The following 'Sustainability Score Sheet' is a system for assessing a plantation's longevity, whether it is old, new or planned.
It is ideal for designing future plantations and will walk you through the 10 key principles that will affect how long your plantation will prosper, ideally for 200 years +.
The 'Sustainability Score Sheet' (pdf) below is a single A4 page that can be downloaded and printed for easy reference.
The notes below are straight forward instructions on how to use the 'Sustainability Score Sheet.'
It is ideal for designing future plantations and will walk you through the 10 key principles that will affect how long your plantation will prosper, ideally for 200 years +.
The 'Sustainability Score Sheet' (pdf) below is a single A4 page that can be downloaded and printed for easy reference.
The notes below are straight forward instructions on how to use the 'Sustainability Score Sheet.'
| 37cc_sustainability_index_scoring_23.3.07.pdf |
A plantation of over 20 species, 10 genera and 7 families sorted for planting out on a farm
What you will need to know to score a plantation:
(You can also assess the likely sustainability of remnant bush using the 'Sustainability Score Sheet')
Once you have this information the scoring will only take a few minutes. Add up your score totals and compare them to the 'Sustainability Assessment' at the end of the table.
Diversity;
How many species, genera and plant families. Click here for help
How many eucalypt and acacia species are present or on your planting list
Structure;
What is the average width of your plantation.
If it connects to remnant bush or another plantation, include their dimensions as well in your average width calculation. Native grasslands are a remnant - include a grassland's dimensions if they are adjacent/connecting to the new plantation.
How many structural vegetation layers are present. These are the groups of plant clumps of different heights. For example planting tall trees (>12 m) next to a group of understorey (5 - 12 m tall) or shrubs (< 5 meters tall) will create 'structural layers' or clumps of different heights.
Habitat potential looks at how many old trees with hollows (alive or dead) and logs or rocks on the ground within your plantation. Planting short lived species like Australia's floral emblem, the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) will result in logs on the ground within 15 years and earns 'habitat potential' points.
Species survival;
Planting in clumps of the same species enhances pollination by mammals, birds and insects, will score well
Seed collected from an adequate number of parent trees (ideally 20), ensures good genetic diversity. Ask your nurseryman this question. If this information is too difficult to obtain, give yourself an average score of 5 points.
Location;
How far the plantation is from the nearest remnant vegetation (count native grasslands as a remnant) or permanent water
What's next?
If your score is 'marginal', 'unlikely' or highly unlikely' to be sustainable, you can improve your design by focusing on the weaknesses. Helpful ideas for improving your plantation design can be found by clicking on - Diversity; Structure; Species survival; Location- connections
If your score is 'likely' or highly likely' to be sustainable - congratulations, you've done a great job.
you are creating something that will be a lasting legacy for your family. Your great-grandchildren will enjoy its peace and tranquility, and marvel at your foresight, generosity and commitment to a healthy sustainable future.
Site preparation and fencing
Now all you have to do is prepare your site for planting (that's requires good weed control for twelve months after planting) and ensure that you have stock proof fences. Consider putting a stock gate at either end of your plantation so you can walk a big mob of sheep/cattle through over a few days to control weeds and to reduce fire risk. If stock are in for too long they'll damage the plantation, so keep a close eye on them.
(You can also assess the likely sustainability of remnant bush using the 'Sustainability Score Sheet')
Once you have this information the scoring will only take a few minutes. Add up your score totals and compare them to the 'Sustainability Assessment' at the end of the table.
Diversity;
How many species, genera and plant families. Click here for help
How many eucalypt and acacia species are present or on your planting list
Structure;
What is the average width of your plantation.
If it connects to remnant bush or another plantation, include their dimensions as well in your average width calculation. Native grasslands are a remnant - include a grassland's dimensions if they are adjacent/connecting to the new plantation.
How many structural vegetation layers are present. These are the groups of plant clumps of different heights. For example planting tall trees (>12 m) next to a group of understorey (5 - 12 m tall) or shrubs (< 5 meters tall) will create 'structural layers' or clumps of different heights.
Habitat potential looks at how many old trees with hollows (alive or dead) and logs or rocks on the ground within your plantation. Planting short lived species like Australia's floral emblem, the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) will result in logs on the ground within 15 years and earns 'habitat potential' points.
Species survival;
Planting in clumps of the same species enhances pollination by mammals, birds and insects, will score well
Seed collected from an adequate number of parent trees (ideally 20), ensures good genetic diversity. Ask your nurseryman this question. If this information is too difficult to obtain, give yourself an average score of 5 points.
Location;
How far the plantation is from the nearest remnant vegetation (count native grasslands as a remnant) or permanent water
What's next?
If your score is 'marginal', 'unlikely' or highly unlikely' to be sustainable, you can improve your design by focusing on the weaknesses. Helpful ideas for improving your plantation design can be found by clicking on - Diversity; Structure; Species survival; Location- connections
If your score is 'likely' or highly likely' to be sustainable - congratulations, you've done a great job.
you are creating something that will be a lasting legacy for your family. Your great-grandchildren will enjoy its peace and tranquility, and marvel at your foresight, generosity and commitment to a healthy sustainable future.
Site preparation and fencing
Now all you have to do is prepare your site for planting (that's requires good weed control for twelve months after planting) and ensure that you have stock proof fences. Consider putting a stock gate at either end of your plantation so you can walk a big mob of sheep/cattle through over a few days to control weeds and to reduce fire risk. If stock are in for too long they'll damage the plantation, so keep a close eye on them.
