Reconstructed distribution of indigenous vegetation types in the NSW Riverina VIS_ID 974

Spatial reconstructions of the indigenous vegetation of a region can be used to assess the relative loss of vegetation types or ecosystems. In this context the "reconstructed vegetation" represents the probable extent of native vegetation types across the landscape if the extant vegetation was extrapolated to cover all areas grossly modified by clearing, cropping or other land uses. This extrapolation is usually based on relationships between the vegetation and determinants such as soil type, physiography and climate. Various documents and data were used to reconstruct the pre-clearing vegetation map including extant vegetation mapping, geological and land capability mapping, geomorphology, historical sources (such as explorer accounts and survey plans), field investigations and anecdotal information supplied by local ecologists, naturalists and landholders.; ; VIS_ID 974