SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

S M C : Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

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2 December 2014 Version 1 maia.net.au

SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

This document presents the results of a vegetation monitoring program being carried out in the priority ecological community (PEC) around Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Limited’s (SMC) mine at Blue Hills. Sixteen monitoring plots were established in September 2012 and were assessed in September 2013 and again in September 2014.

Maia Environmental Consultancy Pty Ltd ABN 25 141 503 184 PO Box 1213 Subiaco WA 6904

Document Prepared By: Rochelle Haycock Document Reviewed By: Christina Cox Document Revision Number: Version 1 Project Number: 14121 Date: 2 December, 2014

This document has been prepared for SMC by Maia Environmental Consultancy Pty Ltd (Maia). Copyright and any intellectual property associated with the document belong to SMC and Maia. The document may not be reproduced or distributed to any third party by any physical or electronic means without the express permission of SMC.

m a i a P a g e | i SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Table of Contents

1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1

1.1 PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK 1 1.2 MONITORING SITES ESTABLISHED 1 1.3 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND SMC’S BLUE HILLS TENEMENTS 1 1.3.1 Monitoring Sites 1 1.4 BLUE HILLS PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY 4 2 METHODS 5

2.1 MONITORING SITES, SURVEYS AND TIMING 5 2.2 SITE SET-UP AND MEASUREMENTS 5 2.3 VEGETATION CONDITION ASSESSMENT 6 2.4 MONITORING DATA - STATISTICAL ANALYSES 7 2.5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 8 2.6 PROJECT TEAM 8 3 RESULTS – VEGETATION, FLORA, INTRODUCED FAUNA AND FIRE 9

3.1 SITE INFORMATION 9 3.2 FLORA 9 3.2.1 Conservation Significant Flora 9 3.2.2 Environmental Weeds 13 3.3 VEGETATION CONDITION 15 3.4 INTRODUCED FAUNA 15 3.5 FIRE 16 4 RESULTS - MONITORING ASSESSMENTS AND MEASUREMENTS 17

4.1 DUST COVER RATINGS, DUST MONITORING AND RAINFALL 17 4.2 PLANT NUMBERS 20 4.3 HEALTH RATING (HR) 22 4.4 PROPORTIONAL CANOPY VOLUME (PCV) 26 4.5 DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH) 30 4.6 DUST AND PLANT HEALTH RATINGS 33 4.7 SUMMARY OF STATISTICAL ANALYSES 34 5 CONCLUSIONS, OVERALL COMMENTS AND FUTURE WORK 35

5.1 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT SPECIES AND WEEDS 35 5.2 FIRE AND FERAL ANIMALS 35 5.3 DUST RATINGS 35 5.4 PLANT NUMBERS 35 5.5 HEALTH (HR) 35 5.6 PROPORTIONAL CANOPY VOLUME (PCV) 36 5.7 DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH) 36 5.8 DUST AND PLANT HEALTH 36 5.9 OVERALL COMMENTS 36 5.10 FUTURE WORK 37 6 REFERENCES 39 7 MAPS 41 APPENDIX 1: MONITORING SITE COORDINATES 51

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APPENDIX 2: SITE SHEETS 53 Tables

TABLE 1.1: VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS AND MONITORING SITES 2 TABLE 2.1: SURVEY DATES, SITES ESTABLISHED AND ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT 5 TABLE 2.2: VEGETATION CONDITION SCALE USED 6 TABLE 2.3: SITES ESTABLISHED IN 2012 AND USED IN THE 2014 STATISTICAL ANALYSES 8 TABLE 2.4: PROJECT TEAM 8 TABLE 3.1: ACACIA WOODMANIORUM LOCATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS – 20 M X 20 M SITE 9 TABLE 3.2: PRIORITY FLORA LOCATIONS AND COUNTS – 20 M X 20 M SITE 9 TABLE 3.3: WEED SPECIES LOCATIONS, COUNTS, TOTALS BY YEAR AND CHANGE SINCE BASELINE (20 M X 20 M SITES) 14 TABLE 3.4: VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS AND TREATMENT BY SITE, YEAR AND CHANGE SINCE BASELINE (20 M X 20 M SITES) 14 TABLE 3.5: VEGETATION CONDITION RATINGS 15 TABLE 4.1: DUST COVER RATINGS 17 TABLE 4.2: MONTHLY DEPOSITIONAL DUST GAUGE DATA –2013 AND JANUARY TO AUGUST 2014 19 TABLE 4.3: KARARA RAINFALL RECORDS (BOM, 2014) 19 TABLE 4.4: CHANGE (2012 TO 2014) IN LIVE MEASURED (≥ 1 M) AND LIVE NOT MEASURED (< 1 M) PLANTS AND TOTAL DEATHS AND RECRUITS 21 TABLE 4.5: PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN HR, BASELINE TO 2014 22 TABLE 4.6: MEAN HR, BASELINE TO 2014 23 TABLE 4.7: CHANGE IN HR BY SITE, TREATMENT GROUP AND OVERALL BY IMPACT AND CONTROL GROUP, BASELINE TO 2014 24 TABLE 4.8: WILCOXON SIGNED-RANKS TEST, HR BASELINE AND 2014 25 TABLE 4.9: WILCOXON-MANN-WHITNEY TEST, HR, IMPACT AND CONTROL GROUPS 26 TABLE 4.10: CHANGE IN PCV, BASELINE TO 2014 27 TABLE 4.11: PCV, BASELINE AND 2014 29 TABLE 4.12: WILCOXON SIGNED-RANKS TEST, PCV, BASELINE TO 2014 29 TABLE 4.13: WILCOXON-MANN-WHITNEY TEST, PCV, IMPACT AND CONTROL GROUPS 30 TABLE 4.14: CHANGE IN DBH, BASELINE TO 2014 31 TABLE 4.15: DBH, BASELINE AND 2014 32 TABLE 4.16: WILCOXON SIGNED-RANKS TEST, DBH, BASELINE AND 2014 33 TABLE 4.17: WILCOXON-MANN-WHITNEY TEST, DBH, IMPACT AND CONTROL GROUPS 33 TABLE 4.18: STATISTICAL ANALYSES SUMMARY TABLE - CHANGE IN HR, PCV AND DBH SINCE BASELINE 34

Maps

MAP 7.1: GENERAL LOCATION 43 MAP 7.2: MONITORING SITES 45 MAP 7.3: CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FLORA LOCATIONS 47 MAP 7.4: WEED LOCATIONS 49

m a i a P a g e | iii SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Summary

Background  Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Limited (SMC) has been granted approval to mine iron ore at Koolanooka and Blue Hills. To comply with conditions in Ministerial Statement (MS) 811, SMC engaged Maia Environmental Consultancy Pty Ltd (Maia) to establish a vegetation monitoring program within its mining tenements at Blue Hills.  Vegetation monitoring sites were established at Blue Hills in September 2012 and this report presents the results of the spring 2014 assessment. Monitoring Sites  Sixteen monitoring sites (B01 – B16) were established in the vegetation of the priority ecological community (PEC) around the pits and infrastructure at Blue Hills, some within 100 m of the pit and infrastructure (impact sites) and others more than 100 m away from the pit and infrastructure (control sites).  Pattern analysis was carried out on the floristics data collected at the monitoring sites and four vegetation associations were defined and described based on this analysis.  These are listed below along with the treatment groups and sites established in each: 1. AacWL-1: Allocasuarina Low Woodland – Impact (B06) 2. AacWL-1: Allocasuarina Low Woodland – Control (B01) 3. MSL-2: Mixed Shrubland – Impact (B04, B11 & B12) 4. MSL-2: Mixed Shrubland – Control (B13 & B14) 5. AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland – Impact (B07 & B08) 6. AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland – Control (B09, B10, B15 & B16) 7. ArAsSL-4: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland – Impact (B02) 8. ArAsSL-4: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland – Control (B03 & B05). Monitoring Methods  The monitoring sites are assessed in spring (September) each year.  The number, health and canopy dimensions of any Acacia woodmaniorum (a threatened species) occurring within the monitoring sites are recorded each year.  Any priority flora species occurring within the monitoring sites are counted each year.  All tree and shrub species equal to or greater than (≥) 1 m are assessed within a 20 m by 5 m sub-plot of the main 20 m by 20 m monitoring site and those plants of the same species but less than (<) 1 m in height are counted. The following information is recorded on all plants ≥ 1 m in height: a health rating; height; height to the lowest live crown; canopy dimensions (north-south and east-west); crown density; and, diameter at breast height of the largest branch if the plant is above 1.3 m tall.  An overall dust rating is recorded for each monitoring site and multiple photographs of each sub-plot are taken. Results Conservation Significant Flora and Weeds  Eight Acacia woodmaniorum were recorded at B06 and B13 in 2012 and four were recorded at B06 in 2014. Plants with relatively high baseline health ratings (i.e. in poorer health) and small and juvenile plants have died over the past two years.  Priority (P) flora species were recorded at 11 sites in 2012 and in 2014. Since 2012 the total number of Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills has remained the same, the total number of Drummondita fulva (P3) has increased by 20, the total number of Micromyrtus acuta (P3) has increased by 56 and of Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) by 12. Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (R.J. Cranfield 7096) (P3) and Rhodanthe collina (P3) were recorded in 2014 and have not been recorded previously.  Fewer weed species but many more weeds were recorded in 2014 than in 2012. The increase in weed numbers was due to a large increase in the population of Calotis planiflora at some of the control and impact sites. Its numbers appear to be driven by different seasonal conditions rather than mining activities as no C. planiflora was located in 2013.

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Vegetation Condition and Fire  Vegetation condition at each site was rated as Excellent and it has not changed since 2012. It is estimated that the last fire to have affected the vegetation of the area was at least 10 years ago. Dust  The overall mean site dust rating in 2014 (1.19) was higher than that recorded in 2012 (0.44) and the impact and control group dust ratings had both increased since 2012, the control group a little more than the impact group (0.78 compared with 0.72). In September 2014 the highest plant dust cover rating (3) was recorded at vegetation monitoring site B13, a control site. Plant Numbers  The overall change in plant numbers (between 2012 and 2014) was similar for impact and control sites (50 fewer in 2014 than in 2012 at impact sites and 45 fewer at control sites). Most of the change was contributed by the change in number of plants less than 1 m in height. While total deaths and recruits differed in the impact and control groups, fewer deaths occurred at impact sites than at control sites and fewer recruits were recorded at impact sites than at control sites. Health Rating (HR)  The mean change in health between 2012 and 2014 was calculated and expressed as a percentage (no change, healthier, less healthy). Percentage no change was similar in impact and control groups (69.5% and 69.6% respectively), while 7.1% were healthier at impact sites compared with 10.5% at control sites and 23.4% were less healthy at impact sites compared with 19.9% at control sites.  The overall mean HR for all plants assessed in 2012 and 2014 increased very slightly (2.12 in 2012 compared with 2.28 in 2014) i.e. overall the plants were slightly less healthy in 2014 than in 2012. While slight, this difference was significant when the data were compared statistically. The overall change in health rating for all impact sites (-0.17) and all control sites (-0.15) was not significantly different. Dust Rating and HR  There was no correlation between overall dust rating and plant HR recorded for each site. Proportional Canopy Volume (PCV)  The mean PCV calculated for plants measured in 2012 was not different from that calculated for the same plants measured in 2014. The overall change in mean PCV at impact sites was slightly lower than that at control sites; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)  DBH data and analyses indicate that DBH was slightly lower in 2014 than in 2012 and this difference was significant. The overall change in mean DBH between 2012 and 2014 at impact and control sites was slightly higher in impact group plants than in control group plants; however, this difference was not significant. Introduced Fauna  No goats have been sighted at Blue Hills since July 2013. As in 2012 and 2013 Maia noted evidence of goats at four monitoring sites in 2014. No goats (or other introduced fauna species) were actually observed while the botanists were assessing the monitoring sites in September or while botanists were carrying out targeted flora surveys in the vicinity of the monitoring sites in June and July 2014. Future Work  The monitoring plots will be reassessed at the same time (mid to end of September) each year for as long as required.  As information is collected in future years, similar statistical analysis will be carried out on relevant results to determine whether the vegetation of the PEC is being impacted by mining activities.

m a i a P a g e | v SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Abbreviations

Aac WL Allocasuarina acutivalvis Woodland AasAsSL Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis and Acacia sibina Shrubland ArAsSL Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia sibina Shrubland B01-B16 Blue Hills vegetation monitoring sites numbered 1 to 16 BIF Banded Ironstone Formation BoM Bureau of Meteorology EPA Environmental Protection Authority ESCAVI Executive Steering Committee for Australian Vegetation Information CEO Chief executive officer Cl Confidence interval (statistical) DBH Diameter at breast height DEC Department of Environment and Conservation (now DPaW) DPaW Department of Parks and Wildlife FCT Floristic community type GPS Global Positioning System HR Health rating KARA Karara Ridge – DPaW (former DEC) quadrat label km Kilometre m Metre Maia Maia Environmental Consultancy Pty Ltd MS Ministerial statement MSL Mixed shrubland n Group sample size (statistics) NVIS National Vegetation Inventory System p Probability value P1 to P4 Priority 1 to Priority 4 flora species PEC Priority ecological community PCV Proportional canopy volume RE Range extension SD Standard deviation SMC Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Limited sp. Species (singular) sp. indet. Species identity could not be determined subsp. Subspecies T Threatened flora species USDA United States Department of Agriculture var. Variety WA Western Australia WAH Western Australian Herbarium WEC Woodman Environmental Consulting WIND Windaning Hill – DPaW (former DEC) quadrat label

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m a i a P a g e | v i i SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program S PRING , 2 0 1 3

1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1 PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Limited (SMC) has been granted approval to mine iron ore at Koolanooka and Blue Hills (EPA, 2009). To comply with Conditions 6-4 and 6-5 in Ministerial Statement (MS) 811 SMC is required to monitor impacts from activities undertaken in implementing the proposal including (1) dust; (2) saline water application for dust control; (3) fire; and, (4) the attraction of and increase in introduced fauna, on the health and condition of the threatened ecological community Plant assemblages of the Koolanooka System and the Blue Hills vegetation complex Priority Ecological Community shown in Figures 4 and 5 of MS 811. This monitoring is to be carried out to the requirements of the CEO (EPA, 2009).

To comply with this condition a vegetation monitoring program needed to be established in the vegetation of the Priority Ecological Community (PEC) surrounding SMC’s pits and associated infrastructure at Blue Hills. This report relates to the vegetation monitoring program established and then monitored at Blue Hills.

Blue Hills is located approximately 60 kilometres (km) north-east of Perenjori in the Shire of Perenjori, Western Australia (WA). The hills lie in the Tallering subregion of the Yalgoo bioregion. SMC’s mine is located within tenements M59/595 and M59/596 at Blue Hills. The general location of the project area is shown on Map 7.1, Section 7.

1.2 MONITORING SITES ESTABLISHED Maia Environmental Consultancy Pty Ltd (Maia) was contracted by SMC to establish and assess vegetation monitoring sites on SMC’s tenements at Blue Hills.

In spring 2012, 16 baseline monitoring sites (B01 – B16) were established in the vegetation of the PEC. They were placed around SMC’s mine and associated infrastructure in order to gather information on the health and condition of the vegetation before mining activities started. The data collected provided the baseline information for the ongoing monitoring program. These monitoring sites were re-assessed in September 2013 and again in September 2014.

1.3 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND SMC’S BLUE HILLS TENEMENTS

1.3.1 MONITORING SITES Maia initially used Woodman Environmental Consulting’s vegetation mapping (WEC, 2008) to identify the vegetation communities surrounding SMC’s mine areas at Blue Hills. However, the mapping did not accurately represent the actual distribution of the vegetation communities on the ground and, while selecting monitoring site locations, Maia had to visually compare the vegetation units to attempt to locate the monitoring plots in the same vegetation units. The boundaries of the vegetation units mapped by WEC (2008) within SMC’s Blue Hills tenements were not always accurate when ground-truthed. This is not unexpected given that vegetation is mapped based on point source data collected at quadrats and only a few of WEC’s quadrats were located within SMC’s tenements on Mungada Ridge. Comments on the similarity between WEC’s floristic community types (FCTs) and the vegetation associations defined by Maia are included in Table 1.1.

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The current Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW), as the former Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) ,carried out a series of flora and vegetation surveys of the banded ironstone formations (BIF) of the Yilgarn Craton. One of these surveys was of the central Tallering System, which included Blue Hills (Markey and Dillon, 2008). To determine within which of DPaW’s floristic community types (FCTs) Maia’s monitoring sites belong, Maia carried out pattern analysis and compared the vegetation at the monitoring sites with the data collected by DPaW at sites assessed in the vicinity of SMC’s pits at Blue Hills (Maia, 2012).

Two of the monitoring sites established by Maia (B01 and B06) grouped with DPaW’s Karara (KARA) and Windaning (WIND) sites; however, the other 14 monitoring sites did not group with these quadrats. Only three quadrats (WIND01, WIND02 and WIND20) were surveyed by DPaW within SMC’s tenements on Mungada Ridge. Most quadrats were located to the west of the tenements on Karara Ridge (21 quadrats) and to the east of the tenements on Windaning Hill (17 quadrats). The different grouping of Maia’s monitoring sites with respect to DPaW’s communities reflects the location and density of DPaW’s quadrats on that section of the hills with respect to the density and location of Maia’s monitoring sites.

The four vegetation associations in which the 16 monitoring plots occur are described and shown in Table 1.1.

More detailed information on the pattern analyses run and vegetation association similarities between the monitoring sites and DPaW and WEC’s floristic communities can be found in Maia (2012).

Plant specimens have been collected from the monitoring sites each year they have been visited and in 2014 fruiting specimens of an Acacia originally identified as A. effusifolia were collected and identified as A. ramulosa var. ramulosa. As a result, changes have been made to the description of vegetation association 4 (ArAsSL-4), which was originally described as A. effusifolia and A. sibina Shrubland and is now described as A. ramulosa var. ramulosa and A. sibina Shrubland. These species names have also been adjusted in the site sheets included as Appendix 2.

Table 1.1: Vegetation associations and monitoring sites

AacWL-1 (Allocasuarina acutivalvis Woodland-1) This vegetation association occurs on the banded ironstone formation (BIF) ridgetop and south-facing upperslopes. Sites B01 and B06 are located within this association. Based on the results of pattern analysis, this association is equivalent to DPaW’s Community Type 2. It is also similar to the description for WEC’s (2008) FCT13.

Vegetation Association Broad Floristic Description Formation Low Woodland of Allocasuarina Allocasuarina Low acutivalvis with a Sparse Low Woodland. Shrubland of Xanthosia bungei, Associated Species and Sparse to Open Tall Shrubland of Calycopeplus Eremophila clarkei, paucifolius +/- Open Sedgeland Gastrolobium laytonii, of Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills Acacia assimilis (A. Markey & S. Dillon 3468) subsp. assimilis, (Priority 1). Austrostipa elegantissima.

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MSL-2 (Mixed Shrubland-2) This vegetation association occurs along the BIF ridges on ridge tops, midslopes and footslopes. Sites B04, B11, B12, B13 and B14 are located within this association. It is not equivalent to any of DPaW’s vegetation communities but is similar to the description for WEC’s (2008) FCT12.

Vegetation Association Broad Floristic Description Formation Open Tall Shrubland of Mixed Mixed Shrubland. Acacia species (Acacia assimilis Associated Species subsp. assimilis, Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and/or Philotheca brucei Acacia sibina) with Isolated Mid subsp. brucei, Acacia Shrubs of Eremophila latrobei aneura, Mirbelia subsp. latrobei +/- Eremophila bursarioides, Acacia clarkei and Isolated Low Shrubs exocarpoides, of Hibbertia arcuata. Calycopeplus paucifolius.

AasAsSL-3 (Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis and Acacia sibina Shrubland-3) This vegetation association occurs on the midslopes to footslopes of the BIF ridges. Sites B07, B08, B09, B10, B15 and B16 are located within this association. It is not similar to any of DPaW’s vegetation communities but is similar to the description for WEC’s (2008) FCT8 and FCT14.

Vegetation Association Broad Floristic Description Formation Open Tall Shrubland of Acacia Acacia Open Tall assimilis subsp. assimilis and Shrubland. Acacia sibina +/- Acacia Associated Species effusifolia with a Mid to Low Open Shrubland of Aluta aspera Eremophila clarkei, subsp. hesperia and Philotheca Hemigenia sericea +/- Low Open Woodland botryphylla, Hibbertia of Acacia aneura. arcuata, Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3), Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei, Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma.

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ArAsSL-4 (Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia sibina Shrubland-4) This vegetation association occurs on the gravelly plains surrounding the BIF ridges. Sites B02, B03 and B05 are located within it. This association is not similar to any of DPaW’s vegetation communities but is similar to the description for WEC’s (2008) FCT12.

Vegetation Association Broad Floristic Description Formation Open Tall Shrubland of Acacia Acacia Open Tall ramulosa var. ramulosa and Shrubland. Acacia sibina. Associated Species Dianella revoluta var. divaricata, Persoonia manotricha.

The growth form, height classes and cover characteristics of vegetation in the quadrats are described using the current National Vegetation Inventory System (NVIS) methodology at the association level. At this level up to three strata and a maximum of three taxa per stratum are used to describe the association (ESCAVI, 2003).

1.4 BLUE HILLS PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY Some of SMC’s Blue Hills project area lies within the boundaries of the Blue Hills (Mount Karara/Mungada Ridge/Blue Hills) vegetation complexes (banded ironstone formation) Priority 1 priority ecological community (PEC) (DPaW, 2014). The monitoring sites were established within the boundaries of the PEC and both monitoring sites and the boundaries of the PEC in the vicinity of SMC’s tenements are shown on Map 7.2, Section 7.

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2 METHODS

2.1 MONITORING SITES, SURVEYS AND TIMING The dates monitoring sites were established and dates monitoring has been carried out at the sites established are listed in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Survey dates, sites established and assessment carried out

Sites Established Assessment Carried Out Date of Survey

16 monitoring sites, B01 – B16 Baseline measurements at each site September 20-24, 2012

None 16 sites assessed September 17-20, 2013

None 16 sites assessed September 16 – 18, 2014

2.2 SITE SET-UP AND MEASUREMENTS Monitoring sites were set up as 20 metre (m) by 20 m quadrats (running approximately north-south) and star pickets were used to mark the four corners. The location of each of the four corner posts was recorded on a handheld Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) and the coordinates for each site are listed in Table A1.1 (Appendix 1). The north-west corner star picket was tagged and numbered to identify the site. A 20 m by 5 m sub-plot within the 20 m by 20 m quadrat was marked by two fence droppers. The 20 m by 5 m plot was located in the section of the quadrat closest to impact areas.

The following information was recorded at each monitoring site:

 A species list for the 20 m by 20 m quadrat;  The general condition of the vegetation in the 20 m by 20 m quadrat (ranked between 1 and 6 (where 1 indicates pristine vegetation and 6 indicates completely degraded vegetation) based on Keighery’s vegetation condition scale (Government of Western Australia, 2000) and described in Table 2.2);  One photograph (at least) of the 20 m by 5 m sub-plot (and its direction recorded);  An overall rating for dust cover in the 20 m by 5 m sub-plot (ranked from 0 (no dust) to 5 (thick dust cover));  The number of live plants of each shrub/tree species occurring within the 20 m by 5 m sub-plot including the following: o The number of live plants of each species greater than or equal to (≥) 1 m in height; and o The number of live plants less than (<) 1 m in height.  The number of dead plants of each shrub/tree species still standing within the 20 m by 5 m sub-plot;  The health of each plant ≥ 1 m in height in the sub-plot (ranked from 0 (totally healthy) to 5 (dead));  The height of each plant≥ 1 m in height in the sub-plot;  The height to the lowest live leaves at the base of the canopy on each plant ≥ 1 m in height in the sub- plot;  The dimensions of the canopy of each plant ≥ 1 m in height in the sub-plot in two directions – north-south and east-west;  The diameter at breast height (DBH) of the largest branch of each plant ≥ 1 m in height within the sub- plot and the measured branch was tagged and numbered;

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 The crown density (in 5% intervals) of each measured plant in each 20 m by 5 m sub-plot. (Crown density estimates were made using the density diagram included in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest inventory and Analysis Program field instructions (USDA, 2005).)  Each of the shrubs and trees measured in the 20 m by 5 m sub-plot was tagged and numbered for future reference. Missing or damaged tags replaced as needed.  When conservation significant flora and weeds occurred in the 20 m by 20 m quadrat their numbers were recorded.  A mud map was drawn of the trees and shrubs occurring in each 20 m by 5 m sub-plot to help to locate the measured plants when assessed in the future.

Whenever Acacia woodmaniorum (a flora species listed as Threatened flora under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950) was located within a 20 m by 20 m quadrat the following information was recorded: the health of each plant was rated, diameter at breast height (DBH) (if taller than 1.3 m) was measured along with the height of the plant, the height to the lowest live part of the crown, canopy dimensions (north-south and east-west) and the percentage of live foliage on each plant. In addition to these measurements a photograph of each plant was taken, a coded tag was attached to each plant and a mud map was drawn showing plant locations within the quadrat to help locate the plants during future assessments.

2.3 VEGETATION CONDITION ASSESSMENT Vegetation condition was assessed at each site and is based on the scale outlined in the Government of Western Australia (2000) Bush Forever documentation. A summary of the scale is outlined in Table 2.2.

Table 2.2: Vegetation condition scale used

Condition Scale Description Pristine (1) Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance. Excellent (2) Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non- aggressive species. Very Good (3) Vegetation structure altered and obvious signs of disturbance. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by repeated fires, the presence of some more aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing. Good (4) Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of some very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. Degraded (5) Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing.

Completely The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and the area is completely or almost Degraded (6) completely without native species. These areas are often described as “parkland cleared’ with the flora comprising weed or crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs.

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2.4 MONITORING DATA - STATISTICAL ANALYSES Analyse-it software (Analyse-it Software, 2013) was used to carry out the analyses presented in this report. Basic descriptive statistics were calculated on each data set analysed. Calculations and statistical analyses were performed on data collected for each factor using only consecutively measured plants. The following texts were referenced to determine which tests were appropriate for the data collected: Zar (1984); Townend (2002); Coakes and Steed (2001); and, Mead, Curnow and Hasted (2000). In addition information on the University of California Los Angelas Institute for Digital Research and Education webpage was referred to (UCLA, 2013).

Baseline (first) and 2014 (last) comparisons were carried out on the monitoring data collected within the 20 m by 5 m sub-plots (e.g. the number of plants, health ranks (HR), proportional canopy volume (PCV) and diameter at breast height (DBH)).

A t-test is an appropriate statistical test for comparisons between two independent variables e.g. a comparison of the difference in DBH at control and impact sites. A number of assumptions must be met to apply a t-test to data. These assumptions include that the data must be normal, the data interval or ratio, the subjects independent and the scores randomly sampled from the populations (Coakes and Steed, 2001). The data to be used in these independent t-tests were checked against these assumptions and when a particular data set did not comply with the assumptions, and when transformation didn’t rectify the data set, either the non-parametric t-test equivalent, the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (for non-normal data) test was used or the non-parametric t-test equivalent, the Welch test (for unequal variances).

When repeated measures are made on the same experimental unit or when measurements are interval or ordinal (e.g. measurements made on the same plants in 2012 and again in 2014) a repeated measures/paired t-test can be used. An additional assumption applies when a repeated/paired t-test is used - the difference between the scores for each subject should be normally distributed (Coakes and Steed, 2001). The data to be used in these repeated measures t-tests were checked against the assumptions for the test and when data did not comply with the assumptions, and when transformations didn’t rectify the data set, the non-parametric repeated/paired t-test equivalent, the Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used.

Sixteen vegetation monitoring sites were established in 2012 and an equal number of control and impact sites were planned in the different vegetation associations surrounding the mines. However, once pattern analysis was carried out on the 16 sites (to determine within which associations the sites belonged), the number of control and impact sites in each vegetation association was not equal and some of the proposed treatment groups had no replicates (Table 2.3). Additional sites were planned for 2013 and again in 2014; however, SMC is waiting to hear whether an application to extend its mining activities at Blue Hills has been approved and any additional sites need to be placed with respect to any future impact areas. As a result, a sub-sample of the sites established to date has been used in the statistical analyses carried out in this report (Table 2.3). As the objective of the monitoring program is to determine whether the mining activities at Blue Hills are affecting the vegetation of the PEC, the priority comparisons to be considered are those between impact and control sites. Therefore a total of 12 sites (occurring in both control and impact areas and with equal replication in the four different vegetation associations determined by pattern analysis) have been used to determine if there are any differences between impact and control treatments (Table 2.3).

m a i a P a g e | 7 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Table 2.3: Sites established in 2012 and used in the 2014 statistical analyses

Vegetation Association Sites Established in 2012 Sites used in 2014 Statistical Analyses Impact Control Impact Control

AacWL-1 B06 B01 B06 B01 MSL-2 B04, B11, B12 B13, B14 B11, B12 B13, B14 AasAsSL-3 B07, B08 B09, B10, B15, B16 B07, B08 B09, B16 ArAsSL-4 B02 B03, B05 B02 B05 Total Number of Sites 7 9 6 6

2.5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Additional information on dust levels recorded at the dust monitoring sites around the mine, on any feral animal sightings, on rainfall data recorded at Blue Hills in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and on any fires in the vegetation around the mines is included in this report.

2.6 PROJECT TEAM The survey, the plant identifications and reporting tasks associated with this monitoring program were carried out by the botanists listed in Table 2.4.

Table 2.4: Project team

Project Team Name Qualification Project Role DPaW Flora License Number (and Expiry Date)

Christina Cox PhD Botanist – report Not applicable Botanist – field and Scott Hitchcock BSc SL010983 (exp. Apr 2015) taxonomy Rochelle Haycock BSc Botanist – field and report SL010985 (exp. Apr 2015) Manon Bocquet (nee Hannart) BSc Botanist – field SL010910 (exp. Apr 2015) Botanist – field and Emily Ager BSc - taxonomy Conrad Slee BSc Botanist - taxonomy Not applicable

m a i a P a g e | 8 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

3 RESULTS – VEGETATION, FLORA, INTRODUCED FAUNA AND FIRE

3.1 SITE INFORMATION The information collected at each 20 m by 20 m monitoring site is included on the site sheets in Appendix 2. These site sheets are added to if additional species are located at a site when assessed in spring each year.

3.2 FLORA

3.2.1 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FLORA One Threatened (T) flora species was recorded – Acacia woodmaniorum (Vulnerable, D2) - and Table 3.1 lists the sites within which plants were located along with the measurements recorded for each plant. In 2012 seven plants were recorded at B06 and one plant at B13. In 2014 four live plants and four dead plants (including three seedlings) were recorded at B06 and one dead plant at B13.

Table 3.1: Acacia woodmaniorum locations and measurements – 20 m x 20 m site

Health Rank Live Foliage (%) Canopy Volume (m3) Site (0 = very healthy to 5 = dead) 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 3 5 5 30 Dead Dead 0.16 Dead Dead 1 3 2 95 40 60 0.03 0.03 0.08 4 4 5 10 5 Dead 0.22 0.27 Dead 3 3 3 40 20 40 0.38 0.29 0.15 B06 2 3 4 30 30 5 1.57 1.27 0.49 3 3 5 80 40 Dead 0.20 0.06 Dead 2 3 4 80 40 30 1.40 1.50 1.22 - 1 5 - 100 Dead - 0.00 Dead In 2013 three very young juveniles less than 5 cm high were recorded. In 2014 these were dead. B13 0 5 5 100 Dead Dead <0.01 Dead Dead

Six priority (P) taxa were recorded – Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills (A. Markey & S. Dillon 3468) (P1), Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (R.J. Cranfield 7096), Drummondita fulva, Micromyrtus acuta, Micromyrtus trudgenii and Rhodanthe collina (all P3). Both Rhodanthe collina and Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station were recorded in 2014 and have not been recorded during previous assessments of the Blue Hills monitoring sites. The sites at which these species were recorded and the number of plants recorded at each are listed in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2: Priority Flora locations and counts – 20 m x 20 m site

Plant Counts Species Site 2012 2013 2014 Micromyrtus trudgenii B01 2 1 1 Drummondita fulva B05 1 1 1 Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills 70 70 70 B06 Drummondita fulva 2 1 1 Micromyrtus trudgenii B07 12 13 13 Drummondita fulva 1 9 9 B08 Micromyrtus trudgenii 14 19 19 Micromyrtus trudgenii B09 20 27 27

m a i a P a g e | 9 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Species Site Plant Counts Drummondita fulva 1 1 1 B12 Rhodanthe collina 0 0 10 Micromyrtus acuta 15 71 71 Micromyrtus trudgenii B13 2 2 2 Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station 0 0 5 Drummondita fulva 14 26 26 B14 Micromyrtus trudgenii 26 30 26 Micromyrtus trudgenii B15 8 6 5 Drummondita fulva B16 1 4 4

The total number of Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills (A. Markey & S. Dillon 3468) (P1) in the monitoring sites was the same in 2014 as in 2012. Since 2012 the total number of Drummondita fulva (P3) plants in the monitoring sites has increased by 20, Micromyrtus acuta (P3) by 56 plants and Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) by 12.

Descriptions and photographs of these priority species follow and their locations are shown on Map 7.3, Section 7.

Acacia woodmaniorum (T)

A. woodmaniorum is a prickly, hard shrub growing to 2 m on the southern faces of hill slopes and crests of banded ironstone and laterite (Plate 3.1). The branches are intricate and the marginal nerve is red in younger leaves (phyllodes) and ages to yellow. The bark is grey and slightly rough. A. woodmaniorum produces yellow flowers during July (Plate 3.2) (WAH, 1998-).

In 2014 four plants were recorded at B06 and no plants at B13 (Map 7.3, Section 7). No flowering and fruiting material was present on the plants at the time of the survey.

Plate 3.1: Growth habit Plate 3.2: Close-up of leaves and flowers

Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills (A. Markey & S. Dillon 3468) (P1)

L. sp. Blue Hills is a sedge growing to 0.5 m on hill slopes, breakaways and rocky outcrops of laterite, granite, banded ironstone and sandstone rock (Plate 3.3). L. sp. Blue Hills produces brown flowers during September (Plate 3.4) (WAH, 1998-).

In 2014 70 plants were recorded at B06 (Map 7.3, Section 7) and they were flowering at the time of the survey.

m a i a P a g e | 10 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Plate 3.3: Growth habit Plate 3.4: Close-up of leaves and flowers

Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (R.J. Cranfield 7096) (P3)

C. sp. Perrinvale Station is a small annual daisy growing to 0.3 m in height (Plate 3.5). The leaves have widely spaced teeth on their margins and scattered hairs on their surface. Red flower heads are produced in spring and these are followed by spiked fruit (Plates 3.6). The seeds have two spikes on the upper surface. This daisy tends to grow on rocky slopes (WAH, 1998-).

In 2014 five plants were recorded at one site (B13) (Map 7.3, Section 7) and the plants were fruiting at the time of the survey.

Plate 3.5: Growth habit Plate 3.6: Close-up of leaves and fruit Drummondita fulva (P3)

D. fulva is an erect, branching shrub growing to 1.5 m on lower hill slopes and hill crests of banded ironstone and associated meta-sedimentary rock (Plate 3.7). Small branches are smooth with glandular ridges. The fleshy leaves are club-shaped and green with a terminal reddish-brown tip (Plate 3.8) (WAH, 1998-).

A combined total of 40 plants from six sites (B05, B06, B08, B12, B14 and B16) were recorded in 2014 (Map 7.3, Section 7) and the plants were flowering at the time of the survey.

m a i a P a g e | 11 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Plate 3.7: Growth habit Plate 3.8: Close-up of leaves and a flower bud

Micromyrtus acuta (P3)

M. acuta is an erect shrub growing to 2 m high on rocky outcrops of grey to light brown silty fine to coarse sand over laterite and granite (Plate 3.9). The leaves are 1.5 to 1.8 mm long and oblong in shape (Rye, 2006). M. acuta produces white flowers from July to October (Plate 3.10) (WAH, 1998-).

In 2014 71 plants were recorded at B13 (Map 7.3, Section 7) and plants were flowering at the time of the survey.

Plate 3.9: Growth habit Plate 3.10: Close-up of leaves and flowers

Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3)

M. trudgenii is an erect, open, straggly, weeping shrub growing to 2 m high on hill slopes and ridges of quartz, basalt, dolerite and banded ironstone (Plate 3.11). The leaves are 4 to 9 mm long and are densely arranged on the smaller branches (Plate 3.12) (Rye, 2007). M. trudgenii produces yellow flowers from June to October (WAH, 1998-).

In 2014 96 plants were recorded from seven sites (B01, B07, B08, B09, B13, B14 and B15) (Map 7.3, Section 7) and plants were flowering at the time of the survey.

m a i a P a g e | 12 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Plate 3.11: Growth habit Plate 3.12: Close-up of leaves and flowers Rhodanthe collina (P3)

R. collina is an erect, bushy annual herb growing to 0.25 m high on loamy soils and rocky hills (Plate 3.13). R. collina produces white to yellow flowers from August to October (Plate 3.14) (WAH, 1998-).

In 2014 10 plants were recorded at one site (B12) (Map 7.3, Section 7) and they were flowering at the time of the survey.

Plate 3.13: Growth habit (pressed specimen) Plate 3.14: Close-up of flowers (pressed specimen)

3.2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS Since 2013 three environmental weed species have been located at the monitoring sites: Bromus diandrus, Cuscuta planifolia and Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides. Environmental weeds have been given a weed ranking by DPaW based on their consequence, risk and management ability. The Mid-west rankings summary spread sheet (DPaW, 2013) rates B. diandrus and P. airoides subsp. airoides as low and C. planiflora as negligible.

The weed species recorded to date along with the sites at which they have been recorded and the numbers in which they were recorded in 2012, 2013 and 2014 are listed in Table 3.3. The weed species recorded at each quadrat and in each vegetation association and treatment is also included in Table 3.4.

The locations of the weed species recorded during this survey are shown on Map 7.4, Section 7.

m a i a P a g e | 13 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Table 3.3: Weed species locations, counts, totals by year and change since baseline (20 m x 20 m sites)

Weed Site Number of Weed Total Change Since Baseline Species Number Species Recorded 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 12/13 13/14 12/14 Bromus B12 10 0 0 10 0 0 Decrease No change Decrease diandrus B01 0 0 50 188 0 1,446 Decrease Increase Increase B02 20 0 100 B03 50 0 50 B05 3 0 10 B06 10 0 500 Cuscuta B07 5 0 10 planiflora B10 0 0 10 B11 10 0 0 B12 20 0 200 B13 50 0 500 B15 20 0 16 Pentameris B06 0 20 20 150 26 100 Decrease Increase Decrease airoides B12 20 0 30 subsp. B13 100 6 50 airoides B14 20 0 0 Overall Total and Change from Year to Year 348 26 1,546 Decrease Increase Increase

Table 3.4: Vegetation associations and treatment by site, year and change since baseline (20 m x 20 m sites)

Vegetation Number of Weed Species Recorded Change Since Baseline Site Number Association 2012 2013 2014 AacWL-1 Impact B06 1 1 2 Increase AacWL-1 Control B01 0 0 1 Increase B04 0 0 0 No change MSL-2, Impact B11 1 0 0 Decrease B12 3 0 2 Decrease B13 2 1 2 No change MSL-2, Control B14 1 0 0 Decrease B07 1 0 1 No change AacAsSL-3, Impact B08 0 0 0 No change B09 0 0 0 No change B10 0 0 1 Increase AacAsSL-3, Control B15 1 0 1 No change B16 0 0 0 No change ArAsSL-4, Impact B02 1 0 1 No change B03 1 0 1 No change ArAsSL-4, Control B05 1 0 1 No change

Since 2012 the number of weeds recorded has increased at 10 of the sites and also overall (348 plants were recorded in 2012 and 1,546 in 2014) (Table 3.3). In 2012 weeds were recorded at 10 sites, in 2013 they were

m a i a P a g e | 14 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014 recorded at only two sites and in 2014 at 10 sites (Table 3.4). This change is due to the fluctuation in the numbers of Cuscuta planiflora, as approximately 1,250 more plants were counted in 2014 than in 2012. This weed species was recorded in 2012 but not in 2013 and it appears that seasonal conditions were more favourable for C. planiflora in 2014 than in 2012 and 2013.

There appears to be no difference in number of weed species between impact and control sites overall and no change in the number of weed species recorded at impact and control sites overall.

3.3 VEGETATION CONDITION In 2012 the condition of the vegetation at the 16 monitoring sites was rated as Excellent and there was no change to any of these ratings in 2013 or 2014 (Table 3.5).

Table 3.5: Vegetation condition ratings

Site Vegetation Association Control or Impact Vegetation Condition 2012 2013 2014 B01 AacWL-1: Allocasuarina Low Woodland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B02 ArAsSL-4: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent B03 ArAsSL-4: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B04 MSL-2: Mixed Shrubland. Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent B05 ArAsSL-4: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B06 AacWL-1: Allocasuarina Low Woodland. Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent B07 AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent B08 AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent B09 AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B10 AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B11 MSL-2: Mixed Shrubland. Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent B12 MSL-2: Mixed Shrubland. Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent B13 MSL-2: Mixed Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B14 MSL-2: Mixed Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B15 AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent B16 AasAsSL-3: Acacia Open Tall Shrubland. Control Excellent Excellent Excellent

Since September 2012 vegetation has been cleared within the infrastructure footprint. The haul road has been cleared and it is approximately 60 metres away from site B12. In addition to this some of the old exploration tracks have been used since July 2013 when mining works started. Previously cleared exploration tracks and drill pads are relatively common in areas where the monitoring sites have been established.

3.4 INTRODUCED FAUNA SMC introduced a feral animal sighting register in 2013. No sightings have been recorded around the mine. However, the botanists noted evidence of goats (droppings and broken branches) at four sites (B01, B06, B08 and B12) and observed three goats at B06 in 2013. No goats or any other feral animals were observed when the botanists were carrying out the vegetation monitoring survey or during the two other surveys Maia conducted for SMC at Blue Hills in 2014.

m a i a P a g e | 15 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

3.5 FIRE No recent fires have affected the vegetation and it is estimated that the last fire in the area was at least 10 years ago.

m a i a P a g e | 16 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

4 RESULTS - MONITORING ASSESSMENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

The information in the following sections presents the data collected from the 20 m by 5 m sub-plot assessed within each 20 m by 20 m monitoring quadrat. However, sections 4.3 to 4.6 do not include data from sites B03, B04, B10 and B15 as these were excluded from statistical analyses (see Section 2.4).

4.1 DUST COVER RATINGS, DUST MONITORING AND RAINFALL The overall dust cover rating recorded for the vegetation at each monitoring site from baseline (2012) to present is presented in Table 4.1. Sites with a dust rating of 0 have no dust while a rating of 5 indicates the vegetation is thickly and completely covered in dust. A baseline dust level rating of 1 was recorded at seven sites (B02, B04, B05, B07, B09, B12 and B13) and the remaining sites had no dust cover (0). In 2014 the dust rating had not changed from the baseline rating at six sites and had increased at 10 sites (from 0 to 1 at seven sites, from 0 to 2 at one site, from 1 to 2 at one site and 1 to 3 at one site)

In 2014, the highest dust cover rating was recorded at impact site B13 (3) in the MSL-2 control group of sites. The mean dust cover rating was highest in the MSL-2 impact group (1.67) (Table 4.1; Figure 4.1, missing bars on Figure 4.1 indicate a dust rating of zero). The mean dust rating for all sites increased from 0.44 in 2012 to 1.19 in 2014 (a difference of 0.75). The mean dust rating for all impact and all control sites increased between baseline and 2014. The increase between baseline and 2014 was 0.78 in the control sites group and 0.72 in the impact sites group.

Table 4.1: Dust cover ratings

Mean Dust Cover Rating by Site and Group Change

Treatment Site 2012 2013 2014 Baseline to 2014 2013 to 2014 AacWL-1 B06 0 0 1 Increase Increase Impact Mean - - - Increase Increase AacWL-1 B01 0 1 1 Increase No change Control Mean - - - Increase No change B04 1 1 1 No change No change MSL-2 B11 0 1 2 Increase Increase Impact B12 1 2 2 Increase No change Mean 0.67 1.33 1.67 Increase Increase B13 1 1 3 Increase Increase MSL-2 B14 0 1 0 No change Decrease Control Mean 0.50 1.00 1.50 Increase Increase B07 1 0 1 No change Increase AasAsSL-3 B08 0 0 1 Increase Increase Impact Mean 0.50 0 1 Increase Increase B09 1 1 1 No change No change B10 0 1 1 Increase No change AasAsSL-3 B15 0 0 1 Increase Increase Control B16 0 0 1 Increase Increase Mean 0.25 0.50 1.00 Increase Increase ArAsSL-4 B02 1 2 1 No change Decrease Impact Mean - - - No change Decrease B03 0 1 1 Increase No change ArAsSL-4 B05 1 1 1 No change No change Control Mean 0.50 1.00 1.00 Increase No change Overall mean 0.44 0.81 1.19 Increase Increase

m a i a P a g e | 17 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Mean Dust Cover Rating by Site and Group Change

Treatment Site 2012 2013 2014 Baseline to 2014 2013 to 2014 Impact group overall mean 0.57 0.86 1.29 Increase Increase Control group overall mean 0.33 0.78 1.11 Increase Increase

3 2012 2013 2.5 2014

2

1.5

1

0.5

0 AacWL-1, AacWL-1, MSL-2, MSL-2, AasAsSL-3, AasAsSL-3, ArAsSL-4, ArAsSL-4, Impact, B06 Control, B01 Impact, B04, Control, B13 Impact, B07 Control, B09, Impact, B02 Control, B03 B11 & 12 & 14 & 08 10, 15 & 16 & 05

Figure 4.1: Mean dust rating (+/- standard error) - by treatment group (2012, 2013 and 2014)

The locations of the five depositional dust gauges around the mine are shown on Map 7.2, Section 7. Dust levels recorded in 2013 and from January to August 2014 are included in Table 4.2.

The highest mean dust readings for January to August 2014 were recorded at gauges BHD01 and BHD02. The highest site dust record was at BHD02 in February 2014 (12.0 g/m2/month). This reading is not reflected in the vegetation dust ratings at the two monitoring sites closest to BHD02 (B02 and B04), as there has been either no change (B04) or a decrease (B02) in the site dust ratings since 2013. The depositional dust gauges with the highest overall average mean dust readings from 2013 to August 2014 are BDH02 and BDH03.

In September 2014 the highest plant dust cover rating (3) was recorded at vegetation monitoring site B13 (control). A rating of 2 was given to B11 and B12 (both impact sites). The mean dust readings at dust monitoring sites BHD03 and BHD04 (closest to B11, B12 and B13) do not reflect these results in that the highest mean dust readings from January to August 2014 were recorded at dust monitoring sites BHD01 and BHD02.

The 2014 dust monitoring site data appear to reflect the location of the sites relative to haul roads (B12) and the pit at Mungada East (B11). It is possible that on originally little used track approximately 30 m from control site B13 is now being used more frequently and this could explain the higher dust rating at B13

m a i a P a g e | 18 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Table 4.2: Monthly depositional dust gauge data –2013 and January to August 2014

Result (g/m²/month)

Date BHD01 BHD02 BHD03 BHD04 BHD05 Mean all sites 31-Jan-13 2.62 3.82 3.20 3.95 2.87 3.29 No Data 12-Mar-13 1.92 2.61 1.43 2.53 1.93 2.08 No Data No Data 25-Jun-13 1.80 2.88 0.64 2.69 1.07 1.82 30-Jul-13 2.21 2.98 2.49 3.21 2.36 2.65 26-Aug-13 1.82 3.11 5.55 3.27 1.95 3.14 26-Sep-13 2.02 2.55 7.95 3.19 2.31 3.60 26-Oct-13 2.15 3.10 8.64 3.72 2.00 3.92 30-Nov-13 1.69 2.70 5.93 2.75 2.51 3.12 26-Dec-13 2.46 2.43 0.33 2.81 1.99 2.00 Mean Jan to Dec 2013 2.08 2.91 4.02 3.12 2.11 2.8 28-Jan-14 5.85 5.40 0.56 3.16 2.62 3.52 25-Feb-14 10.30 12.00 6.86 4.27 5.96 7.88 26-Mar-14 3.50 5.34 0.95 1.99 3.11 2.98 29-Apr-14 3.85 6.43 5.45 3.25 6.51 5.10 29-May-14 3.52 4.14 3.68 2.47 2.26 3.21 29-Jun-14 1.55 2.30 0.71 0.19 0.07 0.96 28-Jul-14 5.53 4.25 4.27 3.07 4.61 4.35 27-Aug-14 2.23 3.15 2.24 1.91 3.18 2.54 Mean Jan to Aug 2014 4.54 5.38 3.09 2.54 3.54 3.8 Overall mean 3.2 4.1 3.6 2.8 2.8 3.3

The closest BoM recording station to SMC’s Blue Hills mine area is Karara (station number 10195). Rainfall data records from Karara for 2012, 2013 and January to September 2014 are presented in Table 4.3.

The total rainfall received from January to September 2014 is below the long-term mean total rainfall for the same nine months (243 mm compared with 273.2 mm). Rainfall for these nine months is higher than the same rainfall period for 2013 and 2012. Rainfall from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014, the total rainfall was 240.8 mm which is below the total mean annual rainfall (314.7 mm) at Karara.

Table 4.3: Karara rainfall records (BoM, 2014)

Year / Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Karara (station number 10195) 2012 26.4 18.7 28.8 3.0 9.4 83.0 17.4 23.0 19.8 1.4 40.8 43.2 314.9 2013 41.6 15.6 22.6 12.2 43.0 6.4 28.2 34.0 26.6 15.8 6.2 0 252.2 2014 24.2 46.6 3.4 44.0 38.0 22.8 23.6 9.0 31.4 243.0 Mean 21.1 20.6 25.3 20.8 37.5 44.1 42.3 38.7 22.1 10.6 12.8 13.2 312.8

Figure 4.2 is a plot of total monthly rainfall with mean (of all depositional dust gauges) monthly dust levels. Rainfall in 2014 for the months of February, April and July show rises in dust level for these same three months.

m a i a P a g e | 19 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Decreases in rainfall between these months also have a decrease in the dust level. In 2014 dust levels were generally lower following high total monthly rainfall.

50 Dust (g/m²/month) 45 Rain (mm)

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Jul-13 Jul-14

Jan-13 Jan-14

Jun-13 Jun-14

Oct-13

Apr-13 Apr-14

Feb-13 Sep-13 Feb-14 Sep-14

Dec-13

Aug-13 Aug-14

Nov-13

Mar-13 Mar-14 May-14 May-13 Figure 4.2: Total monthly rainfall (mm) and mean monthly dust levels (g/m²/month, +/- standard error)

4.2 PLANT NUMBERS Table 4.4 summarises the change (baseline to 2014) in the number of live and measured (≥1 m) and live and not measured (<1 m) plants of all species being assessed within the 20 m by 5 m monitoring sub-plots at each vegetation monitoring site, total deaths occurring between 2012 and 2014 assessments and recruits are also included in this table.

There was no change in the number of measured live plants in three of the eight vegetation association and treatment groups while the number increased in one and decreased in four (Table 4.4). The greatest reduction was in the AasAsSL-3 impact group (-8) followed by the control group for that vegetation association (-6).

The overall change in the number of live and not measured plants was unchanged in one of the eight vegetation association and treatment groups while the number decreased in each of the remaining seven groups (Table 4.4). The greatest decrease occurred in the AasAsSL-3 impact group (-35) followed by the mixed shrubland (MSL-2) control group (-20).

Overall change in impact and control groups was negative for both measured and not measured plants (Table 4.4). Fewer measured plants died at impact sites than at control sites while more not measured plants died at impact than control sites. Deaths overall were lower at impact than control sites while recruitment overall was higher at control sites.

No clear pattern is evident in comparisons made between vegetation associations; however, there appears to be less flux in plant numbers in association ArAsSL-4 overall than in the three other associations.

m a i a P a g e | 20 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Table 4.4: Change (2012 to 2014) in live measured (≥ 1 m) and live not measured (< 1 m) plants and total deaths and recruits

Measured Live Plants ≥ 1 m Not Measured Live Plants < 1 m

Vegetation Total Total Site Increase Decrease Overall Increase Decrease Overall Association, Deaths Recruits Change Change Con or Imp AacWL-1, B06 1 1 0 0 5 -5 6 1 impact Overall Change 0 -5 6 1 AacWL-1, B01 0 2 -2 2 6 -4 8 2 control Overall Change -2 -4 8 2 B04 1 0 1 8 6 2 6 9 B11 0 0 0 0 5 -5 5 0 MSL-2, impact B12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Overall Change 1 -3 11 9 B13 0 3 -3 3 17 -14 20 3 MSL-2, B14 1 2 -1 8 14 -6 16 9 control Overall Change -4 -20 36 12 B07 0 2 -2 2 28 -26 30 2 AasAsSL-3, B08 0 6 -6 7 16 -9 22 7 impact Overall Change -8 -35 54 9 B09 0 3 -3 2 3 -1 6 2 B10 2 1 1 2 18 -16 19 4 AasAsSL-3, B15 0 4 -4 19 1 18 5 19 control B16 0 0 0 2 9 -7 9 2 Overall Change -6 -6 39 27 ArAsSL-4, B02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 impact Overall Change 0 0 0 0 B03 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ArAsSL-4, B05 0 0 0 0 3 -3 3 0 control Overall Change 0 -3 3 0 Impact sites overall change -7 -43 69 19 baseline to 2014 Control sites overall change -12 -33 86 41 baseline to 2014 Note: Deaths = total number of measured and not-measured plants that have died (decreases) since first assessment (2012). Recruits = total number of measured and not-measured plants that have recruited (increases) between baseline (2012) and 2014.

Overall change in total plant numbers by group, calculated as a percentage of the total number of plants recorded in each group at baseline (2012), is presented in Figure 4.3 (no bar for a group indicates no change). Plant numbers have decreased in seven of the groups relative to baseline numbers and there has been no change in one. The overall mean change for impact sites and control sites (calculated as a percentage of the total number of plants recorded at baseline for impact and control groups) is also plotted as a line on Figure 4.3. The overall change between baseline and 2014 at impact sites is a 13.66% reduction in plant numbers and a 9.23% reduction at control sites. Most of this difference can be explained by the greater change in number of live plants < 1 m in height in the impact sites compared with the control sites. Fewer adult plants died in the impact sites overall compared with the control sites.

m a i a P a g e | 21 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

0.00 -2.00 -4.00 -6.00 Mean Impact (%) -8.00 Mean Control (%) -10.00 -12.00 -14.00 -16.00 -18.00 -20.00

Figure 4.3: Group change in number of all live plants per group (≥ 1 m and < 1 m) as a proportion of total number of plants recorded in same group at baseline

4.3 HEALTH RATING (HR) The health ratings (HR) recorded at the sites being included in the statistical analyses (see Table 2.3) have been used to calculate a percentage change in health of the plants between assessments i.e. the proportion of plants measured at a site having a higher, lower or static (no change) HR in 2014 compared with baseline (2012) rating (Table 4.5).

There was mostly no changed in HR as this value ranged from 57.1% to 88.9% no change. Plants becoming less healthy ranged from 11.1% to 30.8% and plants becoming healthier ranged from 0% to 16.7%.

While similar, 23.4% of the plants at impact sites have become less healthy compared with 19.9% at control sites and 7.1% of impact site plants have become healthier and 10.5% of plants at control sites (Table 4.5).

Table 4.5: Percentage change in HR, baseline to 2014

Vegetation Sites Number of Healthier (%) Less Healthy (%) No Change (%) Association and Consecutive Treatment Assessments AacWL-1, Impact B06 24 8.3 20.8 70.8 AacWL-1, Control B01 25 8.0 24.0 68.0 B11 13 7.7 30.8 61.5 MSL-2, Impact B12 16 6.3 12.5 81.3 B13 41 12.2 22.0 65.9 MSL-2, Control B14 43 11.6 18.6 69.8 B07 35 14.3 28.6 57.1 AasAsSL-3, Impact B08 44 2.3 25.0 72.7 B09 37 8.1 21.6 70.3 AasAsSL-3, Control B16 27 7.4 18.5 74.1

m a i a P a g e | 22 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Vegetation Sites Number of Healthier (%) Less Healthy (%) No Change (%) Association and Consecutive Treatment Assessments ArAsSL-4, Impact B02 9 0.0 11.1 88.9 ArAsSL-4, Control B05 18 16.7 11.1 72.2 Impact sites – overall change baseline to 2014 7.1 23.4 69.5 Control sites – overall change baseline to 2014 10.5 19.9 69.6

The mean HR for plants assessed in 2012 (baseline) and in 2014 is listed in Table 4.6. As the scale used for HR starts at 0 for a healthy plant and increases to 5 to indicate a dead plant, the overall health of consecutively rated plants has decreased slightly between baseline and 2014.

Table 4.6: Mean HR, baseline to 2014

Assessment Number of Plants Measured Consecutively Mean HR Standard Deviation Baseline 2.12 0.82 332 2014 2.28 0.92

Table 4.7 summarises the overall mean change in HR by site and treatment group. The mean change in plant health by site was calculated as follows:

 (Plant HR at baseline - Plant HR in 2014)/number of plants assessed at site.

The mean change in plant health by treatment group was calculated in the same way:

 (Plant HR at baseline - Plant HR in 2014)/number of plants assessed in treatment group.

The mean change in plant health by impact and control group was calculated in the same way:

 (Plant HR at baseline - Plant HR in 2014)/number of plants assessed in impact or control group.

Positive numbers in Table 4.7 and on Figure 4.4 and 4.5 indicate an overall increase in plant health and negative numbers an overall decrease. Plant health increased overall at one control site (B05) and decreased overall at 11 sites. Plant health decreased in all eight treatment groups. The overall mean change in plant health was both negative and a similar value in both impact and control groups and, overall, plants became less healthy between baseline and 2014 assessments in both groups.

The mean change in HR between baseline and 2014 assessments for all plants measured at the sites included in the analyses is also shown in Figure 4.4 (sites with a C after the site name are control sites and those with and I after the site name are impact sites) and the mean change in HR between baseline and 2014 by treatment group in Figure 4.5.

m a i a P a g e | 23 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Table 4.7: Change in HR by site, treatment group and overall by impact and control group, baseline to 2014

Treatment Group and MVA Site Mean Change in HR Standard Deviation (Baseline to 2014) B06 -0.13 0.54 AacWL-1, Impact Group mean (SD) - B01 -0.28 0.94 AacWL-1, Control Group mean (SD) - B11 -0.23 0.60 MSL-2, Impact B12 -0.06 0.44 Group mean (SD) -0.14 (0.52) B13 -0.17 0.77 MSL-2, Control B14 -0.09 0.61 Group mean (SD) -0.13 (0.69) B07 -0.14 0.65 AasAsSL-3, Impact B08 -0.25 0.53 Group mean (SD) -0.20 (0.59) B09 -0.19 0.70 AasAsSL-3, Control B16 -0.19 0.68 Group mean (SD) -0.19 (0.69) B02 -0.11 0.33 ArAsSL-4, Impact Group mean (SD) - B05 +0.06 0.54 ArAsSL-4, Control Group mean (SD) - Impact sites - overall change baseline to 2014 -0.17 0.55 Control sites - overall change baseline to 2014 -0.15 0.71

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Figure 4.4: Mean change in HR (+/- standard error) by site (light green bars = impact and dark green = control sites; C after a site name indicates a control site and I an impact site)

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-0.50 AacWL-1, AacWL-1, MSL-2, MSL-2, AasAsSL-3, AasAsSL-3, ArAsSL-4, ArAsSL-4, Impact, B06 Control, B01 Impact, B11 Control, B13 Impact, B07 Control, B09 Impact, B02 Control, B05 & 12 & 14 & 08 & 16

Figure 4.5: Mean change in HR (+/- standard error) by treatment group (light green bars = impact and dark green = control sites)

Statistical analyses - HR

Change in HR, baseline to 2014

A non-parametric repeated measures t-test equivalent, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, was performed on the paired data to determine if HR was the same at baseline and 2014 assessments. The following hypotheses were tested:

 HO: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0.

 HA: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is not equal to 0.

The results of the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test (Table 4.8) indicate that the shift in location between the distributions of the plant health rating data collected at baseline and 2014 assessments are not equal at the 5% significance level (p = <0.0001). Overall, the plants were less healthy in 2014 than when first measured in 2012 (however, the number of zero differences in this analysis might be affecting the result of this test).

Table 4.8: Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, HR baseline and 2014

Difference Between Pairs n Rank Sum Mean Rank Positive 30 1410.0 47.00 Negative 71 3741.0 52.69 Zero 231 Mean difference (Hodges-Lehmann shift) 0.0 95.01% CI 0.0 to 0.0 Wilcoxon’s statistic (T statistic) 1410.0 Z approximation -4.39 p-value <0.0001 Note: n = sample size, p = probability, Cl = confidence interval.

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Change in HR, Impact and Control Groups

The non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was performed on the plant HR data to determine whether there is a significant group (impact or control) effect. The following hypotheses were tested:

 HO: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0.

 HA: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is not equal to 0.

The results of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test are listed in Table 4.9. The p-value is not significant and the shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0. There is not a significant treatment effect and the change in HR is the same in both the control and impact groups.

Table 4.9: Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test, HR, impact and control groups

Treatment Group n Rank Sum Mean Rank Impact 141 22787.0 161.61 Control 191 32491.0 170.11

Median difference (Hodges-Lehmann shift) 0.0 95.01% Cl 0.0 to 0.0

Mann-Whitney’s statistic (W statistic) 22787.0

Z approximation -0.99 p-value 0.3246 Note: n = group sample size.

4.4 PROPORTIONAL CANOPY VOLUME (PCV) Proportional live canopy volumes (PCV) were calculated using crown density estimates recorded for each plant at baseline and 2014. Crown density ratings (recorded as a percentage) were used to account for differences in the canopies of the different species measured at each site.

The following formulae were used to calculate canopy and proportional canopy volumes:

Canopy volume = (canopy depth) x (north-south width) x (east-west width);

Proportional canopy volume = canopy volume x (crown density/100).

Table 4.10 summarises the total and mean change in PCV (m³) between baseline and 2014 monitoring assessments for the 12 monitoring sites being used in the statistical analyses and for each treatment group.

The mean change in PCV (m³) between baseline and 2014 assessments for all plants measured at each site is shown in Figure 4.6 and by treatment group in Figure 4.7.

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Table 4.10: Change in PCV, Baseline to 2014

Treatment Group and MVA Site Total Change in Mean Change in Standard Deviation PCV (m3) PCV (m3) B06 -3.59 -0.15 0.64 AacWL-1, Impact Group - - - B01 -5.95 -0.25 1.29 AacWL-1, Control Group - - - B11 -4.13 -0.32 1.09 MSL-2, Impact B12 17.37 1.09 2.66 Group 13.23 0.46 2.18 B13 5.28 0.14 1.31 MSL-2, Control B14 -7.76 -0.19 1.13 Group -2.48 -0.03 1.22 B07 -8.80 -0.25 0.92 AasAsSL-3, Impact B08 -0.14 0.00 0.33 Group -8.95 -0.11 0.67 B09 -8.73 -0.25 1.48 AasAsSL-3, Control B16 25.11 0.93 4.87 Group 16.38 0.26 3.42 B02 4.10 0.46 1.73 ArAsSL-4, Impact Group - - - B05 8.14 0.45 1.26 ArAsSL-4, Control Group - - - Impact overall change in mean PCV baseline to 2014 0.03 1.23 Control overall change in mean PCV baseline to 2014 0.09 2.22

Total PCV decreased at seven of the 12 monitoring sites used in the analyses and increased at five. Mean PCV decreased at six of the sites, increased at five and did not change at one of the sites. The greatest increase in mean PCV was recorded at B12 (an impact site) while the greatest reduction was at B11 (also an impact site) (Table 4.10, Figure 4.6).

The largest positive change in mean PCV in a treatment group was in the MSL2 and ArAsSL-4 impact and control groups while the largest negative change in PCV occurred in the AacWL-1 control group (Figure 4.7).

The overall change in mean PCV for all plants in either impact or control groups assessed at baseline and 2014 increased slightly (Table 4.10).

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-1.0 B01 C B02 I B05 C B06 I B07 I B08 I B09 C B11 I B12 I B13 C B14 C B16 C

Figure 4.6: Mean change in PCV (m³ +/- standard error) by site (light green bars = impact and dark green = control sites; C after site name indicates a control and I an impact site)

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Figure 4.7: Mean change in PCV (m³ +/- standard error) by treatment group (light green bars = impact and dark green = control sites)

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Statistical Analyses, PCV

Change in PCV, Baseline to 2014

Before any statistical analyses were carried performed data checks were carried out. One outlier at B16 (AasAsSL- 3 control group) was obvious in the PCV data and it was removed from the dataset before analysis.

The mean PCV recorded for plants measured at baseline and in 2014 is listed in Table 4.11. The mean PCV for all plants measured increased very slightly between baseline and 2014 assessments.

Table 4.11: PCV, Baseline and 2014

Assessment Number of Plants Measured Consecutively Mean PCV (m³) Standard Deviation

Baseline 2.00 4.06 324 2014 2.07 4.69

A non-parametric repeated measures t-test equivalent, the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, was performed on the paired data to determine if PCVs recorded at baseline and in 2014 were statistically different. The following hypotheses were tested:

 HO: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0.

 HA: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is not equal to 0.

The results of the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test (Table 4.12) indicate that the shift in location between the distributions of the PCV data collected at baseline and 2013 assessments is equal to 0 (p = 0.2628). Therefore, the null hypothesis is accepted – there is no difference in PVC between baseline and 2014.

Table 4.12: Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, PCV, baseline to 2014

Difference Between Pairs n Rank Sum Mean Rank Positive 174 28044.0 161.17 Negative 149 24282.0 162.97 Zero 0 Mean difference (Hodges-Lehmann shift) 0.01 95.01% CI -0.01 to 0.03 Wilcoxon’s statistic (T statistic) 28044.00 Z approximation 1.12 p-value 0.2628 Note: n = sample size, p = probability, Cl = confidence interval.

Change in PCV, Impact and Control Groups

The non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was performed on the PCV data to determine whether the change in PCV between baseline and 2014 in the impact and control groups was the same. The following hypotheses were tested:

 HO: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0.

 HA: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is not equal to 0.

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The results of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test (Table 4.13) indicate that the shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0. There is no difference in the change in PCV between baseline and 2014 in the impact and control groups.

Table 4.13: Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test, PCV, impact and control groups

Treatment Group n Rank Sum Mean Rank Impact 140 23052.0 164.66 Control 183 29274.0 159.97 Median difference (Hodges-Lehmann shift) 0.01 95.01% Cl -0.03 to 0.05 Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney’s statistic (W statistic) 23052.0 Z approximation 0.45 p-value 0.6547 Note: n = sample size, p = probability, Cl = confidence interval.

4.5 DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH) DBH was measured only on plants 1.3 m high (i.e. breast height) or greater and on the largest branch/stem on each plant measured. The change (baseline to 2014) in mean DBH data collected at the 12 sub-plots being included in the analyses and at each site, treatment group and overall impact and control groups are presented in Table 4.14.

The mean DBH increased at 7 of the 12 monitoring sites and decreased at five. The greatest positive change occurred at site B01 a control site and the greatest negative change at site B13 also a control site.

The largest positive change in mean DBH in a treatment group was in the AacWL-1 control group and the largest negative change was in the MSL-2 control group. There appears to be no discernible pattern in change in DBH at control and impact sites or between impact and control groups in each vegetation association.

The difference in the overall change in mean DBH for plants within impact and control groups was small, 1.96 mm, and DBH in the control group appears to have decreased more than that in the impact group.

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Table 4.14: Change in DBH, baseline to 2014

Vegetation Association and Treatment Site Mean Change in DBH (mm) Standard Deviation B06 1.01 3.44 AacWL-1, Impact Group mean (SD) - B01 2.15 3.27 AacWL-1, Control Group mean (SD) - B11 0.97 5.30 MSL-2, Impact B12 1.42 6.05 Group mean (SD) 1.25 (5.67) B13 -2.78 12.84 MSL-2, Control B14 -1.55 6.98 Group mean (SD) -2.21 (10.46) B07 -0.06 1.44 AasAsSL-3, Impact B08 1.17 1.59 Group mean (SD) 0.59 (1.62) B09 -1.81 2.81 AasAsSL-3, Control B16 -1.03 3.43 Group mean (SD) -1.44 (3.10) B02 2.06 3.64 ArAsSL-4, Impact Group mean (SD) - B05 1.08 3.45 ArAsSL-4, Control Group mean (SD) - Impact overall change in mean DBH baseline to 2014 1.00 3.63 Control overall change in mean DBH baseline to 2014 -0.96 7.49

The mean change in DBH (mm) between baseline and 2014 assessments for all plants measured at each site is shown in Figure 4.8 and by treatment group in Figure 4.9.

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-4 B01 C B02 I B05 C B06 I B07 I B08 I B09 C B11 I B12 I B13 C B14 C B16 C

Figure 4.8: Mean change in DBH (mm +/- standard error) by site (light green bars = impact and dark green = control sites; C after a site name indicates a control site and I an impact site)

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-4 AacWL-1, AacWL-1, MSL-2, MSL-2, AasAsSL-3, AasAsSL-3, ArAsSL-4, ArAsSL-4, Impact, B06 Control, B01 Impact, B11 Control, B13 Impact, B07 Control, B09 Impact, B02 Control, B05 & 12 & 14 & 08 & 16

Figure 4.9: Mean change in DBH (mm +/- standard error) by treatment group (light green bars = impact and dark green = control sites)

Statistical Analyses, DBH

Change in DBH, baseline and 2014

Mean DBH for all plants assessed at baseline and in 2014 are listed in Table 4.15. The DBH decreased very slightly between baseline and 2014.

Table 4.15: DBH, baseline and 2014

Assessment Number of Plants Measured Consecutively Mean DBH (mm) Standard Deviation

Baseline 29.29 34.88 216 2014 29.13 34.11

Before any statistical analyses were performed data checks were carried out and two outliers were obvious in the MSL-2 control group (B13 and B14) and these were removed from the dataset before analysis.

A non-parametric repeated measures t-test equivalent, the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, was performed on the paired data to determine if DBH at baseline and 2014 assessments were the same. The following hypotheses were tested:

 HO: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0.

 HA: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is not equal to 0.

The results of the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test (Table 4.16) indicate that the shift in location between the distributions of the DBH data collected at baseline and 2014 assessments are not equal to 0 at a 5% significance level (p = 0.0331) and the alternative hypothesis is accepted – there is a significant effect of year and the slight overall decrease in DBH since baseline assessment is significant.

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Table 4.16: Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, DBH, baseline and 2014

Difference Between Pairs n Rank Sum Mean Rank Positive 90 9476.5 105.29 Negative 123 13314.5 108.25 Zero 1 Mean difference (Hodges-Lehmann shift) -0.38 95.02% CI -0.74 to -0.03 Wilcoxon’s statistic (T statistic) 9476.50 Z approximation -2.13 p-value 0.0331 Note: n = sample size, p = probability, Cl = confidence interval.

Change in DBH, Impact and Control Groups

The non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was performed on the DBH data to determine whether the change in DBH between baseline and 2014 assessments in the impact and control groups is the same. The following hypotheses were tested:

 HO: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0.

 HA: The shift in location between the distributions of the populations is not equal to 0.

The results of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test are listed in Table 4.17. The p-value is not significant and the shift in location between the distributions of the populations is equal to 0 and there is no difference between impact and control groups.

Table 4.17: Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test, DBH, impact and control groups

Treatment Group n Rank Sum Mean Rank Impact 89 10383.0 116.66 Control 125 12622.0 100.98

Median difference (Hodges-Lehmann shift) 0.66 95.01% Cl -0.05 to 1.39

Mann-Whitney’s statistic (W statistic) 10383.00

Z approximation 1.83 p-value 0.0678 Note: n = sample size, p = probability, Cl = confidence interval.

4.6 DUST AND PLANT HEALTH RATINGS A correlation analysis was carried out to determine whether a relationship exists between change in dust level and change in mean plant health between baseline and 2014 assessment at the 12 sites included in the statistical analyses. The non-parametric Kendall’s tau correlation test was carried out because the data are not linearly related and the data are ordinal (ranks) rather than continuous.

The result of the test was not significant (n = 12; tau statistic = -0.370; 2 tailed p = 0.1335 (normal approximation, corrected for ties)).

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There is therefore no correlation between the change in dust level and change in health rank between baseline and 2014 assessments.

4.7 SUMMARY OF STATISTICAL ANALYSES Table 4.18 summarises the results of the statistical analyses on HR, PCV and DBH data presented above.

Table 4.18: Statistical analyses summary table - change in HR, PCV and DBH since baseline

Factor Baseline and 2014 Impact and Control

HR S (2014 > baseline) NS Overall, plants were less healthy (higher overall The change in HR between baseline and 2014 in the Comment mean value) in 2014 than at baseline. impact and control groups is not significant. PCV NS NS

The difference in PCV between baseline and The change in PCV between baseline and 2014 in the Comment 2014 is not significant. impact and control groups is not significant.

DBH S (2014 < baseline) NS The change in DBH between baseline and 2014 in the Comment Plant DBH was less in 2014 than in 2012. impact and control groups is not significant. Dust rank and NS HR Comment There is no correlation between overall dust rating and HR at the monitoring sites. Notes: S = significant at the 5% significance level, p < 0.05; NS = not significant.

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5 CONCLUSIONS, OVERALL COMMENTS AND FUTURE WORK

5.1 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT SPECIES AND WEEDS Acacia woodmaniorum (T) and six priority (P) taxa – Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills (A. Markey & S. Dillon 3468) (P1), Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (R.J. Cranfield 7096) (P3), Drummondita fulva (P3), Micromyrtus acuta (P3), Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) and Rhodanthe collina (P3) - were recorded at the vegetation monitoring sites established at Blue Hills.

Four live A. woodmaniorum were located at site B06 in 2014. In 2012 seven plants were recorded at B06 and one plant at B13. Plant deaths occurred at impact and control sites and plants with a high (not healthy) health rating and young plants have died.

Six priority flora species were recorded at 11 of the 16 vegetation monitoring sites established in 2012. The total number of L. sp. Blue Hills (A. Markey & S. Dillon 3468) has remained the same since 2012 while the combined total of Drummondita fulva (P3) plants recorded at all sites has increased by 20, the combined total of Micromyrtus acuta (P3) has increased by 56 plants and of Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) by 12 plants. Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (P3) and Rhodanthe collina (P3) were located in 2014 and they have not been recorded previously at any of the monitoring sites established at Blue Hills.

In 2014 two weed species were recorded at 10 of the 16 monitoring sites - Cuscuta planiflora and Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides. These weeds (plus Bromus diandrus) were also recorded when the baseline assessment was carried out in 2012. The number of C. planiflora recorded in 2014 was far higher than in 2012 (1,446 compared with 188) and no plants were located in 2013. C. planiflora occurs at both impact and control sites and population dynamics is probably driven by rainfall and temperature in the autumn and winter months.

5.2 FIRE AND FERAL ANIMALS As in 2012 and 2013, evidence of goats was noted at four sites (B01, B06, B08 and B12). While three goats were actually sighted at B06 in 2013 no goats were sighted by the botanists at any of the sites assessed (or the surrounding areas) in 2014.

No fires have occurred on SMC’s mining tenements for at least 10 years.

5.3 DUST RATINGS The overall mean dust rating for all control and all impact sites increased between 2012 and 2013 and also between 2013 and 2014. The difference in mean dust rating between baseline and 2014 is slightly higher in the control group overall than in the impact group overall (0.78 compared with 0.72). In September 2014 the highest plant dust cover rating (3) was recorded at vegetation monitoring the control site B13.

5.4 PLANT NUMBERS Overall change in plant numbers between 2012 and 2014 is similar for impact and control sites (50 fewer than in 2012 at impact sites and 45 fewer at control sites). Most of this change is in the number of plants less than 1 m in height. The difference between the two groups is small. While total deaths and recruits differ between impact and control groups fewer deaths occurred at impact sites than at control sites and fewer recruits were recorded at impact sites than at control sites.

5.5 HEALTH (HR) The mean change in health (i.e. no change, healthier, less healthy and expressed as a percentage) between 2012 and 2014 was calculated. While similar overall 23.4% of the plants at impact sites have become less healthy

m a i a P a g e | 35 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014 compared with 19.9% of the plants at control sites and 10.5% of the plants at control sites have become healthier compared with 7.1% of the plants at impact sites.

The overall mean HR for all plants assessed in 2012 and 2014 has increased very slightly since baseline assessments were carried out (2.12 in 2012 compared with 2.28 in 2014) i.e. the plants were slightly less healthy in 2014. While slight this difference was significant when these data were compared statistically. However, the overall slight difference in the change in health rating at impact (-0.17) and control sites (-0.15) was not significantly different.

5.6 PROPORTIONAL CANOPY VOLUME (PCV) PCV data and analyses indicate no significant increase in PCV in 2014 compared with 2012. The slight increase in PCV calculated for impact and control sites were not statistically significant.

5.7 DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH) DBH data and analyses indicate that DBH decreased more between 2012 and 2014 in control group plants than in impact group plants and DBH was slightly lower in 2014 than in 2012. The 2012/2014 difference is statistically significant while the control/impact group difference is not.

5.8 DUST AND PLANT HEALTH There is no correlation between overall dust rating and plant health rating recorded for each site.

5.9 OVERALL COMMENTS The following overall comments can be made on changes in measured attributes at the vegetation monitoring sites at Blue Hills:

 Overall, numbers of conservation significant plants have increased since 2012.

 The number of Cuscuta planiflora recorded in 2014 was much higher than that recorded in 2012 and 2013 at both impact and control sites. As no C. planiflora was located in 2013 it appears that population changes are dynamic and driven by seasonal weather conditions.

 Grazing of shrubs by goats and goat faeces were noted at four of the monitoring sites. However, as in 2013, no goats were observed in 2014. Fire hasn’t affected the vegetation on the section of the hills where the monitoring plots are located for at least 10 years and vegetation condition was rated the same in 2014 as in 2012 (Excellent).

 Overall mean dust ratings increased between baseline (2012) and 2014 and the change in mean dust rating between the impact and control groups is slightly higher in the control than impact group (0.78 compared with 0.72).

 A slight difference is evident in the overall change in plant numbers at impact sites compared with control sites. When calculated as a proportion of the total number of plants recorded at impact and control sites in 2014 the difference between impact and control sites is only 3.9%. Overall, fewer plant deaths have been recorded at impact sites than at control sites and fewer recruits at impact sites than at control sites.

 Differences in HR, PCV and DBH are mostly small but sometimes significantly different between baseline and 2014. There appear to be no consistent negative effects of mining activities on the vegetation at the monitoring sites within the Blue Hills PEC and the overall HR for impact and control sites is the same. There is no correlation between dust rating and plant health.

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 Further monitoring of the vegetation will determine whether baseline to date differences and those between impact and control sites are indicative of general year to year variability or to the effects of mining on the vegetation of the PEC.

5.10 FUTURE WORK  The monitoring plots will be reassessed at the same time (mid to end of September) each year for as long as required.

 As information is collected in future years, statistical analyses will be carried out on the data to determine whether the vegetation of the PEC is being impacted by mining activities.

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6 REFERENCES

Analyse‐it Software (2013). Analyse‐it statistical analysis add‐in for Microsoft Excel, Standard Edition v3.53.5rc. Available: http://www.analyse–it.com.

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). (2014). Monthly Rainfall: Karara. Available: http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_start Year=&p_c=&p_stn_num=010195. Accessed: October, 2014.

Coakes, S. J. and Steed, L. G. (2001). SPSS Analysis without Anguish. John Wiley and Sons Australia.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) (2013). DPaW Midwest Rankings Summary. Available: http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-animals/plants/weeds/156-how-does-dpaw-manage-weeds.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DpaW) (2014). Priority Ecological Communities for Western Australia – Version 21. Species and Communities Branch, Department of Parks and Wildlife, 20 September 2013. Available: http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened- species/tecs/Priority_ecological_community_list_20_May2014.pdf.

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) (2009). Statement that a Proposal may be Implemented (Pursuant to Provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986). Koolanooka/Blue Hills Direct Shipping Iron Ore Mining Project, Shires of Morawa and Perenjori. Ministerial Statement 811, November 2009. Environmental Protection Authority, Perth, Western Australia.

Executive Steering Committee for Australian Vegetation Information (ESCAVI) (2003). Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual: National Vegetation Information System, Version 6.0. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra.

Government of Western Australia (2000). Bush Forever, Volume 2. Directory of Bush Forever Sites, 2000, Government of Western Australia.

Maia Environmental Consultancy (Maia) (2012). SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Spring, 2012. Unpublished report for Sinosteel Midwest Corporation, December 2012.

Markey, A.S. & Dillon, S.J. (2008). Flora and Vegetation of the Banded Ironstone Formations of the Yilgarn Craton: the central Tallering System. Conservation Science W. Aust. 7 (1): 121-149.

Mead, R., Curnow, R. N. and Hasted, A. M. (2000). Statistical Methods in Agriculture and Experimental Biology. Second Edition. Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

Rye, B.L. (2006). A partial revision of the south-western Australian species of Micromyrtus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae). Nuytsia 16: 117-147.

Rye, B.L. (2007). Micromyrtus trudgenii (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae), a new species from the Blue Hill Range area of south-western Australia. Nuytsia 17: 323-330.

Townend, J. (2002). Practical Statistics for Environmental and Biological Scientists. John Wiley and Sons, England.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (2005). Field Instructions for the Annual Inventory of Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska. Supplement For: Phase 3 (FHM) Indicators. Forest Inventory and Analysis Program, Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service.

University of California Los Angeles, Institute of Digital Research in Education (UCLA, IDRE) (2013). What statistical analysis should I use? Available: http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/mult_pkg/whatstat/. Accessed: November 2013.

m a i a P a g e | 39 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Western Australian Herbarium (WAH) (1998-). FloraBase - the Western Australian Flora. Available: http://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/. Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Parks and Wildlife. Accessed: October, 2014.

Woodman Environmental Consulting (WEC) (2008). Gindalbie Metals Ltd.: Karara – Mungada Project Survey Area Flora and Vegetation. May 2008.

Zar, J. H. (1984). Biostatistical Analysis. Second Edition. Prentice‐Hall, Inc., New Jersey, USA.

m a i a P a g e | 40 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

7 MAPS

m a i a P a g e | 41 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

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m a i a P a g e | 42 420000 440000 460000 480000 500000

KADJI RD M 59/595 M 59/596 6780000

MUNGADA RD LOCHADA RD

WARRIEDAR COPPER MINE RD

6760000

!( KARARA RD Bowgada MULLEWA WUBIN RD

!( Perenjori

6740000 WANARRA RD MONGERS LAKE Maia Monitoring Sites

Tenement Boundaries RABBIT PROOF FENCERD

Location Map: 7.1 Map !( !( Towns Port Hedland Prepared for: SMC !( Newman Major Roads Drawn by: RH !( General Location 0 ± 7.5 Wiluna Rail !( Geraldton Date: 21/10/2014 !( Kalgoorlie Waterbodies Kilometres !( Perth Datum: GDA 1994, MGA 50 Version: 1 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

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m a i a P a g e | 44 #* #* 486000 488000 490000

B16 !( BHD04 !( ") BHD02 B05 ") B14 ") B15 ") B01 ") B10 ") ") B09 #*WIND05#* ") WIND04 ") B12 #* B04 B02 B13 B08 WIND03 ") ") ") B07 #*WIND06 B03 ") #*WIND20 #* #*WIND10 ") #* WIND01 !( BHD03 WIND02 ") B06

") B11 #*WIND07 6776000 !( BHD01

!( BHD05

#* #*WIND08 #* #* WIND09 #*

#*

WIND18 Maia Monitoring Sites Woodman's Vegetation Mapping 4/17 12 #* ") Control 1a 7b 13 WIND19 ") Impact 1a/2 7c 14 #* 6774000 !( Dust Monitoring Sites 1b 8 15 #* Service Layer Credits: Source: DPaw Sites (formerly DEC) 2 10a 16 Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i- Blue Hills Infrastructure cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, 3 11 D Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, Blue Hills PEC (P1) Boundary swisstopo, and the GIS User Tenement Boundaries 11/9 Community

Location Map: 7.2 Map Port Hedland !( Vegetation Monitoring Sites Prepared for: SMC Drawn by: RH 0 ± 0.5 Geraldton & Woodman's Vegetation !( Date: 21/10/2014 Mapping Kilometres !(Perth Datum: GDA 1994, MGA 50 Version: 1 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

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m a i a P a g e | 46 487000 487500 488000 488500 489000 489500 490000

6777500

Drummondita fulva (P3) Drummondita fulva (P3) ") Drummondita fulva (P3) Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) B16

") B05 ") B14 Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3)

Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) 6777000 Drummondita fulva (P3) ") B01 ") Rhodanthe collina (P3) B10 B15 ") ") B09

") Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) B02 B12 ") Drummondita fulva (P3) B04 ") Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) ") B08 ") B13 B07 ") B03 ") 6776500 Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (P3) Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) Micromyrtus acuta (P3) Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) ") B06 Acacia woodmaniorum (T) Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills (P1) ") B11 Drummondita fulva (P3)

Maia Monitoring Sites Woodman's Vegetation Mapping 4/17 12 6776000 ") Control CODE 7b 13 ") Impact 1a 7c 14 Blue Hills Infrastructure 1a/2 8 15 Tenement Boundaries 1b 10a 16 2 11 D 3 11/9

Location Map: 7.3 Map Port Hedland !( Prepared for: SMC Conservation Significant Drawn by: RH 0 ± 0.25 Geraldton Flora Locations !( Date: 21/10/2014 Kilometres !(Perth Datum: GDA 1994, MGA 50 Version: 1 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

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m a i a P a g e | 48 487000 487500 488000 488500 489000 489500 490000

6777500

Cuscuta planiflora B16 ")

") Cuscuta planiflora B05 ") B14 Cuscuta planiflora Cuscuta planiflora Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides Cuscuta planiflora 6777000 Cuscuta planiflora ") B01 ") B10 B15 ") ") B09

") Cuscuta planiflora B02 B12 ") Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides B04 ") ") B08 ") B13 B07 ") Cuscuta planiflora B03 ") 6776500 Cuscuta planiflora Cuscuta planiflora ") Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides B06

") B11

Maia Monitoring Sites Woodman's Vegetation Mapping 4/17 12 6776000 ") Control CODE 7b 13 ") Impact 1a 7c 14 Blue Hills Infrastructure 1a/2 8 15 Tenement Boundaries 1b 10a 16 2 11 D 3 11/9

Location Map: 7.4 Map Port Hedland !( Prepared for: SMC Drawn by: RH 0 ± 0.25 Geraldton Weeds !( Date: 21/10/2014 Kilometres !(Perth Datum: GDA 1994, MGA 50 Version: 1 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

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m a i a P a g e | 5 0 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

APPENDIX 1: MONITORING SITE COORDINATES

m a i a P a g e | 51 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Table A1.1: Site Coordinates (GDA94, MGA50)

North West North East South East South West Site Easting Northing Easting Northing Easting Northing Easting Northing (mE) (mN) (mE) (mN) (mE) (mN) (mE) (mN) B1 489875 6776946 489890 6776945 489890 6776925 489871 6776924 B2 487694 6776770 487715 6776768 487715 6776750 487693 6776750 B3 487850 6776486 487870 6776485 487867 6776465 487848 6776465 B4 486694 6776636 486713 6776637 486713 6776615 486694 6776617 B5 487884 6777122 487902 6777119 487905 6777099 487884 6777099 B6 489023 6776343 489041 6776344 489046 6776324 489027 6776324 B7 488898 6776570 488918 6776569 488916 6776548 488896 6776550 B8 488676 6776623 488694 6776624 488695 6776604 488677 6776603 B9 488959 6776860 488979 6776859 488979 6776842 488961 6776840 B10 488610 6776865 488629 6776868 488630 6776848 488612 6776846 B11* 488862 6776150 488876 6776138 488865 6776124 488849 6776137 B12 488072 6776734 488092 6776733 488088 6776714 488071 6776715 B13 488470 6776654 488491 6776658 488490 6776635 488470 6776636 B14 488540 6777110 488562 6777112 488563 6777093 488542 6777091 B15 489402 6776914 489422 6776916 489424 6776897 489404 6776896 B16 489344 6777233 489363 6777235 489365 6777216 489346 6777215 *Site B11 was positioned in a NW-SE direction, the corners are as follows: N, E, S and W respectively.

m a i a P a g e | 52 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

APPENDIX 2: SITE SHEETS

Note, in the following site sheets: sp. = species, subsp. = subspecies, var. = variety; T = Threatened flora species, P1 = Priority 1 flora species, P3 = Priority 3 flora species, RE = range extension and * indicates an introduced flora species.

m a i a P a g e | 53 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B01 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge (ridgetop). Soil: Orange clay-loam. Rock Type: BIF (90%), ironstone (10%). Vegetation Association: Open Tall Shrubland of Allocasuarina acutivalvis with Melaleuca nematophylla with Sparse Mid Shrubland of Philotheca sericea and Sparse Low Shrubland of Xanthosia bungei. Disturbance Details: Old exploration tracks to south. Goats. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Philotheca sericea Acacia effusifolia Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Allocasuarina acutivalvis Rhodanthe polycephala Austrostipa elegantissima Rhyncharrhena linearis Calocephalus multiflorus Stenopetalum salicola Calycopeplus paucifolius Stylidium adpressum (RE) Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Thysanotus manglesianus Crassula colorata Trachymene ornata *Cuscuta planiflora Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Eremophila clarkei Xanthosia bungei Erodium cygnorum Gastrolobium laytonii Goodenia occidentalis Hemigenia botryphylla Lawrencella rosea Lobelia winfridae Melaleuca nematophylla Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) Myriocephalus guerinae Persoonia manotricha

Plate B1 -1: North to south. Plate B1 -2: South to north.

m a i a P a g e | 54 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B02 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: Hardpan plain. Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone gravel, laterite pebbles. Vegetation Association: Tall Shrubland of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa with Acacia sibina. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Haul road is located 70 m from this site. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 2 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Acacia sibina Bellida graminea Calocephalus multiflorus Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia *Cuscuta planiflora Dianella revoluta var. divaricata Erodium cygnorum Monachather paradoxus Myriocephalus guerinae Rhyncharrhena linearis Thysanotus manglesianus Trachymene ornata Velleia rosea Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata

Plate B2 -1: West to east. Plate B2 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 55 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B03 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: Gravelly plain. Soil: Red-orange sandy-clay surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone gravel (90%), stones (10%). Vegetation Association: Tall Shrubland of Acacia sibina and Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Trachymene ornata Acacia exocarpoides Velleia rosea Acacia sibina Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Calocephalus multiflorus Cephalipterum drummondii Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia *Cuscuta planiflora Erodium cygnorum Gilruthia osbornei Hibbertia arcuata Lawrencella rosea Lobelia winfridae Monachather paradoxus Myriocephalus guerinae Persoonia manotricha Podolepis lessonii Ptilotus obovatus Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Rhyncharrhena linearis Solanum nummularium

Plate B3 -1: South to north. Plate B3 -2: North to south.

m a i a P a g e | 56 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B04 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF Ridge (footslope). Soil: Red-orange sandy-clay surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone gravel (75%), stones (25%). Vegetation Association: Open Tall Shrubland of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa with Sparse Low Shrubland of Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei and Isolated Mid Shrubs of Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei and Philotheca sericea. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Clearing footprint is 150 m away from this site. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Ptilotus gaudichaudii Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Ptilotus obovatus Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Acacia exocarpoides Rhodanthe polycephala Calocephalus multiflorus Senna artemisioides subsp. petiolaris Calotis hispidula Stenopetalum salicola Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Thysanotus manglesianus Crassula colorata Trachymene ornata Eremophila clarkei Velleia rosea Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Gilruthia osbornei Hakea recurva subsp. recurva Hibbertia arcuata Lawrencella rosea Lemooria burkittii Mirbelia bursarioides Myriocephalus guerinae Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei Philotheca sericea Podolepis lessonii

Plate B4 -1: West to east. Plate B4 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 57 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B05 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: Gravelly plain. Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone gravel (70%), laterite pebbles (30%). Vegetation Association: Open Tall Shrubland of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia sibina with Sparse Mid Shrubland of Acacia sibina and Isolated Low Shrubs of Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei and Hibbertia arcuata. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Acacia sibina Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia Bellida graminea Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia *Cuscuta planiflora Dianella revoluta var. divaricata Drummondita fulva (P3) Erodium cygnorum Hibbertia arcuata Myriocephalus guerinae Persoonia manotricha Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei Podolepis lessonii Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Rhyncharrhena linearis Thysanotus manglesianus Trachymene ornata Velleia rosea Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata

Plate B5 -1: West to east. Plate B5 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 58 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B06 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge steep south-facing slope (midslope). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: BIF boulders, stones. Vegetation Association: Tall Shrubland of Allocasuarina acutivalvis, Calycopeplus paucifolius with Sparse Mid Shrubland of Gastrolobium laytonii with Sparse Low Shrubland of Xanthosia bungei and Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei and Sparse Sedgeland of Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills (P1). Disturbance Details: Goats. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 0 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis *Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides Acacia sibina Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei Acacia tetragonophylla Podolepis lessonii Acacia woodmaniorum (T) Rhodanthe battii Allocasuarina acutivalvis Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Austrostipa elegantissima Rhodanthe polycephala Austrostipa nodosa Rhyncharrhena linearis Calycopeplus paucifolius Schoenia cassiniana Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Solanum lasiophyllum Comesperma volubile Trachymene ornata *Cuscuta planiflora Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Dodonaea inaequifolia Xanthosia bungei Dodonaea viscosa subsp. spatulata Drummondita fulva (P3) Eremophila clarkei Gastrolobium laytonii Hakea recurva subsp. recurva Lepidosperma sp. Blue Hills (A. Markey & S. Dillon 3468) (P1) Millotia myosotidifolia Myriocephalus guerinae

Plate B6 -1: North to south. Plate B6 -2: South to north.

m a i a P a g e | 59 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B07 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge gentle north-facing slope (midslope) Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: BIF stones, ironstone stones. Vegetation Association: Open Low Shrubland of Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia with Open Low Woodland of Acacia aneura with Sparse Tall Shrubland of Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis and Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma and Sparse Mid Shrubland of Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia and Philotheca sericea. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 0 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Acacia sibina Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia *Cuscuta planiflora Eremophila clarkei Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Goodenia occidentalis Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma Hemigenia botryphylla Hibbertia arcuata Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) Philotheca sericea Thysanotus manglesianus Trachymene ornata Velleia rosea Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Xanthosia bungei

Plate B7 -1: West to east. Plate B7 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 60 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B08 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge very gentle east-facing slope (hillslope) Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: BIF (40%), ironstone (60%). Vegetation Association: Open Mid Shrubland of Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia and Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei with Sparse Tall Shrubland of Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis and Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma and Isolated Low Trees of Acacia aneura. Disturbance Details: Track close-by. Goat grazing. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 0 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Acacia sibina Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia Drummondita fulva (P3) Eremophila clarkei Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Goodenia occidentalis Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma Hemigenia botryphylla Hibbertia arcuata Lawrencella rosea Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) Philotheca sericea Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Thysanotus manglesianus Trachymene ornata Velleia rosea Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Xanthosia bungei

Plate B8 -1: West to east. Plate B8 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 61 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B09 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge gentle north-west facing slope (midslope). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: BIF stones, ironstone stones. Vegetation Association: Open Tall Shrubland of Acacia sibina with Acacia effusifolia and Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis with Open Low Shrubland of Philotheca sericea and Sparse Mid Shrubland of Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei and Acacia effusifolia. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Philotheca sericea Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Prostanthera magnifica Acacia effusifolia Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Acacia exocarpoides Thysanotus manglesianus Acacia sibina Trachymene ornata Allocasuarina acutivalvis Velleia rosea Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Bellida graminea Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Dianella revoluta var. divaricata Eremophila clarkei Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Gilberta tenuifolia Goodenia occidentalis Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma Hemigenia botryphylla Hyalosperma glutinosum subsp. glutinosum Lawrencella rosea Leucopogon sp. Clyde Hill (M.A. Burgman 1207) Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3)

Plate B9 -1: West to east. Plate B9 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 62 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B10 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge gentle east-facing slope (hillslope). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone gravel (50%), laterite pebbles (50%). Vegetation Association: Low Shrubland of Philotheca sericea and Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia with Sparse Tall Shrubland of Acacia sibina and Acacia effusifolia with Sparse Mid Shrubland of Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia and Philotheca sericea and Isolated Low Trees of Acacia aneura. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Thysanotus manglesianus Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Trachymene ornata Acacia effusifolia Velleia rosea Acacia sibina Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia Calocephalus multiflorus Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia *Cuscuta planiflora Eremophila clarkei Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Goodenia occidentalis Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma Hemigenia botryphylla Hibbertia arcuata Hibbertia stenophylla Myriocephalus guerinae Philotheca sericea Prostanthera magnifica Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Rhodanthe manglesii

Plate B10 -1: West to east. Plate B10 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 63 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B11 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge moderate south-east facing slope (midslope). Soil: Red clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone stones (95%), boulders (5%). Vegetation Association: Tall Shrubland of Acacia sibina and Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa with Open Low Woodland of Acacia sibina with Isolated Mid Shrubs of Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei and Isolated Low Shrubs of Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Pit is nearby. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Acacia sibina Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia *Cuscuta planiflora Eremophila clarkei Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Erodium cygnorum Hibbertia arcuata Lawrencella rosea Mirbelia bursarioides Myriocephalus guerinae Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei Rhodanthe battii Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Rhyncharrhena linearis Thysanotus manglesianus Trachymene ornata Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata

Plate B11 -1: North to west. Plate B11 -2: West to north.

m a i a P a g e | 64 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B12 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: Stony hill (footslope). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone stones. Vegetation Association: Open Tall Shrubland of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa with Acacia sibina with Sparse Mid Shrubland of Acacia effusifolia with Acacia sibina and Isolated Low Shrubs of Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei. Disturbance Details: Goats. Haul road is 60 m away from this site and track is 110 m away. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 2 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis *Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Podolepis lessonii Acacia exocarpoides Prostanthera patens Acacia sibina Rhodanthe collina (P3) Austrostipa scabra Rhodanthe manglesii *Bromus diandrus Rhodanthe maryonii Calycopeplus paucifolius Rhyncharrhena linearis Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Rytidosperma sp. indet. Crassula colorata var. acuminata Senna artemisioides subsp. petiolaris *Cuscuta planiflora Thysanotus manglesianus Drummondita fulva (P3) Trachymene ornata Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Velleia rosea Erodium cygnorum Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Gilruthia osbornei Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma Hibbertia arcuata Lawrencella rosea Lobelia winfridae Mirbelia bursarioides Myriocephalus guerinae

Plate B12 -1: West to east. Plate B12 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 65 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B13 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge (ridgetop). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: BIF boulders, stones. Vegetation Association: Open Tall Shrubland of Calycopeplus paucifolius and Melaleuca nematophylla with Open Low Shrubland of Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei and Hibbertia arcuata with Open Low Woodland of Acacia aneura and Sparse Mid Shrubland of Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei. Disturbance Details: Track within 30 m of site. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Melaleuca nematophylla Acacia aulacophylla Micromyrtus acuta (P3) Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) Acacia woodmaniorum (T) *Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides Austrostipa nodosa Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (P3) Podolepis lessonii Calycopeplus paucifolius Ptilotus obovatus Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Rhodanthe battii Crassula colorata Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea *Cuscuta planiflora Rhodanthe polycephala Daucus glochidiatus Rhyncharrhena linearis Dodonaea viscosa subsp. spatulata Rytidosperma acerosum Eremophila clarkei Thysanotus manglesianus Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Trachymene ornata Erodium cygnorum Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma Hakea recurva subsp. recurva Hibbertia arcuata Hibiscus sp. indet. Lawrencella rosea

Plate B13 -1: West to east. Plate B13 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 66 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B14 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge (ridgetop). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: BIF boulders, stones, ironstone stones. Vegetation Association: Open Tall Shrubland of Calycopeplus paucifolius with Open Mid Shrubland of Philotheca sericea with Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) with Open Low Woodland of Allocasuarina acutivalvis, Acacia aneura and Isolated Low Shrubs of Hibbertia arcuata. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Old track nearby. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 1 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Trachymene ornata Acacia exocarpoides Velleia rosea Allocasuarina acutivalvis Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Astroloma serratifolium Xanthosia bungei Calycopeplus paucifolius Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Dianella revoluta var. divaricata Dodonaea viscosa subsp. spatulata Drummondita fulva (P3) Eremophila clarkei Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Hibbertia arcuata Melaleuca nematophylla Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) Mirbelia bursarioides *Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei Philotheca sericea Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Thysanotus manglesianus

Plate B14 -1: West to east. Plate B14 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 67 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B15 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge moderate north-facing slope (midslope). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: BIF stones (5%), ironstone gravel (95%). Vegetation Association: Open Mid Shrubland of Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis with Sparse Tall Shrubland of Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis with Acacia sibina and Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma with Sparse Low Shrubland of Philotheca sericea and Isolated Low Trees of Acacia aneura. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Track nearby used for access by SMC. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 0 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia aneura Xanthosia bungei Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Acacia exocarpoides Acacia sibina Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia *Cuscuta planiflora Eremophila clarkei Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Goodenia occidentalis Grevillea obliquistigma subsp. obliquistigma Hemigenia botryphylla Micromyrtus trudgenii (P3) Philotheca sericea Rhodanthe manglesii Rhodanthe polycephala Thysanotus manglesianus Trachymene ornata Velleia rosea Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata

Plate B15 -1: West to east. Plate B15 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 68 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

Site: B16 Size: 20 x 20 m Habitat: BIF ridge (footslope). Soil: Red-orange clay-loam surface crust. Rock Type: Ironstone stones (10%), gravel (5%). Vegetation Association: Open Mid Shrubland of Acacia effusifolia with Sparse Tall Shrubland of Acacia effusifolia with Melaleuca leiocarpa and Sparse Low Shrubland of Philotheca sericea and Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia. Disturbance Details: No disturbance. Vegetation Condition: Excellent (2) Dust Cover: 0 Fire Age: None evident Species Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Acacia effusifolia Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Acacia exocarpoides Acacia sibina Aluta aspera subsp. hesperia Bellida graminea Calocephalus multiflorus Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Dianella revoluta var. divaricata Drummondita fulva (P3) Goodenia occidentalis Hibbertia arcuata Lawrencella rosea Melaleuca leiocarpa Melaleuca nematophylla Philotheca sericea Thysanotus manglesianus Trachymene ornata Velleia rosea

Plate B16 -1: West to east. Plate B16 -2: East to west.

m a i a P a g e | 69 SMC: Blue Hills Vegetation Monitoring Program, Spring 2014

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