Environmental Stewardship Program

Online Annual Reporting System (MERIT) User Guide

Version 2.1Updated 10/03/2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

YOUR ACCOUNT.......................................................................................................................3

Register with Atlas of Living Australia (ALA)..............................................................................3

Activating your account...............................................................................................................3

Editing your ALA profile..............................................................................................................3

Logging in to MERIT...................................................................................................................3

Forgotten password....................................................................................................................4

PROJECT OVERVIEW..................................................................................................................5

My Projects.................................................................................................................................5

How to fill in your report..............................................................................................................5

REPORTING..................................................................................................................................6

Livestock Grazing Management.................................................................................................6

Sward Height..............................................................................................................................7

Ground Cover % estimate...........................................................................................................8

Native Herbivore management...................................................................................................8

Feral Animal management..........................................................................................................9

Weed management.....................................................................................................................9

Biomass Control measures.......................................................................................................11

Regeneration............................................................................................................................13

Restoration of Habitat Features................................................................................................14

Control of Agrochemicals (SMU sites only)..............................................................................15

Tree Root Disturbance (SMU sites only)..................................................................................15

Fencing Paddock trees (SMU sites only)..................................................................................15

Photo-Point...............................................................................................................................16

MY SPECIES RECORDS.............................................................................................................17

ANNUAL REPORT SUBMISSION TAB.......................................................................................18

Report status.............................................................................................................................18

Submission...............................................................................................................................18

MY SPECIES RECORDS.............................................................................................................20

PHOTOGRAPHS..........................................................................................................................21

DOCUMENTS..............................................................................................................................21

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YOUR ACCOUNT

Register with Atlas of Living Australia (ALA)

To use MERIT to complete and submit your Environmental Stewardship Program Annual Reports you must first register with the Atlas of Living Australia site.

To make the transition simpler all Environmental Stewardship Program projects have been pre-registered with the Atlas of Living Australia. You will receive an email containing a link to activate your account.

Activating your account

1. You will receive an email from the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) containing a link to activate your ALA account, this link will also allow you to reset your password.

2. To activate your account, click the link provided in the email and follow the instructions provided. You are now registered with the Atlas of Living Australia.

Note: If you have not received an email please check your email’s “junk” or “spam” folder. If you still have not received an email after 24 hours then please contact the MERIT team at merit@awe.gov.au.

Editing your ALA profile

To update your profile, including username, password, email address etc. please follow the steps below:

1. Go to MERIT fieldcapture.ala.org.au and click “Log in”.

2. Click on “User settings” then “My profile”, which is located at the top right corner of the page.

3. Enter the email address and password you used to register with.

4. Click “Log in” and your Atlas of Living Australia Home Page will open.

5. Click the “Update your profile” link. This page will display the information you used to register with.

6. Edit the information as required and click “Update account”.

Click “Reset my password” if you wish to change your password.

Logging in to MERIT

Once you have registered you can log in and start using MERIT to complete and submit your annual reports.

The easiest way to access MERIT is via http://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/ 3

1. Click “Log in”, located in the top right hand corner of the MERIT home page.

2. Enter the email address and password you used to register with. Click “Log in”.

Forgotten password

If you have forgotten your password please follow the steps below:

1. Click the “Forgot?” link on the Atlas of Living Australia login page.

2. Follow the instructions provided. A password reset email will be sent to your email inbox. Please remember to check your email’s junk or spam folder if you do not receive the email within 24 hours.

If you encounter any problems that are not addressed above please do not hesitate to contact the MERIT team at merit@awe.gov.au.

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

My Projects

To get to your Environmental Stewardship project:

1. Click on ‘My projects’. This will take you to a page displaying details about your project(s).

2. From here click on your project, and a project overview screen will open.

This screen allows you to navigate between a map of your ESP sites, a Species Records tab, Dashboard, Photograph Gallery, Documents tab and Annual Report Submission tab.

If you can’t see your project here, contact your departmental Project Manager, or merit@awe.gov.au they will add it for you.

How to fill in your report

1. Click on the ‘My ESP Sites’ tab. Each of your ESP sites is shown on the map. Hovering over the site with your cursor will provide a pop-up with the site details.

2. Click on a site to access the ESP reporting form for that site.

3. Complete the report as necessary. Further information on each part of the report can be found in the sections below.

Once reports are completed for each site, the colour of that site will change from red to green on the map. When all sites are green, you can submit your annual report through the Annual Report Submission tab.

Each time you save your work or tick the ‘Mark this activity as finished’ box and save you will be taken back to the overview page for your project.

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Please note multiple sections of the property on your map may be attributed to a single reporting form. If you attempt to click on a site on your property map and it does not take you to the report for that site, please try another.

REPORTING

The guide below contains step by step instructions on how to complete the reporting for each ESP site. Management actions are broken down into sub-headings to make it easier to navigate, with examples provided to assist you. Sub-headings are based on the types of management actions you undertake as a part of the management of your Environmental Stewardship site.

Livestock Grazing Management

Have you undertaken any grazing activities this reporting period?

If grazing is not a contracted management action for you, please tick “Not applicable”.

Is grazing exclusion is a management action in your funding agreement, choose yes/no.(if grazing exclusion is a management action for you, but you haven’t grazed at all, just delete the row that asks for further detail on paddock grazing by clicking the bold x on the far-right hand side of the row)

To report on any grazing you have undertaken over this reporting period please follow the steps below. Please enter in these details for each period of grazing undertaken over the last reporting period.

If this ESP site is part of a cell grazing system, please select ‘Yes’ from the drop down and proceed to step 1.

If this ESP site is comprised of a single paddock then select ‘No’ and proceed to step 2.

1. If you are cell grazing, please number and enter in each separate paddock you’re reporting against for grazing activities.

Click the box under ‘Start Date’ and select the date from the calendar. Repeat this for end date. You will need to add in a separate row for each different date range you ran stock. 2. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Type of Stock’ and select the type of stock you ran. You will

need to add in a separate row for each different type of stock you ran. 3. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Type of Grazing’ and select the type of grazing activity you

undertook. 4. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Production Type’ and select the option that is most accurate.

You will need to add in a separate row for each different production type. 5. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Growth Stage’ and select the option that is most appropriate.

You will need to add in a separate row for each different growth stage. 6. Click into the box under ‘No. Individuals’ and add in the number of animals. 7. Click on the drop-down arrow under “Breed” and select the option that is most accurate. 8. Click into the box under ‘Sward Height’ and add in the measurement taken at the end of the grazing

period. 9. Click into the box under ‘Ground Cover % Estimate’ and add in the measurement taken at the end of

the grazing period.

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Text accompanied by a red asterisk indicates that a field is mandatory and must be completed before your report can be submitted.

10. To record the total cost associated with these management actions click into the box under ‘Total cost of management actions’ and enter in the cost.

Note: We understand that some ESP projects have large sites containing so many paddocks that entering in all the above data for each would simply be too time consuming. In this situation, you can do the following:

First delete any rows by clicking on the bold “X” at the far right of the row; then Report on the grazing activities that you have undertaken in the past year using the text box at

the bottom of the section. The same can be done if grazing is a management action under your agreement but you have

not undertaken livestock grazing in the past year, please tell us why you didn’t graze.

Sward Height You only need to record sward height once per year, at the same time that you take the photo-point photograph for this site. Please ensure that this is done at the same time each year.

Note: A ‘how-to’ guide detailing the method for measuring sward height can be found here: http://www.nrm.gov.au/publications/measuring-sward-height.

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Note: Add in a new row for each different type, growth stage or breed of stock run, including those run at the same time.

For example: If you run cattle and sheep during the same grazing period you will need to enter in a separate

row for cattle and one for sheep. If you are running both pregnant cattle and calves during the same grazing period you will need

to enter in a separate row for pregnant cattle and one for calves

Note: If you have more than one paddock on this ESP site please add in a new row for each paddock that had stock run in it, including those being used at the same time.

If you are running pregnant cattle and sheep during the same grazing period but in different paddocks you will need to enter in a separate row for each paddock.

Ground Cover % estimate You only need to record an estimate of ground cover % once per year, at the same time that you take the photo-point photograph for this site. Please ensure that this is done at the same time each year.

Note: A ‘how-to’ guide detailing the method for estimating ground cover percentage can be found here: http://www.nrm.gov.au/publications/estimating-ground-cover-percentage .

Native Herbivore management Have you undertaken any activities to monitor and/or manage native herbivores during this reporting period?

If native herbivore management is not a contracted management action for you please tick “Not applicable”.

Please ensure that when you enter these details into your activity monitoring forms you only enter the number and cost details once. They can be entered in either as a single total record, encompassing the details and costs of this activity across all your sites or as separate entries for each site.

To report on any activities to manage native herbivores you have undertaken over this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Species’ and select the species managed. You will need to add in a separate row for each different species you managed.

2. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Season observed / managed’ and select the season. 3. Click in the box under ‘Management Action(s)’ and select the most appropriate option(s). You can

enter in multiple options under this heading. 4. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Reason for management’ and select the most appropriate

option. 5. Click into the box under ‘If applicable, no. culled (if known)’ and enter in the number of animals

culled. 6. To record a cost against these actions click into the box under ‘Total cost of management actions’

and enter in a cost.

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Note: Add in a new row for each different species and each different season you have monitored or managed Native herbivores.

For example: If you have monitored or managed the same species but in different seasons add them in on

separate rows.

Feral Animal management Have you undertaken any activities to monitor and/or manage feral animals during this reporting period?

If feral animal management is not a contracted management action for you please tick “Not applicable”.

Please ensure that when you enter these details into your activity monitoring forms you only enter the number and cost details once. They can be entered in either as a single total record, encompassing the details and costs of this activity across all of your sites or as separate entries for each site.

To report on any activities to manage feral animals you have undertaken over this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Species’ and select the species managed. You will need to add in a separate row for each different species you managed.

2. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Season observed / managed’ and select the season. You will need to add in a separate row for each different season.

3. Click in the box under ‘Management Action(s)’ and select the most appropriate option(s). You can enter in multiple options under this heading.

4. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Reason for management’ and select the most appropriate option.

5. Click into the box under ‘If applicable, no. culled (if known)’ and enter in the number of animals culled.

6. To record a cost against these actions, click into the box under ‘Total cost of management actions’ and enter in a cost.

Weed management Have you undertaken any activities to monitor and/or manage weeds during this reporting period?

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Note: Add in a new row for each different species and each different season you have monitored or managed feral animals.

For example: If you have monitored or managed two different species in the same season add them in on

separate rows.

If you have monitored or managed the same species but in different seasons add them in on separate rows.

If weed management is not a contracted management action for you please tick “Not applicable”.

Please ensure that when you enter these details into your activity monitoring forms you only enter the number and cost details once. They can be entered in either as a single total record, encompassing the details and costs of this activity across all of your sites or as separate entries for each site.

Please note; when selecting a weed species from the comprehensive list you may need to scroll through the first few options that appear in order to find the correct species.

To report on any activities to manage weeds you have undertaken over this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Species’ and select the species managed. You can also type the name of the species you managed into the text box. You will need to add in a separate row for each different species you managed.

2. Click on the box under ‘Treatment Method’ and select the most appropriate option(s). You can enter in multiple options under this heading.

3. Click in the box under ‘Approximate area treated (Ha)’ and enter in the area treated.

4. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Density’ and select the most appropriate option.

5. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Control Status’ and select the most appropriate option.

6. To record a cost against these actions click into the box under ‘Total cost of management actions’ and enter in a cost.

Have you undertaken any activities to manage weeds that are noxious (NSW) or declared (SA)? If you are unsure of whether or not a species falls into this category, please go to the NSW Department of Primary Industries website here for a comprehensive list.

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Note: Add in a new row for each different weed species managed.

For example: If you have monitored or managed two different species add them in on separate rows.

If you have monitored or managed the same species using different treatment methods add them in on separate rows.

Note: Activities undertaken to control weeds that are noxious (NSW) or declared (SA) are a legal obligation and thus cannot have a cost recorded against them. However, we would like to know if you are taking measures to control these weeds on your ESP site(s).

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Species’ and select the species managed. You can also type the name of the species you managed into the text box. You will need to add in a separate row for each different species you managed.

2. Click on the box under ‘Treatment Method’ and select the most appropriate option(s). You can enter in multiple options under this heading.

3. Click in the box under ‘Approximate area treated (Ha)’ and enter in the area treated.

4. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Density’ and select the most appropriate option.

5. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Control Status’ and select the most appropriate option.

Biomass Control measures

Have you undertaken any activities to control Biomass during this reporting period? If biomass control is not a contracted management action for you please tick “Not applicable”.

To report on any activities to control biomass that you have undertaken over this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Biomass control activity’ and select the most appropriate option. You will need to add in a separate row for each activity undertaken.

2. Click in the box under ‘Purpose’ and select the most appropriate option(s). You can choose multiple options under this heading.

3. Click in the box under ‘Area treated (Ha)’ and enter in the area treated. 4. To record a cost against an action click into the box under ‘Cost’ and enter in a cost. You will need to

add in a cost against each separate control activity undertaken.

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Note: Add in a new row for each different noxious (NSW) or declared (SA) weed species managed.

For example: If you have monitored or managed two different species add them in on separate rows.

If you have monitored or managed the same species but using different treatment methods add them in on separate rows.

Revegetation

Have you undertaken any revegetation activities during this reporting period?

If revegetation activities are not a contracted management action for you please tick “Not applicable”.

Please note; when selecting a plant species from the comprehensive list you may need to scroll through the first few options that appear in order to find the correct species.

To report on any revegetation activities that you have undertaken over this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Revegetation Activity’ and select the most appropriate option. You will need to add in a separate row for each activity undertaken.

2. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Species planted’ and begin typing the species name, you can then choose from the list. If the species is not listed then manually enter the name. You can choose multiple options under this heading.

3. Click in the box under ‘Number planted (if known)’ and enter in the number of individuals planted. 4. To record a cost against an activity click into the box under ‘Cost’ and enter in a cost. You will need to

add in a cost against each separate activity undertaken.

If you would like to record details of species planted in previous years please follow these steps:

1. Click in the box under ‘Year planted’ and select the year that the activity was undertaken. 2. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Species planted’, begin typing the species name then choose

from the list. If the species is not listed then type in species name. You can choose multiple options under this heading.

3. Click in the box under ‘Number planted (if known)’ and enter in the number of individuals planted. 4. Click in the box under ‘Estimates survival rate (%)’ and enter in an estimated percentage of the

plants that have survived.

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For example: If you have undertaken both thinning and a small scale ecological burn add each in on a

separate row.

If you have undertaken the same action, but for different reasons please add each in on a separate row.

For example: If you have planted both a gum species and a wattle species add each in on a separate row.

When recording details of Revegetation actions undertaken in previous years, please add in a separate row for each species planted and each year they were planted.

Regeneration

Have you undertaken any activities that contribute to Regeneration during this reporting period?

If you have not undertaken any activities that contribute to regeneration across your site in this reporting period please tick “Not applicable”.

Please note; when selecting a plant species from the comprehensive list you may need to scroll through the first few options that appear in order to find the correct species.

To report on any regeneration activities that you have undertaken over this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Species Observed Regenerating (if known)’ and begin typing the species name, you can then choose from the list. If the species is not listed then manually enter the name. You will need to add in a new row for each species observed regenerating.

2. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘How widespread is the regeneration’ and select the most appropriate option.

3. Click on the ‘Add files’ button to open a window allowing you to select and upload a photograph of any regenerating species.

Restoration of Habitat Features

Have you undertaken any activities to restore habitat features during this reporting period?

If you have not undertaken any activities that contribute to regeneration across your site in this reporting period please tick “Not applicable”.

Note: if the habitat feature you have added does not appear in the list please use the text box entitled “Habitat Feature (if Other)” to tell us about it.

To report on any activities to restore habitat features on your ESP site during this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Have you placed any of the following habitat features on your site?’ and select the most appropriate option. You will need to add in a new row for each habitat featured added.

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For example: If you have planted both a gum species and a wattle species add each in on a separate row.

When recording details of Revegetation actions undertaken in previous years, please add in a separate row for each species planted and each year they were planted.

For example: If you have observed both wattle and red gum regenerating on your ESP site add each in on a

separate row.

2. Click on the box under ‘Number of habitat features added’ and enter in the number of habitat features you have added in.

3. To record a cost against a habitat feature click into the box under ‘Cost of Management Action?’ and enter in a cost. You will need to add in a cost against each separate habitat feature you have added in.

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For example: If you have added both nest boxes and woody debris to your ESP site each will need to be

added in on a separate row.

Control of Agrochemicals (SMU sites only)

Have you undertaken any activities to reduce the impact of nutrients and agrochemicals this reporting period?

If you have not undertaken any activities to reduce the impact of nutrients and agrochemicals across your site in this reporting period please tick “Not applicable”.

To report on any activities to reduce the impact of nutrients and agrochemicals across your ESP site during this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop down under ‘Did you undertake actions to reduce the movement of water-borne agrochemicals across your site this year’ and select either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

2. Click on the drop down under ‘Did you undertake actions to reduce the movement of wind-borne agrochemicals across your site this year’ and select either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

Tree Root Disturbance (SMU sites only) Have you undertaken any activities to reduce Disturbance to tree roots during this reporting period?

If you have not undertaken any activities to reduce disturbance to tree roots across your site in this reporting period please tick “Not applicable”.

To report on any activities to reduce disturbance to tree roots across your ESP site during this reporting period please follow these steps:

1. Click on the drop down under ‘Did you undertake actions to disturbance to tree roots on your site this year?’ and select either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

2. If you have selected ‘Yes’ please provide us with details of the actions you undertook in the appropriate textbox.

Fencing Paddock trees (SMU sites only) Have you undertaken any activities to fence paddock trees during this reporting period?

If you have not undertaken any activities to fence paddock trees on your site in this reporting period please tick ‘Not applicable’.

To report on any activities to fence paddock trees across your ESP site during this reporting period please follow these steps: 1. Click on the drop down under ‘Did you undertake any activities relating to the fencing of Paddock

trees on this site this year?’ and select either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

2. Click on the drop-down arrow under ‘Type of Fencing Activity’ and select the most appropriate option. You will need to add in a new row for each different type of fencing activity undertaken.

3. Click on the box under ‘Area fenced (approximate m2)’ and type in an estimate of the area fenced.

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Note: if you have selected ‘Yes’ for either question please provide us with details of the actions you undertook in the appropriate textbox.

4. To record a cost against an activity click into the box under ‘Cost’ and enter in a cost. You will need to add in a cost against each separate activity undertaken.

Photo-Point

Please take and upload a photograph from the fixed point on your site.

Note: the photograph must be taken from the exact same location, direction and when possible at the same month and time of year.

Your photo-point photograph can be uploaded by clicking on “+ Attach Photo” and select the photograph from your computer.

Saving and Completing your Form

You can complete sections of your report at any time throughout the year. To do this simply click on the “Save changes” button at the bottom of the page when you finish partially filling out sections.

When you have fully completed your reporting for a site, tick the box next to ‘Mark this activity as finished’. The report for this site is now complete.

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For example:

If you have repaired an existing fence and put up new fencing add each action in a separate row.

Note: after fully completing the reporting form for a site and marking it as finished the site will then turn green on the map on your main page.

MY SPECIES RECORDS

Note: activities under this tab are voluntary. However, recording observations of native plants and animals that appear on your site is an excellent way to track the long term health of your Environmental Stewardship sites and your property in general.

If you do not wish to report native species observed on your property please check the “Not applicable” box at the top of the tab.

You can use this tab to record observations across the whole of your property, not just your Environmental Stewardship sites.

Please note; when selecting a species from the comprehensive list you may need to scroll through the first few options that appear in order to find the correct species.

To record species you have observed on your site please follow these steps:

1. To record a species click on the drop-down arrow and start typing the species name. Species are listed with scientific names and appear with photographs to help you identify them. For each additional species observed you will need to add in another row.

2. To add a photograph of a native plant or animal that you have observed click the green ‘Add file’ button and select the photograph from your computer.

3. Click into the text box to add in any additional details, including: the number of individuals seen; if this is the first time they’ve been seen on your property; or if the species isn’t present in the dropdown list.

4. Each time you have finished adding in details of new species observed click on the ‘save changes’ button at the bottom of the screen. Failing to do this will result in any new data being lost.

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A NNUAL REPORT SUBMISSION TAB

Note: this tab will only become fully visible and allow you to submit your annual report if you have done the following:

Complete or tick N/A all of the reporting sections in each PMU, SMU or Zone; and

Ensure that you have ticked the box “Mark this activity as finished” at the bottom of each PMU, SMU or Zone reporting form.

If you have not completed any of the above you will not be able to submit your annual report.

Report status

This section displays a link to each of your Environmental Stewardship sites and the status of the report. A status of ‘finished’ indicates that the report has been completed and is ready for submission. A status of ‘planned’ indicates that the report is not yet complete and you are not yet able to submit your annual report.

If you have completed all of your other reporting and the questions in this tab are not yet visible please try refreshing the page, they should now become visible and you’ll be able to complete them and submit your annual report.

Submission

This tab offers you the ability to report on things that apply to the whole of your project, including:

Opportunity costs; Costs against time taken to complete monitoring and reporting; Extreme disturbances and / or weather events; Links to the templates for financial documents; General observations; and Prohibited actions

Note: though you are only contracted to undertake particular management actions as outlined in your Environmental Stewardship contract, we are still interested in knowing about all of the activities you are undertaking on your ESP site. This will help us to understand how additional activities affect your sites. Please use this section to tell us about any such activities.

Recording of any opportunity costs associated with ESP management you may have experienced is voluntary.

When you have completed all sections on the Annual Report Submission tabs you can click the “Submit” button.

After clicking “Submit” you will get a pop-up message on your screen with a statutory declaration. Please read this before ticking the box at the bottom right of the screen and hitting “Submit”.

At this

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point you should receive a message saying that your report has been submitted for assessment. Your report will now be assessed by a Departmental officer, you will be advised once it has been approved. Please note that you may be contacted by a Departmental officer to clarify details of your annual report.

IF ANY OF THE REQUIRED FIELDS HAVE NOT BEEN FILLED OUT YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO SUBMIT YOUR ANNUAL REPORT.

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MY SPECIES RECORDS

Note: activities under this tab are voluntary. However, recording observations of native plants and animals that appear on your site is an excellent way to track the long term health of your Environmental Stewardship sites and your property in general.

If you do not wish to report native species observed on your property please check the “Not applicable” box at the top of the tab.

You can use this tab to record observations across the whole of your property, not just your Environmental Stewardship sites.

Please note; when selecting a species from the comprehensive list you may need to scroll through the first few options that appear in order to find the correct species.

To record species you have observed on your site please follow these steps:

5. To record a species click on the drop-down arrow and start typing the species name. Species are listed with scientific names and appear with photographs to help you identify them. For each additional species observed you will need to add in another row.

6. To add a photograph of a native plant or animal that you have observed click the green ‘Add file’ button and select the photograph from your computer.

7. Click into the text box to add in any additional details, including: the number of individuals seen; if this is the first time they’ve been seen on your property; or if the species isn’t present in the dropdown list.

8. Each time you have finished adding in details of new species observed click on the ‘save changes’ button at the bottom of the screen. Failing to do this will result in any new data being lost.

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PHOTOGRAPHS This page collects and displays all of the photographs attached to your Environmental Stewardship Program site(s).

This includes photographs loaded through your “Species Observed” tab and site photo-points. DOCUMENTS

This page collects, displays and provides access to relevant documents uploaded for your Environmental Stewardship project. Examples of useful documents to have access to include; how-to guides and the results of any flora or fauna surveys conducted on your site(s).

You can download and save a copy of any of the documents at any point by clicking on the download icon beside the document name (as shown below).

If you want a document added to this tab please contact your grant manager, provide them with a copy of the document and they will upload it for you.

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A GUIDE TO MEASURING SWARD HEIGHT ON YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SITE(S)

Why measure?

Measuring and recording sward height across your Environmental Stewardship Program site(s) is an obligation under your contract but has many other benefits. Measuring and recording sward height can also allow you to better manage and utilise your pastures.

How to measure?

If you undertake grazing, please record sward height at the end of your grazing periods. If you do not undertake grazing, then record sward height at the same time that you record an estimate of ground cover percentage and take the photo-point photograph for this site. Please ensure that this is done at the same time each year.

Find a spot on your site that is representative of the site in general, taking care to avoid gateways, fence lines etc. You can use either a ruler or eyeball a measurement of the sward height.

If you’re using a measuring tool, place the base of your measuring tool on the surface of the soil.

Slide your thumb down the measuring tool until you touch the top of the leaf blade, taking care to not measure the stems or flower heads.

Record the measurement.

A GUIDE TO ESTIMATING GROUND COVER PERCENTAGE

ON YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SITE(S)

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Figure 1. Shows the correct point to measure for accurate Sward Height.

Figure 2. Shows the incorrect point to measure, measuring to the top of flowers or stalks will give an inaccurate Sward Height.

What is ground cover?

Ground cover is material on the ground that protects soil from the effects of erosion and run-off. It can be made up of plant material (living or dead), mosses and lichens, leaf litter, dung or rocks. Maintaining high levels of ground cover on your site(s) is very important, as high levels of ground cover decrease erosion, increases the amount of rain absorbed into the soil, promote plant growth and provide habitat and cover for reptiles and insects.

How to measure?

Ground cover only needs to be estimated and recorded once per site, per year. Please note that ground cover percentage needs to be recorded at the same time each year, preferably at the same time you take your annual photo-point photograph and record the site’s sward height. Ground cover is measured as the percentage of plant material (living or dead), mosses and lichens, leaf litter, dung or rocks covering the ground. The simplest method is to take a standing measurement, the process is described below:

Stand with your feet about 50cm apart.

Visualise a 50cm square at your feet and estimate the percentage of groundcover in it.

Do this a few times across the site and average the results.

Below are some photographs showing examples of different ground cover percentages:

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