SLATS methodology
The Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) is a scientific monitoring program that supports environmental protection laws in Queensland and a range of sustainable land management, biodiversity and conservation initiatives. Read more about SLATS.
Since the 1990s and until recently, the Queensland Government has monitored woody vegetation loss due to human-induced land clearing, applying a methodology that used Landsat satellite imagery and a combination of automated image classification, desktop analysis and field methods.
In recent years, SLATS has undergone significant scientific enhancement to provide a more comprehensive monitoring and reporting framework for the state. The revised and enhanced program builds on previous science and adopts a range of new technologies and approaches, including the use of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery in place of Landsat for monitoring woody vegetation extent change including the introduction of regrowth monitoring.
Due to these recent changes to the SLATS methodology, previous SLATS reporting—up to and including the 2017–18 SLATS report—is not comparable with any reporting after that date.
Enhanced methodology
The recent revisions and enhancements to SLATS include:
- the production of a detailed map of the extent of Queensland’s woody vegetation, as a baseline for ongoing monitoring, reporting and accounting
- woody vegetation clearing mapping methods that incorporate the new woody vegetation extent map and a transition from medium-resolution Landsat to higher-resolution Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.
- approaches for estimating woody vegetation density (i.e. foliage projective cover) and the age of the woody vegetation (since its last major disturbance)
- approaches for monitoring and mapping woody vegetation regrowth
- a vegetation condition assessment and mapping methodology called Spatial BioCondition to map and monitor the condition of Queensland’s terrestrial ecosystems to support biodiversity.
In combination with the Regional Ecosystem framework, these developments provide a comprehensive vegetation monitoring and reporting framework for Queensland.
For details about the current SLATS methodology, refer to Statewide Landcover and Trees Study – Methodology overview v1.1 .
Peer-reviewed science
The current SLATS methodology and program enhancements, including the Spatial BioCondition methods, were the subject of a comprehensive independent peer review in 2021. The review was led by CSIRO and included experts in remote sensing, ecology, and natural resource management.
The review considered the science underpinning the program and its effectiveness in supporting environment and natural resource information requirements. It found that the methods were appropriate and consistent with best practice scientific reporting, and that the program would have ongoing impact for environmental and natural resource management in Queensland.
More information
- Current SLATS reports—view current SLATS reports.
- Current SLATS data products—view and access the current series of SLATS data.
- Previous SLATS data and reports—view and access Previous SLATS data, reports and publications.
Contact
- For general SLATS enquiries, email SLATS_enquiries@des.qld.gov.au.
- Find more information about the Joint Remote Sensing Research Program.
- Contact the Department of Resources for enquiries about vegetation management in Queensland.