Vegetation Map of the Macquarie Marshes - This map includes a vegetation survey for 1991 carried out by Bob Wilson as a contract for NSW NPWS. All surveys provide a detailed map of upper canopy vegetation that has been interpreted from aerial photography. Mapping shows major vegetation associations and dominant flora. The complete set of maps and surveys is referenced as 'Macquarie Marshes Vegetation Surveys' in the Status Report, Vegetation Mapping in the Central West Region, Department of Land and Water Conservation 1998. pp73-75. Historical Vegetation Mapping in the Macquarie Marshes 1949-1991. This study aimed to quantify changes in the distribution of nine tree species in the Macquarie Marshes from 1949 to 1991. Aerial photography was digitised to produce GIS maps from both years, which were then compared to determine the changes in distribution over the 42 year period. Changes in distribution did not follow the same pattern for all tree species over the mapped period. While the River Red Gum community was found to be stable in its distribution, Black Box recorded a 38% decline in distribution over the same period. Land clearing represented the single greatest impact upon eucalypt distribution between the years 1949-1991. By contrast the acacias and dryland species expanded in ditribution over the same period, often exploiting areas from which eucalypts had been cleared. VIS_ID 794

This study aimed to map the changes in the distribution of 9 tree species in the Macquarie Marshes from 1949 to 1991. VIS_ID 820

This wetland vegetation map is produced from air photo interpretation techniques and imagery acquired in June 2022. Map development began with the collection of high-resolution aerial colour (Red-Green-Blue) imagery. The imagery was provided as an orthographic mosaic (ie a straight down view) with a 40 cm ground sampling distance covering the whole study area. This formed the primary input of information for vegetation extent mapping. Several interpreters were then trained in Aerial Photographic Interpretation (API) to visually analyse the imagery to identify and delineate different vegetation types. The Aerial Photographic Interpretation separated vegetation types using spectral characteristics, colour, texture, shape, spatial patterns and associations with predictive environmental layers (such as flood frequency categories, elevation and geomorphology type). Existing survey data was also used to help identify vegetation types from imagery. This included BioNet species data, floristic data and other grey literature. Oblique aerial handheld photos captured from a helicopter were also sourced from another project to inform the aerial imagery interpretation. A subset of the available oblique handheld photos was selected to correspond to the timing (within two years) of the 40cm aerial imagery acquired for vegetation map development. The subset of oblique handheld photos adopted to inform the air photo interpretation included photos collected between January 2022 to April 2023 at the Macquarie Marshes. A polygon layer divided into small regions was sourced to overlay on the 40cm aerial imagery. This spatial layer was produced using the Definiens eCognition software package. The polygon layer was generated with a computer-based image analysis tool known as segmentation. Inputs to the segmentation tool included a set of raster datasets with a 5m grid cell size. The segmentation tool produced a spatial layer of ‘segments’ or very small polygons based on the combined spectral and textural features of the input rasters (Roff et al., 2022). The segmented layer was overlayed on the 40cm aerial imagery. Interpreters then manually selected groups of segments and assigned classes (‘attributes’) to the polygons to delineate vegetation patterns. The use of the segmented spatial layer enabled more efficient mapping, as interpreters did not have to manually draw polygon linework with a mouse. Vegetation patterns were interpreted from the high-resolution 40cm aerial imagery at a scale of 1:25 000 for non-flood dependent vegetation and at a scale of 1:10 000 for wetland communities. The minimum map unit (smallest polygon) was 2 ha. Selected polygons from the segmentation process were initially assigned to an artificial class referred to as a Vegetation Photo Pattern (VPP), analogous to NSW Vegetation Classes (for more information on NSW Vegetation Classes see https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/biodiversity/nsw-bionet/the-nsw-vegetation-classification-framework ). The VVPs were aligned with plant community types (PCTs) as described in the NSW BioNet Vegetation Classification Database (see https://vegetation.bionet.nsw.gov.au/). The accuracy of the map wetland vegetation functional groups was assessed using 505 independently collected field validation points. The overall accuracy was 0.74 and the Kappa statistic was 0.67. Each wetland PCT was also aligned to a vegetation functional group corresponding to the vegetation objectives in the Macquarie Marshes Long Term Watering Plan. Accuracies and 95% confidence intervals for map individual map classes were: Non woody wetland: 0.89 (0.84 to 0.94) Flood dependent woodland: 0.71 (0.61 to 0.81) River red gum forest: 0.24 (0.00 to 0.41) River red gum woodland: 0.73 (0.64 to 0.81) Terrestrial vegetation: 0.73 (0.65 to 0.81) Non-native or other (includes pasture, cropping, infrastructure, dams): Not assessed. No field survey data. This mapping project was funded by the NSW Water

Vegetation communities of the Gwydir and Mehi floodplain in 2008 were mapped by updating the linework and attributes of the 2005 Gwydir vegetation map (McCosker 2007) using digital aerial photography (40cm and 50cm pixels) taken from 17 March to 12 July 2008 and field surveys conducted in March and April 2008 and February 2009. See Bowen and Simpson 2009. VIS_ID 3921 NB. The spatial dataset VIS_ID 3922 has been retired, having been superceded by: Vegetation communities of the Gwydir Wetlands 2008 and 2015. VIS_ID 4686

This dataset is the Plant Community Type (PCT) mapping for the Crinolyn and Windella Ramsar sites of the Gwydir wetlands based on from the tree demographic and full floristic plot vegetation surveys undertaken by Eco Logical Australia from 12 April to 16 April 2023 under the NSW Department of Planning and Environment Gwydir Reconnecting Watercourse Country Program. Within Crinolyn, three PCTs were recorded, two of which (PCT 40 and 53) occur in two distinct forms and form the dominant vegetation communities within the site. A total of four PCTs were recorded within Windella, one of which (PCT 53) occurs in two distinct forms. Coolabah woodland (PCT 40a and 40b) occupied a considerable extent (33.02 ha combined) of Crinolyn and the presence of dead Coolabah throughout areas of PCT 53a, indicate a greater previous extent of Coolabah woodland within and surrounding the site. The extent of Coolabah woodland (PCT 40b) across Windella is less extensive, consisting mostly of patches featuring one mature tree and surrounding saplings and seedlings. PCT 182, characterised by dense stands of Typha domingensis (Narrow-leaved Cumbungi), dominates the central and southern portions of Windella. Following recent inundation, Narrow-leaved Cumbungi is widespread across the majority of the site, featuring as a measurable component of the remaining three other PCTs. A total of two tree demographic / full floristic plots and four full floristic monitoring plots were established in both the Crinolyn and Windella Ramsar sites. A total of 70 flora species (comprising 50 native and 20 exotic species) were recorded within Crinolyn full floristic plots, whilst a total of 48 flora species (comprising 33 native and 15 exotic species) were recorded within Windella full floristic plots. Condition class schemas developed for flood-dependent PCTs were applied to Crinolyn and Windella full floristic plot data. Condition class results were consistent for PCTs across both Crinolyn and Windella, with PCT 40 plots (PCT 40a and 40b) assessed as either Intermediate/Poor or Intermediate, whilst PCT 53a plots ranged from Intermediate to Good or Excellent/Benchmark and PCT 182 plots were assessed as Intermediate. A total of 45 trees were assessed within the two tree demographic plots (CRIN_3 – PCT 40b and CRIN_6 – PCT 40 a) established and surveyed within Crinolyn Coolabah woodland patches. Despite the two plots occurring in the two different forms of Coolabah woodland (PCT 40a and PCT 40b), major differences in tree condition between the two sites were not apparent. A total of 65 trees were assessed within the two tree demographic plots (WIND_2 and WIND_3 – both PCT 40 b) established and surveyed within Windella Coolabah woodland patches. Both plots recorded consistent results, reflective of the similar structure of the Coolabah woodland patches present within Windella. Landscape features or structures present within and surrounding the Crinolyn and Windella Ramsar sites which may influence inundation and hydrological regimes were noted during the field survey, most evidently drainage channels that have been constructed within both sites. Both drainage channels influence the flow of water across both sites and in doing so, also influence the distribution and composition of vegetation within the sites. Away from site boundaries, and apart from Phyla canescens (Lippia) which was widespread across both sites, weed cover was generally low and no listed weed species for the region were recorded during field surveys (Local Land Services 2017). Crinolyn and Windella Ramsar sites contain vegetation reflective of functioning wetland systems which vary in form and condition across their extent, and in addition to their individual ecological value, are an important part of the wider Gwydir Wetlands. At a broader scale, the separation of the sites from one another and surrounding wetlands is apparent, as is the influence of external factors such as the scale and intensity of

Mapping of the vegetation occurring on the Lower Macquarie River Floodplain between Gin Gin Weir (Trangie), Marebone Weir, Colane and Belah Dam (Nyngan) (approximately 3561km2) was conducted from air photo interpretation. Areas comprising predominantly natural vegetation was mapped at a scale of 1:50, 000, with a resolution of approximately 20 metres. Twenty different vegetation types, including wetland, floodplain and drier-country types were identified from analysis of floristic data collected from 90 quadrats. (VIS_ID 1032)

Vegetation community mapping for Macquarie Nature Reserve by Cathy Mardell, 1995. VIS_ID 441

This record is now superseded. The current record can be found here: https://datasets.seed.nsw.gov.au/dataset/lake-macquarie-lga-vegetation-community-map-2022-vis_id-5117 Lake Macquarie City Council Working Composite Vegetation Community Map undertaken by Stephen Bell and Colin Driscoll from 2008 - 2013. A staged approach has been adopted by Council, to allow for funding as it becomes available. Stage 1 of the project focused on the Wyee to Cooranbong portion of the LGA, while Stage 2 examined the Glendale–Bolton Point–Seahampton area. Stage 5 focused on the north-eastern area of the City, extending north from Belmont in the south, and adjoining the Stage 2 area near Glendale. Stages 4 and 6 have not yet commenced. In total, approximately 46,270 ha have been included within Stages 1-3 and 5. Previous classification and mapping studies have also been amalgamated to form the basis of a city-wide vegetation map, which will be progressively amended and improved as further funding becomes available. Both mapping projects adopt the LHCCREMS 2000 vegetation classification as their structural framework, but with updated sub-community and new community allocations informed through preliminary regional multivariate data analysis undertaken for unrelated projects elsewhere in the region. VIS_ID 2307 Map footprint supplied only. Contact Lake Macquarie Council for access to the vegetation map.

Port Macquarie Hastings Shire Council Vegetation Mapping undertaken by Biolink Ecological Consultants from Nov 2012 to March 2013. The Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Area encompasses an area of approximately 368,610ha between Taree and Kempsey on the mid-north coast of NSW. Field survey commenced in May 2010 and was completed in November 2012, the latter period also allowing for ground-truthing and further refinement of mapped communities. Collectively, a total of 457 field sites were sampled, comprising 219 sites conforming to requirements of Modules 1 & 2 of the NVTS and 238 Rapid Assessment sites; converted data from a further 138 field sites associated with earlier studies was also utilized. A total of 611 plant species from 131 Families were recorded from the field sites. The mapping project captured approximately 115,922ha of vegetation in 12,967 discrete polygons. Vegetation mapping was undertaken in two stages and involved polygon capture down to a minimum patch size of 0.25ha (0.1ha for littoral rainforest) using task-specific software and a combination of satellite, aerial and digital imagery. Excluding National Park and State Forest estate approximately 115,922ha of remnant vegetation was captured for purposes of the mapping project. Once captured, polygons were internally partitioned by hand. Field survey involved a combination of formal 0.04ha floristic plots sampled in accord with Modules 1 and 2 of the NSW Government’s Native Vegetation Type Standard. Less detailed but similarly quantitative “rapid” assessments were also undertaken in other areas, supported by foot-, vehicle- and air-based traverses for ground truthing purposes. Available data from other studies was also employed to assist the mapping process. The vegetation dataset also includes field attribute classifications for the PMHC Koala Habitat Management Plan. Data were reviewed by Darkheart Eco-Consultancy in 2014. These data supersede VIS_ID 3925. Two updated datasets: PortMacquarieLGA_2014_E_4205: vegetation communities PortMacquarieLGA_EEC_2014_E_4206: EEC data VIS_ID 4205 VIS_ID 4206