Victoria’s native vegetation permitted clearing regulations use mapped and modelled information as a key input for planning and decision making. To assist this process biodiversity information tools have been developed that can measure impacts, inform decision making and determine offset obligations relating to the removal of native vegetation. This fact sheet provides an overview of these biodiversity information tools and how they are applied in the regulations.

The maps explained in this fact sheet are: Strategic biodiversity map Native vegetation condition map Habitat importance maps for rare or threatened species.

For information on the Native vegetation location risk map see Permit to remove native vegetation risk-based pathways fact sheet.

Strategic biodiversity map

What is the Strategic biodiversity map?The Strategic biodiversity map provides a representation of the biodiversity importance of each location in Victoria, relative to other locations across the landscape. The Strategic biodiversity map is a modelled layer that prioritises the importance of locations on the basis of rarity and level of depletion of vegetation type, rare and threatened species habitats, and condition of native vegetation. The Strategic biodiversity map is used to determine the strategic biodiversity score at a specific location.

How was the Strategic biodiversity map created?The Strategic biodiversity map was created using the Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ (DEPI) NaturePrint approach. The NaturePrint approach involves ranking locations across Victoria for their importance to the state’s biodiversity using Zonation conservation planning software.

Further information on NaturePrint can be found at http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/biodiversity/natureprint .

The inputs into the Strategic biodiversity map included species habitat distribution models for rare and threatened species, models of vegetation types in Victoria and the native vegetation condition map.

To develop the Strategic biodiversity map the analysis started in locations with the least biodiversity value and then identified the location with the next lowest level of biodiversity value. This process continues until there is a complete ranking of locations across the state.

The biodiversity value that informed the ranking was based on the current rarity and level of depletion of species habitat and vegetation types in a location, compared to pre-settlement levels. The species considered were those listed on the DEPI Threatened Species Advisory Lists. The condition of native vegetation at a location also informed the ranking. As the ranking progresses, the process is designed to maintain representation of rare or threatened species habitats and vegetation types, according to their pre-settlement proportions.

This analysis results in: the areas with little biodiversity value amongst the lowest

ranked locations, for example areas containing no native vegetation

the most degraded and poorly located examples of the most common habitat or vegetation type in the middle of the ranking, and

the best and the most well connected examples of rare and threatened species habitats and vegetation types across the state in the higher ranked locations. This means that some locations with native vegetation in low condition are in the higher ranks because they provide strategic links for habitats, or are the best remaining habitat for certain species.

The NaturePrint analysis ranked every location in Victoria from 0 to 100. This initial ranking provided a uniform distribution of the biodiversity values throughout the ranking. However, the biodiversity value of locations is known to

Biodiversity information tools used in Victoria’s native vegetation permitted clearing regulationsFact sheet

increase in a non-linear fashion towards the higher ranks. For example, a location ranked 80 (out of 100) is likely to be significantly more than twice the biodiversity value of a location ranked 40. Therefore, a uniform distribution of the ranking does not allow direct arithmetic comparisons of biodiversity value between locations.

To address this the 0 to 100 ranking of each location was squared and then converted to a score between 0 and 1. The result of this calculation is the strategic biodiversity score. The strategic biodiversity score enables locations across the state to be more simply compared. A location with a strategic biodiversity score of 0.80 is considered to be twice as important for Victoria’s biodiversity as a location with a strategic biodiversity score of 0.40. The Strategic biodiversity map is a mapped representation of the strategic biodiversity scores.

How is the Strategic biodiversity map used in the permitted clearing regulations?The strategic biodiversity score is used in the permitted clearing regulations in the following ways: when considering and assessing steps undertaken to

minimise the impact of native vegetation removal on biodiversity

to calculate general offset requirements for the removal of native vegetation

to calculate general credits available from an offset site to determine the required minimum strategic biodiversity

score for a general offset.

Why are there two versions of the Strategic biodiversity map and how are each of these used?There are two versions of the Strategic biodiversity map – Strategic biodiversity map version 2 (NVR2013_SBS_v2) and Strategic biodiversity map version 2A (NVR2013_SBS_v2A). These versions have different uses in the regulations.

Strategic biodiversity map version 2

Strategic biodiversity map version 2 is a complete ranking of locations across Victoria. The range of values in this data

layer is 0 to 1. This means that there are locations in Victoria that have a strategic biodiversity score of zero. Zero or very low scores in the Strategic biodiversity map commonly indicate the absence of native vegetation.

Strategic biodiversity map version 2 is used: to calculate general credits available from an offset site to determine the eligibility of credits in providing offsets

for a particular clearing instance.

Strategic biodiversity map version 2A

Due to limitations in the mapping of native vegetation extent, it is possible for the Strategic biodiversity map version 2 to assume a score of zero in locations where native vegetation is in fact present. If this occurred where a landholder wished to remove native vegetation, the offset units required would also be equal to zero.

To address this potential issue very low scores have been removed from the map and a minimum score of 0.10 has been assigned to all locations that have a value below 0.10 in the original strategic biodiversity score ranking. The assigned value 0.10 reflects the minimum value that would be expected in the Strategic biodiversity map for locations where native vegetation is present. Strategic biodiversity map version 2A, while based on the same ranking of locations across Victoria as Strategic biodiversity map version 2, ranges only from 0.10 to 1.

Strategic biodiversity map version 2A is used: to calculate offset requirements for the removal of

native vegetation.

Native vegetation condition map

What is the Native vegetation condition map?The Native vegetation condition map is a modelled layer of how close native vegetation in a location is to its mature natural state, as represented by a benchmark reflecting pre-settlement attributes of the native vegetation type.

How was the Native vegetation condition map created?

There are two stages to the process of creating the Native vegetation condition map. First, a model was generated to determine the condition benchmark of vegetation types in Victoria. The condition benchmarks consist of data of environmental attributes for each vegetation type across Victoria. Attributes of vegetation types in very good condition were used to establish the pre-settlement condition benchmarks. The condition benchmarks for each vegetation type were then extrapolated to all locations where that vegetation type would have existed across the state pre-settlement. All locations across Victoria were assigned a vegetation type with condition benchmark scores.

Second, a model of the current environmental attributes of native vegetation was developed based on data from a large number of sites, and a range of other environmental data. These attributes were then compared to those from the relevant vegetation type condition benchmarks to arrive at a condition score. The condition score represents how closely the current environmental attributes of a site compare to the pre-settlement condition benchmark for its vegetation type. If the condition at the location reflects the benchmark exactly, the location will have a score of 1.00. A site that has a condition score of 0.50 is half the condition of its pre-settlement state.

How is the Native vegetation condition map used in the permitted clearing regulations?The condition score from the Native vegetation condition map is used in the permitted clearing regulations in the following ways: as an input to the creation of the Strategic biodiversity

map to calculate offset requirements for the removal of native

vegetation when an application to remove native vegetation is in the low risk-based pathway

to calculate general credits available on a first party general offset site.

Why are there two versions of Native vegetation condition map and how are each of these used?The Native vegetation condition map has two versions – Native vegetation condition map version 2

(NVR2013_COND_v2) and Native vegetation condition map version 2A (NVR2013_COND_v2A). These versions have different uses in the regulations.

Native vegetation condition map version 2

The Native vegetation condition map version 2 displays condition scores for locations with native vegetation across Victoria. The range of values in this data layer is 0 to 1. This means that there are locations in Victoria that have a condition score of zero. This map was developed based on native vegetation extent mapping, with values of zero representing locations that have been mapped as having no native vegetation.

The Native vegetation condition map version 2 is used: to calculate general credits available on a first party

general offset site.

Native vegetation condition map version 2A

Limitations in the native vegetation condition and extent mapping may lead to the Native vegetation condition map version 2 showing a value of zero when native vegetation is in fact present. To address this issue the Native vegetation condition map version 2A was developed.

The Native vegetation condition map version 2A is based on the same analysis as Native vegetation condition map version 2. However, locations that are mapped as having no native vegetation are assigned a score of 0.20. This value represents the lowest condition score expected at a location where native vegetation is present.

Native vegetation condition map version 2A is used: to calculate offset requirements for the removal of native

vegetation when an application to remove native vegetation is in the low risk-based pathway. Native vegetation condition map version 2A has been created specifically for this purpose.

Habitat importance maps for rare or threatened species habitat

Why are maps of species habitat useful?

Species habitat importance maps are developed from information of observed site records for a species and environmental predictors present where the species was recorded. Species maps were developed with information from across the state, considering more than what has been, and can be, observed at a particular site. Therefore, they can give a more comprehensive understanding of what areas may be suitable habitat for a species, compared to relying solely on site records or site surveys. Species maps provide a view of total suitable habitat remaining for that species and can assist in understanding the importance of habitat at a particular location, relative to other areas of habitat.

For these reasons, species maps are useful for assessing individual instances of native vegetation removal in the broader context of a species’ habitat across the state.

The habitat importance maps for rare or threatened species are used to assess impacts on these species from the removal of native vegetation.

Which rare or threatened species have habitat importance maps?The species considered in the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations are the rare or threatened species listed in DEPI’s threatened species advisory lists as follows: DEPI’s Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in

Victoria as ‘endangered’, ‘vulnerable’, or ‘rare’, but does not include the ‘poorly known’ category

DEPI’s Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria as ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’, but does not include ‘near threatened’ or ‘data deficient’ categories

DEPI’s Advisory List of Threatened Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria as ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’, but does not include ‘near threatened’ or

‘data deficient’ categories.

There are 2,029 rare or threatened taxa that are considered to be relevant to the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations, as their habitat could be directly impacted by the removal of native vegetation. There is currently sufficient information available for 1,778 of these taxa to allow their habitat to be mapped and be considered in the permit decision-making process.

Habitats for rare or threatened species are divided into two groups, highly localised habitats and dispersed habitats, depending on how much suitable habitat is remaining for the species: Highly localised habitats for rare or threatened species –

these habitats are very limited in extent and typically are also geographically highly restricted. The area of habitat for one species covers less than 2,000 hectares.1

Dispersed habitats for rare or threatened species – these habitats are less limited in extent and less restricted than highly localised habitats. Dispersed habitats often arise where originally widespread habitats have become depleted and fragmented.

Of the 1,778 mapped taxa considered in the permit decision-making process: 955 are classified as having highly localised habitats 823 are classified as having dispersed habitats.

Details of the species considered in the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations are set out in the List of habitat importance maps used in the permitted clearing regulations - version 1.0. The list provides information about the species habitats that are considered in the regulations, the type of habitat importance map used, the area of habitat and whether a species’ habitat is highly localised or dispersed. Table 1 provides an example of some of the information provided in this list.

Table 1. Example of the List of habitat importance maps used in the permitted clearing regulations - version 1.0.TAXON_

IDCOMM_NAME SCI_NAME Victorian

Advisory List status

Species considered in

native vegetation permitted

Dispersed or highly localised habitat

Data type used to create habitat

importance maps - September 2013

Range of modelled habitat

(25m grid)

1 This threshold is based on the area of occupancy threshold for the IUCN Red List VU D2 criterion

clearing regulations - September

2013

10186 Intermediate Egret

Ardea intermedia Endangered Yes Dispersed Habitat importance

model

500,000 - 1,000,000

ha

503631 Green Wattle Acacia irrorata subsp. irrorata Vulnerable Yes Highly

localisedHabitat distribution

model & points < 2,000 ha

Further information about the creation of the habitat importance maps can be found in Biodiversity information tools for use in native vegetation decisions – Explanatory document.

How have the rare or threatened species habitat importance maps been created?Rare or threatened species habitat importance maps are based on either habitat importance models, habitat distribution models or buffered site record data, or a combination of these methods.

Site records used in the habitat importance maps are known records of species presence taken from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA). All records considered were entered in the VBA after 1970 and are accurate up to 100 metres.

Habitat distribution models are generated using site records. This data is combined with information about environmental predictors, including climate information and topography, across Victoria and extrapolated to create a model of potential habitat for the species at the time of European settlement.

Native vegetation extent mapping is then used to identify areas where habitat is still present. Each habitat distribution model shows the relative likelihood that a location is suitable species habitat, ranging from highly likely to highly unlikely (i.e. the model is a continuous index of suitability).

Thresholds are applied to the models such that only likely and highly likely suitable habitat is shown. This process creates a habitat distribution model.

Habitat importance maps for dispersed species

All habitat importance maps for dispersed species are based on habitat distribution models of their habitat.

The model is ranked based on a combination of landscape context and habitat suitability to generate a habitat importance map. This ranking is determined from a model

and generates what is often referred to as a habitat importance model. For the purposes of the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations, these models are referred to as habitat importance maps.

For dispersed habitats, many locations contribute to providing habitat for a species and there is merit in discriminating between the relative contribution of each location. As a result, a continuous index of importance is applied to the model that gives a habitat importance score ranging from 0 to 1. The habitat importance map for a dispersed species represents its likely and highly likely habitat and the habitat importance scores within this habitat.

Habitat importance maps for highly localised habitats

Where data is adequate the habitat importance map for highly localised habitats is based on habitat distribution models. Buffered site records for the species are also added to the habitat distribution models to create the habitat importance map. Each site record is represented by a 75m by 75m grid square in the maps. The buffered site records were added because in some limited instances site records existed outside the habitat distribution model once the threshold was applied and non-native vegetation excluded. As highly localised habitats are small in area, it is important that a comprehensive view of likely habitat is considered.

Where there is insufficient data to model a highly localised habitat, the habitat importance map is based only on site records with buffers.

All locations on the habitat importance maps for highly localised habitat are considered to be equally important for that species, therefore a continuous index of importance is not applied. All locations that are mapped as habitat are

assigned a habitat importance score of 1.

For highly localised habitats that are represented by the buffering of site records only, all records are considered equally important and are assigned a value of 1 in the habitat importance map.

Table 2 summarises the methods of development and ranking used in generating the habitat importance maps.

Table 2. Summary of development of habitat importance maps

Type of habitat Inputs to habitat importance map development Ranking Number of

species

Dispersed habitats Habitat distribution model Yes, based on likelihood of being suitable habitat, and landscape

context. Locations given a score from 0 to 1 823

Highly localised habitats

Habitat distributions models, plus buffered site records

No, all habitat is considered of equal importance. All locations given a score of 1 482

Buffered site records No, all habitat is considered of equal importance. All locations given a score of 1 473

How are habitat maps and models used in the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations?Habitat importance maps are used in the permitted clearing regulations in the following ways: As the primary input to the Native vegetation location

risk map. The Native vegetation location risk map plays a key role in the determination of the risk-based pathway for applications for native vegetation removal and their assessment. See Permitted clearing of native vegetation – Risk-based pathways Fact sheet for further information about how this map was created.

As an input to the analysis underpinning the Strategic biodiversity map. The Strategic biodiversity map identifies the biodiversity value of a location relative to all other locations across the Victoria. Habitat distribution models for rare and threatened species are used in this

analysis and contribute to understanding the value of a location.

To assist in decision making and assessment of moderate and high risk-based pathway permit applications. Habitat importance maps used to assess the significance of the impact of the proposed removal of native vegetation on a species’ habitat, and to ensure that steps taken to minimise impacts have regard to habitat for rare or threatened species.

To determine offset requirements for moderate and high risk-based pathway permit applications. If an application for the removal of native vegetation is assessed in the moderate or high risk-based pathway the habitat importance maps are used to determine if the removal will have a significant impact on any rare or threatened species habitat.

To determine suitable locations for specific offsets.

Specific offset requirements for a species must be located within habitat for that species.

What are the limitations of the habitat importance maps?Because site records, an essential input to the mapping, do not always comprehensively represent the environmental range of a species, habitat importance maps may over or under-emphasise the importance of some locations as habitat.

The two approaches used to address this issue are: modelling techniques have been employed to reduce the

influence of having many records in one area and not many records in another on the models of habitat. For example, more remote areas often have less records.

the coverage of records has been broadened (e.g. over 10,000 new records were incorporated as part of DEPI’s response to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations).

A review and update of the habitat importance maps is expected to be undertaken during 2014. The review will include all new records in the VBA. Subsequent updates of the habitat importance maps will occur periodically.

Native vegetation extent mapping, an input into the habitat importance maps that were developed from habitat distribution models, was updated in 2013 based on 2010 satellite information. As a result, the map is a significant improvement on previous versions, although it does not include changes since 2010. Like any map, it has limitations due to scale, particularly in discriminating between native and non-native vegetation in small areas (often on urban edges) and in identifying isolated trees. To address this issue refinement of the extent map was undertaken for its release in September 2013. Further updating will be undertaken during 2014.

Why could there be a site record for a species at a location that contains native vegetation but this location is not mapped as habitat on its habitat importance map?In some cases, known site records will not appear in the

habitat importance map for a species. Some of the reasons that this may occur are:1. The site record was entered in the VBA prior to 1970.

Data prior to this date has been excluded from the mapping.

2. The site record has a low level of locational accuracy. The mapping only uses site records that are accurate up to 100 metres.

3. The site record was used in the modelling for a dispersed species habitat but the location was not included in the habitat importance map when it was thresholded for likely and highly likely habitat. Note that this issue does not relate to highly localised habitats as site records are put back onto the map after any thresholding. All relevant site records for species with highly localised habitats are included in their habitat importance maps.

4. The site record is located at a site that has been incorrectly mapped as non-native vegetation using the native vegetation extent mapping, and therefore is not considered in the dispersed species habitat importance maps. Note that this is not an issue for highly localised habitats. All relevant site records for species with highly localised habitats are included in their habitat importance maps, regardless of whether they are in mapped native or non-native vegetation locations.

5. The site record was entered in the VBA after the export of data occurred for the creation of the habitat importance maps. In these cases, the site record will be considered when the map is next updated, if it meets data quality assurance standards.

Reasons 1 to 3 relate to the methodology used to develop the maps, the exclusion of site records for any of these reasons reflects necessary data quality management and prioritisation. The loss of some site records as a result of this is expected.

Reasons 4 and 5 relate to data limitations. These will be addressed by incorporating updated site record data when periodically updating the habitat importance maps and the native vegetation extent map.

What happens when a species is observed at a location that has native vegetation but this

location is not mapped as habitat on its habitat importance map?It is possible that a species might be observed in an area that is not represented in its habitat importance map. This may occur for the following reasons: 1. The habitat importance maps are not intended to be

exhaustive representations of every location in Victoria that could be habitat for a species. The maps only display the most likely areas of habitat, so areas that are considered to be degraded, not important habitat or not likely or highly likely habitat for a species may be excluded from the map.

2. Areas that are not mapped as native vegetation are excluded from the habitat importance maps. Habitat could have been excluded from the model erroneously due to limitations in the native vegetation extent mapping.

3. Gaps in the species presence data may have resulted in locations that would otherwise be considered suitable habitat not being included in the maps.

Reason 1 relates to the methodology used to develop the maps and the exclusion of some site records is expected as a result of this process.

Reasons 2 and 3 relate to data limitations and can be addressed by augmenting site record data and native vegetation extent mapping, and periodically updating the habitat importance maps to incorporate new information so that the maps best reflect the habitat for a species.

For the purposes of the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations the habitat importance maps determine whether a site is habitat for a rare or threatens species. Species observations at the site are not considered when assessing an application for a planning permit to remove native vegetation.

What happens when a species is not observed at a location that is mapped as habitat on its habitat importance map?The reasons that a species may not be observed at a location that is mapped as habitat on its habitat importance map are as follows:1. Seasonal variation, migration or natural events may

result in a species not being observed in a location mapped as its habitat at particular time.

2. The location it not currently used as habitat but because of its environmental characteristics it could be suitable habitat in the future.

3. The location was previously suitable habitat for the species but due to changes in its environmental characteristics, which are not yet reflected in the input data, it is no longer suitable habitat.

4. Limitations in the inputs to the habitat importance map, including the native vegetation extent map, may have resulted in locations being incorrectly identified as suitable habitat.

Reason 1 and 2 relate to the methodology and intent of the development of the habitat importance maps. The maps aim to represent suitable habitat, based on the locations species would be expected to use as habitat. This means they provide a more comprehensive understanding of rare or threatened species habitats than observations, or lack of observations, at a site at a particular point in time.

Reason 3 and 4 relates to limitations in the method and input data for the habitat importance maps. These will be addressed when the maps are reviewed and updated to incorporate new data, improved analytical methods and known impacts.

For the purposes of the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations the habitat importance maps determine whether a site is habitat for a rare or threatened species. The lack of species observations at a site is not considered when assessing an application for a planning permit to remove native vegetation.

How do I access habitat importance maps used in the permitted clearing regulations?

Habitat importance maps for use with Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) software can be requested by sending an email to data.vsdl@depi.vic.gov.au.

The maps are accompanied by the List of habitat

importance maps used in the permitted clearing regulations version 1.0. A simplified version of this list and all information and documents referenced in this fact sheet can be accessed at: http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/nativevegetation .

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary Industries Melbourne, December 2013.

© The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary IndustriesMelbourne 2013.

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

ISBN 978-1-74326-666-3 (pdf)

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