Multi Attribute Data - Nambucca River Catchment - Landform and Condition

The mapping process as applied in this dataset provides a vector based inventort of the landscape in terms of landuse, vegetation, presence of tree regrowth, tree and shrub canopy density, presence of understorey and soil erosion condition. Mass movement is mapped where it exists, as is a selected range of weed species in pasture areas. These characteristics of the land are part of the larger set of characteristics that can be mapped using the NSW Dept. of Land and Water Conservation’s full set of attribute codes. This set of codes are termed the Standard Classification for Attributes of Land (SCALD). The value of the attribute mapping is that the data objectively characterises the land and can be used for a range of land uses and land management purposes. This system of mapping maximises the efficiency of GIS operation by describing a number of attributes into one polygon, avoiding problems caused by overlaying go different data sets. The full SCALD programme permits the coding of slope, terrain, land use, vegetation community, vegetation regeneration, tree and shrub canopy density, understorey status, projective foliage cover (McDonald et al. 1990), Western Region vegetation, soil erosion, mass movement, soil conservation earthworks, extent of rock outcrops, geology and Great soil groups., geology, great soil group, soil landscapes, physical limitations, land capability, soil depth, user defined attributes and Northwest vegetation associations. Soil landscapes information from the DLWC mapping program of the same name can be incorporated into the SCALD code set. Mapping is carried out at 1:25000 scale using base maps from the NSW Land Information Centre medium scale topographic series. Outputs are most useful at the sub-catchment or regional scale but not at property level. The data are extremely valuable at the river basin scale for integrated catchment planning programmes.