4. Reference Site A reference site will be established adjacent to Recipient Site A ( Figure 2 ), prior to translocation operations, to monitor any naturally occurring changes in population dynamics/health over time.
5. Translocation
5.1 Overview Translocation operations will involve salvaging approximately 46 C. megacarpa plants from the impact area and replanting them at the nominated recipient site, via re-establishment in an onsite nursery. Seed will also be collected, propagated and planted out at recipient sites to compensate for anticipated losses of salvaged plants (assuming worst case 30% loss 1 ). Key aspects of translocation operations are outlined in the following sub-sections. An overview of projected numbers/requirements to achieve ‘no net loss’ is provided in Table 1 . It is acknowledged that the anticipated number of seedlings required will be adjusted following each stage of the translocation program.
1 Based on results published in Silcock et al. (2021) of 82% survival rate after 12 months of translocation .
Table 1 - Projected numbers of translocated plants and tubestock Description
Number
C. megacarpa recorded in impact area
46
C. megacarpa successfully salvaged and established in nursery planted Salvaged C. megacarpa remaining alive after 5 years
41 (assuming 10% loss)
37 (assuming 10% loss)
Nursery tubestock planted
100
Tubestock remaining alive 5 years after planting
70 ( assuming 30% loss)
Total of translocated plants and planted tubestock remaining alive after 5 years
107
Net change in C. megacarpa after 5 years
0 (no net loss)
10
Mundic Gully TSF Translocation Project - Cycas megacarpa
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