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Database Title

10.4 Forest Class Maps of New Zealand
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 Vegetation; forests; distribution; maps
Forest classes.
Abstract This database digitises information from the following forest class maps series:
  • FSMS6 (there are 23 completed maps in the series which identify the distribution of indigenous forest vegetation for all of the North Island and most of the South Island at a scale of 1:250,000)
  • FSMS15 (there are two FSMS15 maps of the North and South Island compiled at a scale of 1:1,000,000)
  • Forest classes from the vegetation map of Stewart Island compiled by Hugh Wilson
Geographical Coverage New Zealand
NZ Map grid;
Dataset start date. Extent: 1940's/1950's (for early maps); 1990's (last maps, e.g. Northland).
Dataset end date. Unknown
Status/currency. Complete
Update frequency. N/A
Maintenance. Not provided for.

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Parameters- what is measured Forest class (the FSMS6 maps series has 18 forest classes and the FSMS15 maps series has 8 super classes derived from the FSMS6 maps series).
Parameters- what is calculated N/A
Methods used to measure parameters

FSMS6 map series: forest class (18) boundaries were delineated using black and wide aerial photographs (dated 1948-1955); and ground truthing and results from 16,000 plots from the National Forest Survey (1946 - 52) and the Forest Ecological Survey (1962 - 65). The former was an indigenous timber volumetric survey (especially lowland podocarps and kauri) while the latter focused more on the mountain forests. The compiled 1:63,000 maps were then field checked before production at 1:250,000 scale. These maps have subsequently been digitised. Later produced maps have used more recent aerial photographs to determine the extent of indigenous forest remaining.

FSMS15 map series: these were compiled for 1974 Forestry Development Conference. Super forest class (8) boundaries were delineated using information from the existing FSMS6 maps and other published and unpublished material for areas not covered by the FSMS6 maps series. These maps have subsequently been digitised.

Wilson (1987) developed a detailed map of the vegetation of Stewart Island. Forest polygons were digitised.
Secondary sources of data N/A
Scale of use. 1:250,000
Number of records N/A
GIS compatibility. This is a digitised database.
Available formats for users. Paper maps where these have been published; otherwise computer generated maps.
Access constraints. Information is freely available
Measurement Accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Completeness of dataset To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Database steward Landcare Research Ltd
Database custodian Landcare Research Ltd.
Database custodian contact person Mark Smale
Database custodian Contact
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 Landcare Research
Private Bag 3127
Hamilton
+ 64 4 858 3700
+ 64 4 858 4964
smalem@landcare.cri.nz
References McKelvey, P.J.; Nicholls, J.L. 1957. A provisional classification of North Island Forests. New Zealand Journal of Forestry 7 : 84 - 101.
Nicholls, J.L. 1976. A revised classification of the North Island indigenous forests. New Zealand Journal of Forestry 12 : 105 - 132.
Date metadata record prepared. October 1999
Author of metadata record. Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation

  
Original purpose. The maps were digitised to provide information on indigenous forest cover for usage at the national scale.
Relationships with classification systems. The FSMS6 maps series uses the indigenous forest classes from McKelvey and Nicholls (1957) and Nicholls (1976) North Island forest classification systems. The FSMS15 map series uses a simplified form of the Nichols indigenous forest classification system.
Relationships with other databases This database is being used with the Land Cover Database to provide more information about indigenous forest cover today. There are 1:63:000 forest type maps for the Central North Island (West Taupo - South Waikato - BOP - Ureweras) which use McKelvey and Nicholls (1957) North Island forest classification. These maps have not been digitised.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators. N/A
Who uses this database? Researchers.
Some land managers.
Public awareness of the database There is a relatively low level of awareness of the electronic database. Ecologists, foresters and some other land managers have a moderate level of awareness of the paper map series.
Database strengths.
  • Nationwide database.
  • Provides a relatively detailed classification of indigenous forests at the national level
  • The FSMS6 map series has been and still is widely used.
  • The classification system has been used in the FSMS6 series for 40 years
Database limitations.
  • The paper and electronic versions of the maps are generally based on old data. This means that the maps need to be used in association with a more recent map of indigenous forest cover extent (e.g. Land Cover Database)
  • Only forests are addressed.
  • The age of specific information shown on a particular map can not always be determined because it is not clear what date of aerial photographs were used for each FSMS6 map
  • The classification has a bias towards merchantable timber species

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:

  
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline. The database provides a record of indigenous forest extent for each forest class as represented in aerial photographs/field survey results used to compile the original paper maps.
Assisting with determining current state/baseline. When used in conjunction with a database of present day forest (e.g. Land Cover Database) extent the database could provide information about the present day extent of the 18 forest classes.
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes. N/A
Risk assessment. N/A
Monitoring site selection and sample design. The database could be used in association with maps of current forest extent to design a monitoring programme in indigenous forests.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally. Data could be reported by map sheet.