A range of NVIS data products are available, which are appropriate for use at different scales.
Detailed data is received from state and territory custodians with standard NVIS attributes and compiled into the NVIS database. These datasets are appropriate for use at a regional scale. Where there is agreement with the custodian, the detailed data has been made publicly available in the latest release of the NVIS.
The detailed data is generalised and added to non-NVIS gap-fill data and then recompiled to create the NVIS Major Vegetation Group (MVG) and Major Vegetation Subgroup (MVS) products. This generalised data is better suited for national-scale analyses.
Download links for currently available NVIS datasets are below.
Current status of NVIS
| Version | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 2020 release, with new data being implemented for the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. A whole new MVG/MVS assignment was implemented for Queensland, and MVG/MVS re-assignments were made where applicable to the remaining states/territories, with the exception of Tasmania. | |
| 5.1 | 2018 release, with updates being completed for the Tasmania vector dataset and gapfilling work being finalised for the NSW extant dataset. Some of the rulesets underpinning the assignment of MVGs and MVSs have also been updated to improve consistency for their allocation. | |
| 5.0 | 2018 release with substantial cleaning and standardisation of the v4.2 data to align with the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual v7. Gapfill work has been completed for NSW and Qld Extant vector datasets including a reinterpretation of the Qld/NSW border data. | |
| 4.2 | 2016 release with updated NVIS data for NSW only. V4.1 data was reused (and in some cases cleaned) for all other jurisdictions. This version includes 33 MVGs and 85 MVSs as per v4.1. | |
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4.1 |
2012 release with new and updated NVIS data from most jurisdictions. All data has been reinterpreted into revised MVG and MVS classifications. This version includes 33 MVGs and 85 MVSs. Also used in the State of the Environment Report 2011, |
Superseded |
|
4.0 |
Not a product; vector data supplied to BRS/NFI for State of the Forests Report (2008). |
Not a publicly released product. |
|
3.1 |
This version includes 67 MVSs, a more detailed classification than MVG; based on MVG but includes understorey characteristics and other identifying floristic affinities. |
Superseded |
|
3.0 |
This version comprised a full refresh, with the publication of updated MVGs. The 30 MVGs are based on structure, growth form and floristic composition of the dominant stratum of each vegetation type. |
Superseded |
|
2 |
A restructured NVIS database; included Level V data. |
Superseded |
|
1 |
The original NVIS; released in 2001. |
Archived |
Major Vegetation Groups and Major Vegetation Subgroups
NVIS information has been compiled to enable Australia-wide analyses of the Major Vegetation Groups (MVGs) and Major Vegetation Subgroups (MVSs), which are based on the detailed NVIS Level I-VI data. Some non-NVIS data have been used in the development of these products where gaps exist in the NVIS spatial data.
These broader-scale interpretations are limited to 33 MVGs and 85 MVSs that represent the dominant vegetation in each spatial feature. (Note: the exact number of Groups and Subgroups varies between some NVIS versions.)
These products are designed for broad use at a national or state-wide scale or for simple vegetation descriptions at a regional scale. They are available in Present (Extant) and Estimated Pre-1750 (pre-European) vegetation themes.
NVIS detailed vector data: Level 1-6 Vegetation Descriptions
The NVIS detailed Level 1-6 vegetation descriptions make up the NVIS Information Hierarchy, and are used to assign the MVG and MVS classifications. The hierarchy is based on structural and floristic information including dominant genus, growth form, height and cover; and are preferably collected at the Level 6 (VI) Sub-Association (sub-stratum) level. For many reasons including different scales and classification methods, not all data is collected at this level of detail. Currently there are over 10,000 distinct NVIS vegetation descriptions in the NVIS database. For more information refer to the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual V7.0.
These detailed vector data products may be used at a regional scale and allow for more complex analyses when joined with the associated Lookup Table of Flat File. They are available in Present (Extant) and Estimated Pre-1750 (pre-European - where available) themes. Data is available under CC BY. It is recommended the datasets be used alongside the Key Layers, or Uncertainty tools (see NVIS Analysis Tools), to better understand the source data attributes such as differing scales, age of data etc.
NVIS Version 6.0 Web Services – WMS
Four rasters representing present (extant) and pre-1750 major vegetation groups and major vegetation subgroups across Australia are available as web services in WMS format for incorporation in an online web portal or a GIS application.
These datasets are in Albers Equal Area projection with a 100 m x 100 m (1 Ha) cell size. Summaries were derived from the best available data in the NVIS extant and pre-1750 themes. This product is derived from a compilation of data collected at different scales on different dates by different organisations.
- National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) Version 6.0 Major Vegetation Groups – Extant Vegetation
- National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) Version 6.0 Major Vegetation Groups – Estimated Pre- 1750 Vegetation
- National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) Version 6.0 Major Vegetation Subgroups – Extant Vegetation
- National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) Version 6.0 Major Vegetation Subgroups – Estimated Pre- 1750 Vegetation
Further information on on how to use the datasets is available on the How to use Web Services page.
Downloads
NVIS Version 6.0
| Download rasters | Download vectors | Supporting information |
|---|---|---|
| NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (Version 6.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (33 groups) Note: superseded versions of the MVGs have been withdrawn. |
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List of Version 6.0 Major Vegetation Groups 6.0 MVG Preferred sort order (PDF - 20.92 KB) |
| NVIS Major Vegetation Subgroups (Version 6.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (85 subgroups) Note: superseded versions of the MVSs have been withdrawn. |
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List of Version 6.0 Major Vegetation Subgroups 6.0 MVS Preferred sort order (PDF - 39.91 KB) |
| NVIS MVG/MVS categorisation (Version 6.0) | ||
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6.0 MVG to MVS descriptions (XLSX - 34.87 KB) |
| NVIS Detailed Level 1-6 (Version 6.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia Australia wide (CCBY) |
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| NVIS Key Layers (Version 6.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia |
NVIS 6.0 Extant (present) theme: source data scales (PDF - 1.23 MB) |
Click on a heading below or Show all | Hide all
NVIS Version 5.1
| Download rasters | Download vectors | Supporting information |
|---|---|---|
| NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (Version 5.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (33 groups) Note: superseded versions of the MVGs have been withdrawn. |
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List of Version 5.1 Major Vegetation Groups 5.1 MVG Preferred sort order (PDF - 24.19 KB) |
| NVIS Major Vegetation Subgroups (Version 5.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (85 subgroups) Note: superseded versions of the MVSs have been withdrawn. |
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List of Version 5.1 Major Vegetation Subgroups 5.1 MVS Preferred sort order (PDF - 48.57 KB) |
| NVIS Detailed Level 1-6 (Version 5.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia Australia wide (CCBY) Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
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| NVIS Key Layers (Version 5.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
NVIS 5.1 Extant (present) theme: source data scales (PDF - 960.62 KB) |
NVIS Analysis Tools
| Download tools | Download rasters | Supporting information |
|---|---|---|
| NVIS Uncertainty Layers and Associated Tools | ||
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Coverage: Australia |
Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
NVIS 5.1 Uncertainty – Age, Origin, Scale & Spatial Mix (individual) (PDF - 401.83 KB) NVIS 5.1 Uncertainty – Age, Origin, Scale & Spatial Mix (composite) (PDF - 668.74 KB) |
| NVIS MVG/MVS Conversion tools | ||
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Coverage: Australia |
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NVIS Version 5.0
| Download rasters | Download vectors | Supporting information |
|---|---|---|
| NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (Version 5.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (33 groups) Note: superseded versions of the MVGs have been withdrawn. |
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List of Version 5.0 Major Vegetation Groups 5.0 MVG Preferred sort order (PDF - 24.22 KB) |
| NVIS Major Vegetation Subgroups (Version 5.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (85 subgroups) Note: superseded versions of the MVSs have been withdrawn. |
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List of Version 5.0 Major Vegetation Subgroups 5.0 MVS Preferred sort order (PDF - 48.56 KB) |
| NVIS Key Layers (Version 5.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
NVIS 5.0 Extant (present) theme: source data scales (PDF - 1.6 MB) |
NVIS Version 4.2
| Download rasters | Download vectors | Supporting information |
|---|---|---|
| NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (Version 4.2) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (33 groups) Note: superseded versions of the MVGs have been withdrawn. |
List of Version 4.2 Major Vegetation Groups 4.2 MVG Preferred sort order (PDF - 34.31 KB) |
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| NVIS Major Vegetation Subgroups (Version 4.2) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (85 subgroups) Note: superseded versions of the MVSs have been withdrawn. |
List of Version 4.2 Major Vegetation Subgroups 4.2 MVS Preferred sort order (PDF - 59.29 KB) |
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| NVIS Key Layers (Version 4.2) | ||
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Coverage: Australia Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
NVIS 4.2 Extant (present) theme: source data scales (PDF - 1007.22 KB) |
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NVIS Version 4.1
| Download rasters | Download vectors | MVG/MVS supporting information |
|---|---|---|
| NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (Version 4.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (33 groups) Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
List of Version 4.1 Major Vegetation Groups Numeric order (PDF - 23.99 KB) Preferred sort order (PDF - 23.86 KB) |
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| NVIS Major Vegetation Subgroups (Version 4.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (85 subgroups) Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
List of Version 4.1 Major Vegetation Subgroup Numeric order (PDF - 36.19 KB) Preferred sort order (PDF - 35.83 KB) |
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| NVIS Key Layers (Version 4.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
NVIS 4.1 Extant (present) theme: source data scales (JPG - 423 KB) NVIS 4.1 Extant (present) theme: spatial data origin (JPG - 415 KB) NVIS 4.1 Extant (present) theme: attribute data origin (JPG - 409 KB) NVIS 4.1 Pre-1750 theme: source data scales (JPG - 407 KB) NVIS 4.1 Pre-1750 theme: spatial data origin (JPG - 409 KB) NVIS 4.1 Pre-1750 theme: attribute data origin (JPG - 405 KB) |
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NVIS Version 3.0 / 3.1
| Download rasters | Download vectors | MVG/MVS supporting information |
|---|---|---|
| NVIS Major Vegetation Subgroups (Version 3.1) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (67 subgroups) Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
View list of Major Vegetation Subgroups (PDF - 23.53 KB) | |
| NVIS Major Vegetation Groups (Version 3.0) | ||
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Coverage: Australia (30 groups) Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
Coverage: Australia (30 groups) Note: this data has been superseded and is no longer available online. |
View list of Major Vegetation Groups (PDF - 57.33 KB) Note: superseded versions of the MVGs have been withdrawn. |
| NVIS Key Layers (Version 3.0) | ||
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NVIS Extant (present) theme: data sources (GIF - 43 KB) NVIS Extant (present) theme: source data scales (GIF - 38 KB) |
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