Guidelines and Field Methodology for Vegetation Survey and Mapping

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SECTION A: GUIDELINES Structural Formation Formation classes defined by growth form and crown separation (woody plants) or foliage cover (ground stratum), and qualified by height class (i.e. NVIS Information Hierarchy Level II – Structural Formation; refer to Chapter 5.1). Walker & Hopkins, 1990 Association Association An association is defined as a climax community of which the dominant stratum has a qualitatively uniform floristic composition and which exhibits uniform structure as a whole. OR A series of climax plant communities which have (i) the same structural characteristics, (ii) the same species as dominants in the uppermost stratum, though (iii) possibly different floristic composition in the understorey, can be grouped together as an association. For each stratum, the association description of the vegetation type should include floristic information for the dominant and/or diagnostic species (maximum of three species per stratum) plus the structural formation (dominant growth form, cover, height are combined). A maximum of three strata (upper, mid & ground; Walker & Hopkins, 1990) are allowed and the dominant stratum is indicated by a plus symbol “+” (i.e. NVIS Information Hierarchy Level V – Association; refer to Chapter 5.1). Beadle & Costin, 1952 NVIS** Sub- Association A sub division of the association determined by a variation in the most important subordinate stratum of the association, without significant qualitative changes in the dominant stratum. Beadle & Costin, 1952 Sub- Association In NVIS, for each layer/sub-stratum, the sub-association description of the vegetation type should include floristic information for the dominant and/or diagnostic species (maximum of five species per sub-stratum) plus the structural formation (dominant growth form, cover & height) are combined. A maximum of eight sub strata are allowed and the dominant sub-stratum is indicated by a plus symbol “+” (i.e. NVIS Information Hierarchy Level VI – Sub-association; refer to Chapter 5.1). * ERIN: Department of Environment and Heritage – Environmental Resources Information Network ** NVIS: Department of Environment and Heritage – National Vegetation Information System NVIS** 3.1 Survey Design The design and implementation of a survey depend on: 1. The purpose of a survey is influenced by the scale of mapping and data detail required. This is clearly defined at the beginning including geographic extent, type of mapping and classification system, and 2. Resources available including funds, staff, equipment and vehicles. The major steps involved include: 1. Establishing the aims and objectives of a survey and required outputs; 2. Defining the methods and procedures to conduct the survey and analyse data; 3. Undertaking an information search for available material and data to assist with all components of the survey; 4. Undertaking the survey (preliminary mapping, field survey, data analysis, final mapping & attribution), and 5. Presentation of results (reports, maps, & meta-data requirements). Northern Territory Guidelines and Field Methodology for Vegetation Survey and Mapping 4
SECTION A: GUIDELINES Currently, the majority of vegetation mapping in the NT is in an exploratory phase where new areas are being mapped rather than existing mapped areas being remapped. The NT therefore generates vegetation maps with static single point descriptions that rarely provide an assessment of baseline condition or trend in vegetation communities. For a diagrammatical overview of vegetation survey and mapping procedures refer to Appendix 2. 3.2 Mapping and Map Production For the purpose of this document, the term unique mapping area and map unit can be used interchangeably. A map unit refers to the predefined delineation of vegetation communities visualised from interpretive material. It is important to note the mapping of vegetation is not an exact science, rather an applied science that imposes boundaries on a transition or continuum; often temporal as well as spatial. It attempts to capture, within a unique mapping area, boundaries that are not always distinctly definable in nature. This boundary or transition zone is called an ecotone and is often found to be more species-rich than either of the communities it separates. An ecotone can be recognised as a community itself, although it is generally difficult to delineate on interpretive material. Vegetation maps are produced assuming communities are established in a manner that can be visualised through interpretation of remote sensing data such as aerial photography or satellite imagery at a point in time. The boundary shown on a map between two vegetation communities is therefore a compromise. 3.3 Classification Systems and NVIS Vegetation classification systems aim to characterise and standardise vegetation descriptions to allow comparison and meaningful groupings of plant species. Many different classification systems exist although most rely on various combinations of floristic and structural attributes (i.e. cover, height & growth form). Some classification systems also incorporate environmental variables such as climate and edaphic factors. Vegetation community composition and structure may vary in both time and space (Beadle & Costin, 1952) making attempts to classify vegetation into classes or categories somewhat arbitrary. Classification is a compromise between the preservation of naturally occurring vegetation communities as fluctuating entities and the need to subdivide them into units for descriptive, comparison or mapping purposes. There is an intimate relationship between classification and mapping; classification strongly affects a map and the purpose of generating a map determines the appropriate classification (Kuchler & Zonneveld, 1988). A diverse range of vegetation survey, classification and mapping systems are used across Australia making it difficult to compare and join vegetation datasets across State and Territory borders. As a result the need for a nationally consistent framework for vegetation survey and mapping was recognised. Northern Territory Guidelines and Field Methodology for Vegetation Survey and Mapping 5
Page 1: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,ENV
Page 4 and 5: PREFACE This document describes the
Page 6 and 7: CONTENTS PREFACE ..................
Page 8 and 9: GLOSSARY...........................
Page 10 and 11: ACRONYMS ANZLIC BRS DEH DEM DVT ERI
Page 13 and 14: SECTION A: GUIDELINES 1.0 INTRODUCT
Page 15: SECTION A: GUIDELINES 3.0 PRINCIPLE
Page 19 and 20: SECTION A: GUIDELINES 4.0 MAPPING P
Page 21 and 22: SECTION A: GUIDELINES Table 3. Data
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Page 27 and 28: SECTION A: GUIDELINES The structura
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Page 31 and 32: SECTION A: GUIDELINES Resource Asse
Page 33 and 34: SECTION A: GUIDELINES DATA ENTRY Ma
Page 35 and 36: SECTION A: GUIDELINES 9.0 FUTURE DE
Page 37 and 38: SECTION A: GUIDELINES Satellite pla
Page 39: SECTION A: GUIDELINES 9.5 Web Serve
Page 43 and 44: SECTION B: FIELD METHODOLOGY 1.0 IN
Page 45 and 46: SECTION B: FIELD METHODOLOGY 2.2 Si
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Page 55 and 56: SECTION B: FIELD METHODOLOGY For la
Page 57 and 58: SECTION B: FIELD METHODOLOGY 5.0 FI
Page 59 and 60: SECTION B: FIELD METHODOLOGY 5.1 Ha
Page 61 and 62: SECTION B: FIELD METHODOLOGY Soil d
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SECTION B: FIELD METHODOLOGY 5.3 Fo
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GLOSSARY CSR Datum Distribution Div
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GLOSSARY Overstorey Physiognomy Pla
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REFERENCES REFERENCES Abed, T. & St
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REFERENCES Meagher, D. (1991) The M
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APPENDICES
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 2: Overview of
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 4: Height Class
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APPENDICES TUSSOCK GRASS Closed Tus
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 6 (continued) D
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 6 (continued) G
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 8: Preliminary
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 10: Definitive
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Disturbance, Succession, adjoining
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 11: IUCN Red Li
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 13: NT Weeds Da
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 14 (continued)
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 16: Field Data
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 17: Field Data
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 17 (continued)
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APPENDICES APPENDIX 19: NT Site Pro
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