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Use the drop-down below to find module manuals, status updates, and associated field collection datasheets for each EMSA module.

Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated details in the plot size and add tree steps in the DBH protocol; updated details in the record floristics voucher step in the basal wedge protocol.
Datasheets
  • Basal Area Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc

Module manual

Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated details for uploading camera trap array spatial data; added deployment start date step; updated details in the steps to repeat steps in the deployment protocol; updated details for the deployment ID; updated details in the deployment end date step in the retrieval protocol.
Datasheets
  • Camera Trapping Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
  • Camera Trap Deployment - Array file template, version 1, 14 April 2025 download file
Module manual
  • Coarse Woody Debris Module, version 2, 7 January 2025 download PDF 
  • Coarse Woody Debris Module (procedure only), download PDF
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2 
  • Improved paragraph text throughout; updated module context to include tree stumps; updated protocol to include tree stumps in the CWD survey.
Datasheets
  • Coarse Woody Debris Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
Module manual
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Condition Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
Module manual
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Cover and Fire Severity Module Datasheet, version 1, 7 May 2024 download doc
Module manual
  • Fauna Aerial Surveys Module, version 1, 21 July 2023 download PDF
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Fauna Aerial Survey Module Datasheet, version 1, 9 May 2024 download doc
Module manual
  • Fauna Ground Counts Module, version 1, 21 July 2023 download PDF
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Minor edit to the count field, to enable actual count (exact) and estimates, specifically designed for capturing large numbers, such as entire hives/swarms of feral honeybee's. 
Datasheets
  • Fauna Ground Counts Datasheet, version 2, 23 May 2024 download doc
Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Improved paragraph text throughout; updated complementary related modules section; updated equipment list to align with the Cover Module.
Datasheets
  • Cover and Fire Severity Module Datasheet, version 2, July 2025 download doc
Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated optional complementary modules section; updated key definitions and terminology table; added details for a popup of the Plant Tissue Vouchering Module in the enhanced and standard protocols; updated details in the host species steps in the enhanced and standard protocols; specified optional data fields in the enhanced and standard protocols; updated details in the floristics voucher steps in the standard protocol.
Datasheets
  • Floristics and Plant Tissue Vouchering Modules Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
Information Sheets: EMSA-Approved Botanists

The following information is provided as an update (May 2025), offering an accreditation process for ecologists and on-ground field staff experienced in plant identification to become EMSA-Approved Botanists, negating the need for plant vouchers to be identified by a Herbarium-based Botanist. Please read the Guidance document and discuss with your project manager, as any use of the modification needs to be discussed with the Long-term Monitoring team first, as it may reduce floristics monitoring rigor and have implications for reporting on project outcomes. If physical vouchers are not being collected in a project, the project manager must seek an exemption from the EMSA Protocol Advisory Group.

Module manual
  • Herbivory and Physical Damage Module, version 1, 21 July 2023 download PDF
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Herbivory and Physical Damage Module Datasheet, version 1, 19 April 2024 download doc
Module manual
  • Interventions Module, version 1, 21 July 2023 – under review
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Coming soon
Module manual
  • Invertebrate Fauna Module, version 1, 21 July 2023 download PDF
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • ​Invertebrate Fauna Module Datasheet, version 1, 9 May 2024 download doc
Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated time requirements based on Monitor app workflow improvements; updated description and observation notes fields to comments to align with other modules; separated steps to collect additional flora and fauna details; updated steps for beginning and ending an opportune survey based on app improvements; updated general field collection, vascular flora voucher specimens, wet-area species, and vertebrate fauna voucher specimens guidelines.
Datasheets
  • Opportune Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
Module manual
  • Pest Fauna Control Activities Module, version 1, 21 July 2023 – under review
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Coming soon.
Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Improved paragraph text throughout; updated plot layout reminder, plot centre post, photopoint equilateral triangle, QR code generation and information steps; and updated steps to repeat steps for the DSLR, compact and device protocols.
Datasheets
  • Photopoints Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc.
Module manual
  • Plant Tissue Vouchering Module, version 2, 28 November 2024 download PDF 
  • Plant Tissue Vouchering Module (procedure only) download PDF
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated details in the plant tissue vouchering popup and replicates steps for the enhanced and standard protocols.
Datasheets
  • Floristics and Plant Tissue Vouchering Modules Datasheet, version 1, 7 May 2024 download doc
Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated the key definitions and terms table; updated details in the aspect, introduced plant species and revisit steps.
Datasheets
  • Plot Description Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
Module manual
  • Plot Selection and Layout Module, version 2, 28 November 2024 download PDF 
  • Plot Selection Protocol (procedure only) download PDF 
  • Plot Layout and Visit (procedure only) download PDF
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Updated projects for plot selection and current project for plot steps; updated recommended location point, where the plot will be marked, and plot reference point lookup tables (LUTs) to align with other plot location LUTs; updated details in plot layout steps for core monitoring plots and fauna plots; updated start date field and units in new and existing plot visit steps; updated details in plot layout during a revisit steps.
Datasheets
  • Plot Selection and Layout Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025  download doc.
Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated details in the Age Structure and Survivorship protocols; updated details in the Mandatory Modules section; updated details in equipment sections; updated for clarity throughout
Datasheets
  • Recruitment Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
Module manual
  • Sign-based Fauna Surveys Module, version 1, 21 July 2023 download PDF
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Sign-based Fauna Surveys Module Datasheet, version 1, 19 April 2024 download doc 
Module manual
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Will appear here soon
Datasheets
  • Soils Module Datasheet, version 1, 10 May 2024 download doc
Module manual
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Improved paragraph text throughout; added key definition and terminology table; updated spatial information data fields; added metadata collection field controlled vocabulary tables in Appendix 1.
Datasheets
  • Targeted Surveys Module Datasheet, version 1.0, 3 May 2024 download doc
Module manual
  • Vegetation Mapping Module, version 2, 28 November 2024 download PDF 
  • Vegetation Mapping Module (procedure only) download PDF
Module manual edits incorporated into version 2
  • Updated details in the field GIS app equipment information; updated details in the landscape orientation photo, site disturbance, fire history and NVIS Level 5 steps; updated the site disturbance heading and land-use history table in Appendix 5.
Datasheets
  • Vegetation Mapping Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc
Module manual
Module update
  • The Acoustic and Ultrasonic recordings protocol is now available to download. Note this is a working draft still being finalised. Updates and refinements are expected October-November 2024 as the app is being built. Download draft version 0.1, 15 October 2024, download PDF
Module manual edits currently being worked on for version 2
  • Bird survey protocols now allow call-playback techniques to be used for the 2 ha, 20 minute surveys, and the 500 m area searches.
  • New bird survey protocol is being created to enable a rapid survey of a point location, survey time can be as short as 5 minutes, play-callback can be used, can record full observation details (i.e. species, heard/seen, behaviour) or presence only.
Datasheets
  • Vertebrate Fauna Module Datasheet, version 2, 4 July 2025 download doc.
  • Acoustic and ultrasconic recordings protocol is now available to download. Note this is a working draft still being finalised. Updates and refinements are expected October-November 2024 as the app is being built. Download draft version 0.1 15 October 2024, download doc

Links below to resources prepared by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

 Monitor data download user guide (DCCEEW)

Instructions and FAQs for downloading Monitor data from MERIT, December 2025 PDF

 EMSA decision support guidance material (DCCEEW)

EMSA module groups and descriptions infographics, v 2.0, November 2025 PDF

Policy on managing biodiversity data collected on private land (DCCEEW)

Prepared by Environment Information Australia (EIA), September 2025 PDF

EMSA description modules table

EMSA module description table, v 2.0, November 2025 download XLS 

Template for EMSA module selection and Case study

EMSA module selection template and example Threatened Ecological Community case study, v 2.0, November 2025 PPT