These layers show woody vegetation change based on the analysis of multi-date Sentinel2 imagery for 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Woody change is detected though a combination of automated and manual interpretation of the differences between images captured during summer of each year. Satellite images are selected as close as possible to the 1st of January each year with minimal smoke or cloud. This requirement can result in a range of image dates for each SLATS year.

To reflect this, SLATS data naming previously included both years (the era of change) in which imagery was captured, for example era 2015-16 (e1516).

For clarity data is now named using the year in which the majority of the clearing has taken place for example 2015, some files contain the old naming convention.

The woody vegetation change is mapped using the SLATS (Statewide Land and Tree Survey) method which applies an automated change analysis process followed by visual interpretation of the results by experienced image interpretation staff. Landcover classes reflect the interpreted cause of woody vegetation change.

The woody change data is also used for vegetation compliance analysis.

Change statistics are available.

Links to reports, factsheets and other information below:

Landcover monitoring and reporting https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-monitoring-and-reporting

Current NSW Vegetation clearing report (2021) https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-science/2021-nsw-vegetation-clearing-report#:~:text=Statewide%20vegetation%20clearing%20by%20landcover%20class&text=In%202021%20across%20the%20state,clearing%20has%20occurred%20for%20agriculture.

Previous reports and data https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-science

Woody vegetation change: Statewide Landcover and Tree Study method https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-vegetation/landcover-science/statewide-landcover-tree-study

Remotely sensed imagery is routinely collected by DPE and used to map vegetation clearing. This data is spatially explicit and can be used with other datasets to identify activity on individual lots. Please read the privacy collection notice for more information.