Dataset: Landscape classification of the Cooper preliminary assessment extent

Description

Abstract

This dataset was derived by the Bioregional Assessment Programme. The parent datasets are identified in the Lineage field in this metadata statement. The processes undertaken to produce this derived dataset are described in the History field in this metadata statement.

The Cooper subregion is within the Lake Eyre Basin bioregion. It covers an area of 130,000 km2 of which two-thirds is in south-west Queensland with the remainder in north-east SA. The majority of the subregion is within the Cooper Creek - Bulloo river basin with a small part in the north-west within the Diamantina-Georgina river basin. Key features of the Cooper subregion are its large area, sparse human population density (only 1032 residents in the 2011 census) and unpredictable rainfall resulting in natural and human systems driven by resource pulses and boom-bust dynamics. The low human population results in the natural vegetation being relatively intact. The dominant land use in the subregion is grazing of sheep and cattle on natural pastures (grazing native vegetation). Other major land uses are nature conservation and mining and waste (represented by an area of mining and intensive gas treatment, storage and distribution at Moomba). There is no pasture modification or intensive production within the Cooper PAE.

A landscape classification was developed to characterise the nature of water dependency among the assets of the Cooper PAE. Unlike other subregions where the PAE extends beyond the subregion boundaries (e.g. Galilee), the Cooper PAE is smaller in area than the subregion and mostly contained within its boundaries (Figure 17). The aim of the landscape classification is to systematically define geographical areas into classes based on similarity in physical and/or biological and hydrological character. The landscape classification includes natural and human ecosystems. The objective of the landscape classification is to present a conceptualisation of the main biophysical and human systems at the surface and describe their hydrological connectivity. This section describes the methodology and datasets used to arrive at the landscape classification for ecosystems within the Cooper PAE.

Multiple classification methodologies have been developed to provide consistent and functionally relevant representations of water-dependent ecosystems in Australia and globally (e.g. ANAE). The approach outlined in this product has built on and integrated these existing classification systems.

Dataset History

Preparation of wetlands

  1. Merged "QLD_WETLAND_SYSTEM_100K_A" (GUID: 2a187a00-b01e-4097-9ca4-c9683e7f4786) and "Wetlands_GDE_Classification" (GUID: fc35d75a-f12e-494b-a7d3-0f27e7159b05) - output [a]

  2. Extract polygons from [a] which intersect with "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607) - output [b]

  3. a) Add field "Landform_LC" to [b]

b) Select where "WETLANDSYS" field is not blank

c) Update "Landform_LC" field to first letter from "WETLANDSYS" field

d) Selet where "WETCLASS field is not blank

e) Update "Landform_LC" with "WETCLASS value

f) export - output [c]

  1. Eliminate spurious polygons from [c], merge to polygons with longest border - output [d]

  2. Intersect [d] with itself to find overlaps, cut out overlapping section, use autocomplete polygon to fill gap with no overlap. Merge to longest border - iterate til no overlaps exist - output [e]

  3. export [e] as 'COO_Wetlands' -output [f]

Preparation of LC_Landform

  1. Create a 2 degree by 2 degree fishnet polygon feature class over the extent of the "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607) - output [g]

  2. Clip "AHGFMappedStream" (GUID: 5342c4ba-f094-4ac5-a65d-071ff5c642bc) to "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607) - output [h]

  3. Split wetlands [f] into 2 degree tiles (from [g]) - output [i]

10 Split streams [h] into 2 degree tiles (from [g]) - output [j]

  1. Buffer streams in [j] by 1m to create polygons - output [k]

  2. Erase wetlands [i] from buffered streams [k] - output [l]

  3. explode multi-part wetlands [i] into single part polygons - output [m]

  4. explode multi-part buffered streams [l] into single part polygons - output [n]

  5. Merge [m] and [n] into single feature class; Landform_LC - output [o]

Preparation of LC_GW_SRCE

  1. a) Clip "GDE_Terrestrial_Areas_v01_1" (GUID: 10940dfa-d7ef-44fb-8ac2-15d75068fff8) to "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607)

b) Add field "GW_SRCE_LC"

c) where Attribute field [Rule_Name] is "Aquifers associated with springs that form saline scolds" OR "Sandstone aquifers with fresh permanent groundwater connectivity regime associated with discharge springs, populate "GW_SRCE_LC" to "Artesian"

d) Update the "GW_SRCE_LC" attribute for all other features to; "Non-Artesian"

e) output [p]

  1. a) Clip "GDE_Sub" and GDE_Sur" features from "COO_asset_database_20150827" (GUID: 0b122b2b-e5fe-4166-93d1-3b94fc440c82) to "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607)

b) Add field "GW_SRCE_LC"

c) update "GW_SRCE_LC" field to "Artesian"

d) output [q]

  1. a) Clip spring features from "GEODATA TOPO 250K Series 3" (GUID: a0650f18-518a-4b99-a553-44f82f28bb5f) to "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607)

b) Buffer to 20m

c) Add field "GW_SRCE_LC"

d) update "GW_SRCE_LC" field to "Artesian"

e) output [r]

  1. Erase [r] from [q] - output [s]

  2. Merge [p], [r] and [s] - output [t]

Create topography landclass

  1. Select Floodplain - "F" features from "QLD_Wetland_System" (GUID: 2a187a00-b01e-4097-9ca4-c9683e7f4786) and clip to "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607) - output [u]

  2. Select "LandSubjectToInundation", "MarineSwamp", "SalineCoastalFlat", "Swamp" features from "GEODATA TOPO 250K Series 3" (GUID: a0650f18-518a-4b99-a553-44f82f28bb5f) and clip to "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607) - output [v]

  3. Merge [u] and [v], add field "LC_Code" and assign value '10,000' - output [w]

  4. convert [w] to 25m gridded raster, gridvalue: "LC_Code" - output [x]

Stream Classification

  1. a)Clip "AHGFMappedStream" (GUID: 5342c4ba-f094-4ac5-a65d-071ff5c642bc) to "COO_PAE_v03.shp" (GUID: 872353f8-9795-42c6-8819-047e1fb05607)

b) buffer to 1m - Dissolve all

c) Add Attribute field "LC_Class"

d) Split features based on cell value of "landclass_wgs" (GUID: 8915d14d-7c22-404a-ba11-07f0c25fd177)

e) split features again based on 'Perenniality' attribute from original "AHGFMappedStream" (GUID: 5342c4ba-f094-4ac5-a65d-071ff5c642bc)

f) for features where "Perenniality" = Perennial, update "LC_Class" to "Near permanent", for all other features, update "LC_Class" to "Temporary"

g) for features where "landclass_wgs" = 1, append ", lowland stream" to "LC_Class", for all other features, append ", upland stream" to "LC_Class"

h) output [y]

Preparation of LC_WaterType

  1. From "QLD_GDETerr" (GUID: 10940dfa-d7ef-44fb-8ac2-15d75068fff8), select where 'Salinity of groundwater source' >= 3000mg/L TDS and clip to "COO_SW_PAE_v02" (GUID: 7069521d-51cf-41c5-b9ef-ebb424af5361) - output [z]

  2. From "QLD_GDESur" (GUID: 10940dfa-d7ef-44fb-8ac2-15d75068fff8), select where 'Salinity of groundwater source' >= 3000mg/L TDS and clip to "COO_SW_PAE_v02" (GUID: 7069521d-51cf-41c5-b9ef-ebb424af5361) - output [aa]

  3. From "QLD_Wetlands" (GUID: 2a187a00-b01e-4097-9ca4-c9683e7f4786), select where 'SALIMOD' in (S2, S3, T1) and clip to "COO_SW_PAE_v02" (GUID: 7069521d-51cf-41c5-b9ef-ebb424af5361) - output [ab]

  4. a) Merge [z], [aa] and [ab]

b) add field "lc_code"

c) where: 'WTRRegime' in (WR0, T1,WT1, WR2), update "lc_code" to 30 (intermittent)

d) where: 'WTRRegime' in (WR3 (orWT3)), update "lc_code" to 20 (near permanent)

e) output - [ac]

Dataset Citation

Bioregional Assessment Programme (2015) Landscape classification of the Cooper preliminary assessment extent. Bioregional Assessment Derived Dataset. Viewed 27 November 2017, http://data.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/dataset/883926c0-82a3-4e9e-89fc-99557fd0a371.

Dataset Ancestors

General Information

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