SLATS Non-Woody 2018, 2019 & 2020

This layer shows state-wide SLATS Non-Woody data based on the analysis of multi-date Sentinel2 and Planet Maps imagery for 2018, 2019 & 2020.

Non-woody disturbance (removal of grasses, small shrubs and groundcover) is identified by interpreters by comparing two high-resolution satellite images and analysing changes using a range of additional data and imagery products. NWD eras are defined by the year that the majority of clearing took place. Interpreters assign a replacement landcover class that indicates the likely purpose for which the vegetation was disturbed.

A summary of the method is as follows:

1. Non-woody disturbance across the state is detected in areas that have low disturbance from 1990. State forest and National Park are excluded from this analysis.

2. Visual assessment is done at a scale of 1:20,000 across the state using pre and post imagery sources and ancillary datasets.

3. Where disturbance is identified, it is captured and mapped a scale of 1:10,000 (or finer scale).

4. Data is available as a raster at 10m cell

Non-woody disturbance data is combined with State-wide Land and Tree Study data and the Native Vegetation Regulatory Map to produce the Rural Regulated Landcover Monitoring Report. Analysis is undertaken to prevent double counting across clearing events.

For greater accuracy, SLATS non woody clearing mapping occurs over 2 mapping seasons. The data packages on SEED combine both into a single year of clearing.

Non-woody disturbance is provided as a raster with the following data key:

1. Natural
2. Agriculture
3. Infrastructure
4. Forestry

Links to the relevant landcover change on rural regulated land reports and spreadsheets are shown below:

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-science/2021-nsw-vegetation-clearing-report#:~:text=In%202021%2C%204%2C724%20hectares%20were,a%2041%25%20increase%20on%202020.

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-science/2020-landcover-change-reporting

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-science/2019-landcover-change-reporting

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-science/2018-landcover-change-reporting

Remotely sensed imagery is routinely collected by DPE and used to map vegetation clearing. This data is spatially explicit and can be used with other datasets to identify activity on individual lots. Please read the Privacy collection notice (PDF 50KB) for more information.