State Vegetation Type Map for New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The map shows color-coded Plant Community Types (PCTs). Click for the full size image.

To better manage our native vegetation, the New South Wales government is delivering a comprehensive and complete state-wide baseline for the extent and distribution of the different groupings or types of vegetation – the State Vegetation Type Map (SVT Map).

The SVT is based on site surveys, a standard classification system and high resolution spatial representation. With a complete vegetation type map for NSW, for the first time government, business and the community will be able to see what we currently know about the distribution of Plant Community Types for all of NSW. This approach will provide a wide-ranging basis to set conservation priorities instead of just localized and incomplete information.

Plant Community Types (PCTs) are the agreed foundation level for classifying vegetation in NSW and are intended to provide the most ecologically relevant grouping of plant species for a range of purposes not just mapping. For example, site assessments will use this classification unit to describe the vegetation present and compare their current condition with related benchmarks.

Plant communities are complex and dynamic entities that can be challenging to map or even recognize on the ground especially where they have been significantly modified through clearing or logging. Some closely related PCTs can share common species or differ by a particular layer. Boundaries between types are not always distinct. Our understanding of PCTs will continue to change as more site survey data is collected especially in poorly sampled areas.

With the support of the NSW Environmental Trust, a major project was initiated to accelerate the creation of a complete and consistent reference layer for the extent and distribution of the approximately 1300 (PCTs) in NSW–the State Vegetation Type Map.

The State Vegetation Map cannot be expected to be a perfect and timeless representation of the landscape. Rather, it is designed to provide a common basis for vegetation information in NSW that can be readily updated without the need for producing entirely new maps. The underlying skeleton can more easily incorporate new site information and more detailed special-purpose vegetation maps (where compatible) to continuously improve the state wide picture.

For more information about vegetation information please visit our website at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/vinfo.htm

Bob Denholm
Senior Team Leader Vegetation Mapping
Native Vegetation Information Science Branch
Science Division
Office of Environment and Heritage

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The video covers a range of issues relevant to biodiversity issues, beginning with global biodiversity challenges such as climate change and biofuels. In particular, Kathy Willis considers knowledge gaps for mapping biodiversity in the context of ecosystem services given the reality of resource extraction.

The presenters discuss how Earth’s biodiversity is undergoing dramatic change, with species disappearing at an unprecedented rate. Various factors are causing habitat destruction as demand for biofuels and other resources is fueled by growing populations and increasing prosperity.

The video covers how new technologies are allowing researchers to map and monitor ecologically important habitat. In particular the video shows how data from satellites and other technology is helping organizations and corporations to minimize impacts of industrial activities. Researchers also aim to use social technologies such as smartphone apps and crowd sourcing to encourage public participation in biodiversity conservation.

The video was live-streamed February 20, 2014. Speakers include:

• Professor Kathy Willis, Co-Director, Oxford Martin Programme on Resource Stewardship and Director of Science, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
• Dr Peter Long, James Martin Fellow, Biodiversity Institute, Oxford Martin School (Biodiversity Professionals Member)
• Dr Timos Papadopoulos, James Martin Fellow, Biodiversity Institute, Oxford Martin School

The post Using technology to identify and map biodiversity [VIDEO] appeared first on Biodiversity Professionals.