This dataset contains spatial layers describing Forest Canopy Loss and Recovery from 1998-2019 in NSW Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) Areas along the eastern coast. <br>

These have been based off the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI) National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS) National Forest and Sparse Woody Vegetation Data grids (ABARES, 2020). These base grids are Landsat in origin and have a resolution of 25m. <br>

For this dataset product and the processing of metrics, aspects of canopy loss and disturbances in the forest estate were investigated. Measures of canopy loss and recovery are seen as one of the multiple indicators of forest health. This is related to agents or pressures that affect the capacity of native forests and commercial operations to maintain normal ecosystem functions and sustainably provide productive capacity. <br>

To attribute disturbances, as a driver of change, a Multiple Lines of Evidence (MLE) approach was used that leveraged available spatial datasets. This allowed for a project-wide disturbance and disturbance context layer to be generated. This information can be interpreted back against forest cover extent change outputs, in particular the differences between individual years, to identify the areas of change and the likely reasons why. Therefore, landscape trends in forest loss can be potentially assigned or at the very least investigated. <br>

The time taken, in terms of years, for areas to recover from losses in forest canopy cover extent can has also been determined. This process identifies the time taken for a patch of forest to return to a 20% canopy cover threshold, and other characteristics such as the forest type and likely disturbance or loss event. <br>

Forest Canopy Loss and Recovery uses measures of canopy loss and disturbances which can be interpreted back against forest cover extent change outputs, in particular the differences between individual years, to identify the areas of change and the likely reasons why. Therefore, landscape trends in forest canopy loss can be potentially assigned or at the very least investigated. Time taken in years for areas to recover for losses has also been determined, as-well as other characteristics such as forest type and likely disturbance/loss event. <br>

Base cover extent grids used are from the NSW RFA Historic Forest Canopy Cover Extent – 1995 to 2019 product.

Read more about the project on the Natural Resources Commission website:<br>

https://www.nrc.nsw.gov.au/fmip-baselines-ecosystem-health-projectfe 1<br>

This dataset is superseded by 'NSW Forest Monitoring and Improvement Program State-Wide Historic Forest Canopy Loss and Recovery - 1998 to 2020'