The Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) monitors woody vegetation extent, and changes to that extent due to clearing and regrowth using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery as its primary monitoring tool.
The 2022–23 SLATS reporting period is nominally from August 2022 to August 2023. A range of data summaries which analyse the clearing and regrowth data with other key data sets of interest are presented in the report and accessible as Open Data via the report pages. Regional summary data for bioregions are also included. Spatial data and additional data summaries are also released as Open Data as part of the package that accompanies this report. For information about how to access these data, refer to SLATS data.
The 2022–23 SLATS report and data are directly comparable with SLATS reports published from 2018–19 onwards. Published SLATS reports for reporting periods up to and including 2017–18 are not comparable with reports published from 2018-19 onwards, due to a change in methodology.
Introduction
Overview—Mapping and monitoring woody vegetation ecosystems
With an area of approximately 173 million hectares, Queensland is the second largest state in Australia. It is nearly five times the size of Japan and seven times the size of Great Britain. It is home to diverse flora and fauna due to its unique habitats which include extensive arid and semi-arid rangelands, and temperate, sub-tropical and tropical environments.
Queensland has more than 1,400 regional ecosystems with the majority of these described as woody regional ecosystems. These woody regional ecosystems include the sparse and very sparse shrublands and woodlands of the extensive arid and semi-arid rangelands, and the sparse woodlands and mid-dense and dense forests and rainforests along the Great Dividing Range, coastal plains, and in the Cape York Peninsula and Wet Tropics bioregions. These ecosystems play a critical role in supporting biodiversity, maintaining landscape function and water quality, supporting agricultural production, sequestering and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and providing recreation and natural amenity. To conserve, protect, and sustainably use these ecosystems in a changing climate, it is essential to have spatial and temporal data and information to characterise their composition and structure and to monitor their dynamics.
In Queensland, the regional ecosystems framework provides the basis for describing the vegetation types and their remnant status. The Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) monitors woody vegetation extent, and changes to that extent due to clearing and regrowth, using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery as its primary monitoring tool. A Spatial BioCondition framework has also been developed to characterise and map the condition of the state’s regional ecosystems. Combined, these initiatives provide a spatially and temporally comprehensive account of Queensland’s ecosystems based on peer-reviewed science.
About this report
SLATS aims to describe the woody vegetation that currently exists, and where and how its extent is changing. In 2018, a baseline map of woody vegetation extent was developed. Monitoring and mapping since have focussed on change in woody vegetation extent due to woody vegetation clearing and regrowth. The woody vegetation extent map is then updated, and the changes to the map reported annually. The degree of modification associated with the clearing activity and estimates of woody vegetation density and age since disturbance are also reported.
The 2022–23 SLATS reporting period is nominally from August 2022 to August 2023. A range of data summaries which analyse the clearing and regrowth data with other key data sets of interest and regional summary data for bioregions, are also presented in the report and/or released as Open Data.
The 2022-23 report introduces information about the height of vegetation for areas affected by clearing activity (refer to Statewide breakdown). Clearing activity is summarised by vegetation height based on data from the global canopy height data set published by Lang et al. (2023). This is a 10m spatial resolution estimate of canopy height, based on a model relating Sentinel-2 reflectance to vegetation height data from the space-borne LiDAR from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (or GEDI) mission. A preliminary assessment of these data was undertaken using Queensland-based LiDAR data to assess the model’s performance for Queensland. This found that the accuracy was acceptable for the purpose of summarising SLATS clearing activity data by broad height categories. Further research is being undertaken to refine and improve methods to include vegetation height data in SLATS reporting and improve vegetation height spatial data for the state.
Reference: Lang, N., Jetz, W., Schindler, K. and Wegner, J.D. (2023). A high-resolution canopy height model of the Earth. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 7, 1778–1789. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02206-6
Key findings
Key findings
At the end of the 2022–23 monitoring period, Queensland had 94,928,709ha of woody vegetation. This represents a net reduction of 186,694ha in the extent of the state’s woody vegetation for the monitoring period.
At the start of the 2022–23 monitoring period, Queensland had 95,115,403 hectares (ha) of woody vegetation with greater than 10% crown cover. This is about 55% of Queensland’s land area.
In the 2022–23 monitoring period, 332,015ha of woody vegetation was affected by clearing activity. This is a 3% increase in clearing activity from 2021–22 (323,676ha) but less than the annual totals reported for the monitoring periods from 2018–19 to 2020–21.
Of the total clearing activity, 271,343ha (82%) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. This is a slight increase of 1% in full clearing from 2021–22. The remaining 60,672ha of clearing activity in 2022–23 was partial clearing.
In the 2022–23 monitoring period, 84,649ha of new regrowth was mapped.
Key findings—clearing activity
Clearing activity in Category X areas accounted for 77% (254,647ha) of the total clearing activity in Queensland, a similar figure to 2021–22 (252,538ha). Most of this resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation (231,435ha or 91% of all Category X clearing activity).
About 21% (70,799ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category B (remnant) areas—an 8% increase from 2021–22 (65,776ha). Half of this Category B clearing activity (50% or 35,328ha) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation.
About 1% (4,728ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category C (high-value regrowth vegetation), a 30% increase from 2021–22 (3,624ha). Less than 1% (1,725ha) was in Category R (regrowth watercourse area), a similar figure to 2021–22 (1,607ha).
About 1% (3,040ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in areas that have endangered regional ecosystems present, a 21% increase from 2021–22 (2,508ha). About 4% (12,786ha) of the clearing activity was in areas that have of concern regional ecosystems, and 18% (59,125ha) was in areas that have least concern regional ecosystems present, both increases from 2021–22.
Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Brigalow Belt (49% or 161,082ha) and Mulga Lands (22% or 73,883ha) together accounted for nearly three-quarters (71%) of the state’s woody vegetation clearing activity. This is consistent with the past three SLATS reports.
Clearing activity in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment areas accounted for 44% (147,705ha) of the state’s total clearing. This is a slight increase from 2021–22 (143,683ha). About 76% (112,478ha) of the clearing activity in GBR catchments resulted in the full removal of the woody vegetation.
About 86% (283,918ha) of the statewide clearing activity was attributed to the pasture landcover replacement class. Of this, about 88% was full clearing. A further 6% (18,930ha) of the clearing activity was attributed to forestry. Mine activity resulted in around 2% (6,638ha) of the state’s clearing activity, while infrastructure (2,879ha), crop (2,668ha) and settlement (1,470ha) landcover replacement classes contributed less than 1% each to the state’s total clearing activity.
About 83% (273,929ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in sparse or very sparse woody vegetation (i.e. vegetation with less than 50% crown cover). A further 17% (54,901ha) of the clearing activity occurred in mid-dense vegetation (i.e. 50–80% crown cover) which is about double the amount of clearing activity in mid-dense vegetation from 2021-22 (27,622ha).
About 67% (221,728ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in vegetation estimated to be greater than 15 years old (refer to note). About 28% (92,311ha) of the total clearing occurred in vegetation that was estimated to be less than 15 years old. The remainder (about 5% or 17,976ha) occurred in woody vegetation where a valid ‘age since disturbance’ estimate could not be determined.
About 66% (220,070ha) of the clearing activity is estimated to be in woody vegetation less than 5 metres (m) in height, while about 8% (26,877ha) was in vegetation between 5-10m high. A further 26% was in vegetation greater than 10m high.
Key findings—regrowth
Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Brigalow Belt bioregion had the greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing 53% (44,645ha) to the state’s total. The Mulga Lands bioregion had the next greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing about 18% (15,096ha) to the state’s total.
About 89% (75,431ha) of the new regrowth mapped was attributed to the pasture landcover class, and about 7% (5,945ha) attributed to forestry. New regrowth associated with the mine (1,758ha) and crop (1,401ha) landcover classes contributed about 2% each to the area of new regrowth mapped in 2022–23. New regrowth for mine is typically associated with mine rehabilitation areas, while for crop, it is new tree crops.
Of the new regrowth mapped, about 90% (76,371ha) was categorised as either sparse or very sparse woody vegetation, and 10% (8,267ha) as mid-dense or dense woody vegetation.
Based on estimates of woody vegetation ‘age since disturbance’ (refer to note), 71% (60,344ha) of the new regrowth mapped was estimated to be less than 15 years old and around 26% (22,132ha) was estimated to be older than 15 years. A small proportion of the regrowth mapped (2,172ha) was not able to be assigned a valid age estimate.
Note: Since the release of 2018–19 SLATS report, the methods for estimating the age since disturbance of woody vegetation have been revised and the spatial data has been updated for all years from 2018 onwards. It is important to note that the 2018 SLATS woody vegetation extent baseline report and the 2018–19 SLATS report remain as published at the time; age since disturbance figures in those reports are based on an earlier version of the age since disturbance data. For more information on how the age since disturbance estimates are derived, refer to the SLATS methodology.
Statewide overview
Key findings
At the end of the 2022–23 monitoring period, Queensland had 94,928,709ha of woody vegetation. This represents a net reduction of 186,694ha in the extent of the state’s woody vegetation for the monitoring period.
At the start of the 2022–23 monitoring period, Queensland had 95,115,403 hectares (ha) of woody vegetation with greater than 10% crown cover. This is about 55% of Queensland’s land area.
In the 2022–23 monitoring period, 332,015ha of woody vegetation was affected by clearing activity. This is a 3% increase in clearing activity from 2021–22 (323,676ha) but less than the annual totals reported for the monitoring periods from 2018–19 to 2020–21.
Of the total clearing activity, 271,343ha (82%) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. This is a slight increase of 1% in full clearing from 2021–22. The remaining 60,672ha of clearing activity in 2022–23 was partial clearing.
In the 2022–23 monitoring period, 84,649ha of new regrowth was mapped.
Clearing activity
A total of 332,015ha of woody vegetation was affected by clearing activity in 2022–23. This is a 3% increase in clearing activity from 2021–22 (323,676ha) but less than the annual totals reported for the years from 2018–19 to 2020-21. Of the total clearing activity, 82% (271,343ha) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. The remaining 60,672ha of clearing activity was partial clearing.
Clearing activity in Queensland can be undertaken in many ways. This can include mechanical removal or modification of the woody vegetation, forestry activities (e.g. selective harvesting), treatment with herbicides, or a combination of these approaches. Sometimes fire is also used or accompanies other methods. SLATS uses a range of data sources, particularly high-resolution satellite imagery and field-based observation to help verify that clearing has been undertaken. These manual verification and mapping steps are essential for ensuring an accurate representation of woody vegetation change in Queensland.
For more detailed breakdowns of clearing activity in the 2022–23 monitoring period, refer to the Statewide breakdown.
Area of clearing activity from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Spatial distribution of clearing activity 2022–23
View larger image
Map of the spatial distribution of all clearing activity mapped in Queensland in 2022–23, summarised by 7’30” latitude/longitude grid cells (each cell is approx. 17,500ha). Red and orange cells indicate that a greater area of clearing activity has occurred at that location.
Regrowth
In the 2022–23 monitoring period, 84,649ha of new regrowth was mapped. This is a significant increase in the amount of new regrowth added for the state compared to previous years.
A range of factors contribute to new regrowth being detected and mapped. Increased availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery, longer time-series, and advances in classification techniques continue to improve regrowth mapping capabilities. There are also natural and land management factors. Seasonal and longer-term rainfall patterns are a key driver. In general, there were some wetter years in the early 2020’s following several dry years leading up to around 2019–20. This can lead to woody vegetation recruitment and regrowth. It is also possible that with the decreases in clearing activity since about 2017–18, more woody vegetation has had the opportunity to regrow without being re-cleared. Another longer-term factor is changing fire regimes which, when combined with variable climate patterns, has led to increases in woody vegetation in areas such as the Gulf Plains Cape York Peninsula bioregions. Some incentive-based programs such as environmental offsets, carbon projects, and/or rehabilitation areas such as those around mines, may also be contributing to new regrowth areas. Trends in regrowth are difficult to surmise from SLATS mapping due to the varying contributing factors and timeframes that lead to regrowth becoming sufficiently woody to be detected and mapped. For more detailed breakdowns of regrowth in the 2022–23 monitoring period, refer to the Statewide breakdown.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Spatial distribution of regrowth 2022–23
View larger image
Map of the spatial distribution of all new regrowth mapped in Queensland in 2022–23, summarised by 7’30” latitude/longitude grid cells (each cell is approx. 17,500ha). Orange cells indicate that a greater area of regrowth has occurred at that location.
Woody vegetation extent change
From a starting balance of 95,115,403ha, 271,343 ha was subtracted for full clearing and 84,649ha was added for new regrowth. At the end of the monitoring period, Queensland had 94,928,709ha of woody vegetation. This represents a net reduction of 186,694ha in the extent of the state’s woody vegetation.
While these figures represent a net reduction in woody vegetation extent, it is important to acknowledge that not all vegetation change is equal. For example, clearing in remnant areas cannot be directly compared with clearing in non-remnant areas in terms of the impacts on biodiversity, carbon or landscape function. Similarly, new regrowth does not offset remnant loss.
Transaction summary 2022–23
Category
Gain (ha)
Loss (ha)
Balance (ha)
Opening balance August 2022
-
-
95,144,345
Adjustment
5,494
-34,436
95,115,403
Crop
1,401
-2,668
95,114,135
Forestry
5,945
-6,910
95,113,171
Infrastructure
26
-2,879
95,110,317
Mine
1,758
-6,638
95,105,437
Pasture
75,431
-250,777
94,930,091
Settlement
88
-1,470
94,928,709
Closing balance August 2023
-
-
94,928,709
This transaction summary shows the opening balance of woody vegetation at the start of the 2022–23 monitoring period, the losses due to clearing activity that resulted in the full removal of the woody vegetation, and the gains due to new regrowth, for each landcover replacement class. A closing balance at the end of the 2022–23 monitoring period is provided.
Loss and gain adjustments are made to correct for areas in the SLATS woody extent that have been identified in the 2022–23 monitoring period as areas that are not woody or were woody and missed in the original SLATS baseline (or subsequent updates to the baseline). This is expected as additional imagery becomes available to be able to verify woody and non-woody areas. The adjustments ensure the woody extent is maintained to be as accurate as possible based on the available imagery. Note that any natural changes that result in a full and persistent removal of woody vegetation are included in the loss adjustment. This includes woody vegetation removal from landslides, and some areas of flood and cyclone damage. It does not include fire-related loss as this is considered a temporary loss.
Re-processing of the woody vegetation extent at the conclusion of each SLATS monitoring period to incorporate the new clearing and regrowth mapping data can lead to minor differences between previously reported figures and figures presented in this report. This is mostly due to data filtering and cleansing operations, as well as the conversion of the data to raster for reporting. This difference can be most apparent in the transaction summary where the woody vegetation extent closing balance of the previous monitoring period may not be identical to the opening balance of the current monitoring period. These differences equate to a fraction of one percent difference in the total extent of woody vegetation in Queensland that is estimated by SLATS.
Statewide breakdown
Key findings—clearing activity
Clearing activity in Category X areas accounted for 77% (254,647ha) of the total clearing activity in Queensland, a similar figure to 2021–22 (252,538ha). Most of this resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation (231,435ha or 91% of all Category X clearing activity).
About 21% (70,799ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category B (remnant) areas—an 8% increase from 2021–22 (65,776ha). Half of this Category B clearing activity (50% or 35,328ha) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation.
About 1% (4,728ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category C (high-value regrowth vegetation), a 30% increase from 2021–22 (3,624ha). Less than 1% (1,725ha) was in Category R (regrowth watercourse area), a similar figure to 2021–22 (1,607ha).
About 1% (3,040ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in areas that have endangered regional ecosystems present, a 21% increase from 2021–22 (2,508ha). About 4% (12,786ha) of the clearing activity was in areas that have of concern regional ecosystems, and 18% (59,125ha) was in areas that have least concern regional ecosystems present, both increases from 2021–22.
Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Brigalow Belt (49% or 161,082ha) and Mulga Lands (22% or 73,883ha) together accounted for nearly three-quarters (71%) of the state’s woody vegetation clearing activity. This is consistent with the past three SLATS reports.
Clearing activity in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment areas accounted for 44% (147,705ha) of the state’s total clearing. This is a slight increase from 2021–22 (143,683ha). About 76% (112,478ha) of the clearing activity in GBR catchments resulted in the full removal of the woody vegetation.
About 86% (283,918ha) of the statewide clearing activity was attributed to the pasture landcover replacement class. Of this, about 88% was full clearing. A further 6% (18,930ha) of the clearing activity was attributed to forestry. Mine activity resulted in around 2% (6,638ha) of the state’s clearing activity, while infrastructure (2,879ha), crop (2,668ha) and settlement (1,470ha) landcover replacement classes contributed less than 1% each to the state’s total clearing activity.
About 83% (273,929ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in sparse or very sparse woody vegetation (i.e. vegetation with less than 50% crown cover). A further 17% (54,901ha) of the clearing activity occurred in mid-dense vegetation (i.e. 50–80% crown cover) which is about double the amount of clearing activity in mid-dense vegetation from 2021-22 (27,622ha).
About 67% (221,728ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in vegetation estimated to be greater than 15 years old (refer to note). About 28% (92,311ha) of the total clearing occurred in vegetation that was estimated to be less than 15 years old. The remainder (about 5% or 17,976ha) occurred in woody vegetation where a valid ‘age since disturbance’ estimate could not be determined.
About 66% (220,070ha) of the clearing activity is estimated to be in woody vegetation less than 5 metres (m) in height, while about 8% (26,877ha) was in vegetation between 5-10m high. A further 26% was in vegetation greater than 10m high.
Key findings—regrowth
Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Brigalow Belt bioregion had the greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing 53% (44,645ha) to the state’s total. The Mulga Lands bioregion had the next greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing about 18% (15,096ha) to the state’s total.
About 89% (75,431ha) of the new regrowth mapped was attributed to the pasture landcover class, and about 7% (5,945ha) attributed to forestry. New regrowth associated with the mine (1,758ha) and crop (1,401ha) landcover classes contributed about 2% each to the area of new regrowth mapped in 2022–23. New regrowth for mine is typically associated with mine rehabilitation areas, while for crop, it is new tree crops.
Of the new regrowth mapped, about 90% (76,371ha) was categorised as either sparse or very sparse woody vegetation, and 10% (8,267ha) as mid-dense or dense woody vegetation.
Based on estimates of woody vegetation ‘age since disturbance’ (refer to note), 71% (60,344ha) of the new regrowth mapped was estimated to be less than 15 years old and around 26% (22,132ha) was estimated to be older than 15 years. A small proportion of the regrowth mapped (2,172ha) was not able to be assigned a valid age estimate.
Regulated vegetation management map categories
Clearing activity in Category X areas accounted for 77% (254,647ha) of the total clearing activity—a similar figure to 2021–22 (252,538ha). About 91% (231,435ha) of this clearing activity resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. Half of the Category X clearing activity was in the Brigalow Belt bioregion (50% or 126,902ha) with a further 25% (63,739ha) occurring in the Mulga Lands bioregion. The Desert Uplands and Southeast Queensland bioregions each contributed to around 8% of the clearing activity in Category X (20,546ha and 20,121ha, respectively).
About 21% (70,799ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category B (regulated remnant) areas. This represents an 8% increase in clearing activity in Category B areas from 2021–22 (65,776ha). The Brigalow Belt (43% or 30,728ha), Mitchell Grass Downs (15% or 10,582ha) and Mulga Lands (14% or 9,742ha) bioregions had the highest areas of clearing activity in Category B areas, accounting for 72% of the clearing activity in Category B. Both the Brigalow Belt and the Mulga Lands bioregions recorded an increase in clearing activity in Category B areas from 2021–22 (increases of 19% and 30%, respectively), while the Mitchell Grass Downs recorded a 32% decrease.
The remaining proportion of Category B clearing activity occurred predominantly in the Einasleigh Uplands (9% or 6,506ha), Southeast Queensland (7% or 4,793) and Desert Uplands (5% or 3,369) bioregions. The Einasleigh Uplands and Southeast Queensland bioregions both recorded a significant increase in Category B clearing activity, each having more than doubled the area recorded for the 2021–22 monitoring period. For Southeast Queensland, this was due to a combination of forestry and pasture activities, while in the Einasleigh it was mostly for the latter.
Of the clearing activity in Category B areas across the state, 50% (35,327ha) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation with most of this attributed to pasture (29,283ha) but some areas were due to mine (3,541ha) and infrastructure (1,699ha) activities. The remainder of the Category B clearing activity was distributed between areas that were partially cleared with a major level of disturbance (33% or 23,634ha) due to forestry and pasture activities, or partially cleared with a minor level of disturbance (17% or 11,836ha).
About 1% (4,728ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category C (high-value regrowth vegetation)—a 30% increase from 2021–22 (3,624ha). Less than 1% (1,725ha) of the state’s clearing activity was in areas that intersect with Category R (regrowth watercourse area)— a similar figure to 2021–22 (1,607ha).
Area of clearing activity in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
About 18% (59,125ha) of the clearing activity was in areas that contained least concern regional ecosystems—a slight increase from 2021–22 (57,678ha). About 3% (12,786ha) of the clearing was in areas identified as having of concern regional ecosystems—a 29% increase from 2021–22 (9,924ha). Less than 1% (3,040ha) of the clearing was in areas which have endangered regional ecosystems present—a 21% increase from 2021–22 (2,508ha). The majority of this (65% or 1,982ha) was in the Brigalow Belt bioregion and around three-quarters (1,438ha) was full clearing. The remaining 77% (257,064ha) was in areas with no vegetation management class.
It is important to note that SLATS reporting applies the precautionary principle, with the highest vegetation management class used, regardless of the proportion present in regional ecosystem mapping. For example, where a mapped regional ecosystem contains least concern regional ecosystems as the dominant ecosystems, and an endangered regional ecosystem as subdominant, this will be reported as clearing in areas containing endangered regional ecosystems.
Clearing activity—vegetation management class
2022–23
Area of clearing activity in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Brigalow Belt (49% or 161,082ha) and Mulga Lands (22% or 73,883ha) accounted for nearly three-quarters (71%) of the state’s woody vegetation clearing activity. For the Brigalow Belt, this was a 7% decrease from 2021–22 (173,295ha) while for the Mulga Lands it was a 39% increase (53,345ha in 2021–22). About 78% of the clearing activity in the Brigalow Belt and about 96% in the Mulga Lands resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. Most of the clearing activity in these two bioregions was in Category X areas, accounting for 79% (126,902ha) of the clearing in the Brigalow Belt and 86% (63,739ha) in the Mulga Lands.
Clearing activity in the Mitchell Grass Downs was 8% of the statewide total (25,310ha), Southeast Queensland was also about 8% (26,658ha), and Desert Uplands was 7% (24,039ha). Both Southeast Queensland and the Desert Uplands recorded an increase in clearing activity from 2021–22 of 48% and 58%, respectively, mostly in Category X areas. Mitchell Grass Downs recorded a decrease in clearing activity of around 36%, when compared with 2021–22 (39,720ha).
Area of clearing activity in bioregions in 2022–23.
The Brigalow Belt bioregion had the greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing 44,645ha (about 53%) to the state’s total of 84,649ha. The Mulga Lands bioregion had the next greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing about 15,096ha (about 18%) to the state’s total. The remaining proportion of new regrowth mapped occurred predominantly in Southeast Queensland (accounting for 8% or 6,992ha), Desert Uplands (7% or 5,654ha), and Gulf Plains (6% or 4,850) bioregions.
Clearing activity in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment areas accounted for 44% (147,705ha) of the state’s total clearing—this is a slight increase from 2021–22 (143,683ha). About 83% (122,979ha) of this was for pasture, with a further 7% (10,424ha) and 3% (4,780) for forestry and mine, respectively.
About 76% (112,478ha) of the clearing in GBR catchments in 2022–23 resulted in the full removal of the woody vegetation.
Clearing activity in Great Barrier Reef catchments
2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Great Barrier Reef catchments from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
In 2022–23, about 48% (40,527ha) of the new regrowth mapped in the state was in GBR catchments. This was a significant increase in the area of new regrowth mapped in the GBR compared with 2021–22 (14,529ha). Most of this new regrowth in GBR catchments (about 86% or 34,787ha) was in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices (i.e. pasture).
Regrowth in Great Barrier Reef catchments
2019–20 to 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Great Barrier Reef catchments from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth includes new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Landcover replacement class
In 2022–23, 86% (283,918ha) of the clearing activity was attributed to the pasture landcover replacement class— a similar result to 2021–22 (286,108ha) for this class. Of this, about 88% (250,777ha) was full clearing. A further 6% (18,930ha) of the clearing activity was attributed to forestry, 2% to mine (6,638ha), and about 1% to crop (2,668ha).
Clearing activity—landcover replacement class
2022–23
Area of clearing activity in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture.
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
About 89% (75,431ha) of the 84,649ha of new regrowth mapped for the state was attributed to the pasture landcover class, and about 7% (5,945ha) was attributed to forestry. A further 2% each was from crop (1,401ha) and mine (1,758ha) areas. Due to the difficulty of differentiating between native and non-native woody vegetation using satellite imagery, non-native woody vegetation change is also included in SLATS change mapping and therefore may be contributing to new regrowth areas. This may include exotic pine plantations, orchards or invasive exotic woody weeds.
Area of new regrowth in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Density and age since disturbance
In 2022–23, about 83% (273,929ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in sparse and very sparse woody vegetation (i.e. vegetation with less than 50% crown cover). This is reflective of a large proportion of the state’s clearing activity occurring in rangeland ecosystems within the Brigalow Belt, Mulga Lands, Mitchell Grass Downs, Desert Uplands bioregions, and parts of Southeast Queensland, which are characterised by scattered trees and shrubs, open woodlands, woodlands and shrublands. A further 17% (54,901ha) of the clearing activity occurred in mid-dense woody vegetation (i.e. 50–80% crown cover). Around 1% of the total clearing occurred in dense woody vegetation (3,139ha).
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Based on estimates of woody vegetation age since disturbance (refer to note), about 67% (221,728ha) of the total clearing activity in 2022–23 occurred in vegetation greater than 15 years old, and about 78% (172,544ha) of this occurred in sparse or very sparse woody vegetation.
About 28% (92,311ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in vegetation with an age since disturbance of less than 15 years, and most of this (93% or 85,438ha) occurred in sparse or very sparse woody vegetation. About 5% (17,976ha) of the clearing activity occurred in woody vegetation where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined.
Area of clearing activity for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbance
2022–23
Area of clearing activity for density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
About 90% (76,371ha) of the 84,649ha of new regrowth mapped was categorised as sparse or very sparse woody vegetation. A further 10% (8,154ha) was categorised as mid-dense woody vegetation and around 1% (3,139ha) was in dense woody vegetation.
Of the 84,649ha of new regrowth mapped, around 71% (60,344ha) was estimated to be less than 15 years old and 90% (54,148ha) of this was categorised as sparse or very sparse woody vegetation.
A further 29% (24,305ha) of the new regrowth mapped was estimated to be greater than 15 years old and about 92% of this was categorised as sparse or very sparse woody vegetation. Less than 1% (2,172ha) of new regrowth mapped was in areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined.
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbance
2022–23
Area of new regrowth for density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Height
In 2022–23, about 66% (220,070ha) of the clearing activity is estimated to be in woody vegetation less than 5 metres (m) in height. Most of this was in bioregions characterised by larger areas of low regrowth, or low shrubland and woodland ecosystems such as the Brigalow Belt, Mulga Lands, Desert Uplands and Mitchell Grass Downs. About 8% (26,877ha) of the clearing activity was in vegetation between 5–10m high with most of this in the Brigalow Belt and Mulga Lands. A further 26% (84,953ha) was in vegetation greater than 10m high, with Southeast Queensland (23,094ha) and the Brigalow Belt (48,306ha) making up 84% of this class, combined.
The vegetation height information used here is derived from the 2020, 10m spatial resolution global canopy height data set published by Lang et al. (2023).
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al. (2019) and are as follows:
0–5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5–10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10–30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Note: Since the release of 2018–19 SLATS report, the methods for estimating the age since disturbance of woody vegetation have been revised and the spatial data has been updated for all years from 2018 onwards. It is important to note that the 2018 SLATS woody vegetation extent baseline report and the 2018–19 SLATS report remain as published at the time; age since disturbance figures in those reports are based on an earlier version of the age since disturbance data. For more information on how the age since disturbance estimates are derived, refer to the SLATS methodology.
References: Lang, N., Jetz, W., Schindler, K. and Wegner, J.D. (2023). A high-resolution canopy height model of the Earth. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 7, 1778–1789. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02206-6
Scarth, P., Armston, J., Lucas, R., & Bunting, P. (2019). A Structural Classification of Australian Vegetation Using ICESat/GLAS, ALOS PALSAR, and Landsat Sensor Data. Remote Sensing, 11(2), 147. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11020147
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Brigalow Belt from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Brigalow Belt in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceBrigalow Belt, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceBrigalow Belt, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Brigalow Belt for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceBrigalow Belt, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Brigalow Belt for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceBrigalow Belt, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Brigalow Belt by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Brigalow Belt for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Channel Country
Clearing activityChannel Country, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Channel Country from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Channel Country in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceChannel Country, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceChannel Country, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Channel Country for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceChannel Country, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Channel Country for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceChannel Country, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Channel Country by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Channel Country for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Central Queensland Coast
Clearing activityCentral Queensland Coast, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
RegrowthCentral Queensland Coast, 2019–20 to 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Central Queensland Coast from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Central Queensland Coast in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceCentral Queensland Coast, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceCentral Queensland Coast, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Central Queensland Coast for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceCentral Queensland Coast, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Central Queensland Coast for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceCentral Queensland Coast, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Central Queensland Coast by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Height
Clearing activity—height Central Queensland Coast, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Central Queensland Coast for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Cape York Peninsula
Clearing activityCape York Peninsula, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Cape York Peninsula from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Regulated vegetation management map category
Clearing activity—regulated vegetation management map categoryCape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Regrowth—landcover classCape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Cape York Peninsula in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Density and age since disturbance
Clearing activity—densityCape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceCape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceCape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Cape York Peninsula for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceCape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Cape York Peninsula for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceCape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Cape York Peninsula by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Height
Clearing activity—height Cape York Peninsula, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Cape York Peninsula for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Desert Uplands
Clearing activityDesert Uplands, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Desert Uplands from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Desert Uplands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceDesert Uplands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceDesert Uplands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Desert Uplands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceDesert Uplands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Desert Uplands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceDesert Uplands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Desert Uplands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Desert Uplands for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Einasleigh Uplands
Clearing activityEinasleigh Uplands, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Einasleigh Uplands from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Einasleigh Uplands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceEinasleigh Uplands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceEinasleigh Uplands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Einasleigh Uplands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceEinasleigh Uplands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Einasleigh Uplands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceEinasleigh Uplands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Einasleigh Uplands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Einasleigh Uplands for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Gulf Plains from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Gulf Plains in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceGulf Plains, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceGulf Plains, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Gulf Plains for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceGulf Plains, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Gulf Plains for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceGulf Plains, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Gulf Plains by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Gulf Plains for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Mitchell Grass Downs
Clearing activityMitchell Grass Downs, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Mitchell Grass Downs from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Mitchell Grass Downs in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceMitchell Grass Downs, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceMitchell Grass Downs, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Mitchell Grass Downs for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceMitchell Grass Downs, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Mitchell Grass Downs for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceMitchell Grass Downs, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Mitchell Grass Downs by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Mitchell Grass Downs for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Mulga Lands from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Mulga Lands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceMulga Lands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceMulga Lands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Mulga Lands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceMulga Lands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Mulga Lands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceMulga Lands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Mulga Lands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Mulga Lands for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
New England Tableland
Clearing activityNew England Tableland, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in New England Tableland from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Regulated vegetation management map category
Clearing activity—regulated vegetation management map categoryNew England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Regrowth—landcover classNew England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in New England Tableland in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Density and age since disturbance
Clearing activity—densityNew England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceNew England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceNew England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in New England Tableland for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceNew England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in New England Tableland for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceNew England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in New England Tableland by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Height
Clearing activity—height New England Tableland, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in New England Tableland for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Northwest Highlands
Clearing activityNorthwest Highlands, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Northwest Highlands from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Northwest Highlands in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceNorthwest Highlands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceNorthwest Highlands, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Northwest Highlands for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceNorthwest Highlands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Northwest Highlands for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceNorthwest Highlands, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Northwest Highlands by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Northwest Highlands for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Southeast Queensland
Clearing activitySoutheast Queensland, 2018–19 to 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Southeast Queensland from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Southeast Queensland in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceSoutheast Queensland, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceSoutheast Queensland, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Southeast Queensland for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceSoutheast Queensland, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Southeast Queensland for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceSoutheast Queensland, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Southeast Queensland by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Southeast Queensland for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics from 2018–19 to 2022–23.
Full clearing refers to areas which have been converted from woody to non-woody (i.e. less than 10% crown cover remains).
Partial (major) are clearing areas where the woody vegetation has been significantly modified but remains woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but more than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Partial (minor) are clearing areas where some modification of the woody vegetation has occurred, remaining woody (i.e. greater than 10% crown cover remains but less than 50% of the area has been affected by the clearing).
Area of new regrowth in Wet Tropics from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
Regrowth are new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics in regulated vegetation management map categories in 2022–23.
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets, and voluntary declarations
Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
Category R—regrowth watercourse area
Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics in vegetation management classes in 2022–23.
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in the SLATS methodology.
Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture
Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
Other refers to Partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
Area of new regrowth in Wet Tropics in landcover replacement classes in 2022–23.
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. For new regrowth mapping it provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbanceWet Tropics, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—density and age since disturbanceWet Tropics, 2022–23
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of new regrowth in Wet Tropics for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbanceWet Tropics, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Wet Tropics for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—density and age since disturbanceWet Tropics, 2022–23
Area of new regrowth in Wet Tropics by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Area of clearing activity in Wet Tropics for height classes.
Height classes are adapted from Scarth et al., (2019) and are as follows:
0-5m (heath, shrublands and low woodlands)
5-10m (tall shrublands, low woodlands and low forests)
10-30m (woodlands and forests)
>30m (tall woodlands and tall forests)
NHC (i.e. no height class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to no data being available for that location in the Lang et al. (2023) data set.
Note: Since the release of 2018–19 SLATS report, the methods for estimating the age since disturbance of woody vegetation have been revised and the spatial data has been updated for all years from 2018 onwards. It is important to note that the 2018 SLATS woody vegetation extent baseline report and the 2018–19 SLATS report remain as published at the time; age since disturbance figures in those reports are based on an earlier version of the age since disturbance data. For more information on how the age since disturbance estimates are derived, refer to the SLATS methodology.
References: Lang, N., Jetz, W., Schindler, K. and Wegner, J.D. (2023). A high-resolution canopy height model of the Earth. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 7, 1778–1789. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02206-6
Scarth, P., Armston, J., Lucas, R., & Bunting, P. (2019). A Structural Classification of Australian Vegetation Using ICESat/GLAS, ALOS PALSAR, and Landsat Sensor Data. Remote Sensing, 11(2), 147. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11020147
2022–23 SLATS Report,
05 Aug 2025,
[https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/mapping/statewide-monitoring/slats/slats-reports/2022-23-slats-report]
This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/mapping/statewide-monitoring/slats/slats-reports/2022-23-slats-report.
