Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

4.2.1 South Wambo Creek
South Wambo Creek was dominated by moderate transect and section condition scores.
Transects
The five transects along South Wambo Creek were in moderate condition. Data from 2010
showed two sites in the poor condition category whereas results from 2011 have improved
to all be considered as moderate. Moderate condition transects generally consist of:
• A low sparse understorey layer containing some weed species;
• A moderately diverse canopy layer;
• A species poor ground cover layer with increasing areas of bare soil and decreasing
areas of foliage cover;
• The presence of rabbits;
• A lack of disturbance factors;
• The presence of minor stream bank erosion and minor sedimentation evidence; and
• The presence of some riparian microhabitat features.
Sections
Three out of four sections along South Wambo Creek were found to be in moderate
condition with the fourth being in good condition. South Wambo Creek condition scores
were typically characterised by:
• A moderately species diverse canopy layer;
• A low and sparse understorey layer containing some weed species;
• A relatively poor species ground cover layer with increasing areas of bare soil and
decreasing areas of foliage cover;
• A high diversity of weeds;
• The presence of rabbits;
• The presence of some riparian microhabitat features; and
• A lack of other disturbance factors.
4.2.2 North Wambo Creek
North Wambo Creek was dominated by moderate transect and section condition scores.
Transects
Thirteen of the 15 transects along North Wambo Creek were found to be in moderate
condition. One transect was in excellent condition with a score of 34 while the remaining
transect was in poor condition with a score of only four. North Wambo Creek transect
condition scores were typically characterised by:
• A mature but species poor canopy of moderate density;
• A sparse and short ground cover layer;
2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page 33