The Carbon Farming (Quantifying Carbon Sequestration by Permanent Environmental Plantings of Native Tree Species using the CFI Reforestation Modelling Tool) Methodology Determination 2012 provides for permanent plantings that are also environmental plantings to be eligible offsets projects under the CFI if they meet eligibility requirements.
The eligibility requirements for this methodology determination include the requirements that "ripping and mounding must not be used for site preparation over more that 10% of a carbon estimation area (CEA) if, according to the CFI rainfall map, the area receives greater than 800 mm long-term average annual rainfall".
This guidance provides more detail on what is considered 'ripping and mounding' for the purpose of this methodology determination.
Site preparation that falls outside the definition of ripping and mounding will not affect a project's eligibility as long as it does not prevent other eligibility criteria from being met. For example if other means of site preparation result in the removal, prior to establishment of the plantings, of woody plants other than known weed species required to be cleared by law.
Emissions from site preparation
The Explanatory Statement notes that activity such as ripping and mounding must not be used in the specified circumstances because it can cause emissions that are not accounted for under this methodology determination.
The development of the methodology excluded soil carbon from the relevant sources and sinks on the basis that it was conservative to do so. However, in higher rainfall areas where pasture predominates there is a risk that significant soil disturbance could result in a decline in soil carbon.
There are numerous means that may be employed to produce rips or mounds in order to improve the success of seeding or planting. The proportion of the soil surface that is disturbed will vary with the type of implement used and the manner of its use.
Ripping and mounding
Ripping and mounding is:
- Any activity to loosen and/or elevate soil with any type of implement, primarily undertaken as preparation for seeding or tree planting, including such operations as pre-establishment weed control
Examples of estimating the percentage of CEA disturbed:
- Use of deep narrow pointed tynes to break up hard pans prior to planting or seeding. In such a case the area disturbed will be the width x length of the rip lines.
- Use of a mounding plough in preparation for planting seedlings. In such a case the area disturbed will be the combined width of any mounds and/or furrows created by their length.
- Use of multi-disc ploughs in pre-establishment weed control and/or preparation for seeding or planting. In such a case the area disturbed will be the width of the implement x length of the plough lines.
Figure 1: Example of use of pointed tynes likely to be less than 10 percent of CEA
Source: Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority
Figure 2: Example of use of mounding plough likely to be greater than 10 percent of CEA
Source: Heytesbury District Landcare Network
Figure 3: Example of multi disc ploughing likely to be greater than 10 percent of CEA
Source: Heytesbury District Landcare Network
