Department of Health October 2014 Tree Health Monitoring...October 2014 Tree Health Monitoring Survey and conservation area 1 Busselton Health Campus Department of Health 4326AA_005_F001_GIS

Department of Health

October 2014 Tree Health Monitoring

Busselton Health Campus

November 2014

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Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd ABN: 65 140 765 902

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October 2014 Tree Health Monitoring

Prepared for Department of Health

Prepared by Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd Suite 2, 53 Burswood Road Burswood WA 6100 Australia PO Box 4223 Victoria Park WA 6979 Australia t +61 8 9269 6200 f +61 8 9269 6299 coffey.com ABN: 65 140 765 902

November 2014

ENAUPERT04326AA_005_v2

Library reference: EP2014/136

Quality Information

Revision History

Revision Description Date Originator Reviewer Approver

v1 draft Draft 06/11/14 C. van den Bergh D. True D. True

v2 final Final 10/11/14 C. van den Bergh C. van den Bergh D. True

Distribution

Report Status No. of copies Format Distributed to Date

v1 draft 1 PDF Department of Health 06/11/2014

v2 final 1 PDF Department of Health 10/11/2014

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd ABN: 65 140 765 902

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Coffey ENAUPERT04326AA_005_v2 November 2014

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Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1 On-ground tree health survey ............................................................................................. 3

2.2 Remote sensing (aerial) tree health survey ........................................................................ 3

3 Results ......................................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................ 5

3.2 Vigour ................................................................................................................................. 7

3.3 Crown density and foliage transparency ............................................................................ 7

3.4 Crown dieback .................................................................................................................... 8

3.5 General tree observations .................................................................................................. 9

3.5.1 Insect damage ....................................................................................................... 9

3.5.2 Pathogen presence .............................................................................................. 10

3.5.3 Epicormic growth ................................................................................................. 10

3.5.4 Tree deaths .......................................................................................................... 10

3.5.5 Flowering/fruiting ................................................................................................. 11

3.5.6 Presence of Western Ringtail Possums and dreys ............................................. 11

3.6 Digital Multi-Spectral Imagery ........................................................................................... 11

3.6.1 Change detection ................................................................................................. 12

4 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 13

5 Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 15

6 References ................................................................................................................................. 17


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Figures

1 Survey and Conservation Area ..................................................................................................... 2 2 Transect and Tagged Tree Location ............................................................................................. 4 3 Average long-term and 2013/2014 monthly rainfall totals from weather station No. 009515

(BOM, 2014) ................................................................................................................................. 5 4 Monthly rainfall totals (January 2010 to September 2014) and mean monthly rainfall for

Weather station 009515 (BOM 2014) ........................................................................................... 6 5 Frequency of crown dieback categories from September 2010 to September 2014 ................... 9 6 Number of tagged trees showing insect borer and termite activity ............................................... 9 7 Mean plant cell density over the five spring survey periods ....................................................... 12

Tables

1 Mean combined vigour class from September 2010 to October 2014. ........................................ 7 2 Mean Vigour class of each transect, individual trees and combined data across all spring tree

health assessments ...................................................................................................................... 7 3 Mean crown density and mean foliage transparency ................................................................... 8 4 Comparison of the average crown density (%) across the four transects, individual trees and

combined data across all spring surveys of the tree health assessments ................................... 8 6 Summary of tree health state between spring monitoring periods ............................................. 13 7 Assessment of tree health against the spring trigger levels ....................................................... 14

Plates

1 Fruiting body on tree 138 ............................................................................................................ 10 2 Fruiting body on tree 257 ............................................................................................................ 10 3 Damage of tree 229 .................................................................................................................... 11

Appendices

A Tree health monitoring procedure B Combined tree health data October 2014 C Number and percentage of trees recorded in each crown dieback category for all tree health

assessments D SpecTerra Services – October 2014 DMSI True Imagery E SpecTerra Services – October 2014 DMSI False Imagery F Busselton Hospital Change Detection October 2013 to October 2014 G Busselton Hospital Change Detection October 2010 to October 2014

Busselton Health Campus | October 2014 Tree Health Monitoring


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1 Introduction

The Western Australian Department of Health (DoH) is currently building the new Busselton Health Campus on the existing Busselton Hospital site. The new Busselton Health Campus will cater for the projected demand for health services in the southwest region of Western Australian, associated with the projected population growth.

The Busselton Hospital site is 12.3 hectares (ha) in size, of which a large portion is open Peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) woodland, with relatively little understorey (Figure 1). The site is located within core habitat for the Western Ringtail Possum (WRP) (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), which is listed as a threatened species under both State (Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act)) and Federal (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)) environmental legislation.

The preparation and implementation of a Western Ringtail Possum Management Plan was a condition of approval for the Busselton Health Campus redevelopment under the EPBC Act (EPBC 2011/6011) and Environmental Protection Act 1986 (NVCP 4433/2). The Western Ringtail Possum Management Plan (V9) was recently revised and was approved by the then Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (now the Department of the Environment) and the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) (15/08/2013).

The approved Western Ringtail Possum Management Plan (Coffey, 2013a) outlines the requirement for a tree health monitoring program to be conducted at the Busselton Health Campus, as detailed in Management Measure 15 (M15):

‘Monitor tree health twice a year during construction and for no less than two years post-construction using ground-based and remote sensing methods… Monitoring will then be undertaken once a year at 5 and 10 years post-construction. Twice yearly monitoring will be undertaken in approximately March and September of each year to allow comparison with previous monitoring results. Annual monitoring will be undertaken in approximately September.

A Tree Health Monitoring Procedure (Appendix A) was developed and approved as part of the Western Ringtail Possum Management Plan. Coffey was commissioned in 2013 to undertake the tree health monitoring program (up until 2017) and this report details the results of the October 2014 assessment.

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SourceRedevelopment area from Natural Area Consultants (June 2013)Road names from Landgate.Aerial imagery from Specterra (October 2014).

1Survey and conservation areaOctober 2014 Tree Health MonitoringBusselton Health Campus


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2 Methods

The methodology employed for the October 2014 tree health assessment was consistent with surveys completed by Coffey to date (September 2010 to March 2014) (Coffey, 2011a; 2011b; 2012a; 2012b; 2013b; 2013c; and 2014) and in accordance with the current Busselton Health Campus Tree Health Monitoring Procedure (Appendix A).

The tree health assessment was undertaken in two stages, including an on-ground tree health survey and a remote sensing (aerial) tree health survey.

2.1 On-ground tree health survey

The on-ground tree health survey was conducted on 7 October 2014. The on-ground tree health survey was undertaken by a qualified botanist from Coffey in conjunction with the WRP monitoring survey.

Two hundred and twenty seven (227) Peppermints trees, two Melaleucas and one Eucalypt tree were tagged during the baseline surveys in September 2010 and March 2011. The on-ground tree health survey involves the visual assessment of the 227 tagged trees (Figure 2) in accordance with the Tree Health Monitoring Procedure provided as Appendix A.

2.2 Remote sensing (aerial) tree health survey

The remote sensing (aerial) tree health survey was conducted by SpecTerra Services Pty Ltd (SpecTerra). The airborne survey over the Busselton Health Campus site was undertaken on 14 October 2014.

The remote sensing survey involved the collection of a Digital Multi-Spectral Image (DMSI) of the site using a High Resolution Airborne Multispectral Sensor (HiRAMS) (Appendix A). The airborne image is corrected for camera distortion and scene brightness effects, before GeoTiff image products (including true colour image, false colour infrared image, pseudo colour plant cell density index image and composite change detection) are produced and analysed.

Change detection or PCD (infrared Reflectance over Red Reflectance) change is a simple remote sensing image analysis technique for measuring plant cell density and health. The PCD is sensitive to the quantity of leaves in each pixel (sample) and the density of healthy plant cells in those leaves. The Red band (675 nm) is positioned at maximum absorption by leaf chlorophyll content and the infrared band (780 nm) where the leaf structure of healthy plants strongly reflects incoming energy.

SpecTerra have five PCD change classes that reflect the gain or loss in PCD. SpecTerra have also included a sixth class that refers to trees that have been lost/removed between two data acquisition periods. The five PCD change classes are:

Less than (<) -50% – Maximum Loss in PCD. -50% to -30% – Moderate Loss in PCD. -30% to -10% – Minor Loss in PCD. -10% to 10% – No Significant Change in PCD. Greater than (>) 10% – Gain in PCD.

Following correction, production and analysis of the imagery, SpecTerra prepare a report detailing the calibrated mean and standard deviation of PCD values for identified tree canopy clusters (established during the baseline survey in October 2010 and excluding trees cleared in September 2012) collected during the survey and a comparison to previous fly-overs, referred to as ‘change detection’.

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SourceConservation area from Natural Area Consultants (June 2013)Road names from Landgate.Aerial imagery from Specterra (October 2014).

2Transect and tagged tree locationsOctober 2014 Tree Health MonitoringBusselton Health Campus


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3 Results

The data collected from the 138 tagged trees located along the four transects and the remaining 92 individually tagged trees during the October 2014 survey are provided in Appendix B.

3.1 Climate

The nearest public climate data is available from Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Station 009515 (Busselton Shire). For the three months prior the survey (July 2014 to September 2014) Busselton Shire received 320 mm, 9.6% lower than the mean monthly rainfall of the same period (Figure 3) (BOM 2014).

The rainfall recorded at the Busselton Shire weather station since the previous 2013 October tree health assessment was average, with several months (April, June and August 2014) well above average (BoM, 2014) (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Average long-term and 2013/2014 monthly rainfall totals from weather station No. 009515 (BOM, 2014)

The Busselton Shire weather station has received approximately 20% (3,190 mm compared to 3,957 mm) less rainfall from the beginning of 2010 to September 2014 (BoM, 2014). The actual monthly rainfall for the Busselton Shire Weather Station from January 2010 through to September 2014 and the mean monthly average is provided in Figure 4 for comparison with the actual rainfall recorded.



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Figure 4 Monthly rainfall totals (January 2010 to September 2014) and mean monthly rainfall for Weather station 009515 (BOM 2014)



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3.2 Vigour

The mean combined vigour class value of 1.83 was recorded from the tagged trees at the site during the October 2014 assessment (Table 1). The mean combined vigour class across the spring monitoring periods (September/October months) was an increasing trend from 2010 to 2013. The 2014 decrease in the mean combined vigour of 0.12 indicates an increase of live tree canopy and suggests the health of the tagged trees may be increasing.

Table 1 Mean combined vigour class from September 2010 to October 2014

Survey date Mean combined vigour class2

September 20101 1.47

September 20111 1.57

October 20121 1.86

October 20131 1.95

October 2014 1.83

1 Source: Coffey Environments (2011a, 2011b, 2012b and 2013c). 2 A value of 1 indicates a healthy tree, while a value of 3 indicates an unhealthy, dying or dead tree.

Table 2 compares the mean vigour class ratings recorded across the four transects, the individually tagged trees and combined data across the spring tree health assessments. All transects show a decrease in the vigour rating for spring 2014 spring compared to the previous year, with transect 2 having the highest decrease in its vigour rating (approximately 11% decrease). The improved vigour ratings of the transects suggest there has been an improvement in tree health since October 2013. The individually tagged trees showed an increased vigour rating in October 2014 compared to the previous year. The vigour ratings in 2014 are still above the original vigour ratings from the spring survey in 2010.

Table 2 Mean vigour class of each transect, individual trees and combined data across all spring tree health assessments

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Transect 1 1.60 1.92 2.07 2.16 2.11

Transect 2 1.55 1.89 1.94 1.97 1.76

Transect 3 1.57 1.85 1.83 2.09 1.98

Transect 4 1.60 1.95 2.02 1.98 1.82

Individual 1.34 1.55 1.67 1.76 1.80

Total 1.47 1.72 1.86 1.95 1.83

3.3 Crown density and foliage transparency

The mean crown density has declined by 6.17% since the original spring (September 2010) monitoring period (Table 3), indicating a decline in tree health. However the mean crown density increased by 0.26% between the October 2013 and October 2014 monitoring periods indicating a slight improvement in tree health since the previous spring monitoring period, as demonstrated in Table 3.



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Mean foliage transparency (Table 3) is the inverse of mean crown density; therefore a decrease in crown density will result in an increase in foliage transparency and so is not discussed further.

Table 3 Mean crown density and mean foliage transparency

Survey time Mean crown density Mean foliage transparency

September 2010 30.11% 69.93%

September 2011 26.44% 73.58%

October 2012 24.57% 75.43%

October 2013 23.68% 76.32%

October 2014 23.94% 76.01%

Source: Coffey Environments (2011a, 2011b, 2012b and 2013c)

Table 4 shows a comparison of the mean crown density values across the spring monitoring periods. There has been a decrease in crown density values from the initial September 2010 tree health assessment. Transect 1 and Transect 2 have experienced the greatest decline in crown density since the September 2010 tree health assessment, 12.26% and 5.75% respectively. Transects 3 and 4 and the individually tagged trees have only recorded a slight reduction in crown density, with a total combined reduction of 6.16%. Since the 2013 spring tree health monitoring period, Transects 1 and 4 recorded a decrease in crown density; however Transects 2 and 3, and the individually tagged trees have recorded an increase in crown density values, with an overall total combined increase of 0.26% increase in crown density (Table 4). This suggests an improvement in tree health.

Table 4 Comparison of the average crown density (%) across the four transects, individual trees and combined data across all spring surveys of the tree health assessments

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Transect 1 32.3 26.6 23.45 21.73 20.04

Transect 2 31.4 27.6 25.16 24.19 25.65

Transect 3 27.0 25.2 23.89 21.30 23.15

Transect 4 29.6 23.8 22.20 23.60 22.40

Individual 29.6 19.4 25.87 25.38 26.36

Combined 30.10 26.42 24.57 23.68 23.94

3.4 Crown dieback

The frequency of crown dieback categories using combined data (all tree data) from tree health assessments completed in spring from September 2010 to October 2014 is presented in Figure 5. The monitoring undertaken in October 2014 identified evidence of crown dieback in all of the tagged trees and an increase in crown dieback (less trees in Category 1) when compared to the initial monitoring completed in September 2010. Since October 2013 there has been an increase in Category 1 and a decrease in the remaining Categories (Categories 2 to 7) (Figure 5, Appendix C). The comparison between crown dieback categories across the four transects and individual trees as well as the combined data between all spring assessments are presented in Appendix C.



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Figure 5 Frequency of crown dieback categories from September 2010 to September 2014

3.5 General tree observations

3.5.1 Insect damage

A total of 176 tagged trees showed some signs of insect damage through insect borers, termites or both during the spring 2014 monitoring period. Borers were identified from 64 trees while termites were recorded from 112 trees (Figure 6).

There has been a marked increase in the number of trees with termite and borer activity. Of the 112 trees affected by termites in October 2014, 43 have been recognised as new infestations since the March 2014 tree health assessment. The borer activity has also increased since March 2014 with an additional 10 trees identified with activity. Thirty one trees were recorded as having both borers and termites, an increase of 16 trees since the previous March 2014 monitoring period. This may be a result of a decrease in the health and vigour of tagged trees or increase in observable (i.e. surface damage) damage.

Figure 6 Number of tagged trees showing insect borer and termite activity



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3.5.2 Pathogen presence

The majority of the trees assessed as part of the spring 2014 tree health assessment were not affected by pathogens, with the exception of trees 055, 138 and 257, evident via the presence of fruiting bodies (Plate 1 and Plate 2). The presence of pathogens and their fruiting bodies does not necessarily translate to unhealthy trees. The fungal pathogen was not identified; however, it is not considered to be Neofusicoccum australe, which is known to be an opportunistic pathogen responsible for crown dieback in Peppermint trees in Western Australia (Dakin et al., 2010). The presence of pathogens has remained relatively stable (maximum of eight trees in September 2010 to a minimum of one tree in October 2012), throughout the spring monitoring periods.

Plate 1 Fruiting body on tree 138 Plate 2 Fruiting body on tree 257

3.5.3 Epicormic growth

During the spring 2014 monitoring, 113 of the tagged trees (49%) were identified with epicormic growth. These results show a slight increase in trees identified with epicormic growth when compared to the previous spring assessment in 2013 where 98 trees (42%) were recorded. This may be a response to the above average rainfall in 2013, resulting in greater crown growth.

A total of 116 (46%) tagged trees were identified with epicormic growth during the initial September 2010 tree health assessment. This is considered to be consistent with the spring 2014 monitoring period (49% of tagged trees with epicormic growth).

3.5.4 Tree deaths

No new tree deaths were recorded between the autumn 2014 and the spring 2014 monitoring periods. One tree that was previously recorded as dead has subsequently collapsed (Tag No. 057). Another tree in the north-west of the campus (Tag No. 229), has been damaged (potentially by the winter storms) with one of the trunks snapping at the base (Plate 3). The likely contributors to the tree damage are the severe winter storms that occurred in 2014.



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Plate 3 Damage of tree 229

Although there were no new tree deaths with regard to the tagged trees, one Callistemon tree has been cleared from within the construction site along Mill Road since the autumn 2014 (March) survey. The tree was located within the permitted clearing area (Coffey, 2014).

3.5.5 Flowering/fruiting

As part of the spring 2014 tree health monitoring, general tree observations were undertaken including evidence of flowering or fruiting. The vast majority of tagged trees (219 trees, 95%) were in various stages of flowering at the time of the spring 2014 survey. In the initial spring 2010 survey 100% of the monitored tree were recorded with flower buds. The previous spring survey (October 2013), 197 (85%) trees were in a stage of flowering.

It was also noted that Peppermint seedlings had germinated surrounding the new car park in the southeast of the Busselton Health Campus. This is considered to be natural regeneration from the seed bank in the soil as a result of disturbance, increase in space and potentially water run-off from the car park.

3.5.6 Presence of Western Ringtail Possums and dreys

Eleven Western Ringtail Possums (WRPs) and nine dreys (nest constructed by the Western Ringtail Possums were recorded within the 230 tagged trees during the spring 2014 tree health assessment. The possums and dreys were scattered over the entire Busselton Health Campus site.

These recordings were opportunistic sightings and not considered to be a comprehensive assessment of the presence of WRPs at the site. Comprehensive WRP assessments have been undertaken by Coffey biannually since 2009.

3.6 Digital Multi-Spectral Imagery

The true and false colour imagery for the October 2014 fly-over is provided in Appendices D and E. The October 2010 imagery has been used as baseline imagery for subsequent spring flights to determine changes in the plant cell density (PCD), more commonly referred to as change detection.

A comparison between the last two spring monitoring periods (October 2013 compared with October 2014) provides greater clarity in the leaf cell density change and mitigates change attributed to seasonal variation.



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3.6.1 Change detection

The mean PCD value for the five spring acquisition periods indicates that there has been a 6% decrease in the mean PCD value across the site since the baseline spring 2010 data acquisition period. However, there has been a 5% increase in PCD (thus tree health) between the spring 2013 and the spring 2014 acquisition periods (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Mean plant cell density over the five spring survey periods

Spring 2013 to Spring 2014

PCD change is depicted in the change detection map for the period October 2013 to October 2014 provided as Appendix E. DMSI mapping for this period indicated that approximately 30% of the peppermints (and other trees) within the Busselton Health Campus recorded a greater than 10% increase in PCD values, and thus an increase in crown density and potentially tree health.

Approximately 60% of the trees within the Busselton Health Campus are showing very little change in PCD values (± 10%), while around 10% of trees recorded a decrease in PCD greater than 10%. Three trees in the north-west corner of the campus showed a moderate loss (50–30% loss) and nine trees have been removed since the spring 2013 survey (these nine tree are inclusive of the five trees removed before the autumn 2014 and an additional four trees before the spring 2014 survey). No trees were identified as having recorded a maximum loss (greater than 50%) of PCD within the campus between the spring 2013 and spring 2014 data acquisition periods (Appendix F).

Spring 2010 to Spring 2014

PCD change mapping for the Busselton Health Campus for the period October 2010 to October 2014 was examined for comparison. DMSI mapping and change detection for this period indicated that approximately one-third (35%) of the trees within the campus have shown a stable (± 10%) PCD value, while an additional one-third (35%) of the trees have had a minor decrease (-10% to -30%) in PCD values. There has been a 7% increase in tress with a greater than 10% increase in PCD. One tree was recorded with a maximum loss (greater than 50%) of PCD between the spring 2010 and spring 2014 data acquisition periods (Appendix G).

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4 Discussion

Based on the Spring 2014 results of the on-ground visual tree assessment and the results of the DMSI aerial imagery, the health of the tagged trees is considered to be in a stable to improving condition. Three of the values recorded during the monitoring period are considered particularly useful in determining tree health change. These three factors are crown density (on-ground); canopy vigour (on-ground) and PCD change (DMSI aerial imagery).

The remainder of the recorded values (crown dieback and general tree health observations; epicormic growth, pathogens, insect activity) provide additional information and potential explanations to tree health improvement or decline when discussed in context with the remaining values, but are not considered to be directly useful values in determining tree health.

Table 6 summarises the improvement or decline in tree health based on vigour, crown density and PCD values between the original spring 2010 assessment, the spring 2013 assessment and the spring 2014 assessment. A change greater than 5% between the two monitoring (2010 to 2014 and 2013 to 2014) is considered to be significant in this situation.

Table 6 Summary of tree health state between spring monitoring periods

Survey time Improving Stable / Neutral Declining

Vigour 2010–2014

2013–2014

Crown Density 2010–2014

2013–2014

PCD Value 2010–2014

2013–2014

The Western Ringtail Possum Management Plan has identified contingency measures to be undertaken if certain trigger levels relating to tree canopy health are met or exceeded. If these trigger levels are met or exceeded the DoH will notify and consult with the DER and the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) to discuss whether the decline is a local or regional occurrence. The trigger levels for decline in tree health are:

A catastrophic decline, considered a 20% or greater reduction in tree canopy; or

A general decline in tree health of 30% or greater of the entire site (as determined through aerial imagery).

For the purposes of tree canopy health, the baseline values are the values recorded during the March and October tree health monitoring periods immediately prior to the development of the Busselton Health Campus. The construction of the Busselton Health Campus occurred in late 2012, therefore the March and October 2012 results are considered to be the pre-construction baseline values.

There is very little meaning in comparing October and March results due to seasonal variability, therefore, the March (autumn) tree health monitoring periods is compared against the March 2012 monitoring period (March pre-construction baseline), while the October (spring) tree health monitoring periods is compared against the October 2012 monitoring period (October pre-construction baseline).

An assessment of the spring 2014 results against their October pre-construction baseline trigger levels is presented in Table 7.



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Table 7 Assessment of tree health against the spring trigger levels

Trigger Level Spring Baseline Values1

Trigger Values

Spring 2014 Values

Percentage Change

Has it been Triggered?

20% or greater reduction in tree canopy (Crown Density)

24.57% 19.65% 23.94% -2.56% No

30% or greater decline in tree health (PCD)

633 443 612 -3.32% No

1 The Spring 2012 data has been used as the baseline (i.e. pre-construction).

The tagged trees located across the Busselton Health Campus has shown a decrease (-2.56% change) in crown density since the baseline survey (Spring 2012) as shown in Table 7. In addition, there has been a 3.32% decrease in PCD values across the Busselton Health Campus (Table 7).

Based on the comparisons between the October 2012 baseline (i.e. pre-construction) and the current October 2014 data, the trigger levels have not been exceeded and consultation with DER and DPaW is not required (Table 7).

Ongoing monitoring of the health of the trees is undertaken on a six-monthly basis in consideration of the trigger levels set out in the approved Western Ringtail Possum Management Plan. The next tree health monitoring will be conducted in March 2015.



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5 Recommendations

Based on the results of the October 2014 tree health assessment, the following recommendations are provided to minimise the decline in tree health at the site and ensure the trees continue to show an improvement in health:

Review the rehabilitation management plan to determine if the current approved Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan is adequate to manage observed insect activity.

Undertake supplementary watering, where necessary, including during prolonged periods of drought or high tree stress events (i.e. strong drying winds).

Discuss options of nutrient enrichment of trees located at the site with GeoCatch or an equivalent organisation. Implement nutrient enrichment to assist with improving the health of the trees.

An assessment by a qualified arborist may be necessary to determine whether unknown and external factors are influencing the health of Peppermint trees at the site.

Review the groundwater levels in the Busselton region with the Department of Water to determine whether the groundwater table is being drawn down in the area which may be affecting tree health.

Continue to minimise vehicle access over the hospital grounds where there are no formal parking bays or driveways to prevent soil compaction and damage to tree roots (especially the fine feeder roots that are located closer to the surface).

Ensure on-site works (i.e. construction of the new entrance) do not impact on the trees that remain within the Busselton Hospital Campus site, for example, the damage to root systems associated with trenching for underground services.

Where practical, obtain regional DMSI data from SpecTerra to determine whether the decline in tree health is restricted to the Busselton Hospital Campus site, or reflective of the wider Busselton region.

Liaise with the regional DPaW office and the Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health (hosted by Murdoch University), regarding details of regional Peppermint tree studies that have been, are currently, or proposed to occur, in the South-west of Western Australia.

Where practicable, the natural regeneration of the peppermint seedlings on the south of the site near the carpark should be protected and managed to ensure survival and to increase the peppermint coverage within the site.



16




17

6 References

Bureau of Meteorology [BOM]. 2014. Daily Weather Observations. Retrieved [October 2014], from www.bom.gov.au/climate

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2011a. Tree Health and Western Ringtail Possum Habitat Assessment Busselton Hospital Site. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Health and the Department of Treasury and Finance. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2010/231 Version 6.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2011b. Tree Health Monitoring Busselton Hospital Site September 2011/October 2011. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Health and the Department of Treasury and Finance. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2012/153 Version 2.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2012a. Tree Health Monitoring Busselton Hospital Site March 2012. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Health and the Department of Treasury and Finance. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2011/186 Version 1.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2012b. Tree Health Monitoring Busselton Hospital Site October 2012. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Health and the Department of Treasury and Finance. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2012/198 Version 3.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2013a. Western Ringtail Possum Management Plan, Department of Health Busselton Hospital Health Campus Redevelopment, August 2013. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2011-143 Version 9 Final.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2013b. Tree Health Monitoring Busselton Hospital Site March 2013. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Health and the Department of Treasury and Finance. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2013/039 Version 3.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2013c. October 2013 Tree Health Monitoring. Busselton Hospital Health Campus. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Health. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2013/199 Version 3.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey). 2014. March 2014 Tree Health Monitoring. Busselton Health Campus. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Health. Coffey Environments Report No. EP2014/033, Version 1. April 2014.

Dakin, N., White, D., Hardy, G. and Burgess, T. 2010. The opportunistic pathogen, Neofusicoccum australe, is responsible for crown dieback of peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) in Western Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, CSIRO Publishing, Vol 39, pp. 202-206.



18


Appendix A Tree health monitoring procedure


Tree Health Monitoring Procedure This procedure has been prepared to outline the Tree Health Monitoring procedure to be implemented within the Conservation Area of the Busselton Health Campus site and is also detailed in the Busselton Health Campus – Revegetation Management Plan. The baseline for the tree health monitoring was undertaken in September 2010 with a follow-up survey undertaken in March 2011. These two survey periods represent baseline data for winter (September; after winter rain) and summer (March; after summer drought) health of the trees. The methodology employed utilised a combination of on-ground visual survey and digital multi-spectral imagery. The methodology for each survey method is described below.

On-ground Visual Health Survey The on-ground visual health survey involved the establishment of four transects of 100 m in length and the tagging of 152 individual trees along these transects, within the site (112 in September 2010 and a further 40 in March 2011). Every tree along the transect 5m either side of the transect centreline was also tagged (138 trees). This equated to a total of 290 trees tagged throughout the site. The tags were attached with wire loosely wound around the tree in a way which would not hinder future growth and girth expansion of the tree.

The September 2010 winter baseline survey was undertaken on 21 and 22 September 2010 and the March 2011 summer baseline survey was undertaken on 24 and 25 March 2011.

The four transects were established within areas of dense canopy growth in the north of the site and the southwest corner. Posts were left in the ground at 10m intervals with photos taken from each post. Photos were also taken from the north side of every individual tree during the first monitoring period, where practicable. These photos may or may not be used in determining the health of the tagged trees. The following information was collected from each tagged tree within the site:

• Species – The species identification of each tree tagged was recorded (e.g. Agonis flexuosa).

• Estimated height – The height of each tagged tree was estimated visually to the nearest half metre (e.g. the nearest 0.5 m).

• Number of trunks – The number of trunks originating from the base of the tree was counted. This value can be fairly arbitrary with the possibility of two or more trees considered to be the one tree.

• Crown Position – The position of the crown was estimated based on the height of the tree and is considered to be a function of the individual live crown in relation to the surrounding overstorey. Tree height between 2.5 m and 7 m was considered to have a Lower Crown Position; tree height between 7.5 m and 8.5 m was considered to have a Middle Crown Position; and tree height exceeding 9 m was considered to have an Upper Crown Position;

• Vigour – A visual assessment of the crown vigour of individual trees classified into three categories. Vigour Class 1 is trees that are considered to have a healthy percentage of live canopy and Vigour Class 3 are trees that are considered to have a very poor-degraded percentage of live canopy. Vigour Class 2 are trees that are considered to be somewhere between healthy and unhealthy.

The Vigour Class ratings ranged from 1 (for a healthy tree) through to 3 (for an unhealthy, dying or dead tree) with a rating of 1.5 or 2.5 used for trees considered to be in between either 1 and 2 or 2 and 3.

• Crown Density – Is an estimate of the proportion of the crown volume that contains biomass (e.g. green foliage, branches and reproductive structures) compared to if the entire canopy was well vegetated (e.g. 100%). Crown density is recorded as a percentage or calculated using recognised methodology. Canopy cover can also be estimated from the remote sensing imagery described below;

• Foliage Transparency – Is an estimate of the absence of foliage where foliage would normally occur. Foliage transparency is directly related to Crown Density. Foliage Transparency is recorded as a percentage;

• Crown Dieback – Is a measure of the proportion of the crown that has experienced recent dieback from branchlets and canopy branches. Crown Dieback has been recorded into one of seven categories based on a percentage of crown dieback. The categories are:

– 0 to 5% = Category 1. – 6 to 10% = Category 2. – 11 to 20% = Category 3. – 21 to 40% = Category 4. – 41 to 60% = Category 5. – 61 to 80% = Category 6. – 81 to 100% = Category 7.

• General Tree Observations – The following observations of each tagged tree were also recorded. These observations do not generally suggest a tree is in decline;

– Insect Damage – Notes were taken from each tagged tree on obvious signs of insect damage (e.g. damage from Insect Borers). Generally trees are able to cope with some form of insect activity and trees provide a niche for many insect species (e.g. spiders);

– Pathogens – Notes were taken from each tagged tree if obvious signs of pathogens were evident (e.g. cankers, fruiting bodies);

– Epicormic Growth – Notes were taken from each tagged tree if epicormic growth was seen. Epicormic growth is a response to stress (e.g. fire) and new shoots are produced from epicormic buds;

– Flowering and/or Fruiting – Notes were taken from each tagged tree if the tree was flowering or had new fruits; and

– The Presence of Possums or Dreys – Notes were taken from each tagged tree if a possum was recorded from within the tree (asleep in the tree during the day) or a possum drey was recorded from the tree.

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) was not taken during this survey. DBH are considered to be a long term tool for determining tree health and data is generally only collected once every year or two. It was decided not to be collected during the initial baseline (winter and summer) surveys because they had already been collected in 2009 by SurvCon Pty Ltd during a survey of the trees located on the site. It is expected that DBH values will be collected in 2011.

Digital Multi-Spectral Imagery SpecTerra Services provide airborne remote sensing imagery for vegetation mapping and monitoring projects. SpecTerra were commissioned to provide a Digital Multi-Spectral Imagery (DMSI) of the hospital site and surrounds to provide accurate imagery of the health of the vegetation. The initial fly-over is considered to be baseline and further subsequent flights will allow comparisons to be made between the fly-overs. SpecTerra refer to this as ‘change detection’. The technique can be used to determine whether the vegetation is improving or declining based on plant cell density values.

SpecTerra Services undertook the initial fly-over on 1 October 2010 using a HiRAMs07-01 camera with a 28.00 mm focal length with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) array size of 2048 x 2048 with an acquisition resolution of 0.25 m to capture the digital imagery.

SpecTerra Services undertook the follow-up flight on 14 March 2011 using a HiRAMS0803 camera utilising the same focal length, CCD array size and acquisition resolution as the October 2010 fly-over.

The imagery’s were taken at four band lengths ranging from Blue (450 nm) to Near Infra-red (780 nm) with additional Green (550 nm) and Red (675 nm) Band lengths.

Using the data obtained from the fly-overs, SpecTerra are also able to compare Plant Cell Density (PCD) values between the subsequent flights to determine whether there is a notable PCD change between the different flight periods.

The two flight periods are considered to be winter and summer baseline data with meaningful results determined from comparative flight times (e.g. September 2010 compared to September 2011).

Appendix B Combined tree health data October 2014


Combined Tree Health DataOctober 2014

Height DBH Crown Position Vigour ClassCrown Density

Foliage Transparency

Insects PathogensEpicormic

Growth

(m) (mm) Upper/Middle/Lower Rating 1-3 % % Yes/No Category Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No

T1 001 Agonis flexuosa 7 4 98 Lower/Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 002 Agonis flexuosa 8.5-9 1 245 Middle/Upper 2.5 15 85 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 003 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 2 256 Upper 2.5 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT1 004 Agonis flexuosa 9 3 269 Middle/Upper 2.5 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 005 Agonis flexuosa 9 1 273 Middle/Upper 2.5 15 85 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 006 Agonis flexuosa 9-9.5 1 204 Upper 3 10 90 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 007 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 173 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT1 008 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 125 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 009 Agonis flexuosa 6-7 1 127 Lower/Middle 2.5 15 85 Yes 3 No No Yes FlowersT1 010 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 225 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 No No Yes FlowersT1 011 Agonis flexuosa 7 7 107 Lower/Middle 2.5 15 85 Yes 2 Yes No Yes DreyT1 012 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 145 Lower 2.5 15 85 Yes 3 No No YesT1 013 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 97 Lower 2.5 15 85 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 014 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 3 301 Middle 2 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 015 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 115 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT1 016 Agonis flexuosa 9 1 295 Middle/Upper 1.5 35 65 Yes 1 No No Yes FlowersT1 017 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 2 282 Middle/Upper 1.5 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 018 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 1 388 Upper 2 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT1 019 Agonis flexuosa 4.5 1 62 Lower 2.5 10 90 Yes 3 No No YesT1 020 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 201 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 021 Agonis flexuosa 7.5-8 5 147 Middle 2.5 15 85 Yes 3 No No Yes FlowersT1 022 Agonis flexuosa 4.5 1 100 Lower 2 20 80 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT1 023 Agonis flexuosa 8.5-9 1 265 Middle/Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT1 024 Agonis flexuosa 8.5-9 2 265 Middle/Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT1 025 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 3 111 Lower 2 20 80 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT1 026 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 112 Lower/Middle 2 15 85 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT1 027 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 96 Lower/Middle 2.5 12 88 Yes 3 Yes No YesT1 028 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 264 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 029 Agonis flexuosa 8 4 150 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT1 030 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 2 227 Middle/Upper 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT1 031 Agonis flexuosa 7 4 125 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT1 032 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 212 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 No No Yes Flowers Possum x1T1 033 Eucalyptus sp. 7 1 237 Lower/Middle 1.5 40 60 Yes 4 No No NoT1 034 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 3 158 Lower 2 20 80 Yes 3 No No Yes FlowersT1 035 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 154 Lower 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 036 Melaleuca sp. 6 1 272 Lower 1 50 50 Yes 2 No No No Flowers Drey x2, Possum x1T1 037 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 211 Middle 2 15 85 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 038 Agonis flexuosa 8 4 136 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 039 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 3 252 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 040 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 192 Lower 2.5 15 85 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT1 041 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 3 237 Middle 1.5 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT1 042 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 209 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT1 043 Agonis flexuosa 5.5 1 Lower 3 0 100 Yes 7 Yes No No FlowersT1 044 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 210 Middle 2.5 10 90 Yes 5 No No Yes FlowersT1 045 Agonis flexuosa 6 2 Lower 3 0 100 Yes 7 No No No FlowersT1 046 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 156 Middle 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT1 047 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 338 Middle 3 5 95 Yes 6 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 048 Agonis flexuosa 4 1 76 Lower 3 10 90 Yes 3 No No Yes FlowersT1 049 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 3 198 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT1 050 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 3 269 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT1 051 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 104 Middle 2 25 75 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT1 052 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 110 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 1 No No No FlowersT1 053 Melaleuca sp. 2.2 1 100 Lower 1 55 45 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT1 054 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 2 150 Upper 2 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT1 055 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 294 Middle 3 10 90 Yes 5 Yes Yes Yes FlowersT2 056 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 140 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 057 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 Lower/Middle 3 0 100 Yes 7 No No No Fallen overT2 058 Agonis flexuosa 8 6 256 Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT2 059 Agonis flexuosa 10 4 352 Upper 2 35 65 Yes 3 Yes No Yes Flowers

Possums/ DreysFlowering/

FruitingTransect No. or Individual

Tag No. SpeciesNo. of Trunks

Crown Dieback

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Growth

(m) (mm) Upper/Middle/Lower Rating 1-3 % % Yes/No Category Yes/No Yes/No Yes/NoPossums/ Dreys

Flowering/ Fruiting

Transect No. or Individual


Crown Dieback

T2 060 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 183 Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 061 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 1 205 Middle/Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT2 062 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 1 265 Middle/Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersT2 063 Agonis flexuosa 9 1 219 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT2 064 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 4 307 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT2 065 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 246 Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 066 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 297 Middle 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 067 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 296 Lower/Middle 2 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 068 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 196 Middle 1.5 40 60 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT2 069 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 1 311 Middle/Upper 2 25 75 Yes 3 No No No FlowersT2 070 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 344 Lower/Middle 2 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 071 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 444 Middle 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT2 072 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 1 476 Middle/Upper 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 073 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 520 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT2 074 Agonis flexuosa 7.5-8 1 545 Middle 2 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 075 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 311 Lower/Middle 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 076 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 234 Lower 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 077 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 357 Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT2 078 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 120 Lower 2 15 85 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 079 Agonis flexuosa 9 3 563 Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 No No No Flowers Possum x2T2 080 Agonis flexuosa 5.5-6 2 185 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT2 081 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 3 244 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT2 082 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 396 Lower/Middle 1 35 65 Yes 1 No No No FlowersT2 083 Agonis flexuosa 5.5 3 152 Lower 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT2 084 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 443 Lower/Middle 1.5 35 65 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT2 085 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 411 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT2 086 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 389 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 087 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 164 Lower/Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT3 088 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 625 Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 089 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 175 Lower 3 5 95 Yes 6 Yes No NoT3 090 Agonis flexuosa 5 3 130 Lower 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT3 091 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 399 Middle 2 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT3 092 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 233 Lower/Middle 2 15 85 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT3 093 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 122 Lower/Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT3 094 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 198 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT3 095 Agonis flexuosa 6 10 90 Lower 2.5 15 85 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersT3 096 Agonis flexuosa 5.5 2 98 Lower 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 097 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 1 387 Upper 1 35 65 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT3 098 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 4 269 Upper 1 40 60 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 099 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 261 Lower/Middle 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 100 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 163 Lower/Middle 2.5 20 80 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT3 101 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 330 Lower/Middle 2 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 102 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 2 361 Middle 3 15 85 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 103 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 224 Middle 2.5 15 85 Yes 4 Yes No No FlowersT3 104 Agonis flexuosa 10 1 443 Upper 3 10 90 Yes 5 Yes No No FlowersT3 105 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 169 Lower/Middle 3 5 95 Yes 6 Yes No Yes FlowersT3 106 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 314 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 No No No FlowersT3 107 Agonis flexuosa 5 3 173 Lower 1.5 35 65 Yes 2 No No No FlowersT3 108 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 188 Lower/Middle 3 0 100 Yes 7 No No NoT3 109 Agonis flexuosa 7 3 135 Lower/Middle 3 10 90 Yes 4 Yes No No FlowersT3 110 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 2 248 Middle/Upper 1 40 60 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT3 111 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 279 Lower 1 40 60 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersT3 112 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 5 456 Middle/Upper 1 40 60 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersT3 113 Agonis flexuosa 7 7 183 Lower/Middle 1.5 35 65 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 114 Agonis flexuosa 10 3 452 Upper 1 35 65 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT4 115 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 1 444 Upper 1 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT4 116 Agonis flexuosa 10 1 Upper 3 0 100 Yes 7 Yes No NoT4 117 Agonis flexuosa 10 3 148 Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 118 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 4 255 Middle/Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes Flowers

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Crown Dieback

T4 119 Agonis flexuosa 9 5 132 Upper 1.5 35 65 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 120 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 198 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT4 121 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 225 Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT4 122 Agonis flexuosa 8 5 78 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 123 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 3 316 Middle/Upper 3 10 90 Yes 6 Yes No No FlowersT4 124 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 1 272 Middle/Upper 2 15 85 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersT4 125 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 1 405 Upper 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 126 Agonis flexuosa 10 6 200 Upper 1 35 65 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 127 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 6 104 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 128 Agonis flexuosa 9 3 122 Upper 2 20 80 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersT4 129 Agonis flexuosa 7 6 345 Lower/Middle 2.5 20 80 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 130 Agonis flexuosa 9 3 204 Upper 1 35 65 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 131 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 190 Lower 2.5 10 90 Yes 4 No No YesT4 132 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 3 124 Lower/Middle 3 10 90 Yes 4 Yes No YesT4 133 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 3 388 Middle/Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT4 134 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 223 Lower/Middle 1.5 25 7575 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 135 Agonis flexuosa 10 1 338 Upper 1.5 20 80 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersT4 136 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 2 295 Lower/Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersT4 137 Agonis flexuosa 10 2 387 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersT4 138 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 3 110 Lower/Middle 2 15 85 Yes 4 Yes Yes Yes FlowersI 143 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 202 Lower 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 No No No FlowersI 144 Agonis flexuosa 6 2 200 Lower 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 146 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 168 Lower 2.0 15 85 Yes 3 No No Yes FlowersI 147 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 454 Middle 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersI 148 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 230 Lower 2.0 15 75 Yes 3 No No No FlowersI 149 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 353 Lower 2.5 10 90 Yes 4 Yes No No FlowersI 150 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 5 231 Lower 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No Yes Flowers DreyI 175 Agonis flexuosa 4.5 3 160 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersI 176 Agonis flexuosa 6 2 152 Lower 1.0 50 50 Yes 1 No No Yes FlowersI 177 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 228 Lower 2 15 85 Yes 4 No No No Flowers Drey x1, Possum x1I 178 Agonis flexuosa 5 2 150 Lower 1.5 45 55 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersI 183 Agonis flexuosa 6 2 152 Lower 1.0 40 60 Yes 1 No No No Flowers Drey x1, Possum x1I 184 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 117 Lower 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No Yes Flowers Drey x1, Possum x2I 187 Agonis flexuosa 6 4 120 Lower 1.5 25 75 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersI 188 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 189 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersI 204 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 354 Middle 2 15 85 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersI 205 Agonis flexuosa 5.5 1 260 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 206 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 243 Lower 1 40 60 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 207 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 595 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersI 208 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 2 200 Lower 2.5 20 80 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersI 209 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 398 Lower 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 210 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 418 Lower 2 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 211 Agonis flexuosa 6 2 311 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 No No Yes FlowersI 212 Agonis flexuosa 4.5 1 382 Lower 1.5 35 65 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 214 Agonis flexuosa 9 1 765 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 3 No No Yes Flowers Possum x1I 215 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 325 Middle 2 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersI 216 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 581 Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 3 No No No FlowersI 217 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 203 Lower/Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 3 No No No FlowersI 218 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 219 Agonis flexuosa 4 2 142 Lower 2.0 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersI 220 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 255 Middle 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 No No Yes FlowersI 221 Agonis flexuosa 8 3 910 Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersI 222 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 234 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 223 Agonis flexuosa 7 2 258 Lower/Middle 1.0 40 60 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersI 224 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 625 Lower/Middle 2.5 15 85 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersI 225 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 335 Lower/Middle 1.5 40 60 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 226 Agonis flexuosa 8 4 351 Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 227 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 204 Middle 1 40 60 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 228 Agonis flexuosa 7 4 168 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 No No Yes Flowers

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Flowering/ Fruiting



Crown Dieback

I 229 Agonis flexuosa 5 2 185 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 230 Agonis flexuosa 5 3 187 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 231 Agonis flexuosa 5.5 4 121 Lower 1 40 60 Yes 1 No No No Flowers Drey x1I 232 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 149 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 233 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 2 499 Middle/Upper 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 No No No FlowersI 234 Agonis flexuosa 12 1 524 Upper 1.0 35 65 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 235 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 2 229 Middle/Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 236 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 1 371 Middle/Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 237 Agonis flexuosa 9 2 142 Upper 1.0 40 60 Yes 2 Yes No No Flowers DreyI 238 Agonis flexuosa 10.5 3 306 Upper 2 20 80 Yes 1 No No Yes FlowersI 239 Agonis flexuosa 10 2 275 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 240 Agonis flexuosa 6 1 213 Lower 1.5 25 75 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 241 Agonis flexuosa 10 2 400 Upper 1.5 20 80 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersI 242 Agonis flexuosa 10 2 333 Upper 1.5 20 80 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersI 243 Agonis flexuosa 9 1 317 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 244 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 3 195 Middle/Upper 1.5 20 80 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 245 Agonis flexuosa 8 2 134 Middle 1.5 15 85 Yes 1 No No Yes FlowersI 246 Agonis flexuosa 8 1 327 Middle 1.0 35 65 Yes 1 No No No FlowersI 247 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 202 Lower/Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersI 248 Agonis flexuosa 9 1 335 Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersI 249 Agonis flexuosa 10 2 443 Upper 1 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersI 250 Agonis flexuosa 8 6 258 Middle 1.0 40 60 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersI 251 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 6 89 Upper 1.5 35 65 Yes 3 No No No FlowersI 252 Agonis flexuosa 6 4 245 Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 253 Agonis flexuosa 10 6 278 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 254 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 2 468 Upper 2.5 15 85 Yes 4 No No No FlowersI 255 Agonis flexuosa 9 5 255 Upper 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 No No No FlowersI 256 Agonis flexuosa 11 7 184 Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No No FlowersI 257 Agonis flexuosa 9.5 1 695 Upper 2.0 30 70 Yes 2 Yes Yes No Flowers Possum x1I 258 Agonis flexuosa 8 8 391 Middle 1.0 40 60 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 259 Agonis flexuosa 10 1 625 Upper 2.5 15 85 Yes 4 No No No FlowersI 260 Agonis flexuosa 10 7 280 Upper 1.5 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersI 261 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 4 155 Middle 2.5 20 80 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersI 262 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 186 Lower 2.0 15 85 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 263 Agonis flexuosa 11.5 5 98 Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersI 264 Agonis flexuosa 10.5 7 86 Upper 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersI 265 Agonis flexuosa 11 7 244 Upper 2.5 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersI 266 Agonis flexuosa 11 3 323 Upper 2.0 25 75 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersI 267 Agonis flexuosa 9 2 395 Upper 3.0 15 85 Yes 4 Yes No Yes FlowersI 268 Agonis flexuosa 9 5 235 Upper 1.5 30 70 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersI 269 Agonis flexuosa 10 1 539 Upper 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No No FlowersI 270 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 181 Lower 2.0 20 80 Yes 3 Yes No Yes FlowersI 271 Agonis flexuosa 5.5 3 182 Lower 1.0 35 65 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersI 272 Agonis flexuosa 8.5 1 240 Middle 1.0 30 70 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersI 273 Agonis flexuosa 11.5 5 343 Upper 1.0 50 50 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersI 274 Agonis flexuosa 7 1 312 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 No No Yes FlowersI 275 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 1 316 Middle 1.5 25 75 Yes 2 No No No FlowersI 276 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 187 Lower 2.0 15 85 Yes 2 Yes No Yes FlowersI 277 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 153 Lower 2.0 25 75 Yes 2 No No Yes FlowersI 279 Agonis flexuosa 6.5 1 730 Lower 2.0 20 80 Yes 2 No No No Flowers Possum x1I 280 Agonis flexuosa 7.5 3 439 Middle 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 Yes No No FlowersI 281 Agonis flexuosa 6 2 147 Lower 1.5 30 70 Yes 1 Yes No Yes FlowersI 282 Agonis flexuosa 5 1 188 Lower 2.5 10 90 Yes 4 Yes No Yes Flowers

Note: insects present 'yes' blue font refers to borers, 'yes' red font refers to termites, 'yes' green font refers to termites and borers

Page 4

Appendix C Number and percentage of trees recorded in each crown dieback category for

all tree health assessments


Appendix CNumber and percentage of trees recorded in each crown dieback category for all tree health assessments

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

1 (0-5%) 21 (38) 10 (18) 13 (24) 0 (0) 3 (5) 14 (45) 1 (3) 4 (13) 0 (0) 2 (6) 14 (52) 5 (19) 2 (7) 0 (0) 2 (7) 14 (56) 4 (16) 3 (12) 0 (0) 3 (12)

2 (6-10%) 12 (22) 9 (16) 12 (22) 18 (33) 24 (44) 4 (13) 11 (35) 8 (26) 13 (42) 17 (55) 4 (15) 12 (44) 14 (52) 14 (52) 13 (48) 4 (16) 8 (32) 7 (28) 13 (52) 11 (44)

3 (11-20%) 10 (18) 14 (25) 11 (20) 16 (29) 19 (35) 6 (19) 6 (19) 15 (48) 16 (52) 11 (35) 5 (19) 2 (7) 6 (22) 7 (26) 5 (19) 2 (8) 1 (4) 11 (44) 8 (32) 5 (20)

4 (21-40%) 8 (15) 7 (13) 10 (18) 13 (24) 4 (7) 6 (19) 11 (35) 3 (10 1 (3) 0 (0) 4 (15) 4 (15) 3 (11) 2 (7) 3 (11) 2 (8) 8 (32) 1 (4) 2 (8) 4 (16)

5 (41-60%) 0 (0) 5 (9) 3 (5) 3 (5) 2 (4) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 3 (11) 1 (4) 0 (0) 1 (4) 1 (4) 1 (4) 1 (4) 0 (0) 0 (0)

6 (61-80%) 1 (2) 4 (7) 3 (5) 3 (5) 1 (2) 0 (0) 2 (6) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2 (7) 2 (7) 1 (4) 2 (8) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (4)

7 (81-100%)

3 (5) 6 (11) 3 (5) 2 (4) 2 (4) 1 (3) 0 (0) 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 (3) 0 (0) 1 (4) 1 (4) 2 (7) 1 (4) 1 (4) 1 (4) 2 (8) 2 (8) 1 (4)

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

1 (0-5%) 62 (55) 54 (36) 31 (34) 5 (5) 28 (30) 125 (50) 74 (26) 53 (23) 5 (2) 38 (17)

2 (6-10%) 24 (21) 47 (31) 35 (38) 54 (59) 33 (36) 48 (19) 87 (30) 76 (33) 112 (49) 98 (43)

3 (11-20%) 14 (13) 38 (25) 17 (18) 23 (25) 22 24 37 (15) 61 (21) 60 (26) 70 (30) 62 (27)

4 (21-40%) 11 (10) 7 (5) 5 (5) 6 (7) 9 (10) 31 (12) 37 (13) 22 (10) 24 (10) 20 (9)

5 (41-60%) 1 (1) 5 (3) 2 (2) 3 (3) 0 (0) 2 (1) 14 (5) 7 (3) 6 (3) 3 (1)

6 (61-80%) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2 (2) 1 (1) 0 (0) 2 (1) 8 (3) 5 (2) 6 (3) 4 (2)

7 (81-100%)

0 (0) 1 (1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 5 (2) 9 (3) 7 (3) 7 (3) 5 (2)

Brackets indicate the percentage of each value for each category and transect

Crown Dieback Category

Individual CombinedNo. of Trees (%)

Crown Dieback Category

Transect 1 Transect 2 Transect 3 Transect 4

No. of Trees (%)


Appendix D SpecTerra Services – October 2014 DMSI True Imagery



Appendix E SpecTerra Services – October 2014 DMSI False Imagery



Appendix F Busselton Hospital Change Detection October 2013 to October 2014



Appendix G Busselton Hospital Change Detection October 2010 to October 2014



Documents

Department of Health October 2014 Tree Health Monitoring...October 2014 Tree Health Monitoring Survey and conservation area 1 Busselton Health Campus Department of Health 4326AA_005_F001_GIS