Vegetation Information System
The NSW Vegetation Information System (VIS) provides the NSW Government, its clients and the community with a central authoritative repository for native vegetation data.
Information about vegetation is used widely within government for a range of activities, for example, by the Rural Fire Service for fire management, by catchment management authorities (CMAs) for monitoring the effectiveness of their land-use planning, and by local government for environmental management and planning.
The VIS provides users with consistent, reliable and integrated information about NSW vegetation by developing publicly accessible databases and standards, and by refining data acquisition, management and delivery procedures.
The VIS is made up of a number of separate components arranged under three topics. Explore these links for more detail:
What’s new
The full VIS FloraSurvey database is now available on-line as a module of the new NSW Wildlife Atlas. To enter, query or export systematic vegetation plot data you will need to apply for a login here. This system currently contains over 60,000 survey sites. A more limited read-only version of this application is available through the OEH BioNet-Atlas website and does not require a login
The NSW plant community type (PCT) classification, established as the NSW master community-level classification, has recently been updated with a new vegetation classification for the greater hunter region. Access the latest PCT via the VIS Classification database.
A Plant Community Type Identification Tool has been developed to support the field identification of NSW plant community types and NSW Vegetation Formations. The tool can be accessed either on-line through the VIS Classification database, or as a downloadable application for use in the field.
A new project has commenced to develop standard product specifications for native vegetation mapping in NSW. Find out more at Native vegetation map product specifications.
VIS development process
The VIS is being developed in two stages: Stage 1 focusing on consolidating information into centralised and accessible databases is now complete. Stage 2 is underway and will take several years to complete. This will deliver a fully integrated vegetation information delivery system.
The VIS project is driven by user requirements (NSWVISUserRequirements.pdf, 522KB). It identifies and defines the major stakeholders for native vegetation information systems, their current business needs and details their requirements for a VIS.
The VIS project is funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage, Catchment Action NSW (2009-2012) and the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust/National Action Plan for Salinity and Water (2007-2009).
More information
Access to the component databases is free. Some online applications require users to register while others have unrestricted access. Detailed explanations and instructions are available on the relevant pages.
Please contact vis@environment.nsw.gov.au.with questions about the VIS project, systems or resources.
Page last updated: 01 February 2013
