Vegetation Types Database
The Vegetation Types Database contains vegetation types that were developed for each of the 13 Catchment Management Authority (CMA) areas. It was originally created for use with the BioMetric tool under the Native Vegetation Act 2003.
Most of the vegetation types comprise the original vegetation types (i.e. pre-clearing, or pre-1750) in each CMA area. However a small number of derived vegetation types are also listed, especially where the original vegetation type no longer exists or where the vegetation type occurs both naturally and as a derived community.
Each vegetation type is defined for field identification purposes on the basis of the following attributes, where relevant:
- dominant canopy species
- main associated species
- landscape position
- characteristic mid-storey species
- characteristic groundcover species
- other diagnostic features.
Additionally, each vegetation type is assigned to a broader vegetation class and overarching vegetation formation (Keith, 2004). A percent cleared estimate (rounded to nearest 5 percent) is provided for each vegetation type in the relevant CMA area. Information to assist in the assessment of derived vegetation is provided in the BioBanking Operational Manual.
Keith, D. (2004) Ocean shores to desert dunes: the native vegetation of New South Wales and the ACT. NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville.