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Executive Summary

Environmental Performance Indicators Programme - Classification Systems, Databases and Spatial Frameworks

The Ministry for the Environment (MFE) is reviewing environmental classification systems, databases and spatial frameworks in terms of their utility for monitoring and reporting Environmental Performance Indicators (EPI).

This document reviews the technical and management aspects of classification systems and spatial frameworks that are potentially relevant to indicators for:

land
water
terrestrial biodiversity
freshwater biodiversity

Relevant databases have been reviewed separately (Froude, 1999).

Classification systems, databases and spatial frameworks for the marine environment are reviewed in seperate reports (Froude 2000(a); 2000(b)).

Purpose And Scope Of This Report

This report reviews New Zealand classification systems and spatial frameworks that potentially could by used in the EPI programme for land, water, and terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity indicators. It has been prepared through a process of:

literature review
consultation with proponents, critics and potential users

Part One of this Report provides an introduction to the concepts of classification systems and spatial frameworks and the uses to which they may be put in the context of the EPI Programme.

Part Two is a directory of classification systems and spatial frameworks comprising a 'stock-take' of each system according to the standard set of attributes.

The classification systems and spatial frameworks that have been reviewed and presented within Part Two of this Report are a selection only. They have been selected because they:

use national databases;
are a national classification system or framework; or
are regional/territorial frameworks that may be applicable nationally.

At the time this report was prepared several systems were undergoing active development. The entries for these systems (eg. Land Environments New Zealand) were updated in 2002.

Classification systems and spatial frameworks, for which development had not begun at the time this document was prepared (eg. New Zealand Threat Classification) are not included in this document.

Classification systems that have been subsumed in later systems have also not been included. It is important to note that the brief for this review excluded the review of classification systems and spatial frameworks used by other countries. Some international literature has been reviewed during the development of some of the new systems (e.g. NIWA river habitat classification, and the UNEP GRID classification for New Zealand wetlands).

Key features from each of the reviewed systems are outlined below.

Spatial Frameworks

Title	Summary
Land Environments of New Zealand - Landcare Research	Land environments have been defined for New Zealand (excluding offshore islands) using an automatic procedure to classify spatially explicit quantitative data. Seven climatic variables and seven geological/geomorphic variables were used. Estimates of these variables from 276 million grid points were clustered into environments using a non-hierarchical clustering strategy. The variables were chosen because of their demonstrated linkages to plant physiological processes and their correlations with the spatial distribution of New Zealand's indigenous tree species. Land environments can be defined at different scales. They group points that are environmentally similar regardless of their location. This means that a unit can be widely dispersed through the landscape, especially at detailed scales of mapping.
Land Systems - Lucas Associates and Landcare Research	Land systems units are defined by expert opinion, using information on rock type (lithology), tectonics, climate and biota. Land systems have been defined for several local authorities and used for: district plan preparation decision making on resource consents advocacy and guidance for land managers guiding restoration planting at both the individual and community level a framework for monitoring ecological integrity In the Marlborough Sounds the land systems approach includes in-shore marine ecosystems and refers to freshwater elements as part of the land system description. The Land systems approach has contributed to Environment Bay of Plenty's framework for monitoring ecological integrity.
Bio-climatic Zones (e.g. Meurk)	Meurk's interpretation of bioclimatic zones for New Zealand identifies broad bio-geographical zones defined primarily on temperature and secondly on moisture balance. These zones correspond with potential but not necessarily existing, vegetation boundaries. The New Zealand application of bio-climatic zones has evolved since Meurk's original 1984 paper, e.g. Environment Bay of Plenty ecological integrity monitoring framework, PNAP ecological classification. Bioclimatic zones are used in a variety of ecological surveys, usually in conjunction with other classification systems. For example, the ecological classification system for the PNA programme includes bioclimatic zones. Bioclimatic zones are usually mapped/depicted at broad scales greater than 1:250,000.
Ecological Regions and Districts	Ecological regions and districts were developed in 1981, specifically for the Protected Natural Areas Programme (PNA Programme). The PNA Programme was set up to provide a scientific basis for the Crown to achieve an ecologically representative protected natural areas system. Ecological Region and District boundaries have been defined by expert panels at 1:500,000 scale using information about geology, topography, climate and biota. Finer scale mapping of ecological district boundaries may occur when the ecological communities in an ecological district are surveyed. As at 30 June 1999 a number of the 268 Ecological Districts had not yet been surveyed. An Ecological Region is a group of adjacent ecological districts with closely related characteristics. There are 85 Ecological Regions.
New Zealand 'Eco-regions' - Harding & Winterbourn	This freshwater eco-region classification is based on: vegetation cover bed rock geology soils relief rainfall normals These variables were identified from 1:1,000,000 and 1:2,000,000 maps and used to derive 25 eco-regions for New Zealand. The eco-regions range in size from 900 - 1200 km². This system was developed as part of a research programme but is not in use at present.
Environment Bay of Plenty Framework for Monitoring Soil Intactness & Soil Health	This was developed to assist EBOP with monitoring soil intactness and soil health. The proposed framework (1998) is based on the following GIS layers: land management suites - derived from re-classified NZLRI LUC units land use types - derived from LCDB, SPOT satellite imagery, exotic forestry data and field assessment land management units - derived from combining land management suites with land use and land cover data to identify areas 'at risk' Maps for each layer are produced at 1:50,000 for the Bay of Plenty Region. The framework is intended to be used for: regional monitoring representative catchment monitoring site specific monitoring of at risk areas
Environment Bay of Plenty Framework for Monitoring Ecological Integrity	Eco-units are derived from land form components within land systems, bio-climatic zones and ecological districts. The following GIS data layers have been constructed: land system and land form components for the Bay of Plenty (Lucas Associates & Landcare Research methodology) ecological district boundaries bio-climatic zone boundaries re-constructions of 1840 vegetation '1840 vegetation without human modification' 1996 land cover from LCDB The framework was developed in 1998. Its intended purpose is the monitoring of ecological integrity in the Bay of Plenty Region. It is not yet clear how all the data layers will interact to facilitate this.
Taranaki Regional Council Sustainable Land Use Classification	This classification system identifies 8 'sustainable land use classes' for the region using the following criteria: able to be applied across the whole region socio-economically relevant broad rather than detailed indicative rather than prescriptive. These classes are mapped at 1:250,000 scale and include: intensive horticulture; cash cropping; dairying; drystock grazing; pasture and trees; forestry; protection The allocation of land in the region to sustainable land use classes was made primarily according the LUC assessment presented in the NZLRI. The system was designed to monitor the changes in land use within each class and use this to access whether land use in the region is becoming more or less sustainable.
Wellington Regional Council Eco-systems Domains	The purpose of the eco-systems domains system is to develop an environmental classification system to enable Wellington Regional Council to better carry out its functions including resource consent evaluation. The system delineates areas of similar pattern within Wellington Region using a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative data sources addressing: Climate: temperature, rainfall, frost, wind, sunshine, incident solar radiation, insolation, evapo-transpiration Soil type Rock type Vegetation Eco-systems Domain boundaries are delineated manually on the basis of the above information and expert knowledge. This system is therefore qualitative. Once delineated the boundaries are mapped on GIS. 64 Eco-systems Domains have been identified for the Wellington Region. The concept and approximate boundaries were developed in 1998. Boundary refinement and development of Domain descriptions is on-going.
Waitakere City Council Green Network	The green network describes the natural and physical resources in the City and the management of the protection, restoration and regeneration of these resources. There are four layers: Descriptive layer (This contains information about the city's natural resources and is organised according to the nature and quality of the environment). Land-use management layer (This has a series of management areas that reflect the nature of resources found in the City, their importance and the need to provide an appropriate level of protection with associated district plan policies and rules). Restoration layer (This relates to active restoration strategies). Asset management layer (This is active management of the Council lands that lie in the Green Network). The green network is the basis for rules in the district plan, restoration work and a wide range of Council activities affecting the environment. This approach has not been used elsewhere in New Zealand.
Auckland City Hauraki Gulf Islands Resource Management Units	This system was developed for the Hauraki Gulf Islands section of the Auckland City District Plan. The system has: 20 strategic management areas with policies and objectives 25 land units based on common features of the natural landscape and human activities. The land units are for ecological systems (e.g. coastal cliffs, dune systems and sand flats) and cultural systems (e.g. traditional residential and retailing). Each land unit has its own objectives, policies and rules in the district plan. Policy areas that need a more pronounced strategic focus in addition to provisions used with the strategic management area and land unit layers This system is only used in Auckland City. It can not be directly translated to other areas as it has been designed specifically for the Hauraki Gulf Islands and the local district planning process.

Classification Systems

NIWA River Habitat Classification	River systems are divided into units at different scales based on similarities and differences in a range of physical variables: At the national/regional scale the variables used are broad trends in precipitation and temperature At the catchment scale the variables used: are source of flow, geology, catchment vegetation or land use; and flow variability At the valley segment scale the variables used are are: channel type, elevation, and river size (discharge at median flow) At the reach scale the classification has still to be developed Rivers and river reaches are classified using 'rules' developed by an expert panel. This system is still being developed. Several trials have been undertaken.
Ramsar Wetland Classification System	This international system provides a very broad framework to aid the rapid identification of the main wetland types represented at each site. The classification includes marine and coastal wetlands; inland wetlands; and 'man-made' wetlands. It can be applied in situations where little information exists. It is the basis for the Ramsar Database which contains approximately 1000 formally designated wetlands of international significance. In New Zealand five wetlands sites have been formally designated and 104 sites have been formally identified as being of international significance. The classification system is used by 110 countries to enable compliance with the Ramsar International Convention on the Protection of Wetlands.
Environmental Council/ Thompson Wetland Types	This is the first New Zealand wetland classification system that included all of the following hydro classes: marine estuarine lagoon riverine lacustrine palustrine geothermal underground This classification system is unequally developed. Palustrine and estuarine hydro classes are the most finely divided. There are no subdivisions for riverine, lacustrine and geothermal hydro classes. The Environmental Council/Thompson classification system has been used to classify the 3000 wetlands in the Wetlands of Ecological and Regional Importance (WERI) Database.
UNEP GRID New Zealand Wetland Classification	This classification includes the following hydro-systems: estuarine marine palustrine lacustrine riverine geothermal underground This classification has been designed to address deficiencies in the Environmental Council/Thompson system for classifying wetlands, and incorporate the best elements of new international classification practices. It is intended that the changes should be evolutionary rather than revolutionary in order to avoid losing an extensive baseline database (WERI) compiled using the Environmental Council/Thompson classification system.
Freshwater Ecosystem Classification - Kevin Collier	This system was developed in 1994 for the Department of Conservation. There are four levels as follows: hydro-ecological classes (e.g. riverine, palastrine) geomorphical position or origin permanence of water and the effects of chemical (geothermal and saline) influences. water type and dominant emergent vegetation for permanent non-geothermally influenced palustrine wetlands. As obvious botanical features are not necessarily evident in non-geothermally influenced lakes and rivers, the system focuses on physical or process orientated factors that were considered to affect biodiversity. The system addresses the same ecosystems as the UNEP GRID New Zealand Wetland Classification.
Ecological Classification for the PNA Programme	The major levels used in the hierarchical ecological classification system associated with the PNA Programme are: Bio-geographical province - New Zealand Ecological region mapped at 1:500,000 Ecological district mapped at 1:500,000 Ecological class (used to group areas with similar characteristics within a District, often not mapped). It incorporates the bioclimatic zone, physical environment and vegetation, e.g. coastal forest on alluvial terrace land system mapped at 1:50,000 - e.g. alluvial terrace ecological unit mapped at 1:50,000 - e.g. mahoe forest on alluvial terrace Ecological Regions and Districts were developed in 1981. The full methodology for the PNA Programme was piloted in c.1983-4. This system has been used extensively by the Department of Conservation since 1987. A number of Ecological Regions and Districts have still to be surveyed.
Landform Classification for PNA Programme	This was designed for, and applied to, the Eastern Southern Alps. The purpose of the system was to ensure that the level of detail in landform descriptions was consistent between different Protected Natural Area Programme surveys in the Eastern Southern Alps. It was intended that the comprehensive and consistent classification would provide a better basis for identifying recommended areas for protection by systematically addressing landforms as well as ecological values. Landform classification in other Ecological Regions and Districts has been addressed on a case by case basis.
Atkinson Vegetation Classification System	This hierarchical system describing terrestrial vegetation has two levels: Structural form of vegetation (e.g. forest, grassland, scrub) Dominant species composition (e.g. tawa forest; rata-kamahi forest) It was developed in 1962 and updated in 1985 and 1991. This system is the vegetation classification system used in PNA programme surveys. It is widely used for research, survey and monitoring of indigenous terrestrial vegetation and is currently being adapted to contribute to the UNEP GRID NZ Wetland Classification.
Indigenous Forest Classifications (McKelvey and Nicholls, 1957; Nichols, 1976) (FSMS 6)	These classification systems divide New Zealand's indigenous forests into 18 forest classes which were used in the preparation forest class maps at 1:250,000 scale for New Zealand. The McKelvey and Nicholls 1957 classifications of North Island indigenous forests were used to prepare 1:63,000 forest type maps of the Central North Island. These classification systems have a bias towards merchantable timber species (especially kauri and podocarps).
Newsome's Vegetation Cover Classes: Classification System Used in the Vegetation Cover Map of New Zealand	This system has 3 levels: Vegetation cover groups (8) Vegetation cover classes (47) Vegetation cover elements (17) This system was designed to facilitate the mapping of the vegetation cover of New Zealand at 1:1,000,000 scale. This scale determined many of the system's attributes. The vegetation cover groups are mainly grassland, scrub and forest and binary associations of these (e.g. grassland-forest). The vegetation cover classes are communities and community aggregates that could initially be identified at 1:1,000,000 scale on the basis of vegetation associations in the LRI Database. Although this was modified in part, many of the binary classes remain. These binary classes (e.g. pasture and broadleaved forest) are not suitable for more detailed scale mapping. At 1:1,000,000 scale the minimum mapping unit is 800ha. This coarse scale means that a number of ecologically significant vegetation associations not specifically identified in the classification system (e.g. kauri forest) because their spatial extent is limited. The vegetation cover elements overlay the vegetation cover class and identify particular species or habitats of importance that are not adequately recognised in the vegetation cover class. This is an incomplete list.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification by Meurk & Shaw	This system was developed in 1994 for the Department of Conservation. It still has draft status. This is a hierarchical system with the following proposed layers. Ecological region or district Altitude class or topoclimate class or bioclimatic zone or PNA survey bioclimatic zone Hydro ecological class Geology Land system Landform Biotic formation (equivalent to vegetation structure) Vegetation classes Two alternative vegetation classification options (comprehensive, summary) are offered based on the use of pick lists to identify the vegetation type(s) present. This proposed system modifies the PNA Programme classification system. A major difference is that it changes some of the vegetation naming conventions and identifies all the possible vegetation types by way of pick lists.
IUCN Criteria for Threatened Species Categories	This is the international system for classifying threatened taxa. There categories which are defined by criteria are as follows: extinct extinct in the wild critically endangered endangered vulnerable lower risk conservation dependent near threatened least concern data deficient not evaluated This system is specifically designed for continental areas. It does not address the special features of island groups such as New Zealand, where, for example, many taxa can occupy extremely restricted habitats without necessarily being at risk.
Molloy & Davis Priorities for Threatened Species Conservation Work	This system was developed by the Department of Conservation (1992 and revised 1994) to assist it in setting management priorities for its threatened species work. Panels of experts use 17 criteria to assess taxonomic groups. Species are placed in 1 of 7 categories where relevant. In addition to the status of individual species, the criteria address the following factors: taxonomic distinctiveness threats facing the species vulnerability of the species human values The outcomes are not directly comparable with the IUCN categories.
De Lange & Norton Classification of Uncommon Plants	This system is designed to address the continental bias of the IUCN system of classifying threatened species. It recognises that not all uncommon species are threatened species and it provides for taxa that are still nationally widespread but in serious decline. The system was developed in 1998 for plants.
New Zealand Genetic Soil Classification	This system was initially developed in the 1940's and refined during the next 20 years. It was developed because of the need for rapid broad scale mapping of New Zealand's soils. The system recognises "soil groups" and relates them to the environmental factors that most influence their character. Knowledge of these relationships has helped scientists and others predict soil classes from observations of geology, landscape, climate and vegetation. This system has been used extensively by researchers and land managers. Since the late 1980's the system has been superseded and replaced by the New Zealand Soil Classification as the classification of preference for researchers. The New Zealand Genetic Soil Classification is still used by most land managers because 95% of the published data about soils and the vast majority of soil maps use the New Zealand Genetic Soil Classification.
New Zealand Soil Classification - Hewitt	The system was designed in the 1980's to address the lack of precision in the New Zealand Genetic Soil Classification system and to improve the international comparability of New Zealand soil descriptions. It has a hierarchical structure with 4 levels: Soil orders (15 Soil groups (73 based on variation in factors such as drainage, parent material, physical and chemical properties Sub-groups (272 to provide more detail) Soil forms (provide more detail about parent materials, texture and permeability) While this new system is being used by researchers, a lack of funding for soil mapping means that the soil maps and descriptions being used by management agencies are generally those prepared using the old New Zealand Soil Genetic Classification system. Information from the old system is not directly transferable to the new system.
Landuse Capability Units	This was developed for NWASCO to assist it and catchment authorities with water and soil conservation planning and operational activities. The LRI divides geographical areas up into inventory map units based on: rock type soil type slope vegetation erosion degree and type land use capability (LUC) for primary production. The units were derived by: aerial photograph interpretation field work analysis of other data sources (e.g. geological maps and information from a range of soil surveys undertaken by the New Zealand Soil Bureau. There is national coverage at scales of 1:63,000 and 1:50,000. First edition mapping began in 1973, with second edition updates continuing into the mid to late 1990s for some areas.