Reconstructed Distribution and Extent of Native Vegetation within the Lower Macquarie-Castlereagh Region VIS_ID 816

Existing Vegetation Map of Lower Macquarie-Castlereagh Region. Vegetation Map from M. Kerr, A. Jowett & R. Robson. Unpublished. Reconstructed Distribution and Extent of Native Vegetation within the Lower Macquarie-Castlereagh Region. Two maps were produced:

1. Reconstructed vegetation showing the probable full extent of vegetation coverage in the region and
2. An approximation of the existing vegetation, allocated to four current landuse categories: managed for conservation, uncleared and grazde, cleared and grazed and recently cultivated.

Two key outputs were a regional reconstructed vegetation map (commonly termed ""pre-clearing"" map) and a map depicting existing vegetation coverage. For the purposes of this project, reconstructed vegetation was defined as native vegetation that is likely to have occurred on currently cleared or highly modified land, as extrapolated from existing vegetation, such that ecological processes and function are broadly reflected. Ten datasets were used as a basis for the development of the reconstructed map, which was developed through subjective analysis of vegetation groups described and mapped by existing studies. A further five GIS layers were used to determine the extent of recent cultivation in the RVMP area and current extent of woody vegetation. Thirty-six broad vegetation types were identified from the existing data, and grouped into fifteen vegetation associations. Each broad vegetation type is described in terms of dominant species, variation in structure, common associated native and introduced species, and its relationship with soils and landform. An indication of the regional reservation of each broad vegetation type is also provided. (VIS_ID 816)