Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Mapping Project
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission (VBRC) recommended improved information on biodiversity values and bushfire hazard levels that would allow a greater state wide picture to inform bushfire management and land use activities.
The Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Mapping Project, led by DSE, is a direct response to these recommendations under the VRBC final report.
The project forms component 1 of the DPCD led Integrated Building and Planning Hazard Mapping and Risk Response Framework. For more information see the Implementing the Government’s response to the Victorian 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission May 2011 document on the Department of Justice website.
For more information on the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission, please visit the Department of Justice website and the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission website.
(click on image to enlarge)
Figure 1: Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Mapping Project: Key deliverables from the Victorian Royal Bushfire Commission Response
Key deliverables from the VRBC
- A new statewide bushfire hazard map (Recommendation 37.1).
- Detailed vegetation and biodiversity mapping for targeted high risk and high priority areas (Recommendation 43).
Data collection
The Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Mapping project will involve the on-ground mapping of vegetation type and condition along with biodiversity values. Field work and on-ground observation is an important part of the project.
On-ground mapping works in conjunction with other types of aerial, satellite and radar mapping by providing another layer of mapping information. A multi-layered mapping approach helps informs models and products which feed into Integrated Building and Planning Hazard Mapping and Risk Response Framework.
Statewide information
In fulfilling the Recommendations mentioned above, the project will produce a number of new statewide vegetation and biodiversity maps and models.
These include:
- Native vegetation extent layer
- Statewide classification maps at finer scales than currently available including classification of:
- woody and non-woody
- native and non-native
- bushland
- plantations (native and non-native)
- urban woody
- other exotics, and
- orchards.
- Reviewed Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) mapping and typology, based on better understanding of fire sensitivity, at finer scales than currently available.
- Revised and new Species Distribution Models of Rare and Threatened Species.
Priority area information
The Recommendations mentioned above also require detailed mapping of several high risk, high priority areas.
Detailed on-ground assessment and mapping of vegetation type and condition will be undertaken through the DSE Targeted Vegetation Condition Assessment and Mapping Project, which is being implemented under the Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Mapping project.
Priority areas were selected on a number of factors including development pressure, bushfire risk and biodiversity values.
The first year of the targeted vegetation mapping will cover parts of Yarra Ranges Shire, as a high priority area. The second and final phase of the project will be expanded to several other high priority areas across the state.
For more information about the Targeted Vegetation Condition Assessment and Mapping Project download the information Sheet:
Targeted Vegetation Condition Assessment and Mapping Project information sheet
[PDF File - 1.9 MB]
Targeted Vegetation Condition Assessment and Mapping Project information sheet
[MS Word Document - 1.0 MB]
The project will use the Vegetation Quality Assessment methodology to capture detailed on ground information. This includes data on:
- vegetation type
- cover and diversity of native species
- cover and number of weed species
- tree density
- tree canopy cover
- organic litter cover (including native and non-native)
- log density
- connections to surrounding native vegetation
The data captured will be the basis of detailed bushfire hazard mapping and produce information on conservation significance in high risk areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What on-ground information will be collected during the Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Mapping project?
The Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Mapping project will collect data related to the following:
- vegetation type and condition
- vegetation typology
- vegetation extent
- threatened species distribution
- bushfire hazard
How will the information collected be used and where can I access this data?
The information collected will be used in the development of a statewide bushfire hazard map and a detailed bushfire hazard map for high risk areas (Recommendation 37).
In addition, detailed vegetation and biodiversity maps will also be developed (Recommendation 43). Detailed vegetation and biodiversity maps include Threatened Species Distribution Models, Native Vegetation Extent across the state.
The mapping will assist with developing local land use and bushfire management planning and policies.
Once the project is completed, data collected will contribute to several of the government’s state-wide maps and will assist with developing bushfire management planning and policies. State-wide maps will be available through the Biodiversity Interactive Map.
What approach is being used in the DSE Targeted Condition Assessments and Mapping project design?
The Vegetation Quality Assessment approach (also known as the Habitat Hectare approach) is DSE’s mechanism for scoring vegetation condition at a location and is defined in the Vegetation Quality Assessment manual. This approach is being used to collect on-ground data through the DSE Targeted Condition Assessments and Mapping Project, as part of the Bushfire Hazard and Biodiversity Project.
The approach collects data at the site based level to determine condition. To determine the score for each attribute of the assessment baseline data is captured on:
- tree density
- species diversity
- canopy cover
- native species cover
- weed species cover
- organic litter cover
- density of on ground logs
- size of the native vegetation patch within which the assessment site sits
- information on the amount of surrounding vegetation
- rare and threatened flora
- site recruitment of native vegetation
This data is important in developing hazard maps and biodiversity information. As such, the Habitat Hectare approach collects a large amount of data which can inform both hazard mapping and biodiversity under the project.
How were high priority areas for vegetation condition assessments and mapping selected?
The Targeted Vegetation Condition assessments and mapping project selected several pilot areas that would contribute to a greater statewide picture. Factors such as development pressure, bushfire risk and high biodiversity values contributed to the selection of these areas.
How will the products of this project feed into the Integrated Building and Planning Hazard and Risk Response Framework?
The Department of Planning and Community Development are leading the Integrated Building and Planning Hazard and Risk Response Framework.
Based on the expert advice of DSE and CFA, the framework will clearly identify the different levels of bushfire hazard at a statewide scale and corresponding risk graduated responses in the planning and building systems. The new hazard mapping will be used to differentiate the areas where a planning and/or building response is required. It will also provide information to replace the current designation of the whole of Victoria as bushfire prone.