aurally whenever the opportunity
         arises while onsite.
        Tracks and scats – signs of an animal's presence, such as scats and tracks, are
         interpreted. This procedure was generally opportunistic and used whenever specimens
         were located.
        Dip net – where repeated sweeps with a fine mesh net are used to sample
         representative aquatic habitats. All fauna are released unharmed.
        Aural survey and/or call playback - where recorded calls of the listed frog species are
         played to determine their presence.

2.2.3 Fauna habitat assessment

A fauna habitat assessment was undertaken during the field investigations. This assessment
was based on the habitats present, the listed threatened species known to occur or potentially
occurring within the locality, and the occurrence of specific breeding places or breeding habitat
for these species.

Habitat features that were considered significant for assessing breeding and feeding habitat
value of listed species included:

        Presence of large trees: Large trees can be a dominant feature of native vegetation and
         are difficult to replace once lost. They provide hollows for nesting and food sources.
         Their influence for wide-ranging species can extend over a considerable distance from
         their location.
        Canopy cover: The uppermost stratum of woody vegetation that forms the canopy
         functions as habitat for birds and arboreal mammals, provides food and resources, and
         determines the degree of light penetration and heat reaching the lower strata and ground
         detrital layer.



Carramar Extension – Fauna and Flora Assessment                                                    10