Bell Miner Associated Dieback (BMAD) Department of Primary Industries mapping for far north east NSW. Towards the end of 2003 the BMAD Working Group commissioned State Forests of NSW Forest Health Survey Unit to undertake an aerial survey of native forest dieback across all tenures in far North East NSW. The survey area included State Forests, National Parks and private property from north of the Bruxner Highway to the Queensland border and from Kyogle across to Legume. Following this request a digitised GIS map layer was produced from 1:35000 base maps. The survey was carried out using the State Forest helicopter piloted by Grant Johnson. Two Forest Health Survey Officers Angus Carnegie and Grahame Price were seated on either side of the aircraft to gain a complete view of the forest. Two additional passengers who knew the region were present to assist in navigation and identifying useful features. Prior to the survey, A3 base maps were produced at 1:35,000 scale showing native forest within State Forests, National Parks and private estates. AGIS-GPS interface was used to navigate and map the aircraft movement, while the base maps were used for hand annotating the observed dieback. Post survey, the sketch maps were then digitised as polygons into a GIS package showing canopy damage categories for all forested areas within the region outlined. Visual classification of the dieback consisted of four main categories of susceptible forest types: •Low - consisted of discoloured foliage, partial thinning of canopy and distinct epicormic buds on branches. •Moderate - consisted of discoloured foliage, severe thinning of tree canopy and a few dead trees including distinct epicormic growth. •Severe - consisted of many dead trees, severe thinning of crowns, low stocking rate of susceptible species and greatly increased mesophyllic ground story vegetation including weeds such as lantana. •Stags - large trees that have been dead for a long time present in mesophyllic forest; unable to determine cause of death but potentially related to past occurrence of dieback.

Note: Fire and drought effects were observed during the survey and differ from BMAD through scaring, leaf colouration and appearance of epicormic placement on branches.

Contact: Dr Angus Carnegie Principal Research Scientist - Forest Health & Biosecurity NSW Department of Primary Industries - Forestry Level 12, 10 Valentine Ave | Parramatta NSW 2150 M: 0429 453859 | E: angus.carnegie@dpi.nsw.gov.au