A dataset of Native Vegetation Extent for NSW, prepared for the NRAC grassland mapping project NRP009 PART B. Raster grid, NSWVEGEXT08, with a land cover classification representing an experimental native non-woody and native woody vegetation extent. THIS DATASET IS NOT SUITABLE FOR USE IN THE FORMAL REPORTING OF NATIVE VEGETATION EXTENT. It is a composite product, synthesising inputs from a MODIS time series data cube (2000-2008), an fpc thresholded (SLATS) woody mask, and OEH's NSW Land Use vector layer (for woody nativeness).

The purpose of the Superior National Forest (SNF) study was to improve our understanding of the relationship between remotely sensed observations and important biophysical parameters in the boreal forest. A key element of the experiment was the development of methodologies to measure forest stand characteristics to determine values of importance to both remote sensing and ecology. Parameters studied were biomass, leaf area index, above ground net primary productivity, bark area index and ground coverage by vegetation. Thirty two quaking aspen and thirty one black spruce sites were studied. For the aspen sites, in each plot a visual estimation of the percent coverage of the canopy, subcanopy and understory vegetation was made. The site averages of these coverage estimates are presented in this data set.

A NSW Native Vegetation Extent layer prepared for the National Land and Water Resources Audit 2008. This represents native vegetation extent at 2006. A number of other useful intermediate products are also available. Woody and non-woody vegetation extent covers all of NSW. Native and exotic subclasses cover almost all of NSW, except for Sydney and other small areas where landuse data are currently unavailable. Vegetation classifications are not finalised. Refinement of SLATS FPC and watermask data is continuing. The native/exotic subclasses may change as landuse information/interpretation is refined, and other potential data sources are examined.

The NSW 5m Woody Extent is a state-wide binary classification of woody vegetation derived from multitemporal 5m SPOT-5 satellite imagery. The product broadly identifies isolated tree crowns as well as contigous forest at a 5m resolution. This latest map of woody vegetation extent for NSW is the highest detailed to date. It shows the location and extent of woody vegetation in NSW for the year 2011. It can be used to identify small features such as paddock trees and trees in scattered woodlands, to the largest expanses of forest in the state. It is intended for use in non-urban environments and its accuracy for urban environments has not been assessed. The dataset is also used as a spatial constraint for a seamless map of woody foliage projection cover (FPC). FPC is the fraction of the ground that is obscured by green leaf, and is a measure of density. The FPC dataset is delivered as a separate map to the woody extent (although it is constrained by it), and it can also be requested from the OEH data broker. The woody extent product was derived from user-driven thresholds on an index of woody probability. The probability was calculated from a binomial logistic regression model on multi-temporal data. The model utilsed the statistics from SPOT-5 imagery over 2008-2012 and referenced over 26000 training points. Comprehensive manual corrections were also performed throughout 2013-2014 at a scale of 1:15000. The dataset is provided in 8-bit raster format with the following attributes values: 1 = Woody 0 = Non-Woody 255 = null (either outside the NSW boundary or a perennial water feature) Overall state accuracy is recorded at 90.1% when compared to Lidar datasets (see lineage for more information), and 88% when compared to 6670 visually derived validation points. Although this dataset has undergone extensive manual corrections, the accuracy for specific regions may vary considerably. http://www.auscover.org.au/xwiki/bin/view/Product+pages/nsw+5m+woody+extent+and+fpc

This vegetation map shows the extant distributions of vegetation formations and classes throughout NSW, and provides users with information about the resolution, currency and uncertainties in the underlying data that were used to assemble the map. Data represents NSW native vegetation extent, compiled from various vegetation maps using methods outlined in Simpson et al. (2011) and in Keith and Simpson (2010). The NSW vegetation map (version 2.2, Keith and Simpson 2006) was revised by interpreting additional candidate maps as vector layers and synthesising these into a single raster-based data set. This involved eight steps: developing a comprehensive ‘standard’ classification of vegetation classes for NSW; collating and standardising the projection and format of candidate source maps; assigning vegetation units of source maps to NSW vegetation classes; assessing the spatial resolution, currency and reliability of candidate source maps; assembling a composite map from candidate source maps to maximise reliability; applying a spatial mask to represent extant native vegetation; adjusting spatial resolution by dissolving small polygons and converting to 200 m raster; attributing the spatial resolution, currency and reliability of the underlying source data sets. The classification of 106 vegetation classes described by Keith (2004) was adopted as the framework for preparation of version 3.03 of the NSW vegetation map. Polygons from the “Estuarine macrophytes CCA” dataset of less than 0.1 ha were eliminated. For all other datasets polygons of less than 2 ha were eliminated. The map incorporates data from a statewide woody vegetation mask from the NSW Woody Vegetation Change Detection Program (Kitchen et al. 2010). The map is presented as a raster within an ESRI ArcGIS (9.3) geodatabase. Supersedes Keith and Simpson (2006), Keith (2004) and Pressey et al. (2000). Pressey et al. (2000) was the native veg extent product used to calculate native veg cover values for the Over-Cleared Landscapes Database prior to July 2006. References: Keith D. A. (2004) Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes: The native vegetation of New South Wales and the ACT. Department of Environment and Conservation, Sydney. Keith, D. A. and Simpson, C. C. (2010) Vegetation Formations of NSW (version 3.0): A seamless map for modelling fire spread and behaviour. Report to the Rural Fire Service. NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change. October 2010. Keith, D. A. and Simpson, C. C. (2006). A protocol for assessment and integration of vegetation maps, with an application to spatial data sets from south-eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 33, 761–774. Pressey, R.L., Hager, T.C., Ryan, K.M., Schwarz, J., Wall, S., Ferrier, S. and Creaser, P.M. (2000). Using abiotic data for conservation assessments over extensive regions: quantitative methods applied across New South Wales, Australia. Biological Conservation 96, 55-82

Data represents NSW native vegetation extent, compiled from various vegetation maps using method outlined in (Keith and Simpson 2006). Data is also known as Keith and Simpson (2006) Version 002. Includes 4 layers i) woody native veg extent (natwdy_002), ii) non-woody native veg extent (rgrass002), and iii) secondary grassland extent (sgrass002). natwdy002 and rgrass002 are combined to create total NSW native veg extent (extveg_002). Data was developed for use in the July 2006 Biometric tool update, and specifically the update of the Over-Cleared Landscapes database, which underpins the NSW Property Vegetation Planning (PVP) process. Supersedes Keith (2004) and Pressey et al. (2000). Pressey et al. (2000) was the native veg extent product used to calculate native veg cover values for the Over-Cleared Landscapes Database prior to July 2006. (also see (Keith and Simpson,in press)

Identifies areas across NSW where the greatest benefit to NSW plant biodiversity is achieved by restoring native vegetation This layer is one of four approaches to vegetation management, comprising: Manage benefits highlights remaining examples of highly cleared vegetation types Improve benefits highlights where remaining examples of highly cleared vegetation types can be improved in condition Restore benefits highlights where to restore highly cleared vegetation types in cleared landscapes Landscape benefits highlights areas that contribute to the connectivity between extant native vegetation. Includes existing vegetation and locations to restore lost linkages. Version 1.0 (2012) produced for the Draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy (see this report). Data is relevant to 2012 Version 2.2 (2020) produced for data relevant to 2017 and 2020. The 2020 data only differs from 2017 by incorporating fire extent and severity data. Future updates of the layer will reflect whatever ecological recovery has occurred by that date More information For more detail see NSW Native Vegetation Management Benefits Analyses Technical report (2012), this technical report (2020), and this scientific paper on the method (2014). Climate-informed versions of the manage benefits and restore benefits (v.1) can be found here.

Various vegetation Extent and Nativeness products, that include: the delineation by woody and non-woody; and maps of the uncertainty associated with assignment of extent and nativeness. The primary product is a NSW Native Vegetation Extent layer prepared for the National Land and Water Resources Audit 2008. This represents native vegetation extent at 2006. A number of other useful intermediate products are also available. Full report is available from http://maps.environment.nsw.gov.au ; ; VEGETATION EXTENT was derived from interim Foliage Projected Cover (FPC) data (FPC 00,02,04,06) prepared by the DECC's Woody Vegetation Change Detection Program in early 2008. FPC is generated from Statewide Landcover And Trees Study (SLATS) methodology, developed in Queensland by Qld Dept of Natural Resources and recently applied in NSW. The SLATS program applies a series of algorithms on Landsat TM data to produce FPC values ranging from 0-100 percent. A threshold (or thresholds) are applied to the FPC data to separate woody from non-woody vegetation. NATIVENESS was derived from interim NSW Land-use Mapping data (Emery et. al), and then used to ascertain whether vegetation may be native or non-native.; ; CAVEAT:Vegetation extent and nativeness layers generated for this project are interim in nature and are subject to ongoing refinement. While these products represent the best available estimate of vegetation extent and nativeness at this time they will be improved overtime and hence are not suitable for accurate reporting of vegetation change

The NSW Native Vegetation Area Clearing Estimate (NVACE) is a statewide spatial vector layer estimating the presence and absence of native vegetation at 2020. The NVACE does not discriminate different types of native vegetation. The NVACE dataset has been developed by DPE to provide guidance on whether a development exceeds the Area Clearing Threshold for entry into the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS), as guided by Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 s7.2. The NVACE uses best available primary and supplementary datasets to identify areas where native woody and non-woody vegetation occurs. Due to datasets being of different ages and resolution, errors of commission and omission may be included. The dataset is subject to limitations of scale and accuracy which need to be considered when applying the dataset. The limitations are more fully described in the method (see web link below). The NVACE data is intended to provide guidance on the presence or absence of native vegetation only. The dataset was first published by NSW Department Planning and Environment (DPE) in 2023 and will be updated intermittently. Primary published datasets used in the creation of NVACE Version 1 include: NSW Native Vegetation Extent 5m raster NSW Landuse 2017 The NVACE is refined using a combination of datasets to remove known areas of clearing, for example, Statewide Landcover and Tree Survey (SLATS) data for woody vegetation and non woody vegetation change clearing events from Non-Woody Landcover Disturbance Program (NWD). The Geoscape Surface Cover raster is used to refine native vegetation in urban areas. Components are used to remove roads and swimming pools and add increased resolution tree canopies. Land identified as Category 1 exempt under the amended Local Land Services act 2013 has been removed from NVACE as per the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Small polygons resulting from editing the NVACE are removed as artefacts. A more detailed description of the methodology is published and provided on the DPE website. Together with the Biodiversity Values Map, the NVACE forms the basis for determining whether a local development (Part 4 NSW EP&A Act) should be assessed for inclusion in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. A development which is required to be assessed for clearing of native vegetation in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme may then potentially require biodiversity offsets against any losses undertaken as part of the development. The dataset is primarily available to be displayed at a property scale when preparing a Biodiversity Map and Threshold (BMAT) report but may be provided on application to users in a spatial data format. More information on the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme can be viewed here: About the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme | NSW Environment and Heritage The Biodiversity Values Map homepage, containing links to the BMAT tool and other related BOS information can be viewed here: Biodiversity Values Map | NSW Environment and Heritage

The cht stage raster shows the extent of woody vegetation at 2008 and also shows the percentage Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) for the woody areas. It is based on a time series of Landsat FPC images from 1988-2008 and uses time series statistics in decision tree approach to identify woody areas and asign an FPC value to them. A companion chu stage raster indicates the rules applied for assigning the FPC ot non-woody codes in the cht raster. The cht raster has been used to generate statistics relating to the woody vegetation cover in NSW. This product is useful for vegetation mapping, modelling and carbon accounting applications.; ; This FPC data can also be interpreted as woody basal area and biomass using look-up tables based on allometric equations using image mosaic files covering NSW or MGA Zones.