Wetlands are important for many plants and wildlife in the ACT, as well as water quality for Canberra's drinking water catchment. This dataset maps location of wetlands in the ACT including our Ramsar wetland (Ginini and Cheyenne Wetland Complex), Directory of Important Wetlands Australia (DIWA), and ACT High Country Bogs and Fens (Nature Conservation Act 2014). The wetlands are classified using the ANAE Australian National Aquatic Ecosystem Framework by Cowood et al (2017). See Brooks (2021) for the latest ANAE classification framework and method. To view the directory of important wetlands visit: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/wetlands/australian-wetlands-database/directory-important-wetlands More information on wetland conservation can be found at:https://www.act.gov.au/open/act-aquatic-and-riparian-conservation-strategy Fit for purpose: This dataset was captured at 1:5,000 scale. This dataset is fit for use as a tool for showing presence of wetlands in the ACT. Exact boundaries are likely to expand and contract over time so accuracy should be checked against project requirements. References: Cowood A., Nicholson A., Wooldridge A., Muller R. and Moore L. 2017. Wetland vulnerability to climate change in the ACT (and ANAE Classification) Report to ACT City and Environment Directorate. January 2017. https://www.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/2544113/wetland-vulnerability-to-climate-change-in-the-act-2017.pdf Brooks, S. 2021. Australian National Aquatic Ecosystem (ANAE) Classification of the Murray-Darling Basin v3.0: User Guide. Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australia. Disclaimer: While all care is taken to ensure accuracy, the ACT Government does not warrant that the map is free from errors. © ACT Government

The ACT Vegetation Map classifies native and derived vegetation across the ACT at 1:10,000 scale into 64 plant communities. Vegetation communities are geographical units with similar association of plant species. The product also includes canopy cover and height variables based on 2015 ACT LiDAR data. Vegetation maps are important tools for characterising the landscape, informing policy and providing information for land and habitat management plans, including to help identify threats and risks to biodiversity and help prioritise protection of important ecological values in our landscape.This product will enable evidence-based decision-making at a broad regional, local and property planning scale in the ACT. It will also formulate a new baseline for future change detection in the landscape.Method: In the ACT Vegetation Map, native and derived vegetation across the entire ACT was classified into 64 plant communities using the classification described by Armstrong et al 2013, in addition to three newly described ACT specific communities (Baines et al 2013). Mapping was completed using aerial imagery and stereo pair interpretation (2012-2015), extensive field work, collation of consultant reports and supplemental structural and canopy height datasets extracted from the 2015 ACT LiDAR capture at 1-5m grid resolution(van Dijk et al 2017 - in draft). The work expands on the vegetation mapping completed for the Kowen, Majura and Jerrabomberra districts of the ACT (Baines et al 2013). This product should be used in conjunction with ACT Soil Landscapes, Hydrogeology and Land hazard mapping available on ACTMapi, geological mapping provided by Geoscience Australia, and ACT derived LiDAR products including digital elevation model (DEM), slope and aspect (available CCBY 4.0).The product includes the following attributes :umcID – Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment vegetation community ID (unique vegetation code) after Armstrong et al 2013vegCommunity – vegetation community name after Armstrong et al 2013 and Baines et al 2013treesp-3 – dominant tree speciesshrubsp-3 – dominant shrub speciesgroundsp-3 – dominant ground cover speciescanopyCover– canopy cover %(based on 1m 2015 LiDAR canopy cover model)height_mean – mean canopy height (>3m) (based on 1m 2015 LiDAR canopy height model)underCover – understory/shrub cover % (1-3m) (based on 5m LiDAR understory fractional cover modelstructure – overall vegetation community structure – e.g. woodland, forest, grasslandformation – Keith Formation - broad classification of native vegetation type in NSW and ACT. Formation can be further divided into Keith Class (Keith 2004)class – Keith Class- vegetation class (Keith 2004).hectares – area of polygon unit in hectares.Fit for purpose: Mapped at 1:10,000. Temporal coverage 2018. This scale is for use at scales ranging from broad regional planning to local planning and property planning. Please see ACT Vegetation Map 2023 for updates to urban expansion. Updates planned every 1-2 years. Please note the species listed as dominants can be out of date or not ground checked, thus may require ground truthing prior to use.References: Armstrong et al (2013). Plant communities of the upper Murrumbidgee catchment in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Cunninghamia13(1): 125-265 (2013).Baines et al (2013). The vegetation of the Kowen, Majura and Jerrabomberra Districts of the Australian Capital Territory. Technical Report 28 prepared for Conservation Planning and Research, ACT Government.van Dijk (2017in draft). Landscape Observatory. TERN & Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University 2017.Keith (2004). Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes. The Native Vegetation of the New South Wales and the ACT. NSW Department of Environment and Conservation.

ACT Climate refugia are core areas of the landscape most likely to support persistence of dominant trees, shrubs and grasses of the Capital Region under climate change.The data identify refugia expected to support climate sensitive species characteristic of each vegetation community, both now and into the future, based on distribution modelling using NARCLiM climate projections (MacKenzie et al 2019).The areas shown (refugia) highlight where the most stressed subset of dominant plant species today (i.e., common trees, shrubs and grasses modelled to lose >= 75% of their current distribution) are more likely to persist under a wide range of future climate scenarios. These refugia can be used to prioritise management actions to minimise further stresses to those communities (e.g. prescribed burning within tolerable fire intervals; climate-adaptive revegetation programs, etc). Note: Areas smaller than 0.5 hectares have been removed to enable quicker map drawing, contact officeofnatureconservation@act.gov.au for the full dataset, including ensemble forecasts for individual plant species (n=151).Source Technical Report:MacKenzie, J.B., G. Baines, L. Johnston & J. Seddon. 2019. Identifying biodiversity refugia under climate change in the ACT and region. Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT Government, Canberra. https://www.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/2539628/identifying-biodiversity-refugia-under-climate-change-in-the-act-and-region-2019.pdfMapped originally in GDA1994_MGA_Zone55, transformed to GDA2020_MGA_Zone55For use as a broad scale product, for example at 1:50,000 scale only. Please read the technical report for data caveats and limitations.

ACT Climate refugia are core areas of the landscape most likely to support persistence of dominant trees, shrubs and grasses of the Capital Region under climate change. The data identify refugia expected to support climate sensitive species characteristic of each vegetation community, both now and into the future, based on distribution modelling using NARCLiM climate projections (MacKenzie et al 2019). The areas shown (refugia) highlight where the most stressed subset of dominant plant species today (i.e., common trees, shrubs and grasses modelled to lose >= 75% of their current distribution) are more likely to persist under a wide range of future climate scenarios. These refugia can be used to prioritise management actions to minimise further stresses to those communities (e.g. prescribed burning within tolerable fire intervals; climate-adaptive revegetation programs, etc). Note: Areas smaller than 0.5 hectares have been removed to enable quicker map drawing, contact officeofnatureconservation@act.gov.au for the full dataset, including ensemble forecasts for individual plant species (n=151). Source Technical Report: MacKenzie, J.B., G. Baines, L. Johnston & J. Seddon. 2019. Identifying biodiversity refugia under climate change in the ACT and region. City and Environment Directorate, ACT Government, Canberra. https://www.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/2539628/identifying-biodiversity-refugia-under-climate-change-in-the-act-and-region-2019.pdf Mapped originally in GDA1994_MGA_Zone55, transformed to GDA2020_MGA_Zone55 For use as a broad scale product, for example at 1:50,000 scale only. Please read the technical report for data caveats and limitations.

Grasslands of the Territory include a rich assemblage of flora and fauna species that combine into a unique ecosystem. These grasslands are a priority for protection and management as they contribute to our natural biodiversity, our history and heritage, and local amenity and community. Natural Temperate Grasslands are an Endangered Ecological Community in the ACT (Nature Conservation Act 2014) and Critically Endangered Ecological Community under the EPBC Act 1999. Other native and exotic grasslands in the ACT can also have some conservation significance as they support important populations of threatened fauna and flora.Natural Temperate Grassland occurs in areas where few trees grow because of factors such as low temperatures, low rainfall and infertile or clay soils. Only 2% to 10% of the lower elevation grasslands in south-eastern Australia remain in high ecological condition, eight grassland species of the ACT are listed as endangered or vulnerable and some of the constituent plants and animals are under threat. Temperate grasslands are considered one of the most threatened Australian ecosystems. https://www.act.gov.au/environment/animals-and-plants/act-threatened-species. Extensive areas of native grassland in Namadgi National Park are to be field checked to determine whether they qualify as Natural Temperate Grassland. More information on threatened species occurring in grasslands in the ACT can be found at: https://www.act.gov.au/environment/animals-and-plants/act-threatened-speciesThe 2017 ACT Native Grassland Conservation Strategy and associated action plans guide the protection, management and restoration of native grasslands and its component species for the next 10 years. See a summary of the strategy. This strategy supersedes Action Plan 28 ACT Lowland Native Grassland Conservation Strategy (Environment ACT, 2005).Fit for purpose: This mapping is fit for use at a 1:10000 scale. Significant advances are being made towards a high resolution vegetation map for the ACT that is suitable for use at scales ranging from broad regional planning to local planning and property planning. However, Natural Temperate Grassland condition can fluctuate widely depending on seasonal conditions and thus boundaries and presence may fluctuate.Disclaimer: While all care is taken to ensure accuracy, the ACT Government does not warrant that the layers are free from error. © ACT Government

This layer contains information on the distribution and vegetation communities of alpine sphagnum bogs and associated fens. The dataset includes areas of RAMSAR significance. The threatened Northern Corroboree Frogs are also associated with these ecosystems. The mountains of the Australian Capital Territory support substantial areas of peat-forming mires in interfluves and valley heads, as well as areas of riparian fen vegetation along streams.

The Ramsar Convention encourages the designation of sites containing representative, rare or unique wetlands, or wetlands that are important for conserving biological diversity. Once designated, these sites are added to the Convention's List of Wetlands of International Importance and become known as Ramsar sites.The Ginini Flats Wetlands in Namadgi National Park is the only Ramsar site in the ACT.The Ginini Flats Wetland Complex is the largest intact Sphagnum bog and fen community in the Australian Alps. It was first listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 1996. In designating a wetland as a Ramsar site, countries agree to establish and oversee a management framework aimed at conserving the wetland and ensuring its wise use.Boundary supplied to Commonwealth for RAMSAR purposes. Original boundary updated in 2013 to reflect new extended boundary based on recent information, and transformed to GDA2020 MGA Zone 55 in 2024 (from GDA1994 MGA Zone 55)Ginini Flats Ramsar site boundary descriptionThe boundary lies 10 metres east of the eastern road edge of the Mount Franklin Road, starting at point A on the map (latitude 35° 32’ 01.69” south, longitude 148° 46’ 35.55” east). From point A it follows the Mount Franklin road maintaining its position 10 metres from the eastern road edge in a north easterly, then north westerly direction (circumventing mount Ginini, which lies to the west) to the ACT border at point B (at the point nearest to latitude 35° 31’ 17.91” south, longitude 148° 46’ 04.85” east). From point B the boundary diverts in a northerly direction along the boundary of the ACT, to the most north westerly point of the Ramsar site, still on the ACT border, point C (at the point nearest to latitude 35° 30’ 54.21” south, longitude 148° 46’ 0.99” east). From that point the boundary diverts in an easterly direction from the ACT border and runs 10 metres inside the wetland ridgeline to point E (latitude 35° 31’ 03.277” south, longitude 148° 47’19.39” east), through point D (latitude 35° 30’ 57.66” south, longitude 148° 46’46.16 east). The boundary crosses Ginini Creek roughly halfway along the northern border, at point D. From point E, the boundary heads in a winding but generally southerly direction, paralleling the ridgeline until reaching the most south eastern point of the Ramsar site, point H (latitude 35° 32’ 15.93” south, longitude 148° 47’ 13.90” east) and crossing to the southern tip of the boundary at point I (latitude 35° 32’ 17.88” south, longitude 148° 47’06.72” east). Near point I the boundary crosses an unnamed tributary of Stockyard Creek. Between points E and F the ridgeline boundary changes from the Ginini Flats ridgeline to the Cheyenne Flats ridgeline (still part of the wetlands complex) near point G (latitude 35° 31’ 21.17” south, longitude 148° 47’ 42.78” east). From points G to H the boundary continues in a southerly direction to Point H at the most south easterly point of the boundary.From point I the boundary then heads in a north westerly direction to point J (latitude 35° 32’ 14.04” south, longitude 148° 46’ 45.59” east). At point I the boundary crosses an unnamed tributary of Stockyard Creek. From point J the boundary continues on in a straight line to meet the starting point 10 metres off the eastern road edge of the Mt Franklin road (latitude 35° 32’ 1.695” south, longitude 148° 46’ 35.55” east, point A), thus encompassing the southern end of Cheyenne Flats. Geographic Coordinates are in degrees, minutes, seconds, referenced to the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94).Map PointLatitudeLongitudeA35° 32’ 01.69” south, 148° 46’ 35.55” eastB35° 31’17.91” south148° 46’ 04.85” eastC35° 30’54.21” south148° 46’ 0.99” eastD35° 30’ 57.66” south148° 46’46.16” eastE35° 31’03.27” south148° 47’19.39” eastF35° 31’ 15.70” south148° 47’ 26.42” eastG35° 31’ 21.17” south148° 47’ 42.78” eastH35° 32’ 15.93” south148° 47’ 13.90” eastI35° 32’ 17.88” south148°47’ 06.72” eastJ35° 32’ 14.04” south148°

Location of ACT important natural wetlands in the ACT, including our High Country Bogs and Fens. Wetlands are important for many plants and wildlife in the ACT.

The ACT Vegetation Map 2023 classifies native and derived vegetation across the ACT at 1:10,000 scale into 64 plant communities. Vegetation communities are geographical units with similar association of plant species. The product also includes canopy cover and height variables based on 2015 ACT LiDAR data. Vegetation maps are important tools for characterising the landscape, informing policy and providing information for land and habitat management plans, including to help identify threats and risks to biodiversity and help prioritise protection of important ecological values in our landscape. This 2023 map is an update of the ACT Vegetation Map 2018. Updates have been made to the urban fringe only where development has occurred, or knowledge has increased due to field inspection.This product will enable evidence-based decision-making at a broad regional, local and property planning scale in the ACT. It will also formulate a new baseline for future change detection in the landscape.Method: In the ACT Vegetation Map, native and derived vegetation across the entire ACT was classified into 64 plant communities using the classification described by Armstrong et al 2013, in addition to three newly described ACT specific communities (Baines et al 2013). Mapping was completed using aerial imagery and stereo pair interpretation (2012-2015), extensive field work, collation of consultant reports and supplemental structural and canopy height datasets extracted from the 2015 ACT LiDAR capture at 1-5m grid resolution (van Dijk et al 2017 - in draft). The work expands on the vegetation mapping completed for the Kowen, Majura and Jerrabomberra districts of the ACT (Baines et al 2013). The 2023 update used visual desktop inspection and manual vectorization of 2023 <10cm aerial imagery of Canberra and ACTGOV Cadastral information to update the urban fringe area where development has occurred.The product includes the following attributes :umcID – Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment vegetation ID (unique vegetation code)(after Armstrong et al 2013)vegCommunity – vegetation community name (after Armstrong et al 2013 and Baines et al 2013)tecACT - listing name of the ACT threatened ecological community (may require field inspection to verify)tecEPBC - listing name of the EPBC threatened ecological community (may require field inspection to verify)tecID - ID of ACT threatened ecological communityactConservationStatus - listing status of the vegetation community under the Nature Conservation ActepbcConservationStatus - listing status of the vegetation community under the EPBC ActpctCode - ACT plant community type codetreesp1-3 – dominant tree speciesshrubsp1-3 – dominant shrub speciesgroundsp1-3 – dominant ground cover speciescanopyCover – canopy cover % (based on 1m 2020 LiDAR canopy cover model)height_mean canopy height (>3m) (based on 1m 2020 LiDAR canopy height model)underCover – understory/shrub cover % (1-3m) (based on 1m 2020 LiDAR shrub model)structure – overall vegetation community structure – e.g. woodland, forest, grasslandformation – Keith Formation - broad classification of native vegetation type in NSW and ACT. Formation can be further divided into Keith Class (Keith 2004)class – Keith Class- vegetation class (Keith 2004).hectares - area of polygon unit in hectares.lastVegCommunity - community as it was last mapped (ACT Veg Map 2018)landscape - upland or lowlandgrassyStructure - whether the community is associated with a grass woodland, derived (other) or grassland community in its reference state e.g. secondary grassland associated with box gum woodland, exotic grassland that occurs within the original temperate grasslands.This product should be used in conjunction with ACT Soil Landscapes, Hydrogeology and Land hazard mapping available on ACTMapi, geological mapping provided by Geoscience Australia, and ACT derived LiDAR products including digital elevation model (DEM), slope and aspect (available CCBY 4.0).Updates: The product will be