10.11 Vegetation Cover Map of New Zealand

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Database Title	10.11 Vegetation Cover Map of New Zealand
Keywords Type1. Type 11.	Vegetation map, vegetation classes.
Abstract	This is a 1:1,000,000 scale vegetation cover map for New Zealand including the three principal islands and all offshore islands within100km of the coast. There are 47 cover classes identified by an alpha numeric code and 17 vegetation cover elements identified by symbols and patterns. The map uses 16 colours and tones to highlight broad physionomic groupings while urban areas, roads and areas of bare rock and ice are identified by shades of grey. The classification system underlying the map is discussed further in Newsome's vegetation cover classes: classification system used in the Vegetation Cover Map of New Zealand.
Geographical Coverage	New Zealand-three principal islands and offshore islands within 100 km.
Dataset start date.	1973
Dataset end date.	1980's
Status/currency.	Complete
Update frequency.	N/A
Maintenance.	Not planned.

Technical Evaluation
Parameters- what is measured	Vegetation cover group Vegetation cover class Vegetation cover element
Parameters- what is calculated
Methods used to measure parameters	This Map was compiled primarily from existing source maps, surveys and reports rather than new field work. The four steps in the compilation of the vegetation cover map are: Computer classification: a computer retrieval programme allowed each of the approximately 6000 vegetation entities in the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory to be indexed to one of approximately 90 provisional vegetation cover classes. The information obtained was computer plotted at an intermediate scale of 1:250,000. Manual editing: For much of New Zealand the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory was the only source of vegetation information. In these areas computer classified information was accepted subject to later field checking. In Stewart Island there was no LRI data and so information came from other sources. Reference was also made to other sources of vegetation information where this existed for other parts of New Zealand. A 1:250,000 scale field sheet was produced. Field checking: field investigations by vehicle and plane focused on areas subject to recent changes in vegetation cover, or areas presenting difficulties for classification or boundary definition. Scale check: this included a photo reduction of the corrected map to the final scale of 1,000,000 and a critical appraisal by other ecologists.
Secondary sources of data	N/A
Scale of use.	1:1,000,000
Number of records	Unknown.
GIS compatibility.	Data is digitised.
Available formats for users.	Published report and maps.
Access constraints.	The published material 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	Peter Newsome Scientist
Database custodian Contact Address Phone Fax Email	Private Bag 11 052 Palmerston North +64 6 356 7154 +64 6 355 9230 NewsomeP@landcare.cri.nz
References	Newsome, P.F.J 1987. The vegetation cover of New Zealand. Water and Soil Miscellaneous Publication No. 112. Water and Soil Directorate, Ministry of Works and development: Wellington. 153p. 2 map sheets.
Date metadata record prepared.	October 1999
Author of metadata record.	Victoria Froude

Management Evaluation
Original purpose.	To prepare a comprehensive national vegetation map comparable to those available for geology and soils. The map sought to serve three broad functions: an inventory of vegetation communities occurring in a given time and place. a tool for analysing the natural and cultural environment and the relationship between it and the various vegetation types. a tool to assist future planning for land use.
Relationships with classification systems.	The classification system used is described in Newsome (1987).
Relationships with other databases	A variety of information was used in the preparation of this database. The primary source of information was the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory. In Stewart Island, where there was no LRI information, the compilation was based primarily upon "plant communities of Stewart Island" by Hugh Wilson.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators.	N/A
Who uses this database?	A variety of land managers use the database.
Public awareness of the database	There is a moderate level of awareness amongst land management people, as the published map has been available for some time. The database (paper map) is relatively straightforward to use and is accompanied by comprehensive descriptive material. This descriptive material describes each vegetation cover class including its area, distribution, landforms and various factors which are characteristic of the class as a whole.
Database strengths.	The scale of the map was chosen to fit the purpose and the available data. It was determined that: It was easier to use existing data. This would not be possible with a finer scale map; The scale was applicable for national and regional planning; The scale was appropriate for educational purposes; The scale provided an appropriate level of resolution for the existing information; It was cheaper to compile a map at this scale than at a more detailed scale.
Database limitations.	Most of the data originates from the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory vegetation layer. This can be outdated. In addition the LRI database aggregates data from a polygon to give a combined description of the different vegetation patterns within that geographical area. At 1:1,000,000 mapping scale the minimum map unit is 800 hectares. This is too coarse to show many of the subtleties of New Zealand vegetation. The map underestimates the extent of "pure" classes, e.g. broadleaved forest. This is because many areas of broadleaved forest are recorded in mixed associations resulting from geographical proximity, e.g. pasture and broadleaved forest. The map does not include ecologically significant areas that are small in size.

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline.	N/A
Assisting with determining current state/baseline.	The map describes current terrestrial vegetation at a broad scale. Many of the binary cover classes are the result of geographical proximity rather than any ecological relationship between the components.
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes.	N/A
Risk assessment.	N/A
Monitoring site selection and sample design.	It would not be appropriate to use this database for site selection purposes because the binary cover classes do not necessarily imply any ecological relationship between the components and they include elements that more appropriately belong in the primary cover classes at a more detailed scale of mapping.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally.	Data can be aggregated although the scale of the map units means that it would be most appropriate to use the data at the national level.