Description: This raster dataset 'NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_MVS_ALB' (or 'aus6_0p_mvs' in GRID format) provides the latest summary information on Australia's Pre-1750 (pre-European, pre-clearing) native vegetation, which has been classified into Major Vegetation Subgroups. It is in Albers Equal Area projection with a 100 m x 100 m (1 Ha) cell size. A comparable present (extant) raster dataset is available: - 'NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_MVS_ALB' (or 'aus6_0e_mvs' in GRID format). For this update, Version 6.0, the extant datasets for Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Western Australia have been updated. An automated, data-driven procedure, followed by thorough manual checks, was undertaken to make any necessary updates to MVG/MVS assignments for WA, VIC, NT, SA and NSW, with any changes being verified by the corresponding state/territory contacts. For Version 5.1, the extant dataset for Tasmania was updated, and gapfilling work was completed for the NSW extant dataset. Some of the rulesets underpinning the assignment of MVGs and MVSs were also updated to improve consistency for their allocation. Version 5.0 substantially standardised the lookup tables (NVIS5_0_LUT_DETAIL and NVIS5_0_LUT_AUST_FLAT). Previously, Version 4.2 updated NSW. For version 4.1 most agencies supplied data to the update. For more detail refer to the associate lookup tables.
Summaries were derived from the best available data in the NVIS extant theme. This product is derived from a compilation of data collected at different scales on different dates by different organisations. Please refer to the separate Key Dataset map showing scales of the input datasets 'NVIS6_0_KEY_DSET_xxx'. Gaps in the NVIS database were filled by non-NVIS data, notably parts of South Australia and small areas of New South Wales such as the Curlewis area. The data represent on-ground dates of up to 2006 in Queensland, 2001 to 2005 in South Australia (depending on the region) and 2004/5 in other jurisdictions, except NSW. NVIS data was partially updated in NSW with 2001-09 data, with extensive areas of 1997 data remaining from the earlier version of NVIS.
Eighty-five (85) Major Vegetation Subgroups were identified for v5.0 to summarise the type and distribution of Australia's native vegetation. The classification contains an emphasis on the structural and floristic composition of the dominant stratum (as with Major Vegetation Groups), but with additional types identified according to typical shrub or ground layers occurring with a dominant tree or shrub stratum.
In a mapping sense, the subgroups reflect the dominant vegetation occurring in a map unit from a mix of several vegetation types. Less-dominant vegetation groups which are also present in the map unit are not shown. For example, the dominant vegetation in an area may be mapped as dominated by eucalypt open forest with a shrubby understorey, although it contains pockets of rainforest, shrubland and grassland vegetation as subdominants.
A number of other non-vegetation and non-native vegetation land cover types are also represented as Major Vegetation Subgroups. These are provided for cartographic purposes, but should not be used for analyses. The (related) Major Vegetation Groups represent the dominant vegetation groups in the dominant stratum and are available as separate raster datasets:
- NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_MVG_ALB
- NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_MVG_ALB
For further background and other NVIS products, please see the links at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/land/native-vegetation/national-vegetation-information-system.
Copyright Text: This raster product is modelled from data originally supplied by the states and territories. The department acknowledges the following departments/organisations: Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT; Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW; Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Northern Territory; Queensland Herbarium, Department of Environment and Science; Department for Environment and Water, South Australia; Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania; Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Agriculture and Food, Western Australia; Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia; Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland; Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE, Australian Government); Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES); Geoscience Australia.