It is a powerful information resource benefitting landholders, environmental planners and local communities by showing the extent of native plant communities in New South Wales.
What is the State Vegetation Type Map?
The State Vegetation Type Map (SVTM) is a regional-scale map of the 3 levels of the NSW vegetation classification hierarchy.
It maps the distribution of each plant community type (PCT), vegetation class and vegetation formation across all tenures in New South Wales.
There are 2 separate map products.
- The State Vegetation Type Map extant map shows the distribution of the plant community types within the limits of present-day native vegetation cover across New South Wales.
- The State Vegetation Type Map pre-clearing map displays the likely distribution of plant community types before the loss of native vegetation cover. The pre-clearing map for central New South Wales is currently in preparation.
The State Vegetation Type Map helps government, business and the community to understand the composition and relative importance of native vegetation in their local area. It helps decision makers to better recognise the different groupings of native vegetation in their area and make more informed land management or conservation investment decisions.
By using the map, land use planning and on-ground actions are better matched to the characteristics of the vegetation being managed. For example, it facilitates selection of the best native species mix to rehabilitate disturbed areas.
Watch the video: Introduction to the State Vegetation Type Map.
How do I get the map?
The State Vegetation Type Map is available from a number of sources. Each source offers access to the same maps but with different features depending on viewing and data needs.
The Trees Near Me NSW app provides quick access to view the map using a mobile device or desktop. Download the app for Google Play or the App Store from the Trees Near Me NSW app site.
Watch the video: Introduction to the Trees Near Me NSW app.
The map can also be viewed on the SEED portal (Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data).
The SEED portal also gives access to the web map service and the ability to download map products as a GIS package.
Mapping methods overview
The State Vegetation Type Map is created and maintained using a method for regional-scale mapping of plant community types (PCTs). The State Vegetation Type Map method can be found in the NSW State Vegetation Type Map technical notes.
The method uses on-ground surveys, aerial and satellite photograph interpretation and landscape models to map the most likely plant community types. While much of the map is regional-scale information, some fine-scale mapping has been selectively included.
We will include further fine-scale mapping in the future, as well as updates and revisions as better information becomes available. Systematic validation of the maps is progressively undertaken by independent ecologists and reported as part of the annual update.
Watch the video: Ecological mapping
Watch the video: Mapping vegetation photo patterns
How reliable are regional-scale vegetation maps?
The map's overall spatial precision (line work) is about 5 metres. Spatial precision is facilitated by computer-generated feature recognition software.
Aerial photographic interpretation is prepared between 1:10000 and 1:20000 scale.
Attribution accuracy (plant community type) depends on the number of vegetation classes being mapped and the quality and number of surveys available for each plant community type.
Some plant community types can be mapped with high accuracy, reliably representing their distribution. Others have very little survey information available, so accuracy of the map will be limited. Some plant community types have so little survey data that they cannot be mapped at a regional scale.
We are validating the State Vegetation Type Map iteratively as resources become available. Our general aim is to ensure that it averages at least 70% accuracy on the ground.
Keeping maps current
The State Vegetation Type Map is designed to be routinely updated as better information becomes available. Annual map updates are coordinated with the maintenance of plant community types. Visit Integrated BioNet Vegetation Data for New South Wales.
Anyone can contribute to ongoing improvement of the map by suggesting new or better information through the Provide feedback button in SEED. Watch a video to see how.
Older regional maps were incorporated into the new single statewide State Vegetation Type Map at release C1.1M1.0 (September 2022). Older regional coverages will still be available from SEED.
The first annual update of the State Vegetation Type Map (C2.0.M2.0) was released in December 2023. Changes to mapping are detailed in the report State Vegetation Type Map release C2.0M2.0. A log of State Vegetation Type Map releases is available.
Plant community type clearing loss estimates
Information about the clearing loss of each plant community type (plant community type percentage cleared) is important for understanding how much native vegetation remains in the landscape. The data quantifies the amount of loss, which informs a range of decision-making processes for conservation planning, threatened ecological communities and threatened species protection, the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS), and the biodiversity values map.
The Eastern NSW plant community type percentage cleared calculation technical notes provides detailed information on the calculation of plant community type percentage cleared values for eastern New South Wales plant community types. The document presents 2 sets of data.
- Raw State Vegetation Type Map plant community type percentage cleared, calculated by comparing the pre-clearing plant community type map and the extant plant community type map.
- Condition weighted State Vegetation Type Map plant community type percentage cleared, which integrates a condition layer into the calculation. This is the plant community type percentage cleared value held in BioNet Vegetation Classification and applicable to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. These figures represent land-use impact on biodiversity at a landscape scale.
The condition layer is available on SEED.
Data relating to the plant community type percentage cleared values are visible in the Extent tab of the plant community type user interface in the BioNet Vegetation Classification application.
The 'condition weighted State Vegetation Type Map plant community type percentage cleared' value is provided for quantitative plant community types. In eastern New South Wales, plant community type percentage cleared values are calculated from pre-clearing and extant mapping.
In central and western New South Wales, the plant community type percentage cleared values were derived by subject matter experts based on first-hand knowledge of the vegetation communities, existing vegetation reports and mapping products. Often, only a plant community type percentage cleared estimate is available.
How do we make sure the maps are prepared in a scientifically rigorous way?
The department adopts the Scientific rigour position statement (PDF 171KB).
Peer review and expert guidance are a key requirement of the statement.
Further detailed information about mapping methods is available in the NSW State Vegetation Type Map: technical notes.
An independent group of highly regarded and experienced scientists from across Australia and New Zealand were invited to advise the department during the development of the State Vegetation Type Map. The peer review group reviewed methods as well as provided directions for improvements.
The methods we use are supported by published scientific literature before use.
Independent ecologists collect validation survey data used to validate the State Vegetation Type Map.