Operational map: The operational map for Grey Box Grey Gum Wet Sclerophyll Forest (GBWS) was constructed to resolve long-standing issues surrounding its identification, location and extent within the NSW State Forest estate covered by the eastern Regional Forest Agreements. The project’s Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) Reference Panel (the Panel) interpreted the determination for GBWS and agreed that GBWS TEC is defined from quantitative floristic analyses of systematic plot data. Based on a strong association with the determination assemblage list and documented occurrences referenced in the determination, we have interpreted GBWS to be equivalent to a community described in a recent classification study in the Northern Rivers (OEH, 2012); 1000-1665: (Grey Gum - Grey Box - Hoop Pine shrubby open forest on hinterland hills of the Richmond and Clarence catchments, South Eastern Queensland Bioregion and NSW North Coast Bioregion). We conducted plot-based floristic comparison to assess whether GBWS or the equivalent Community 1000-1665 was present within 800 000 hectares of State Forest in the North Coast area. A map was developed based on plot assignments, aerial photography interpreted map polygons delineated from overstorey and understorey patterns, and results of predictive modelling. In total, we identified approximately 2936 hectares of GBWS TEC in State forests north from Cherry Tree State Forest. Another state forest area has been identified as potentially supporting GBWS forest and is presented in a separate Indicative map. Indicative map: The indicative map for Grey Box Grey Gum Wet Sclerophyll Forest (GBWS) was constructed to resolve long-standing issues surrounding its identification, location and extent within the NSW State Forest estate covered by the eastern Regional Forest Agreements. The project’s Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) Reference Panel (the Panel) interpreted the determination for GBWS and agreed that GBWS TEC is defined from quantitative floristic analyses of systematic plot data. Based on a strong association with the determination assemblage list and documented occurrences referenced in the determination, we have interpreted GBWS to be equivalent to a community described in a recent classification study in the Northern Rivers (OEH, 2012); 1000-1665: (Grey Gum - Grey Box - Hoop Pine shrubby open forest on hinterland hills of the Richmond and Clarence catchments, South Eastern Queensland Bioregion and NSW North Coast Bioregion). We conducted plot-based floristic comparison to assess whether GBWS or the equivalent Community 1000-1665 was present within 800 000 hectares of State Forest in the North Coast area. A map was developed based on plot assignments, aerial photography interpreted map polygons delineated from overstorey and understorey patterns, and results of predictive modelling. In total, we identified approximately 2936 hectares of GBWS TEC in State forests north from Cherry Tree State Forest. However, we also assigned three plots to GBWS, which are disjunct from and well outside the previously known distribution, to the south. Of the three disjunct plots, only one is in our state forest study area, in Nymboida state forest. We have no evidence that GBWS occurs south of Nymboida state forest. We identify Nymboida and Kangaroo River state forests in this Indicative Map, as plausible locations for the GBWS TEC. We recommend the GBWS TEC in these areas be diagnosed on a site-by-site basis using our field key until further survey and mapping can be completed in these forests. Operational TEC Mapping have been derived by API at a viewing scale between 1-4000 using ADS40 50 cm pixel imagery and 1 m derived LIDAR DEM grids for floodplain EECs. Indicative TEC Mapping have been generated from best available composite environmental data layers - standardised to 30 m pixels.

Indicative map for Lowland Grassy Woodland: The indicative map for Lowland Grassy Woodland was constructed to resolve long-standing issues surrounding its identification, location and extent within the NSW State Forest estate covered by the eastern Regional Forest Agreements. The determination of Lowland Grassy Woodland was reviewed by the project’s Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) Reference Panel (the Panel), and a set of diagnostic parameters for the identifying the Lowland Grassy Woodland TEC was agreed upon. Using these diagnostic parameters, we sampled candidate areas from existing vegetation maps to identify potential areas of Lowland Grassy Woodland occurrence in 296 000 hectares of State Forest and undertook additional mapping work using two independent mapping methods. Random Forest models (predictive habitat models) were generated using plot data and a selection of environmental variables. Aerial photo interpretation targeted stands of forests dominated by Eucalyptus tereticornis to refine the potential boundaries of Lowland Grassy Woodland. We tested whether Lowland Grassy Woodland was present in State Forest by completing systematic plot surveys within mapped areas indicating potential presence. We compared our collected data to a large regional pool of plot data that contained a subset of plots assigned to vegetation map units cited in the determination for the Lowland Grassy Woodland TEC (see Gellie 2005, Tozer et al 2006, and Keith and Bedward 1999). Our analysis of data confidently assigned only a few plots in State Forest to Lowland Grassy Woodland (2/43). From these results, we were unable to construct an operational map for Lowland Grassy Woodland. The relationship between the existing mapping cited in the determination and the plot data on State Forest was not strong enough to be a reliable basis for mapping the TEC. We also found that Eucalyptus tereticornis could not reliably be used as an indicator of Lowland Grassy Woodland in State forests. As a result, we were unable to map this TEC from the few confirmed sampling points without including a significant area of forest that was highly unlikely to be Lowland Grassy Woodland. However, we created indicative maps of Lowland Grassy Woodland by merging our predictive and API maps to provide an indication of the likely extent of Lowland Grassy Woodland in State Forests. Operational map for Brogo Wet Vine Forest: The operational map for Brogo Wet Wine Forest (BWVF) was constructed to resolve long-standing issues surrounding its identification, location and extent within the NSW State Forest estate covered by the eastern Regional Forest Agreements. We assessed whether BWVF was likely to be present in more than 296 000 hectares of State Forest in the South-east Corner Bioregion. The project’s Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) Reference Panel (the Panel) preceded the assessment process by reviewing the determination for BWVF and reaching an agreed interpretation of floristic, environmental and distributional characteristics. The Panel found that BWVF is primarily defined by a source vegetation community derived from quantitative floristic plot data (Keith and Bedward, 1999), with additional defining characteristics relating to bioregion and elevation. The Panel’s interpretation resulted in the identification of all State Forests located below an elevation threshold of 550 metres within the South East Corner Bioregion as potentially containing BWVF. We identified other potential areas of BWVF by overlaying the cited vegetation maps and any State Forest mapping where vegetation was dominated by or includes Eucalyptus tereticornis (a defining species of BWVF). Within these state forests, we used aerial photo interpretation (API) to identify and delineate potential areas of BWVF based on structural characteristics and overstorey and understorey attributes, namely dominance or inclusion of Eucalyptus tereticornis. We then compiled floristic plot data for all

The operational map McKies Stringybark/Blackbutt Open Forest (MSBOF) was constructed to resolve long-standing issues surrounding its identification, location and extent within the NSW State Forest estate covered by the eastern Regional Forest Agreements. The project’s Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) Reference Panel (the Panel) reviewed the determination for MSBOF and agreed upon a set of diagnostic parameters for its identification. These parameters included the presence of lateritic soils and the characteristic eucalypt species Eucalyptus mckieana and Eucalyptus andrewsii. Using these diagnostic parameters, we assessed whether MSBOF is present within more than 150 000 hectares of state forests within the Upper and Lower North East IFOA areas of the Nandewar and New England Bioregions. We began the assessment process by examining the distribution of Eucalyptus mckieana records in NSW Bionet and other available systematic plot data characterising regional vegetation patterns. We then used the results of a recently completed vegetation mapping in the region (OEH, 2015) to provide an indicative map of related vegetation communities within State Forests. From this initial investigation, we identified three state forests as candidate areas for MSBOF within the Project Study area – Mount Topper, New Valley and Clive State Forests. We collected systematic plot data from these state forests in mapped communities related to the TEC and from within stands of vegetation dominated by the primary eucalypt species described in the determination. On this basis we identified four plots within Mount Topper State Forest as being MSBOF TEC and went on to construct an operational map at a scale commensurate with the needs of forestry field operations. In total, we mapped a total of 201 hectares of MSBOF, 101 hectares of which were contained in the IFOA area. Operational TEC Mapping have been derived by API at a viewing scale between 1-4000 using ADS40 50 cm pixel imagery and 1 m derived LIDAR DEM grids for floodplain EECs.

Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Forest (LHSGIF) EEC mapping covering Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle and Wyong LGAs undertaken by Stephen Bell in 2010. He notes that the layer is incomplete because much of the LHSGIF is on private or coal land where access is restricted. Only if contracts are performed on these lands will updates occur. The layer includes various forms of LHSGIF as per the data analysis done for the Cessnock-Kurri project. VIS_ID 2319

The operational map for River-flat Eucalypt Forest (RFEF) was constructed to resolve long-standing issues surrounding its identification, location and extent within the NSW State Forest estate covered by the coastal Integrated Forestry Operation Agreements. The map was constructed in two parts, with State Forests to the north of Sydney being mapped in a separate process to those to the south of Sydney. We did this to minimise the risk that relationships between regional vegetation communities and the TEC would be confounded or masked by geographical variation or other major ecological gradients, which might otherwise be a significant risk if we had treated the full latitudinal range of the TEC as a single study area. In total, we assessed 1,218,000 hectares of State Forest across coastal NSW. This consisted of 868,000 hectares of State Forest on the north coast and more than 350,000 hectares of State Forest on the south coast. In both study areas, the project’s Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) Reference Panel (the Panel) preceded the assessment process by reviewing the determination for RFEF and agreeing upon a set of diagnostic parameters for its identification. The Panel found that RFEF is primarily defined by floristic plot data and that it is mostly located on coastal floodplains and associated alluvial landforms. Following on from these conclusions, we started the mapping process by mapping the distribution of floodplains and alluvial soils and thus identifying possible areas of RFEF. For both the north and the south coast we used an existing map of coastal landforms and geology in combination with several fine-scale models of alluvial landform features to determine the likely extent of floodplains and alluvial soils within our study areas. We used aerial photograph interpretation (API) to assess the floristic and structural attributes of the vegetation cover found on our modelled alluvial environments, and thus delineated polygons likely to contain RFEF. We also used API to modify the boundaries of the modelled alluvial areas using a prescribed list of eucalypt, casuarina and melaleuca species in combination with the interpretation of landform elements relevant to alluvial and floodplain environments. We then compiled floristic plot data for all State Forest areas within our modelled alluvial landforms and API polygons. For both the north and the south coast the floristic plot data was sourced from both existing flora surveys held in the OEH VIS database and from targeted flora surveys conducted specifically for this project. We compared these plots with those previously assigned to flora communities listed in the determination of RFEF. Both dissimilarity-based methods and multivariate regression methods were used for the comparison. The results of the comparison were then used to assess the likelihood that the plots in State forests belonged to one or more of the communities listed in the RFEF determination. Following this, we developed a predictive statistical model of the probability of occurrence of RFEF using plot data and a selection of environmental and remote-sensing variables. For the north coast, we used a Random Forest model, while for the south coast we used a Boosted Regression Tree model. To create the operational map, we assigned every mapped API polygon to RFEF if appropriate based on the plot data, over-storey and understorey attributes, landform features and modelled probabilities underlying each API polygon. We mapped 3819 hectares of RFEF on the south coast and 198 hectares of RFEF on the north coast. Operational TEC Mapping have been derived by API at a viewing scale between 1-4000 using ADS40 50 cm pixel imagery and 1 m derived LIDAR DEM grids for floodplain EECs.

"This map and report (cited below) present the results of research on the rate of change of native woody vegetation in the Central New South Wales wheatbelt. The study was carried out over three years and analysed vegetation change between the 1980s and 2000. The project tested methods to map changes in native woody vegetation using direct visual inspection of readily available Landsat TM satellite imagery. NPWS mapping of native woody vegetation types within the wheatbelt provided the 1980s baseline information for the study. Clearing was identified on the satellite images and digitised. The resulting clearing maps were used to produce updated maps of remaining native woody vegetation for each monitoring period. Systematic validation of the mapping was done by comparison with specially flown, fine-scale aerial photography. Validation results showed that the mapping consistently and accurately distinguished between clearing and areas of no-change with typical accuracy rates of approximately 95%." VIS_ID 1634 ANZLIC: ANZNS0208000146

The operational map for Swamp Sclerophyll Forest (SSF) was constructed to resolve long-standing issues surrounding its identification, location and extent within the NSW State Forest estate covered by the coastal Integrated Forestry Operation Agreements. The map was constructed in two parts, with State Forests to the north of Sydney being mapped in a separate process to those to the south of Sydney. We did this to minimise the risk that relationships between regional vegetation communities and the TEC would be confounded or masked by geographical variation or other major ecological gradients, which might otherwise be a significant risk if we had treated the full latitudinal range of the TEC as a single study area. In total, we assessed 1,218,000 hectares of State Forest across coastal NSW. This consisted of 868,000 hectares of State Forest on the north coast and more than 350,000 hectares of State Forest on the south coast. In both study areas, the project’s Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) Reference Panel (the Panel) preceded the assessment process by reviewing the determination for SSF and agreeing upon a set of diagnostic parameters for its identification. The Panel found that SSF is primarily defined by floristic plot data and that it is mostly located on coastal floodplains and associated alluvial landforms. Following on from these conclusions, we started the mapping process by mapping the distribution of floodplains and alluvial soils and thus identifying possible areas of SSF. For both the north and the south coast we used an existing map of coastal landforms and geology in combination with several fine-scale models of alluvial landform features to determine the likely extent of floodplains and alluvial soils within our study areas. We used aerial photograph interpretation (API) to assess the floristic and structural attributes of the vegetation cover on our modelled alluvial environments, and thus delineated polygons likely to contain SSF. We also used API to modify the boundaries of the modelled alluvial areas using a prescribed list of eucalypt, casuarina and melaleuca species in combination with the interpretation of landform elements relevant to alluvial and floodplain environments. We then compiled floristic plot data for all State Forest areas within our modelled alluvial landforms and API polygons. For both the north and the south coast the floristic plot data was sourced from both existing flora surveys held in the OEH VIS database and from targeted flora surveys conducted specifically for this project. We compared these plots with those previously assigned to flora communities listed in the determination of SSF. Both dissimilarity-based methods and multivariate regression methods were used for the comparison. The results of the comparison were then used to assess the likelihood that the plots in State forests belonged to one or more of the communities listed in the SSF determination. Following this, we developed a predictive statistical model of the probability of occurrence of SSF using plot data and a selection of environmental and remote-sensing variables. For the north coast, we used a Random Forest model, while for the south coast we used a Boosted Regression Tree model. To create the operational map, we assigned every mapped API polygon to SSF if appropriate based on the plot data, over-storey and understorey attributes, landform features and modelled probabilities underlying each API polygon. In total, we mapped approximately 1131 hectares of SSF across out study area. Operational TEC Mapping have been derived by API at a viewing scale between 1-4000 using ADS40 50 cm pixel imagery and 1 m derived LIDAR DEM grids for floodplain EECs.

"This map and report (cited below) present the results of research on the rate of change of native woody vegetation in the Central New South Wales wheatbelt. The study was carried out over three years and analysed vegetation change between the 1980s and 2000. The project tested methods to map changes in native woody vegetation using direct visual inspection of readily available Landsat TM satellite imagery. NPWS mapping of native woody vegetation types within the wheatbelt provided the 1980s baseline information for the study. Clearing was identified on the satellite images and digitised. The resulting clearing maps were used to produce updated maps of remaining native woody vegetation for each monitoring period. Systematic validation of the mapping was done by comparison with specially flown, fine-scale aerial photography. Validation results showed that the mapping consistently and accurately distinguished between clearing and areas of no-change with typical accuracy rates of approximately 95%." VIS_ID 1631 ANZLIC: ANZNS0208000146

Export DataAccess APIAdministrative Boundaries Theme - State ForestPlease Note WGS 84 service aligned to GDA94 This dataset has spatial reference [WGS 84 ≈ GDA94] which may result in misalignments when viewed in GDA2020 environments. A similar service with a ‘multiCRS’ suffix is available which can support GDA2020, GDA94 and WGS 84 ≈ GDA2020 environments. In due course, and allowing time for user feedback and testing, it is intended that the original service name will adopt the new multiCRS functionality.Metadata Portal Metadata InformationContent TitleNSW Administrative Boundaries Theme - State ForestContent TypeHosted Feature LayerDescriptionNSW State Forest is a dataset within the Administrative Boundaries theme (FSDF). It represents gazetted areas reserved for forestry purposes. The NSW Forestry Corporation is responsible for this dataset. Any changes that occur to the dataset should have a reference in the authority of reference feature class in the Land Parcel and Property theme. There is no overall accuracy reported in the database.Features are typically positioned in alignment within the extents of the Land Parcel and Property polygons changes impact this dataset.Maintained from information sourced from Office of Environment and Heritage and NSW Government Gazette notices.Initial Publication Date05/02/2020Data Currency01/01/3000Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceData provider filesFile TypeESRI File Geodatabase (*.gdb)Attribution© State of New South Wales (Spatial Services, a business unit of the Department of Customer Service NSW). For current information go to spatial.nsw.gov.auCopyright 2023. Forestry Corporation of NSW.Data Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsNSW Administrative Boundaries Theme of the Foundation Spatial Data Framework (FSDF)AccuracyThe dataset maintains a positional relationship to, and alignment with, the Lot and Property digital datasets. This dataset was captured by digitising the best available cadastral mapping at a variety of scales and accuracies, ranging from 1:500 to 1:250 000 according to the National Mapping Council of Australia, Standards of Map Accuracy (1975). Therefore, the position of the feature instance will be within 0.5mm at map scale for 90% of the well-defined points. That is, 1:500 = 0.25m, 1:2000 = 1m, 1:4000 = 2m, 1:25000 = 12.5m, 1:50000 = 25m and 1:100000 = 50m. A program to upgrade the spatial location and accuracy of data is ongoing.Spatial Reference System (dataset)GDA94Spatial Reference System (web service)EPSG:4326WGS84 Equivalent ToGDA94Spatial ExtentFull StateContent LineageFor additional information, please contact us via the Spatial Services Customer HubData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityFor additional information, please contact us via the Spatial Services Customer HubTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationOpen Geospatial Consortium (OGC) implemented and compatible for consumption by common GIS platforms. Available as either cache or non-cache, depending on client use or requirement.Information about the Feature Class and Domain Name descriptions for the NSW Administrative Boundaries Theme can be found in the NSW Cadastral Data Dictionary.Some of Spatial Services Datasets are designed to work together for example NSW Address Point and NSW Address String (table), NSW Property (Polygon) and NSW Property Lot (table) and NSW Lot (polygons). To do this you need to add a Spatial Join.A Spatial Join is a GIS operation that affixes data from one feature layer’s attribute table to another from a spatial perspective.To see how NSW Address, Property, Lot Geometry data and tables can be spatially joined, download the Data Model Document. Data CustodianNSW Forestry Corporation121-131 Oratava AveWest Pennant HillsGeneral inquiries: info@fcnsw.com.auPoint of ContactPlease contact us via the Spatial Services Customer HubData AggregatorDCS Spatial Services346 Panorama AveBathurst NSW 2795Data