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Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Australian advances in vegetation classification and the need for a national, science-based approach

Sarah Luxton https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4714-9799 A , Donna Lewis https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3891-3142 B , Shane Chalwell C , Eda Addicott https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4806-9205 D and John Hunter https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5112-0465 E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Email: sarahjluxton@outlook.com

B Northern Territory Herbarium, Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS), Northern Territory Government, PO Box 496, Palmerston, NT 0831, Australia. Email: donna.lewis@nt.gov.au

C Plantecology Consulting, 50 New Cross Road, Kingsley WA 6026, Australia. Email: shane@plantecology.com.au

D Queensland Herbarium, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Qld 4066, Australia. Email: eda.addicott@des.qld.gov.au

E School of Environmental and Rural Science, Elm Avenue, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia. Email: jhunter8@bigpond.com

Australian Journal of Botany 69(7) 329-338 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT21102
Submitted: 20 August 2021  Accepted: 1 September 2021   Published: 6 October 2021

Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC

Abstract

This editorial introduces the Australian Journal of Botany special issue ‘Vegetation science for decision-making’. Vegetation science and classification are crucial to understanding Australian landscapes. From the mulga shrublands of the arid interior to the monsoon rain forests of northern Australia, we have culturally and scientifically built upon the delineation of vegetation into recognisable and repeatable patterns. As remote sensing and database capacities increase, this improved capability to measure vegetation and share data also prompts collaboration and synthesis of complex, specialised datasets. Although the task faces significant challenges, the growing body of literature demonstrates a strong discipline. In Australia, purpose-driven products describe vegetation at broad scales (e.g. the National Vegetation Information System, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network). At fine scales however (i.e. that of the vegetation community), no uniform framework or agreed protocols exist. Climate and landform dictate vegetation patterns at broad scales, but microtopography, microclimate and biotic processes act as filters at finer scales. This is the scale where climate-change impacts are most likely to be detected and effected; this is the scale at which a deeper understanding of evolutionary ecology will be achieved, and it is the scale at which species need to be protected. A common language and system for understanding Australian communities and impetus for collecting data at this scale is needed. In the face of ongoing climate and development pressures and an increasingly complex set of tools to manage these threats (e.g. offset policies, cumulative impact assessments), a nationally collaborative approach is needed. It is our hope that this special issue will help to achieve this.


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