Biodiversity planning assessment - Mitchell Grass Downs

This dataset represents Version 1.1 of the Mitchell Grass Downs Biodiversity Planning Assessment.The Remnant Unit data used in the assessment process is based on the Queensland Herbarium Survey and MappingRemnant Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems of Queensland (DRAFT RE Mapping, 6 June 2008).Biodiversity Planning Assessments are developed in two stages: 1) Diagnostic Criteria, and 2) Expert Panel Criteria.This data is the result for the completion of the stage 1 Diagnostic Criteria, and stage 2 supplementary Criteria. Thestage 1 Diagnostic Criteria involved the integration of ecological Criteria using the Biodiversity Assessment andMapping Methodology to determine the relative Biodiversity Significance. The stage 2 Supplementary Criteria allowsfor the refinement of the mapped information from stage 1 by incorporating local knowledge and expert opinion.The Biodiversity Assessment and Mapping Methodology (BAMM) has been prepared to provide a consistent approachfor assessing biodiversity values at the landscape scale in Queensland using vegetation mapping data generated orapproved by the Queensland Herbarium as a fundamental basis. It is being used by the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) to generate Biodiversity Planning Assessments (BPAs) for each of Queensland's bioregions.The methodology has application for identifying areas with various levels of significance solely for biodiversityreasons. These include threatened ecosystems or taxa, large tracts of habitat in good condition and buffers to wetlandsor other types of habitat important for the maintenance of biodiversity or ecological processes. While natural resourcevalues such as dryland salinity, soil erosion potential or land capability are not dealt with explicitly, they are included tosome extent within the Biodiversity Status of REs recognised by the EPA.