Note: this dataset description is metadata (data about data) which describes the actual dataset in accordance with the ANZLIC Metadata Profile: An Australian/New Zealand Profile of AS/NZS ISO 19115:2005, Geographic information - Metadata.
Abstract:This map and reports (cited below) present the results of research on the rate of change of native woody vegetation in the Central New South Wales wheatbelt. The study was carried out over three years and analysed vegetation change between the 1980s and 2000. The project tested methods to map changes in native woody vegetation using direct visual inspection of readily available Landsat TM satellite imagery. NPWS mapping of native woody vegetation types within the wheatbelt provided the 1980s baseline information for the study. Clearing was identified on the satellite images and digitised. The resulting clearing maps were used to produce updated maps of remaining native woody vegetation for each monitoring period. Systematic validation of the mapping was done by comparison with specially flown, fine-scale aerial photography. Validation results showed that the mapping consistently and accurately distinguished between clearing and areas of no-change with typical accuracy rates of approximately 95%. [VIS_ID 4183]
Purpose:To map the rate of change of native woody vegetation in the Central New South Wales wheatbelt.
Jurisdiction:NSW, Australia
Custodian organisation:Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)
Lineage:Interpretation of various scales (1:50,000,1:80,000,1:85,000) of aerial photography used to define boundaries of native woody vegetation. Boundaries then transferred to 1:100 000 scale maps and digitised using Environmental Resource Mapping System E-RMS. Landsat 1:250,000 satellite images used to define the boundaries of areas cleared of native woody vegetation which were transferred to then digitised from 1:250,000 maps using E-RMS and ArcInfo.
Scope:
Completeness commission:The dataset complete with reference to range and field verification. Native vegetation defined as Greater than 5 percent crown cover. Where cover less than 5 percent, remnants were visited in the field before mapping. Treeless remnants only mapped where observed in the field. Remnants less than 10Ha were not mapped. Limited ground truthing possible as much of the vegetation has been cleared, remnants correlated with existing digital data.
Completeness omission:The dataset complete with reference to range and field verification. Native vegetation defined as Greater than 5 percent crown cover. Where cover less than 5 percent, remnants were visited in the field before mapping. Treeless remnants only mapped where observed in the field. Remnants less than 10Ha were not mapped. Limited ground truthing possible as much of the vegetation has been cleared, remnants correlated with existing digital data.
Logical consistency - conceptual consistency:
Logical consistency - topological consistency:The GIS package ERMS was used to do a topological consistency check to ensure all polygons are closed, nodes are formed at intersection of lines, all polygons are labelled once and there are no duplications. After capture, the coverage was checked against original air photomapping and errors corrected.
Positional accuracy:Precision: Digital data accurate to 100m (deductive estimate). Consistent with cultural (roads) and physical (rivers and dams) attributes at the 1:100 000 map scale.
Attribute accuracy:The Title field describes the vegetation category. Very high degree of accuracy at the 1:250 000 scale. Based on extensive ground truthing at the 1:100 000 scale, objective classification using PATN on 1200 sites and Air photo interpretation.
Distribution format name: Distribution format version: Download data: Available for Download Web Map Service (WMS) for GIS: WMS not available Connect to REST service: REST service not available View in Google Earth: KML file not available Data size:,
Distribution contacts: Position name:Data Broker Organisation:Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Address:PO Box A290, Sydney South, NSW, 1232 Voice:131555Fax:02 9995 5999 Email:data.broker@environment.nsw.gov.au
Access constraints: Use constraints: Use limitation:This data may require negotiation of a data licence agreement before supply. More detail will be provided when the dataset is requested. For further inquiries contact data.broker@environment.nsw.gov.au. Other constraints:
Organisation name:Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Position name:Data Broker Voice:131555Fax:02 9995 5999 Email:data.broker@environment.nsw.gov.au
Sivertsen,D & Metcalfe,L. (1995). Natural vegetation of the southern wheat-belt (Forbes & Cargelligo 1:250000 map sheets). Cunninghamia v4(1):103-128
Bedward M., Sivertsen D.P., Metcalfe L.M., Cox S.J. & Simpson C.S.(2001). Monitoring the rate of native woody vegetation change in the New South Wales wheatbelt. Final Project Report to the Natural Heritage Trust / Environment Australia. (NPWS Sydney).