This dataset is a polygon representation of vegetation communities within the coastal strip of the Northern and Southern National Resource Management (NRM) Regions of Tasmania. Each polygon represents a single vegetation community; mapping units conform to TASVEG 1.0 mapping unit specifications and data format. Vegetation communities were identified to a 1ha resolution or to 0.25ha where a threatened vegetation community was suspected. This dataset is part of the NRM Coastal Values Project. The Project maps vegetation, fauna habitat and geomorphology from High Water mark to 100 metres inland for part of the coastline of the Southern and Northern NRM Regions of Tasmania. The purpose of the coastal values mapping is to provide an easily accessible database on vegetation and geomorphology to support better strategic planning, land use planning and management on the coast.

The mapping was carried out using MapInfo 7.5. Using the coastline layer as supplied by NRM a 100 metre buffer was applied to define the project study area for each NRM Region. Vegetation communities were mapped within the 100 metre coastal strip by creating polygons and allocating vegetation community codes (TASVEG 1.0 mapping units), viewed at a scale of 1:5000. This was carried out by overlaying the TASVEG, roads, geology and coastline layers over ortho-rectified aerial photographs in MapInfo. Vegetation communities were identified to a 1ha resolution, or to 0.25ha where a threatened vegetation community was suspected. Existing mapping was utilised where available. (See additional metadata.) Following ground truthing, vegetation community mapping was completed in MapInfo: - Using ecological principals to determine TASVEG mapping unit for locations not ground truthed, - Adjusting boundaries of polygons, - Allocating the TASVEG mapping units based on ground truthing or ecological principals. Layers for NRM North and NRM South were combined into a single layer - overlaps were reconciled.

Position Accuracy: Field data was collected with the assistance of a gps unit and hard copy maps of digitised vegetation communities. Orthoimages used in the mapping process varied from 1:24000 with accuracy generally in the order of plus or minus 2m (absolute accuracy plus or minus 5m in some place ) to 1:42000 with accuracy generally plus or minus 15m (absolute accuracy can be of the order of plus or minus 18m in some places). Individual polygons are attributed with the scale, and date of photography used. Attribute Accuracy: VEGCODE accuracy is considered very high due to use of thorough process, extensive resources and qualified field botanists. Canopy and Structure attributes are reliable were they are recorded. Approximately 70 percent of the dataset has been field verified. Logical Consistency: The dataset has been checked for general topological errors with MapInfo 7.5 (all overlaps, gaps and self-intersections corrected). All objects are attributed with valid values. There is some inconsistency present (<5 percent) between the NativeVegCondition layer and this Vegetation layer (Condition not assessed in some cells that have native vegetation and vice versa) , this error has not been corrected Completeness: This dataset covers the Tasmanian coastal strip (between mean high water mark and 100 metres inland) for the Northern and Southern Natural Resource Management (NRM) Regions. The coastlines of Huon Valley, Kingborough, Hobart City, Glenorchy City, Derwent Valley, Brighton, Glamorgan Spring Bay, Break O'Day, Dorset and part of George Town Councils are included. Clarence, Sorell and Tasman Councils are not included as they have existing data from the Integrated South East Coastal Management Strategy. Other areas excluded are all National Parks in the Southern NRM Region as well as Quarantine Station State Reserve and Southport Lagoon Conservation Area. In the Northern NRM Region Mt William National Park is excluded. COMPLETENESS OF CLASSIFICATION All polygons have been attributed with VEGCODE. Canopy and Structure attributes are recorded only where relevant and observed. COMPLETENESS OF VERIFICATION All polygons have been verified, individual polygons are attributed with the method of verification. 64 percent of the polygons (73 percent by area) were field verified and the remainder were verified from ecological principles Additional: Decision support tools have been produced to complement the data set. These documents can be obtained from http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/CDAT-593VMB or email coastal.enquiries@environment.tas.gov.au to request a copy.