Introduction
Regional ecosystems were defined by Sattler and Williams (1999) as vegetation communities in a bioregion that are consistently associated with a particular combination of geology, landform and soil. Readers should refer to this publication for background information about regional ecosystems and the bioregional planning framework used in Queensland.
Regional ecosystem descriptions presented in Sattler and Williams (1999) were derived from a broad range of existing information sources including land system, vegetation and geology mapping and reports. However, the framework is dynamic and is regularly reviewed as new information becomes available. The Queensland Herbarium has developed a methodology for mapping regional ecosystems across Queensland. This results in regular updates to the descriptions and status of regional ecosystems. Regional ecosystem descriptions in the format of Sattler and Williams (1999) are maintained in the Regional Ecosystem Description Database.
Regional ecosystem data sources
Regional ecosystem mapping currently available.
RE maps and RE data specifically for Vegetation Management purposes are available from the DERM website. Certified Vegetation Management data for whole bioregions are available from the QGIS data download service.
Pre-clearing and remnant regional ecosystem mapping data are available for most of Queensland in shapefile format from the QGIS data download service.
The map shows the area of Queensland where regional ecosystem mapping has been completed at a map scale of either 1:100 000 or 1:50 000 in the areas coloured yellow. In the remaining area, coloured green, ‘remnant vegetation cover’ mapping is available. Some draft data for these areas are also available from the QGIS data download service.
Regional ecosystem classification scheme
The regional ecosystem classification scheme and the associated Biodiversity Planning Assessments are part of the biodiversity planning framework, developed to assist planning for biodiversity both on and off reserve. The framework has been incorporated into several planning initiatives including the development of guidelines for clearing on leasehold lands under the Lands Act 1994 and the Vegetation Management Act 1999, the preparation of, or amendments to, local government planning schemes, the assessment of the comprehensiveness, adequacy and representativeness of the conservation reserve network and as a guide for proactive conservation actions by government and non-government organisations.
Definitions
- Pre-clearing vegetation is defined as the vegetation present before clearing.
- Remnant woody vegetation is defined as vegetation that has not been cleared or vegetation that has been cleared but where the dominant canopy has >70% of the height and >50% of the cover relative to the undisturbed height and cover of that stratum and is dominated by species characteristic of the vegetation's undisturbed canopy. For further clarification of the definition and mapping methods of remnant vegetation see Neldner et al. (2005).
Last updated 20 October 2011