Environment and Resource Management

Reduced canopy cover

Impact

Canopy cover refers to vegetation that grows taller than ground cover, i.e. tree branches and leaves, that provides cover to the area of ground that lies directly beneath the plant’s foliage.  The condition of the canopy cover has implications for flora and fauna habitat, ecological processes and soil condition.

Suggested indicators: Tree canopy cover & health*, Shrub cover*

Reduced canopy cover may lead to:

Potential associated impacts Suggested indicators
Changed vegetation condition and composition due to change in sunlight and soil conditions
  • Native vegetation area
  • Vegetation desity*
  • Impacts on native vegetation*
  • Ground cover
  • Shrub cover*
  • Tree canopy cover & health*
  • Weed cover*
  • Organic litter*
  • Native plant richness*
  • Weed species*
  • Pasture species*
Change in animal species compostion
  • Native land fauna*
  • Exotic pest fauna*
  • Fish*
  • Aquatic macro-invertebrates*
  • River & wetland fauna*
Habitat fragmentation
Reduced quality and quantity of soil organic matter 
  • Soil life*

* Yet to be developed

Last updated: 27 August 2008

Land Manager's Monitoring Guide

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