2021-02-09 P&E Agenda - Item 6 - Attachment 1 - Draft Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Plan 2021-2026

7.4.3        Bushland Operational Assessments
The Bushland Operational Assessment (BOA) methodology for mapping resilience-based native
vegetation condition within a patch of bushland was initially developed by the National Trust in
Sydney in the 1980’s. (McDonald 2000).

The intent of the mapping is to guide on-ground restoration works to improve ecosystem resilience.
Assessing ecosystem resilience using this method requires the following:

       Knowledge of the resilience of the site’s in-situ endemic flora species given natural
        disturbance regimes, e.g. how individual species react to fire.
       Knowledge of the impacts on the site (e.g. invasive species, nutrient pollution)
       Knowledge of how the site will respond to specific restoration treatments.

The mapping uses a set of 6 condition or resilience classes assigned to various portions of the site.

 Condition Class                   Definition                          Restoration approach
 0 – Excellent resilience          All strata and species (for the     Natural regeneration.
                                   reference ecosystem) are intact
                                   with evidence of recruitment. No
                                   invasive species or other threats
                                   evident. Will rapidly and fully
                                   recover from natural disturbance
 1 – Very Good resilience          All strata and species (for the     Assisted natural regeneration
                                   reference ecosystem) are intact
                                   with evidence of recruitment.
                                   Signs of degradation becoming
                                   apparent, such as slight weed
                                   infestations. Will fully recover
                                   from disturbance but invasive
                                   species may increase.
 2 – Good resilience               All strata and species (for the     Assisted natural regeneration
                                   reference ecosystem) are intact
                                   with evidence of recruitment.
                                   Invasive species or other
                                   disturbance starting to impact on
                                   native vegetation.
 3 – Moderate resilience           Although all native vegetation      Assisted natural regeneration
                                   strata may be present invasive
                                   species are equally dominant.
 4 – Poor resilience               Invasive species dominate the       Assisted natural regeneration
                                   site, although some native
                                   species are evident.
 5 – Very poor resilience          Large areas of the site do not      Assisted natural regeneration
                                   contain any native species, site    and/or reconstruction
                                   either cleared or dominated by
                                   invasive species.
 6.Nil resilience                  No evidence of native plants or     Reconstruction
                                   recruitment, soil substrate may
                                   be totally disturbed.

Repeating the BOA at regular 5 year intervals allows Council to monitor how the reserve is
responding to management actions and informs adaptive management. The below image
demonstrates the visual and obvious changes that have occurred on the site between the two
BOA’s.

This process requires consistency in undertaking the condition assessments, as a change in
resilience condition could be due to the assessor interpreting the site differently to how it was done
previously.


Noosa Bushland Reserves Strategic Plan 2021 – 2026                                               Page 32