Issue: Land condition - Land cover
This is an issue under the Land theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
The condition of the land is almost synonymous with the condition of the land’s biodiversity. Vegetative land cover (including introduced land cover) is important to the health of the land and its biodiversity for a range of reasons. It provides habitat for other species and ecological communities. It provides shade, thus moderating the micro-climate, as well as providing greenhouse sinks which contribute to moderation of the global climate. It provides carbon and nutrients back to the soil which, in turn, provides the ingredients of ongoing plant growth. It helps hold soil in place, protecting it from erosion. It also retains soil moisture and protects water catchments. By absorbing moisture from surface soil, vegetation helps to keep saline water tables well below the surface soil where they would inhibit plant growth and poison animals.
Indicators
- LD-01 The proportion and area of native vegetation and changes over time
Extent of woody vegetation is a key indicator of the condition of land cover. Woody vegetation is predominantly perennial and generally contributes to deeper and more stable surface soil, deeper root systems and groundwater, better protection for surface water, a more life-friendly microclimate and a more secure habitat for other plants and animals. It therefore contributes to the capacity of the land to maintain its vegetative cover. Extent and change in extent of native vegetative cover is a direct indicator for this issue. - LD-03 Change in extent and proportion of woody vegetation, clearing and regrowth
Extent of woody vegetation is a key indicator of the condition of land cover. Woody vegetation is predominantly perennial and generally contributes to deeper and more stable surface soil, deeper root systems and groundwater, better protection for surface water, a more life-friendly microclimate and a more secure habitat for other plants and animals. It therefore contributes to the capacity of the land to maintain its vegetative cover. Extent and change in extent, clearing and regrowth of woody vegetative cover is a direct indicator for this issue. - LD-17 Fragmentation of remnant vegetation
While the gross area of vegetated land remaining is one indicator of the condition of the land and its biodiversity, the health and resilience of that remaining land cover is also largely dependent on the size of the fragments and their proximity to each other.
Fragmented patches of vegetation may be the only remaining examples of particular vegetation groups or ecosystems in a region. They may also provide a source for any revegetation or restoration activities. The smaller and more isolated the remnants, the less viable and more vulnerable are the plants, animals and other biodiversity inhabiting them to external pressures as their boundaries (representing a significant proportion of their total area) are exposed to disturbances.
Related issues
- Land - Land condition- Condition of terrestrial genetic diversity
- Land - Land condition- Soil stability and quality
- Land - Land condition- Condition of terrestrial species and ecological communities
- Land - Land condition- Hydrology
- Land - Direct pressure of human activities on the land- Land clearing
- Land - Contributions and pressures between the land and inland water- Pressures of changes to the land on inland waters
- Land - Societal responses- Responses to vegetation loss, carbon loss, species loss and species change
- Biodiversity - Pressures on biodiversity- Land clearing
- Inland Waters - Catchment scale influences- Land and vegetation condition- Vegetation
- Inland Waters - Habitat scale influences- Riparian vegetation
Key
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