1.4.1 Assessment grades and grading statements

A series of condition grading statements standardise the allocation of grades for each criterion and all components examined in an assessment. A four-point grading scale has been used since 2009 and is continued for consistency. An example is shown in Figure 1.6. There is no option for ‘moderate’, so a decision is required about whether a component is in a positive or negative state. This application is consistent with the Australian State of the Environment Report.10 

The grade allocated is a ‘grade of best fit’, based on a qualitative assessment of the available evidence and scaled to the Region (or Catchment for coastal ecosystem and coastal development). It is not a comparison of the Region in relation to other tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems around the world. It is recognised that the condition grade of a component may not be consistent across the entire Region. Where important subregional differences in condition and trend are supported by evidence (for example, corals), they are identified in the discussion and graphics within the main text of the chapter and considered in the grade and trend.  

Figure 1.6
Grades for criteria are informed by grades for components

This figure shows an example from an assessment table for one of the biodiversity assessment criteria and illustrates the relationship between findings for a criterion and findings for its components. The grades for individual components (in this example, islands, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests) are key in informing the grade for the criterion (in this example, habitats to support species). Ultimately, both the criterion and component level assessments are guided by the relevant set of grading statements.

An example of a grading statement and how they relate to the assessment summary tables.
  • 10. Cresswell, I.D., Janke, T. and Johnston, E.L. 2021, Australia state of the environment 2021: overview, independent report to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra.