View
1
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
Oakajee Mid-west Rail Vegetation Monitoring Program
Prepared for
Oakajee Port and Rail
22 November 2010
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD i
DOCUMENT TRACKING
ITEM DETAIL
Project Name Oakajee Mid-west Rail Vegetation Monitoring Program
Project Number 10PERECO-0030
File location P:\SYNERGY\Projects\10PERECO-0030 OPR Rail veg mntrng procedure
Prepared by Dr Paul Frazier
Approved by Mr Warren McGrath
Status Final
Version Number 1
Last saved on 22 November 2010
Cover Photo http://www.fpc.wa.gov.au/content_migration/plantations/species/arid/mulga.aspx
This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 10 November 2010. Oakajee Mid-west Rail
Vegetation Monitoring Program. Prepared for Oakajee Port and Rail.’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd.
Disclaimer
This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between
Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Oakajee Port and Rail. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Oakajee Port
and Rail, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject
area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up
to date information.
Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this
report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific
assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD ii
Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1
2 Impacting Process ................................................................................................................. 2
3 Monitoring Approach ............................................................................................................ 6
4 Remote Sensing Data & Analysis ......................................................................................... 8
5 Baseline Vegetation Condition Assessment ...................................................................... 10
6 Ongoing monitoring and directed field assessment .......................................................... 14
6.1 Remote sensing .................................................................................................................... 14
6.2 Directed field assessment ...................................................................................................... 14
6.3 Permanent quadrat monitoring ............................................................................................... 15
7 Monitoring Triggers and Actions ........................................................................................ 19
8 Review of monitoring program ........................................................................................... 22
9 Reporting ............................................................................................................................. 23
References ....................................................................................................................................... 24
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD iii
List of Figures
Figure 1: Proposed Oakajee Port and Rail Corridor with sheet flow dependent vegetation communities
identified in Astron (2010) ..................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2 Two-tiered monitoring approach .............................................................................................. 7
Figure 3: Baseline sheet flow dependent vegetation ............................................................................ 12
Figure 4: Risk based assessment of potential impacts of altered sheet flow adapted from Astron (2010).
........................................................................................................................................................... 13
Figure 5: Risk monitoring procedure .................................................................................................... 17
List of Tables
Table 1: Impacts of linear infrastructure on sheet flow and sheet flow dependent vegetation.................. 5
Table 2: Satellite imaging systems (Frazier et al. 2010) ......................................................................... 9
Table 3: Summary of baseline data collection methodology ................................................................. 14
Table 4: Rapid field checking protocol ................................................................................................. 15
Table 5: Summary of ongoing monitoring methodology ....................................................................... 18
Table 6: Satellite based monitoring triggers for further investigation ..................................................... 19
Table 7: Field based monitoring triggers and responses for site specific management responses ........ 20
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 1
1 Introduction
Oakajee Port and Rail Pty Ltd (OPR) plan to construct 530 km of rail formation and associated
infrastructure through pastoral and freehold land in the northern mid-west region of WA.
The following document describes methods and design for a monitoring program to assess indirect
impacts of the rail formation and environmental engineering works on sheet flow to sheet flow mulga
vegetation communities for the Oakajee Port and Rail Development (OPRD). This report has been
informed by a literature review that included but is not restricted to previous studies completed for the
proposed railway development.
In its submission on the Oakajee Rail Development Public Environmental Review (PER) for the rail
proposal (Assessment No. 1818 under the Environmental Protection Act 1986), the DEC Environmental
Management Branch raised concern that the indirect impacts on significant flora were not addressed
sufficiently and further that a monitoring program with identified trigger levels needed to be developed.
This procedure represents a monitoring and assessment program that addresses these concerns.
The monitoring program provides an integrated approach using multi-temporal remote sensing analysis
with supporting directed ground surveys/assessments to provide vegetation condition information
across the potential impact area to detect changes requiring on-ground response. Two tiers of trigger
levels for action are proposed. The first is based on early change detection by the remote sensing,
which would trigger further on-ground investigation. The second tier of responses is triggered based on
results of directed ground assessment or changes detected in permanent monitoring plots/quadrats,
following which remedial actions to mitigate and ameliorate any significant impacts on key flora species
are implemented.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 2
2 Impacting Process
The OPRD has been designed to provide key rail and port infrastructure for iron ore transport in
Western Australia. The proposal includes approximately 570 km of rail line (including spurs and loops)
with associated direct disturbance of native vegetation in a final operating corridor of less than 100m
width (OPRD PER, 2010). Of interest to this monitoring program are potential indirect impacts that may
be associated with the development of linear infrastructure (primarily the rail line) on sheet flow
dependent vegetation (SFDV). Sheet flow dependent Mulga (Acacia aneura communities) are of
particular interest, however, other SFDV are also of potential interest (Astron, 2010). Astron (2010)
have identified that over 75,000 ha of potential SFDV exist within a 4 km corridor (2 km either side) of
the proposed rail line (Figure 1).
The rail line and associated infrastructure construction could impact on the identified vegetation
communities outside of the direct area of disturbance from a disruption in sheet flow through
interception, concentration and pooling. Sheet flow is water movement in a broad, sheet-like film,
typically over a very gentle downhill slope. Such water movement is over relatively smooth rock and soil
surfaces and does not concentrate into channels larger than rills (Miller et al., 2002). Sheet flow is
typically low volume and represents low velocity water dispersal, thus low energy and low potential for
erosion (Ludwig et al., 1997). Sheet flow is an important source of water in arid and semi-arid zones in
Australia and many vegetation formations rely on sheet flows for adequate moisture absorption to
support growth.
Linear infrastructure such as rail lines and roads that require raised embankments, sections of cut and
fill and water diversion works such as culverts and spillways have the potential to intercept and divert
sheet flow. Key consequences of linear infrastructure works on sheet flow include:
• Water ponding upslope of infrastructure;
• Reduced sheet flow (water starving) down slope of infrastructure;
• Concentrated water flow through diversion infrastructure, with potential to cause erosion and
subsequent deposition; and
• Channel formation.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 3
Figure 1: Proposed Oakajee Port and Rail Corridor with sheet flow dependent vegetation communities identified in Astron (2010)
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD
SFDV refers to vegetation communities that are dependent on sheet flow for key aspects of survival and
reproduction. The most widely recognised SFDV communities are sheet flow Mulga, in particular,
Acacia aneura communities. Acacia aneura is an evergreen perennial tree or shrub up to 15 m tall.
This species is well adapted to arid conditions with thick skinned phylodes that stand erect to minimise
sun exposure and sunken stomatas to minimise moisture loss from phylodes. It is able to grow in poor
soils through a symbiotic relationship of nutrient fixing bacteria, Rhizobium around its root system. It is a
very slow growing and long lived species, up to 200 years. Acacia aneura is important in the arid
ecosystems for nutrient capture and in slowing down surface run off and localised hydrological regimes
(Dunkley 2002).
The growth habits and reproductive capacity of Acacia aneura are pertinent to the survey design and
remediation works proposed for impact monitoring of the rail line development. Acacia aneura does not
have distinctive morphological features as a juvenile plant and it can be very hard to determine the age
of a specimen. Therefore assessing recruitment activity of this species will require long-term repeat
surveys.
Acacia aneura reproduces by seed. It flowers after summer and winter rain, however, it is the summer
flowering that produces mature fruit. The quality of this fruit is reported to be dependent on the quantity
of winter rain. Seed dormancy can be broken by a range of environmental factors including bushfire and
germination dependent on optimum temperature range between 20-30 degrees and adequate moisture
availability (Winkworth 1973). Strong seed set after flowering is a good indicator of healthy and vibrant
specimens.
Given the ability of sheet flow Mulga to survive in arid environments, the consequences of altered sheet
flow in these environments may appear in short (e.g. erosion) to long (e.g. slow decline from reduced
water) time spans (Table 1).
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 5
Table 1: Impacts of linear infrastructure on sheet flow and sheet flow dependent vegetation
IMPACT ON
SHEET FLOW LOCATION
IMPACT ON SHEET FLOW
DEPENDENT VEGETATION TIMESCALE
Water Ponding Upslope of
infrastructure
Excess water leading to change in SFDV
• Increased growth and recruitment with increased water
• Decreased growth and recruitment with increased water
• Invasion of exotic and native plants (weeds) in altered environment
Short to long-term
(months to decades)
Water Starving Down slope of
infrastructure
Reduced water leading to decreased
growth and recruitment
Long-term (years to
decades)
Erosion Down slope of
infrastructure, below
culverts
Concentrated flow leading to erosion Short to medium-term
(months to years)
following large rainfall
events
Deposition Down slope of
infrastructure, below
culverts
Erosion and transport of sediment leading
to deposition
Short to medium-term
(months to years)
following large rainfall
events
Channel
formation
Down slope of
infrastructure, below
culverts
Concentrated flow leading to erosion and
channel formation
Short to medium-term
(months to years)
following large rainfall
events
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 6
3 Monitoring Approach
Given the extent of the rail line and potential for indirect impacts on SFDV, an integrated two tiered
remote sensing and targeted ground survey monitoring design is proposed (Figure 2). Remote sensing
data capture will provide information of vegetation condition and extent across the entire impact area
(both direct and indirect impact regions) with repeat capture providing quantitative information on
changes in vegetation condition (Hick et al. 1999). Remote sensing identified anomalies will be
targeted for ground survey to provide detailed condition information. In addition to anomaly directed
field survey a set of permanent control and impact field monitoring sites is proposed for baseline data
and ongoing monitoring. The permanent field monitoring will ground-truth the remote sensing analysis
and relating changes detected in the vegetation image, not necessarily attributed to sheet flow impacts,
with parameters such as foliar density, species richness, diversity, % cover, canopy and stem diameter.
The use of remote sensing data capture allows for early detection of change across the entire length of
the rail whereas field survey based monitoring alone would be limited to representative sampling,
detecting change only within the surveyed plots. A very large number of monitoring plots would be
required in solely field based monitoring program to provide even close to the extent of coverage
satellite image capture and time series analysis can provide. Remote sensing supported by field
measurements provides complete coverage of impacts across the length of the rail in areas at risk of
sheet flow impacts while still providing on-ground results for calibration and interpretation.
Although the primary purpose of the monitoring is to detect changes in SFDV as a result of sheet flow
disruption, the program is likely to and designed to also pick up other impacts such as significant weed
infestations and disturbance caused by erosion and sedimentation. Significant weed infestations are
likely to be detected as changes in image derived vegetation density information and weed richness and
cover will be recorded in supporting ground surveys. Erosion and sedimentation result in loss and/or
smothering of vegetation, which would also register in imagery, and would be targeted for ground
survey.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 7
Figure 2 Two-tiered monitoring approach
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 8
4 Remote Sensing Data & Analysis
Satellite remotely sensed data have been used to assess vegetation condition and extent since the
operation of the first Landsat system in 1972 (Jensen 2005). Currently there are many dedicated multi-
spectral satellite remote sensing systems that offer specific band combinations designed to provide
vegetation specific information. Typically these satellite systems capture 4-7 discrete bands or portions
of the electro-magnetic spectrum including Blue, Green, Red and Near Infrared in addition to mid-
infrared bands (Table 2).
Of these commonly available systems only RapidEye currently offers a combination of high to medium
resolution (6.5 m pixels), large area coverage (1000s of km2 per capture) and high revisit capture (daily)
that make it feasible for monitoring SFDV over large areas.
There are several common vegetation indices that have been developed specifically for multi-spectral
satellite images to assess vegetation vigour (Rouse et al. 1973, Huete 1988, Jensen 2005, Fitzgerald et
al. 2010, Frazier et al. 2010; Equations 1 and 2). The most common is the Normalised Difference
Vegetation Index (NDVI) with the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) being a variant applied for
regions of relatively low vegetative cover.
Equation 1: NDVI = (NIR-Red) / (NIR+Red)
Equation 2: SAVI = ((NIR-Red) (1 + l)) / (NIR+Red+l)
NIR = Near Infrared Band, Red = Red Band, l = Soil scaling factor (ranging from 0 to 1)
The RapidEye image offers a red-edge band that provides opportunities for additional vegetation
indices that might improve vegetation assessment potential. Of note is the Normalised Difference Red
Edge (NDRE, Equation 3).
Equation 3: NDRE = (NIR-Red Edge) / (NIR+Red Edge)
Red Edge = red edge band on RapidEye.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 9
Table 2: Satellite imaging systems (Frazier et al. 2010)
SATELLITE SYSTEM
SPATIAL
RESOLUTION
SWATH
WIDTH
REVIST TIME
IN DAYS
SPECTRAL RESOLUTION
(NM)
GeoEye Multispectral 2 m
(B) 450 – 520
(G) 520 – 600
(R ) 630 – 690
15 km < 3 (off-nadir) (NIR) 760 – 900
Panchromatic 0.5 m 450 – 900
RapidEye Multispectral 6.5 m
77 km
at nadir but
constellation
makes
much larger
footprint
Daily
(B) 440 – 510
(G) 520 – 590
(R ) 630 – 685
Red Edge 690-730
(NIR) 760 – 900
(G) 500 – 590
Spot 5 Multispectral 10 m
(R) 610 – 680
(NIR) 790 – 890
120 km 26 (< 5 off-
nadir) (SWIR) 1580 – 1750
Panchromatic 2.5 m 480 – 710
Landsat
ETM Bands 1-5, 7 30 m
(B) 450 – 520
(G) 520 – 600
(R) 630 – 690
(NIR) 760 – 900
(SWIR) 1550 – 1750
185 km 16 (SWIR) 2080 – 2350
Band 6 120 m
(TIR) 10400 – 12500
Panchromatic 15 m
MODIS Bands 1 & 2
only shown 250 m
(R) 620 – 670
2330 km < 2 (NIR) 840 – 880
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 10
5 Baseline Vegetation Condition Assessment
An initial assessment of vegetation condition and variability will be undertaken using existing mapping
(Astron 2010) and a RapidEye satellite image of the area captured in late summer or early spring
(Feb/Mar) (Figure 3). The image capture is timed to coincide with the increased growth and seed set
associated with the slight summer dominant rainfall in the region (OPRD PER 2010). ELA will trial and
compare results from the NDVI, SAVI and NDRE over the target area to select the most appropriate
vegetation index for the assessment and monitoring process. The best vegetation index will be
selected and assessed for obvious regions of variable vegetation cover density within the defined
potential direct and indirect impact zones and in control (no impact) zones. Data from impact and
control regions of SFDV will be extracted and compared using ANOVA or a Generalised Linear Model.
Ground survey will be undertaken using quadrats directed to sites within the main mapped SFDV areas,
including sites from regions of relatively high and low vegetation cover as determined by the SAVI
image. Further, at least half of the impact ground survey sites will be located in areas identified by
Astron (2010) as high to very high risk of sheet flow impacts (Figure 4).
Table 3: Baseline and permanent quadrat experimental design
Control and Impact Areas (Astron 2010) Cover as given by SAVI No. of Quadrats
Control (no impact) High 5
Low 5
Very High Impact High 5
Low 5
High Impact High 5
Low 5
Moderate Impact High 5
Low 5
Field quadrats will consist of 20 m by 20 m square quadrats that are located with a DGPS to an
accuracy of greater than 1 m. Within each quadrat the following parameters will be recorded:
• Full floristics and native species recruitment
o Species lists
o Species richness, % cover for species, diversity (i.e. Shannon-Wiener index)
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 11
• Foliar density estimate
• Vertical foliar photograph at each of the quadrat vertices
• Foliar condition (qualitative observation of stress eg browning or loss of leaves)
• Stem counts
• DBH of canopy trees
• Weed presence and abundance
• % bare soil
• % crypotgams
• % litter
• Large Woody Debris
• Disturbance (tracks etc)
• Sediment erosion or deposition
• Photos of site from permanent location to be noted for future monitoring
Following baseline data collection, these quadrats will be surveyed annually (Section 6.3).
All sample data will be collated and impact and control data will be compared using ANOVA or
MANOVA (multiple analyses of variance) to determine statistically significant differences. It is
anticipated that the field survey will be conducted in March/April following capture and analysis of the
RapidEye image.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 12
Figure 3: Baseline sheet flow dependent vegetation
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 13
Figure 4: Risk based assessment of potential impacts of altered sheet flow adapted from Astron (2010).
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 14
Table 3: Summary of baseline data collection methodology
DATA
TYPE
LOCATION /
EXTENT PROCESS
SCALE &
RESOLUTION
TIMING
GIS &
remote
sensing
Entire impacted
area with control
sites
GIS stratification based on
vegetation mapping
Vegetation condition
assessment from satellite
image
Vegetation
mapping to
1:10,000 scale
Satellite image <
10 m pixel size
Image capture in late
summer/early spring
to coincide with slight
summer dominate
rainfall
Ground
survey
Approximately 40
survey quadrats
distributed across
control and impact
zones
Detailed quadrat based
field survey collecting
parameters as per
Section 5.
20 m by 20 m
quadrats with
detailed internal
data collection
March/April following
analysis of satellite
imagery
6 Ongoing monitoring and directed field assessment
Ongoing monitoring will be based on capture and analysis of RapidEye imagery with directed field
survey and repeat survey of the established permanent sites.
6.1 REMOTE SENSING
The RapidEye imagery (or equivalent) will be captured annually in late summer early spring (Feb/Mar)
as anniversary captures to minimize sun angle and seasonal ground cover changes between captures.
The imagery should then be processed into the appropriate vegetation index and assessed visually and
statistically in key mapped SFDV categories as described in the Baseline Monitoring description.
Further statistical analysis should be undertaken using time series analysis to compare changes in the
same target areas through time.
Image to image change detection through subtraction of subsequent vegetation index images will
highlight areas of relative decline or increase in vegetation biomass. These images will determine the
basis of any directed field assessment to identify the cause of change between image dates (refer to
triggers for directed field assessment.
6.2 DIRECTED FIELD ASSESSMENT
The directed field assessment methodology will require a site specific rapid assessment based on the
impacting factor, on-ground effect, management plan and action (
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 15
Table 4). The need for this field assessment and the direction for where it is to be undertaken will arise
from the specific changes observed in the remote sensing (Section 7).
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 16
Table 4: Rapid field checking protocol
PARAMETER METHOD
Foliar Condition
Estimate
Meandering traverse in impact area documenting foliar condition and noting obvious
areas of declining condition
Tree loss (patch size
reduction Note location and extent of dead trees, identify impacting factor (if apparent)
Weed invasion Document key weed species, estimate of % of weed cover in defined impact area
Channel formation On ground inspection: note length, width and depth of channel, indicate areas of erosion
Erosion/sedimentation On ground inspection record nature and extent of erosion (location, erosion type, depth of
soil loss)
Sedimentation
(deposition)
On ground inspection record nature and extent of sedimentation (location, extent, depth,
sediment calibre)
6.3 PERMANENT QUADRAT MONITORING
Independent of the directed field assessment, each of the permanent quadrats established for the
baseline vegetation condition assessment (Section 5) will be revisited annually and the following
parameters recorded (every year in March/April):
• Foliar density estimate
• Weed presence and abundance
• Vertical foliar photograph at each of the quadrat vertices
• Large woody debris
• New disturbance (tracks etc)
• Sediment erosion or deposition
• Photographic monitoring
In addition, the following additional parameters should be recorded every 3 years:
• Full floristics and native species recruitment
• Stem counts
• DBH
• % bare soil
• % crypotgams
• % litter
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 17
It is intended to review this program every three years and in the sixth year, following the second full
field parameter collection, determine which, if any, of the measurements should continue to be
collected. This will include consideration of the evaluated likely or proven effectiveness of the remote
sensing and responsive directed field assessments (as per Section 6.1 and 6.2) to detect and respond
to detrimental change.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 18
Figure 5: Risk monitoring procedure
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 19
Table 5: Summary of ongoing monitoring methodology
DATA
TYPE
LOCATION /
EXTENT PROCESS
SCALE &
RESOLUTION
TIMING
GIS and
remote
sensing
Entire impacted
area with control
sites
GIS stratification based on
vegetation mapping
Vegetation condition
assessment from satellite
image
Vegetation
mapping to
1:10,000 scale
Satellite image <
10 m pixel size
Image capture in late
summer/early spring
to coincide with slight
summer dominate
rainfall
Rapid field
plots
As directed by
remote sensing
analysis
Rapid qualitative
assessment of identified
anomalies (Table 4)
Site specific
assessment
March/April following
analysis of satellite
imagery
Permanent
plots
Up to 40 survey
quadrats distributed
across control and
impact zones
Detailed quadrat based
field survey
20 m by 20 m
quadrats with
detailed internal
data collection
March/April following
analysis of satellite
imagery
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 20
7 Monitoring Triggers and Actions
A two tiered system of triggers for action is proposed based on responding to changes across the length
of the rail (Figure 2 Two-tiered monitoring approach).
The first tier of response is triggered by changes detected in the satellite image and remote sensing
time series analysis, which instigates further investigation including targeted rapid on ground
assessments of condition and vegetative cover (Table 6).
The second tier of response is triggered if changes are confirmed or discovered on-ground through the
targeted on ground assessments or as part of the permanent quadrat monitoring program (
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 21
Table 7). These triggers instigate the development of site specific management responses and remedial
actions.
Table 6: Satellite based monitoring triggers for further investigation
RESPONSE TRIGGER KEY
PERFORMANCE
INDICATOR (KPI)
INVESTIGATION ACTION
Statistical change in a
region not consistent
with regional patterns
Remote sensing
time series
analysis
Corroborate statistical analysis
with visual image inspection
Investigate via rapid field
checking protocol (as required)
Change detection
identifies area of
significant change (> 1
std dev from average) in
area greater than 0.1 ha
Remote sensing
change detection
Investigate sources of change
via desktop assessment:
1. Obvious external
influence e.g. fire,
major storm, or
unrelated
development)
2. Potentially due to
altered sheet flow,
significant weed
infestation, and/or
erosion /
sedimentation.
Respond to change based on
likely source of impact:
1. Identify region of
change and tag it as
non-project specific
impact; or if
2. Undertake directed
field investigation via
rapid field checking
protocol (Table 4).
Assess against field
based monitoring
triggers (Table 7)
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 22
Table 7: Field based monitoring triggers and responses for site specific management responses
RESPONSE
TRIGGER
KEY
PERFORMANCE
INDICATOR (KPI)
ACTION CLOSE-OUT
REQUIREMENTS
Greater than 25%
decline in patch foliar
density in SFDV
communities
Directed field
inspection and
assessment using
rapid field checking
protocol (Table 4)
in response to Tier
1 change
Foliar density
estimates and %
cover
measurements in
permanent
quadrats
Identify potential cause and respond if
decline is attributable to:
3. Culvert blockage or design
inadequate - starving down
slope areas of water
4. Water pooling causing
adverse effect on SFDV
5. Sediment deposition and/or
erosion causing adverse
effect on SFDV.
Review of Surface Water
Management Plan and possible
culvert/drain engineering repair or
reinstallation.
Develop site specific SFDV recovery
plan and implement plan.
Establish site specific ground survey
quadrat, assessed and incorporated
into ongoing permanent monitoring
program
Site specific recovery reported
Site inspected
Management plan reviewed,
recovery plan prepared and
both implemented
SFDV recovers to normal
regional levels
Quadrat established and
incorporated into routine
monitoring
Site recovery report
incorporated into annual
reporting
% weed cover > 25%
of site
% weed cover as
measured in rapid
field checking
protocol (Table 4)
in response to Tier
1 change
% weed cover
measured in
permanent
quadrats
Determine if invasive environmental
or declared weed
Enter location and extent of
infestation (within limits of inspection)
into GIS database
If so, engage contractors to undertake
weed control
Revisit site in following year and
measure % weed cover again.
Repeat control and monitoring if
% weed cover still > 25%
GIS records of infestation
Weed control program
completed
Monitoring indicates
decrease in % weed cover
Erosion/sedimentation
occurring
Inspections as part
of rapid field
checking protocol
Identify potential cause and respond if
decline is attributable to:
Site inspected
Management plan reviewed
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 23
RESPONSE
TRIGGER
KEY
PERFORMANCE
INDICATOR (KPI)
ACTION CLOSE-OUT
REQUIREMENTS
(Table 4) in
response to Tier 1
change
Observations in
permanent
quadrats
1. Culvert blockage or design
inadequate
2. Water pooling
3. Grade of rail embankments
Review of Surface Water
Management Plan and possible
culvert/drain engineering repair or
reinstallation.
and implemented
10% of more decline
in species richness or
diversity
Number of species
and Shannon-
Wiener index for
diversity
measurement in
permanent
quadrats
Investigate sources of change via
desktop assessment:
1. Obvious external influence
e.g. fire, major storm, or
unrelated development)
2. Potentially due to altered
sheet flow
3. Potentially due to other
aspects of construction of
operation of rail
Respond to change based
on likely source of impact:
1. Monitor recovery; or
2. Implement actions
as if ‘% decline in
patch foliar density
in SFDV
communities’
above; or
3. Review and revise
management plans,
address threatening
processes and
undertake
supplementary
seeding. Continue
to monitor.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 24
8 Review of monitoring program
The monitoring program will be reviewed every three years and revised and reissued if necessary for
implementation. Following the sixth year of field assessments, the requirement for permanent quadrat
monitoring will be reviewed. This will include consideration of the evaluated likely or proven
effectiveness of the remote sensing and responsive directed field assessments (as per Section 6.1 and
6.2) to detect and respond to detrimental change.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 25
9 Reporting
OPR will provide the DEC with a concise summary of findings on an annual basis. The implementation
of the program will also be subject to internal audits and will be reported in annual compliance
assessment reports to the DEC.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 26
References
Astron (2000) Oakajee Port and Rail, Risk Assessment of Rail Corridor, Potential Impacts on Sheet
Flow Dependent Vegetation, Astron Environmental Services.
Dunkerley, DL. (2001) Infiltration rates and soil moisture in a groved mulga community near Alice
Springs, arid central Australia: Evidence for complex internal rainwater redistribution in a runoff-runon
landscape. Journal of Arid Environments 51(2) 199-219.
Fitzgerald G, Rodriguez D, O’Leary G. (2010) Measuring and predicting canopy nitrogen nutrition in
wheat using a spectral index – The canopy chlorophyll content index (CCCI). Field Crop Research 116
318-324.
Frazier P, Jenkins R, Trotter T. (2010) Monitoring the effect of longwall mine subsidence on native
vegetation and agricultural environments. ACARP C15015 (Australian Coal Association Research
Program).
Hick, P., Caccetta, M., Corner, R. 1999. An assessment of vegetation condition and monitoring strategy
for Hamersley Iron’s Central Pilbara Railway (CPR) through Karijini National Park using remotely
sensed and ancillary data. Industry Report by CSIRO MRRP Exploration and Mining and CSIRO Land
and Water.
Huete 1988 A soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) Remote Sensing of Environment
Volume 25, Issue 3, August 1988, Pages 295-309
Jensen, J. 2005. Introductory Digital Image Processing: A remote sensing perspective. Prentice Hall,
Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA.
Ludwig, J., Tongway, D., Freudenberger, D., Noble, J. and Hodgkinson, K. (eds.) 1997. Landscape
Ecology Function and Management: Principles from Australia's Rangelands. CSIRO, Melbourne.
Miller J.T., Andrew R.A. and Maslin B.R. (2002). Towards and understanding of the variation in the
Mulga complex (Acacia aneura and relatives). Conservation Science WA. 4: 19�35.
OPRD PER 2010 Oakajee Rail Development, Public Environmental Review Assessment No. 1818.
Rouse, J.W., R.H.Haas, J.A.Schell, and D.W.Deering, 1973: Monitoring vegetation systems in the great
plains with ERTS, Third ERTS Symposium, NASA SP-351 I: 309-317.
Winkworth, R.E. 1973. Eco‐Physiology of Mulga (Acacia aneura). Tropical Grasslands 7 (1), 43‐48.
Oa ka j ee M id - w e st R a i l Veg et a t io n M o n i t o r in g P ro g r am
© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P TY L TD 27
HEAD OFFICE
Suite 4, Level 1
2-4 Merton Street
Sutherland NSW 2232
T 02 8536 8600
F 02 9542 5622
SYDNEY
Suite 604, Level 6
267 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
T 02 9993 0566
F 02 9993 0573
ST GEORGES BASIN
8/128 Island Point Road
St Georges Basin NSW 2540
T 02 4443 5555
F 02 4443 6655
CANBERRA
Level 2
11 London Circuit
Canberra ACT 2601
T 02 6103 0145
F 02 6103 0148
HUNTER
Suite 17, Level 4
19 Bolton Street
Newcastle NSW 2300
T 02 4910 0125
F 02 4910 0126
NAROOMA
5/20 Canty Street
Narooma NSW 2546
T 02 4476 1151
F 02 4476 1161
COFFS HARBOUR
35 Orlando Street
Coffs Harbour Jetty NSW 2450
T 02 6651 5484
F 02 6651 6890
ARMIDALE
92 Taylor Street
Armidale NSW 2350
T 02 8081 2681
F 02 6772 1279
BRISBANE
93 Boundary St
West End QLD 4101
T 1300 646 131
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Suite 3, 29 Ord Street
West Perth WA 6005
T 08 9227 1070
F 08 9227 1078
WOLLONGONG
Level 2
25 Atchison Street
Wollongong NSW 2500
T 02 8536 8615
F 02 4254 6699
Recommended