CAUTION: NVIS datasets are large and computationally intensive! Please allow sufficient time to plan and execute any geoprocessing of NVIS datasets.

This dataset is a vector layer delineating the extant ('present') native vegetation types across Australia made available for release under CC BY. This dataset is part of a larger compilation of Australian states and territories for the latest release (Version 5.1) of the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS). Each state/territory is available for separate download, due to size limitations.

This dataset comprises part of NVIS Version 5.0. This dataset was also used to develop previous Major Vegetation Groups and Subgroup products (version 3.0 to present). Note that the interpretation of vegetation descriptions (i.e. in the lookup table) may differ between versions.

The comparable estimated Pre-1750 ('pre-clearing', 'pre-European') vegetation are in the following separate dataset(s): NVIS5_1_AUST_PRE_

Feature classes are named - NVIS5_1_AUST_EXT_ or NVIS5_1_AUST_PRE_ .

To use this dataset and display the Level 1-6 hierarchy the field "NVISDSC1" must be joined to the field "NVIS_ID" in the lookup table, available for separate: NVIS5_1_LUT_AUST_DETAILn > where n is an integer incremented with minor updates - see metadata for this table for instructions.

Once this table has been joined, a simple display option is to use the field "MVG_NAME" which includes the names of the NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (MVGs) as described at: http://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/factsheets-vegetation-profiles-major-vegetation-groups. The most detailed account of the pre-clearing vegetation is in the field L6_SUB_ASSOCIATION following the NVIS scheme. [A legend or 'shadesets' for the MVGs and MVSs can be found

For internal users - N:\Veg\NVIS_V5_1_\MVG_MVS\Symbology\Vector

For external users - in this package: - MVG5_1_BY_NAME.lyr - MVG5_1_BY_NUMBER.lyr - MVS5_1_BY_NAME.lyr - MVS5_1_BY_NUMBER.lyr Use the field “MVG_NUMBER/MVS_NUMBER” or “MVG_NAME/MVS_NAME” for the symbology.]

The NVIS vegetation attributes contain information on vegetation structure (growth form, height and cover) and floristics (genus and species) as documented in the Australian Native Vegetation Assessment (NLWRA, 2001) and the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual Version 7.0 (NVIS Technical Working Group, 2017). Levels 1 to 6 of the NVIS Information Hierarchy are present in this dataset, where provided by the custodian.

Attribute data for the above datasets marked "Level 6" were supplied in the XML Transfer System, which checks for consistency throughout the NVIS Information Hierarchy (NVIS Technical Working Group, 2017). Attribute data was loaded into an Oracle database at ERIN, where each vegetation type in the source data was allocated a unique NVIS identifier (NVIS_ID). Some attribute data, principally that coming from the Native Vegetation Mapping Program (NVMP), met the standard NVIS quality assurance tests.

The spatial data were supplied with SOURCE_CODEs, which were converted to NVIS identifiers (NVISDSC1-6). Please note that vegetation mapping can be quite complex and a single polygon may contain a "mosaic" of up to six vegetation associations. Other NVIS attributes were also updated on the basis of the supplied data.

For this update, Version 5.1, the extant dataset for Tasmania has been updated, with gapfilling work being completed for the NSW extant dataset. Some of the rulesets underpinning the assignment of MVGs and MVSs have also been updated to improve consistency for their allocation. Version 5.0 substantially standardised the lookup tables (NVIS5_1_LUT_DETAILxxxx and NVIS5_1_LUT_AUST_FLATxxxx). For more detail refer to the associate lookup tables. Previously, Version 4.2 updated NSW. For version 4.1 most agencies supplied data to the update.

This dataset is not comparable with earlier versions of NVIS, such as the 2001 Native Vegetation Assessment (which used a different structure and vegetation typology).

Reference: NVIS Technical Working Group (2017) Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual: National Vegetation Information System, Version 7.0. Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Prep by Bolton, M.P., de Lacey, C. and Bossard, K.B. (Eds)CC - Attribution (CC BY) This data has been licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. More information can be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

You are free to: Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material

for any purpose, even commercially. You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.

The Victorian EVCs (source data for Victorian NVIS) are currently under redevelopment. This data should be USED WITH CAUTION until the new data is incorporated into a future version of NVIS. Once available, it may be worth obtaining the new source data from the State Custodian in order to have the most up to date and relevant data. This may be the case with other states also, given the timing of NVIS releases, and thus considered when using any NVIS product. © Commonwealth of Australia (Department of the Environment and Energy) 2018

This raster dataset NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_MVG_ALB (or aus6_0e_mvg in GRID format) provides the latest summary information on Australia's present (extant) native vegetation, which has been classified into Major Vegetation Groups. It is in Albers Equal Area projection with a 100 m x 100 m (1 Ha) cell size.Download: - Australia - Present Major Vegetation Groups - NVIS Version 6.0 (Albers 100m analysis product) - Grid Download - Overview (arcgis.com) A comparable Pre-1750 (pre-European, pre-clearing) raster dataset is available:- NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_MVG_ALB (or aus6_0p_mvg 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, with gapfilling work being 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_DETAILxxxx and NVIS5_0_LUT_AUST_FLATxxxx). 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.Major Vegetation Groups were identified to summarise the type and distribution of Australia's native vegetation. The classification contains different mixes of plant species within the canopy, shrub or ground layers, but are structurally similar and are often dominated by a single genus. In a mapping sense, the groups reflect the dominant vegetation occurring in a map unit where there are a mix of several vegetation types. Subdominant vegetation groups which may also be 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, 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 Groups. These are provided for cartographic purposes, but should not be used for analyses.The (related) Major Vegetation Subgroups represent the dominant vegetation groups in the dominant stratum, along with the dominant shrub or ground layer,and are available as separate raster datasets:- NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_MVS_ALB- NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_MVS_ALBFor further background and other NVIS products, please see the links at:https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/native-vegetation/national-vegetation-information-system

This table: NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL is a lookup table containing NVIS Version 6.0 vegetation descriptions. The table contains a total of 19,519 NVIS vegetation types. This table joins to the NVIS …Show full descriptionThis table: NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL is a lookup table containing NVIS Version 6.0 vegetation descriptions. The table contains a total of 19,519 NVIS vegetation types. This table joins to the NVIS 6.0 spatial data for all states and territories (NVIS_ID in this table to NVISDSC1 in NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_[STATE] ). For complex analyses and to extract maximum information from NVIS spatial data, this LUT can also be linked to NVISDSC2-6. It is recommended that users refer to the Australian Vegetation Atrribute Manual V7.0 for understanding of the NVIS hierarchy (Level 1-6 descriptions) - https://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/australian-vegetation-attribute-manual-version-7. Once this table has been joined, a simple display option is to use the field "NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL.MVG_NAME" (or MVS_NAME if preferred) which includes the names of the NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (MVGs) [most of] which are described at: http://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/factsheets-vegetation-profiles-major-vegetation-groups. A legend or 'shadeset' for the MVGs and MVSs can be found packaged with the detailed vector data: NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_[STATE]. Use the field "MVG_NUMBER" or "MVS_NUMBER" for the symbology.

The NVIS vegetation attributes contain information on vegetation structure (growth form, height and cover) and floristics (genus and species) as documented in the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual Version 7.0 (NVIS Technical Working Group, 2017).The NVIS detailed Level 1-6 vegetation descriptions make up the NVIS Information Hierarchy and are used to assign the Major Vegetation Groups and Major Vegetation Subgroups classifications. The hierarchy is based on structural and floristic information including dominant genus, growth form, height and cover and are preferably collected at the Level 6 Sub-Association (sub-stratum) level. For many reasons including different scales and classification methods, not all data is collected at this level of detail. Currently there are over 19,300 distinct NVIS vegetation descriptions in the NVIS database. For more information refer to the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual V7.0.These detailed vector data products may be used at a regional scale and allow for more complex analyses when joined with the associated Lookup Table of Flat File. They are available in Present (Extant) and Estimated Pre-1750 (pre-European - where available) themes. Data is available under CC BY. It is recommended the datasets be used alongside the Key Layers to better understand the source data attributes such as differing scales, age of data etc.For this update, Version 7.0, the extant datasets for Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Tasmania 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 Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Tasmania. Conversely, Queensland directly provided the MVG/MVS assignments for the state.This dataset is not comparable with earlier versions of NVIS.Reference: NVIS Technical Working Group (2017) Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual: National Vegetation Information System, Version 7.0. Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Prep by Bolton, M.P., de Lacey, C. and Bossard, K.B. (Eds)USE INSTRUCTIONS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Datasets: the File Geodatabase contains the following information: ItemExplanation NVIS6_0_AUST_PREThis dataset is a vector layer delineating the estimated pre-1750 native vegetation types across Australia NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL This table: is a lookup table containing NVIS Version 7.0 vegetation descriptions. The table contains a total of 19,519 NVIS vegetation types. NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_FLATThis table is a lookup table containing NVIS Version 7.0 vegetation descriptions in a simpler, deconstructed table, allowing for improved analyses and use of the NVIS detailed vegetation descriptions. The table contains a total of 19,519 NVIS vegetation types.Table Joins:NVIS7_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL This table joins to the NVIS 7.0 spatial data for all states and territories (NVIS_ID in this table to NVISDSC1 in NVIS7_0_AUST_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS7_0_AUST_PRE_[STATE] ). For complex analyses and to extract maximum information from NVIS spatial data, this LUT can also be linked to NVISDSC2-6. It is recommended that users refer to the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual V7.0 for understanding of the NVIS hierarchy (Level 1-6 descriptions) - https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/publications/australian-vegetation-attribute-manual-version-7. Once this table has been joined, a simple display option is to use the field "NVIS7_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL.MVG_NAME" (or MVS_NAME if preferred) which includes the names of the NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (MVGs). A legend or 'shadeset' for the MVGs and MVSs can be found packaged with the detailed vector data: NVIS7_0_AUST_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS7_0_AUST_PRE_[STATE].Use the field "MVG_NUMBER" or "MVS_NUMBER" for the symbology.NVIS7_0_LUT_AUST_FLAT For complex analyses and to extract maximum information from NVIS spatial data, this LUT can also be linked to NVISDSC1-6. This LUT is a deconstruction of the Level 5 string within the NVIS detailed data (for NVIS Level 1-6 strings use NVIS7_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL) where provided by the state/territory (not all veg descriptions have Level 5/6). It is recommended that users refer to the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual V7.0 for understanding of the NVIS hierarchy (Level 1-6 descriptions) and structural information - https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/publications/australian-vegetation-attribute-manual-version-7. A legend or 'shadeset' for the MVGs and MVSs can be found packaged with the detailed vector data: NVIS7_0_AUST_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS7_0_AUST_PRE_[STATE]. This table joins to the NVIS 7.0 spatial data for all states and territories (NVIS_ID in this table to NVISDSC1 in NVIS7_0_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS7_0_PRE_[STATE] ). For complex analyses and to extract maximum information from NVIS spatial data, this LUT can also be linked to NVISDSC2-6. Once this table has been joined, a simple display option is to use the field "NVIS7_0_LUT_AUST_FLAT.MVG_NAME" (or MVS_NAME if preferred) which includes the names of the NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (MVGs).Retrieving data by state or territory: the first number of the NVIS_ID corresponds to a specific state or territory and can be used to subset the larger datasetCodeExplanation 1 Australian Capital Territory 2 New South Wales 3 Northern Territory 4 Queensland 5 South Australia 6 Tasmania 7 Victoria 8 Western AustraliaSymbology: To enable full Major Vegetation Group descriptions to appear in the legend in an ArcGIS Desktop map or ArcGIS Pro project, the following layer files will need to be imported and the symbology set using the relevant attribute field. Layer files are within the zipped package.

This table: NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_FLAT is a lookup table containing NVIS Version 6.0 vegetation descriptions in a simpler, deconstructed table, allowing for improved analyses and use of the NVIS detailed vegetation descriptions. The table contains a total of 19,519 NVIS vegetation types. For complex analyses and to extract maximum information from NVIS spatial data, this LUT can also be linked to NVISDSC1-6. This LUT is a deconstruction of the Level 5 string within the NVIS detailed data (for NVIS …Show full descriptionThis table: NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_FLAT is a lookup table containing NVIS Version 6.0 vegetation descriptions in a simpler, deconstructed table, allowing for improved analyses and use of the NVIS detailed vegetation descriptions. The table contains a total of 19,519 NVIS vegetation types. For complex analyses and to extract maximum information from NVIS spatial data, this LUT can also be linked to NVISDSC1-6. This LUT is a deconstruction of the Level 5 string within the NVIS detailed data (for NVIS Level 1-6 strings use NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_DETAIL) where provided by the state/territory (not all veg descriptions have Level 5 & 6). It is recommended that users refer to the Australian Vegetation Atrribute Manual V7.0 for understanding of the NVIS hierarchy (Level 1-6 descriptions) and structural information - https://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/australian-vegetation-attribute-manual-version-7. A legend or 'shadeset' for the MVGs and MVSs can be found packaged with the detailed vector data: NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_[STATE]. This table joins to the NVIS 6.0 spatial data for all states and territories (NVIS_ID in this table to NVISDSC1 in NVIS6_0_EXT_[STATE] and NVIS6_0_PRE_[STATE] ). For complex analyses and to extract maximum information from NVIS spatial data, this LUT can also be linked to NVISDSC2-6. Once this table has been joined, a simple display option is to use the field "NVIS6_0_LUT_AUST_FLAT.MVG_NAME" (or MVS_NAME if preferred) which includes the names of the NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (MVGs) [most of] which are described at: http://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/factsheets-vegetation-profiles-major-vegetation-groups.

Abstract This raster dataset provides the latest summary information on Australia's present (extant) native vegetation, which has been classified into Major Vegetation Groups. It is in Albers Equal Area projection with a 100 m x 100 m (1 Ha) cell size. A comparable Pre-1750 (pre-European, pre-clearing) raster dataset is available. 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, with gapfilling work being 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_DETAILxxxx and NVIS5_0_LUT_AUST_FLATxxxx). 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. Major Vegetation Groups were identified to summarise the type and distribution of Australia's native vegetation. The classification contains different mixes of plant species within the canopy, shrub or ground layers, but are structurally similar and are often dominated by a single genus. In a mapping sense, the groups reflect the dominant vegetation occurring in a map unit where there are a mix of several vegetation types. Subdominant vegetation groups which may also be 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, 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 Groups. These are provided for cartographic purposes, but should not be used for analyses. The (related) Major Vegetation Subgroups represent the dominant vegetation groups in the dominant stratum, along with the dominant shrub or ground layer,and are available as separate raster datasets. For further background and other NVIS products, please see the links at: http://www.environment.gov.au/land/native-vegetation/national-vegetation-information-system. Currency Date modified: 10 December 2020 Modification frequency: None Data extent Spatial extent North: -8.139869° South: -44.318646° East: 157.215737° West: 109.504356° Temporal extent From 28 January 2016 to 10 December 2020 Source information This dataset is provided by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Map Server Metadata Public listing

Lineage statement NVIS Version 6.0 Spatial datasets were updated for Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Australian Capital Territory. Non-spatial updates have been made to all these states except WA, due to problems encountered with non-aligning mosaicked Map Units between the NVIS database and the non-spatial data supplied on the WA government portal. Hence, the original non-spatial data has been used in conjunction with the new spatial data for this state. For Queensland, updates were made predominantly to the MVG/MVS allocation as supplied directly by the state, with the existing Level 6 to Level 1 heirarchy mostly remaining unchanged from the existing database. However, a total of 567 L6 to L1 descriptions were updated in accordance with the Regional Ecosystem technical descriptions on the Qld Government portal. For the remaining states and territories the Version 5.1 spatial and non-spatial data was reused. The VICTA tool (an automated, data-driven procedure with embedded rulesets) was run to make any necessary updates to MVG/MVS assignments for WA, VIC, NT, SA and NSW, followed by necessary manual QA checks. This resulted in some changes to L6 and L5 descriptions. Any changes made to the existing L5/L6 descriptions were verified by the corresponding state/territory contacts. Detailed lineage information is available via the Metadata listing. Data dictionary This dataset comprises defined areas with vegetation types only. All layers

Attribute name Vegetation Types

Major Vegetation Group Acacia Forests and Woodlands Acacia Open Woodlands Acacia Shrublands Callitris Forests and Woodlands Casuarina Forests and Woodlands Chenopod Shrublands, Samphire Shrublands and Forblands Cleared, non-native vegetation, buildings Eucalypt Low Open Forests Eucalypt Open Forests Eucalypt Open Woodlands Eucalypt Tall Open Forests Eucalypt Woodlands Heathlands Hummock Grasslands Inland aquatic - freshwater, salt lakes, lagoons Low Closed Forests and Tall Closed Shrublands Mallee Open Woodlands and Sparse Mallee Shrublands Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands Mangroves Melaleuca Forests and Woodlands Naturally bare - sand, rock, claypan, mudflat Other Forests and Woodlands Other Grasslands, Herblands, Sedgelands and Rushlands Other Open Woodlands Other Shrublands Rainforests and Vine Thickets Regrowth, modified native vegetation Sea and estuaries Tropical Eucalypt Woodlands/Grasslands Tussock Grasslands Unclassified Forest Unclassified native vegetation Unknown/no data

Contact Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, GeoSpatial@dcceew.gov.au

This raster dataset NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_MVG_ALB (or aus6_0p_mvg 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 Groups (MVG). It is in Albers Equal Area projection with a 100 m x 100 m (1 Ha) cell size.Download: - Australia - Pre-1750 Major Vegetation Groups - NVIS Version 6.0 (Albers 100m analysis product) - Grid Download - Overview (arcgis.com) A comparable present (extant) raster dataset is available:- NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_MVG_ALB (or aus6_0e_mvg 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, with gapfilling work being 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_DETAILxxxx and NVIS5_0_LUT_AUST_FLATxxxx). 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 pre-1750 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.Major Vegetation Groups were identified to summarise the type and distribution of Australia's native vegetation. The classification contains different mixes of plant species within the canopy, shrub or ground layers, but are structurally similar and are often dominated by a single genus. In a mapping sense, the groups reflect the dominant vegetation occurring in a map unit where there are a mix of several vegetation types. Subdominant vegetation groups which may also be 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, 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 Groups. These are provided for cartographic purposes, but should not be used for analyses.The (related) Major Vegetation Subgroups represent the dominant vegetation groups in the dominant stratum, along with the dominant shrub or ground layer,and are available as separate raster datasets:- NVIS6_0_AUST_EXT_MVS_ALB- NVIS6_0_AUST_PRE_MVS_ALBFor further background and other NVIS products, please see the links at:https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/native-vegetation/national-vegetation-information-system

CAUTION: NVIS datasets are large and computationally intensive! Please allow sufficient time to plan and execute any geoprocessing of NVIS datasets.

This dataset is a vector layer delineating the Pre-1750 ('pre-clearing', 'pre-European') native vegetation types across Australia made available for release under CC BY. This dataset is part of a larger compilation of Australian states and territories (with the exception of most of NSW and TAS which do not have pre-1750 data for this version) for the latest release (Version 5.1) of the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS). Each state/territory is available for separate download, due to size limitations.

This dataset comprises part of NVIS Version 5.0. This dataset was also used to develop previous Major Vegetation Groups and Subgroup products (version 3.0 to present). Note that the interpretation of vegetation descriptions (i.e. in the lookup table) may differ between versions.

The comparable estimated extant ('present') vegetation are in the following separate dataset(s): NVIS5_1_AUST_EXT_

Feature classes are named - NVIS5_1_AUST_EXT_ or NVIS5_1_AUST_PRE_ .

To use this dataset and display the Level 1-6 hierarchy the field "NVISDSC1" must be joined to the field "NVIS_ID" in the lookup table, available for separate: NVIS5_1_LUT_AUST_DETAILn > where n is an integer incremented with minor updates - see metadata for this table for instructions.

Once this table has been joined, a simple display option is to use the field "MVG_NAME" which includes the names of the NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (MVGs) as described at: http://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/factsheets-vegetation-profiles-major-vegetation-groups. The most detailed account of the pre-clearing vegetation is in the field L6_SUB_ASSOCIATION following the NVIS scheme. [A legend or 'shadesets' for the MVGs and MVSs can be found

For internal users - N:\Veg\NVIS_V5_1_\MVG_MVS\Symbology\Vector

For external users - in this package: - MVG5_1_BY_NAME.lyr - MVG5_1_BY_NUMBER.lyr - MVS5_1_BY_NAME.lyr - MVS5_1_BY_NUMBER.lyr Use the field “MVG_NUMBER/MVS_NUMBER” or “MVG_NAME/MVS_NAME” for the symbology.]

The NVIS vegetation attributes contain information on vegetation structure (growth form, height and cover) and floristics (genus and species) as documented in the Australian Native Vegetation Assessment (NLWRA, 2001) and the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual Version 7.0 (NVIS Technical Working Group, 2017). Levels 1 to 6 of the NVIS Information Hierarchy are present in this dataset, where provided by the custodian.

Attribute data for the above datasets marked "Level 6" were supplied in the XML Transfer System, which checks for consistency throughout the NVIS Information Hierarchy (NVIS Technical Working Group, 2017). Attribute data was loaded into an Oracle database at ERIN, where each vegetation type in the source data was allocated a unique NVIS identifier (NVIS_ID). Some attribute data, principally that coming from the Native Vegetation Mapping Program (NVMP), met the standard NVIS quality assurance tests.

The spatial data were supplied with SOURCE_CODEs, which were converted to NVIS identifiers (NVISDSC1-6). Please note that vegetation mapping can be quite complex and a single polygon may contain a "mosaic" of up to six vegetation associations. Other NVIS attributes were also updated on the basis of the supplied data.

For this update, Version 5.1, the extant dataset for Tasmania has been updated, with gapfilling work being completed for the NSW extant dataset. Some of the rulesets underpinning the assignment of MVGs and MVSs have also been updated to improve consistency for their allocation. Version 5.0 substantially standardised the lookup tables (NVIS5_1_LUT_DETAILxxxx and NVIS5_1_LUT_AUST_FLATxxxx). For more detail refer to the associate lookup tables. Previously, Version 4.2 updated NSW. For version 4.1 most agencies supplied data to the update.

This dataset is not comparable with earlier versions of NVIS, such as the 2001 Native Vegetation Assessment (which used a different structure and vegetation typology).

Reference: NVIS Technical Working Group (2017) Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual: National Vegetation Information System, Version 7.0. Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Prep by Bolton, M.P., de Lacey, C. and Bossard, K.B. (Eds)CC - Attribution (CC BY) This data has been licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. More information can be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

You are free to: Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material

for any purpose, even commercially. You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.

The Victorian EVCs (source data for Victorian NVIS) are currently under redevelopment. This data should be USED WITH CAUTION until the new data is incorporated into a future version of NVIS. Once available, it may be worth obtaining the new source data from the State Custodian in order to have the most up to date and relevant data.This may be the case with other states also, given the timing of NVIS releases, and thus considered when using any NVIS product. © Commonwealth of Australia (Department of the Environment and Energy) 2018

The Remnant Rarity Index (RRI) describes the proportion of each NVIS major vegetation group remaining in each IBRA bioregion relative to the 1750 estimates. This approach is conceptually similar to biological status of ecological vegetation communities (EVCs) in Victoria and the biodiversity status of remnant regional ecosystems in Queensland. The RRI is therefore useful as a simple proxy for conservation status for analyses that cross jurisdictional boundaries. The RRI is solely dependent upon the difference between pre-1750 and extant vegetation mapping and does not consider additional processes such as land degradation or threatening processes. Lineage: The RRI is calculated by analysing differences in the extent of pre-1750 and extant NVIS major vegetation groups in each IBRA bioregion across Australia. All calculations were performed on the raster products to allow for the inclusion of Tasmania, where 1750 polygons are not available. The RRI was then applied to the extant NVIS major vegetation groups, provided as part of this dataset. The methodology can be generalised to any set of vegetation maps with a consistent classification and 2 or more time steps.

Refer to Stewart et al. 2020 (linked) and the attached documentation for further details.

Note that this collection has been updated in 2023 to provide the same calculations for NVIS 6.0.