Wetland Mapping Classification and Inventory
Wetland mapping and classification
A comprehensive coverage of wetlands, mapped at an appropriate scale and level of detail, is a fundamental requirement for wetland management and decision making. Queensland’s wetlands have been mapped digitally by building on existing information, including water body mapping derived from satellite imagery, regional ecosystem mapping and a springs database.
Wetlands have been classified according to a range of criteria, including the type of ecological system (riverine, estuarine etc), their degree of water permanency, and salinity. The result is a consistent wetland map at a scale of 1:100,000, with finer detail in some parts of Queensland (mainly coastal regions) where appropriate mapping data exists.
Wetland mapping and classification information sheet
Follow this link to a downloadable PDF information sheet with more background information on wetland mapping and classification.
Wetland mapping and classification methodology
Follow this link to view or download the report describing the Queensland wetland mapping and classification methodology.
Wetland mapping and classification version history
Several wetland mapping and classification products have been developed and delivered through the Queensland Wetland Programme. The information below provides a history of the versions provided to date.
Version 1.0 - December 2006. Queensland Wetland Mapping and Classification for the Great Barrier Reef catchments between Bundaberg and Cooktown, 2001 extent.
Version 1.1 - April 2007. Queensland Wetland Mapping and Classification for the Wide Bay catchments, 2001 extent.
Version 1.2 - February 2008. Queensland Wetland Mapping and Classification for the Great Barrier Reef, Wide Bay, Cape York Peninsula and Murray-Darling Basin catchments, 2001 extent. This includes updated mapping for areas released in versions 1.0 and 1.1, and new mapping for Cape York Peninsula and Murray-Darling Basin catchments.
Wetland inventory
Wetland mapping is a key element of wetland inventory. Wetland inventory can describe the listing and storage of wetland information from a range of sources. This listing or storehouse of wetland information may be generated from available data sources (tenure, climate, population, land use etc) or it may be collected in the field. Wetland inventory can also describe one of the types of field data collection. This process is referred to here as on-ground inventory.
For more information on the differences between inventory, assessment and monitoring see the assessment, management and monitoring page.
A wetland inventory database has been developed to bring data from Queensland together in one place. It is being developed as a project under the Queensland Wetlands Programme. The aim is to make it easier for users to access and synthesise information from a variety of sources. All data is spatially referenced (latitudes and longitudes) so it can be viewed and queried in a spatial context in conjunction with WetlandMaps.
The wetland inventory database is designed to store data from on-ground inventories collected on an associated field survey proforma as well as a range of other datasets and spatial layers. Examples of these datasets include state agency water quality data, river basin boundaries, regional fauna surveys. All data in the database are consistent with the themes described in the Australian wetlands inventory.
The wetland inventory database is a work in progress and scoping of additional datasets is underway. If you are the custodian of a wetland dataset that you would like included, please contact us via the feedback link below.
Last updated: 14 March 2008
