Standards for data collection and mapping
Updating and improving of national guidelines and methods for the capture, interpretation and classification of vegetation data and information is an ongoing process. This is important to meet the requirements of the National Vegetation Information System NVIS and assist vegetation scientists and mappers to survey, classify and map vegetation types to the association and sub-association level of detail. Consistent information at this level can be combined into larger-scale data and mapping products.
Casuarina forests and woodlands
Photo: T. Rosling
Find out more information:
- Standards, guidelines and methodologies — standards and guidelines available for vegetation mapping and information gathering work
- Projects in standards development — projects to produce, maintain, review and improve data standards for Australian vegetation information
Context
Updating and improving of standards is a core focus of ESCAVI's work plan.
It is common for users of vegetation maps and data to assume that what they see represented on the map is a perfect fit with what they would see on the ground. This is not always true.
The real quality of what is presented on a map — no matter how good it looks — is entirely dependent on the quality of its data.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in this area, including combining floristics and structural and environmental information into hierarchical classifications.
One of the key aspects of quality data is consistency; that is:
- consistency of the processes by which it is captured and interpreted
- consistency across different areas
- consistency through time
Consistency is achieved in part through the development of published, accessible and well-promoted standards for vegetation data collection and mapping.
Contributions welcome
Key
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Eucalypts
Photo: M. Fagg