Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2.2 Results
2.2.1 Overall Floristic Species Diversity
A total of 266 flora species were recorded in 2011. Table 2-1 shows little overall change in
the total number of species recorded within the RWEP areas and adjacent analogue sites
since 2006.
Table 2-1:Total Number of Flora Species Recorded Each Year
Year No. of Plots
Total No. of
Species
No. Native No. Exotics
2011 34 266 210 56 (21%)
2010 34 275 222 53 (19%)
2009 33 249 167 82 (33%)
2008 33 261 208 53 (20%)
2007 31 292 233 59 (20%)
2006 34 260 220 40 (15%)
Appendix A shows a summary table of the results of the 2011 flora survey, listing the
total number of species and the percentage of introduced species recorded in each
quadrat. Appendix B lists the flora species recorded within each flora monitoring plot and
the related Braun-Blanquet rating.
The 2011 flora survey results are shown above as part of a comparison of data from the
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 surveys (Table 2-1). Following is a summary of the
changes in species diversity and introduced species composition across the quadrats and
vegetation communities.
2.2.2 Species Diversity within Quadrats
Table 2-2 lists the vegetation communities sampled, total number of plants, and
percentage of natives and exotic species within each flora monitoring plot. Figure 2-3
illustrates the native and exotic diversity that was recorded within each flora monitoring
plot.
A total of 56 introduced species were recorded in 2011. Fireweed (Senecio
madagascariensis*) was the most frequently recorded introduced species in 2011 and
2010, occurring in 25 and 27 quadrats respectively. Prickly Pear (Opuntia stricta var.
stricta*) were recorded at 22 and 13 sites respectively in 2011. Prickly Pear was observed
at moderate densities in grassland areas in the western portion of RWEP area A. All
individuals were less than half a metre in height and were scattered (rather than occurring
in dense stands).
Figure 2-2 shows that plots V1 and V2 (located along Wollombi Brook within the River
Oak/Rough-barked Apple Forest and River Red Gum Woodland vegetation communities,
respectively) are the two sample areas which have the highest weed infestation. This is
2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page 7