2021–22 SLATS Report
Statewide breakdown
Key findings—clearing activity
- About 20% (65,776ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category B (remnant) areas—a 22% increase from 2020–21 (54,136ha). Almost two-thirds of this Category B clearing activity (62% or 40,577ha) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation.
- About 1% (3,624ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category C (high-value regrowth vegetation), and less than 1% (1,607ha) was in Category R (regrowth watercourse area). Both were decreases from 2020–21.
- Clearing activity in Category X areas (i.e. those areas not generally regulated by the Vegetation Management Act 1999) accounted for 78% (252,538ha) of the total clearing activity in Queensland. Most of this resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation (224,749ha or 89% of all Category X clearing activity).
- Less than 1% (2,508ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in areas that have endangered regional ecosystems present and about 3% (9,924ha) was in areas that have of concern regional ecosystems. About 18% (57,678ha) of the clearing activity was in areas that have least concern regional ecosystems present. These findings are similar to the 2020–21 SLATS report findings.
- Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Brigalow Belt (54% or 173,294ha) and Mulga Lands (17% or 53,345ha) together accounted for nearly three-quarters (70%) of the state’s woody vegetation clearing activity.
- Clearing activity in the Great Barrier Reef catchment areas accounted for 44% (143,683ha) of the state’s total clearing. This was a 13% decrease in clearing activity from 2020–21 (164,766ha). About 79% (113,765ha) of the clearing in reef catchments resulted in the full removal of the woody vegetation.
- About 88% (286,108ha) of the statewide clearing activity was attributed to the pasture landcover replacement class. Of this, about 88% was full clearing. A further 5% (17,310ha) of the clearing activity was attributed to forestry. Mine activity resulted in around 2% (5,885ha) of the state’s clearing activity, and the infrastructure (2,207ha), crop (1,680ha) and settlement (1,341ha) landcover replacement classes each contributed about 1% of the total clearing activity.
- About 91% (294,841ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in sparse or very sparse woody vegetation (i.e. vegetation with less than 50% crown cover). A further 9% (27,622ha) of the clearing activity occurred in mid-dense vegetation (i.e. 50–80% crown cover). These proportions are similar to 2020–21.
- Based on estimates of woody vegetation ‘age since disturbance’, about 58% (187,762ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in vegetation estimated to be greater than 15 years old (refer to note). About 30% (97,090ha) of the total clearing occurred in vegetation that was estimated to be less than 15 years old. The remainder (12% or 38,823ha) occurred in woody vegetation where a valid ‘age since disturbance’ estimate could not be determined.
Key findings—regrowth
- Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Southeast Queensland bioregion had the greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing 31% (9,741ha) to the state’s total. The Brigalow Belt bioregion had the next greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing about 26% (8,085ha) to the state’s total.
- About 69% (21,369ha) of the new regrowth mapped was attributed to the pasture landcover class, and about 25% (7,747ha) attributed to forestry. A further 5% (1,484ha) was mapped as crop, largely due to new tree-crop orchards in parts of Southeast Queensland (Burnett-Mary) and Wet Tropics (around Atherton) bioregions.
- Of the new regrowth mapped, about 88% (27,610ha) was categorised as either sparse or very sparse woody vegetation, and 11% (3,467ha) as mid-dense woody vegetation.
- Of the new regrowth mapped, 72% (22,484ha) was estimated to be less than 15 years old and around 15% (4,578ha) was estimated to be older than 15 years.
Regulated vegetation management map categories
In 2021–22, about 20% (65,776ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category B (regulated remnant) areas. This represents a 22% increase in clearing activity from 2020–21 (54,136ha). The Brigalow Belt (39% or 25,898ha), Mitchell Grass Downs (24% or 15,677ha) and Mulga Lands (11% or 7,483ha) bioregions had the highest areas of clearing activity in Category B areas. The Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion had a significant increase (98%) from 2020-21, in part attributable to a few larger clearing events on the southern margins of the bioregion. The Brigalow Belt also recorded a 16% increase in clearing activity in Category B. Some of this is attributable to partial clearing as part of forestry activities in state forests to the south of Carnarvon National Park, near the township of Injune. The Mulga Lands bioregion recorded an 18% decrease in clearing activity in Category B areas from 2020–21.
Of the clearing activity in Category B areas across the State, 62% (40,577ha) resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. The remainder of the Category B clearing activity was distributed between areas that were partially cleared with a major level of disturbance (30% or 19,470ha) or partially cleared with a minor level of disturbance (9% or 5,727ha).
About 1% (3,624ha) of the statewide clearing activity was in Category C (high-value regrowth vegetation)—a decrease from 4,701ha in 2020–21. Less than 1% (1,607ha) of the clearing activity was in areas that intersect with Category R (regrowth watercourse area)— a decrease from 2,321ha in 2020–21.
Clearing activity in Category X areas accounted for 78% (252,538ha) of the total clearing activity—this was a 12% decrease from 2020–21 (288,165ha). About 89% (224,749ha) of this clearing activity resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. Over half of the Category X clearing activity was in the Brigalow Belt bioregion (57% or 144,409ha) with a further 18% (45,638ha) occurring in the Mulga Lands bioregion. Category X areas are those that are not generally regulated by the Vegetation Management Act 1999, as identified in the Regulated vegetation management map.
Clearing activity—regulated vegetation management map category 2021–22
Regulated vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories that are present on a parcel of land. This information helps land managers determine the type of approval needed for vegetation clearing. The categories are as follows:
- Category A—vegetation that is subject to compliance notices, offsets and voluntary declarations
- Category B—remnant vegetation shown on a regional ecosystem or remnant map as an endangered regional ecosystem, an of concern regional ecosystem or a least concern regional ecosystem
- Category C—high-value regrowth vegetation
- Category R—regrowth watercourse area
- Category X—vegetation that is not generally regulated by the vegetation management laws.
For further information refer to General guide to the vegetation clearing codes (PDF).
Vegetation management class
In 2021–22, about 18% (57,678ha) of the clearing activity was in areas that contained least concern regional ecosystems—this was an increase of 16% from the 49,850ha mapped in 2020–21. About 3% (9,924ha) of the clearing was in areas identified as having of concern regional ecosystems—a decrease of about 6% from 2020–21 (10,546ha). Less than 1% (2,508ha) of the clearing was in areas which have endangered regional ecosystems present—also a decrease from the 2020–21 figure of 2,714ha. The majority of this (76% or 1,902ha) was in the Brigalow Belt bioregion and around three-quarters (1,379ha) of this was full clearing.
The remaining 78% (253,566ha) was in areas with no vegetation management class. SLATS reporting applies the precautionary principle, with the highest vegetation management class used, regardless of the proportion present in regional ecosystem mapping. For example, where a mapped regional ecosystem contains least concern regional ecosystems as the dominant ecosystems, and an endangered regional ecosystem as subdominant, this will be reported as clearing in areas containing endangered regional ecosystems.
Clearing activity—vegetation management class 2021–22
The vegetation management class refers to the current regulated extent of a regional ecosystem. The categories are endangered, of concern and least concern. No VM class refers to areas with no vegetation management class due to no regulated vegetation being present.
For further information refer to Biodiversity status and vegetation management class.
Bioregions
Of the state’s 13 bioregions, the Brigalow Belt (54% or 173,294ha) and Mulga Lands (17% or 53,345ha) accounted for nearly three-quarters (70%) of the state’s woody vegetation clearing activity. Both bioregions recorded decreases in clearing activity from 2020–21 continuing the downward trend from the previous year; the Mulga Lands decreased by 26%, while the Brigalow Belt recorded a 4% decrease. There has been a continued significant decline in clearing activity in the Mulga Lands recorded over the previous mapping eras, specifically between 2018–19 (284,648ha), 2019-20 (110,161ha) and 2021–22 (72,238ha).
About 95% of the clearing activity in the Mulga Lands and 77% in the Brigalow Belt resulted in full removal of the woody vegetation. The majority of the clearing activity in these two bioregions was in Category X areas, accounting for 83% (144,409ha) of the clearing in the Brigalow Belt and 86% (45,638ha) in the Mulga Lands.
Clearing activity in the Mitchell Grass Downs was 12% of the statewide total (39,720ha), Southeast Queensland was 6% (17,966ha) and Desert Uplands was 5% (15,204ha). Both Southeast Queensland and the Desert Uplands recorded a significant decrease in clearing activity (27% and 42%, respectively) from 2020–21. However, the Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion had a significant increase in clearing activity of around 49%, when compared to 2020–21 (26,671ha), partly due to a few larger clearing events in the southern part of the bioregion, some of which were mapped as partial clearing.
Clearing activity—bioregion 2021–22
Area of clearing activity in bioregions in 2021–22.
The Southeast Queensland bioregion had the greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing 9,741ha to the state’s total of 31,098ha. The Brigalow Belt bioregion had the next greatest area of new regrowth mapped, contributing about 8,085ha to the state’s total.
Regrowth—bioregion 2021–22
Area of new regrowth in bioregions in 2021–22.
- Regrowth includes new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent.
For further detailed breakdowns for each of the bioregions see further breakdowns by bioregion.
Great Barrier Reef catchments
Clearing activity in the Great Barrier Reef catchment areas accounted for 44% (143,683ha) of the state’s total clearing—this was a 13% decrease in clearing activity from 2020–21 (164,766ha). About 79% (113,765ha) of the clearing in Reef catchments in 2021–22 resulted in the full removal of the woody vegetation.
Clearing activity in Great Barrier Reef catchments 2018–19 to 2021–22
Area of clearing activity in Great Barrier Reef catchments from 2018–19 to 2021–22.
In 2021–22, about 47% (14,529ha) of the new regrowth mapped in the state was in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
Regrowth in Great Barrier Reef catchments 2019–20 to 2021–22
Area of new regrowth in Great Barrier Reef catchments from 2019–20 to 2021–22.
- Regrowth includes new woody vegetation areas which have regrown sufficiently to be reliably added to the SLATS woody extent. Regrowth was not reported in 2018–19.
Landcover replacement class
In 2021–22, 88% (286,108ha) of the clearing activity was attributed to the Pasture landcover replacement class— this was an 8% decrease from 2020–21 (310,339ha) for this class. Of this, about 88% (252,019ha) was full clearing. A further 5% (17,310ha) of the clearing activity was attributed to Forestry, 2% to Mine (5,885ha), and about 1% to Crop (1,680ha).
Clearing activity—landcover replacement class 2021–22
The landcover replacement class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the vegetation was cleared. Read more about this in SLATS methodology.
- Pasture is clearing activity associated with grazing and other general agricultural land management practices—this class includes clearing for pasture, internal property tracks, fence lines or fire breaks.
- Crop is clearing activity for cropping or horticulture.
- Forestry is clearing activity for timber harvesting in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
- Mine is clearing activity for mining activities (including coal seam gas infrastructure).
- Infrastructure is clearing activity for utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
- Settlement is clearing activity for urban development.
- Other refers to partial (minor) clearing activity that is not able to be reliably attributed to a landcover replacement class due to the low level of modification associated with these clearing events.
About 69% (21,369ha) of the new regrowth mapped was attributed to the Pasture landcover class, and about 25% (7,747ha) was attributed to Forestry. A further 5% (1,184ha) was mapped as Crop, mainly due to new tree-crop orchards in parts of Southeast Queensland (Burnett-Mary) and the Wet Tropics (around Atherton) bioregions. Due to the difficulty of differentiating between native and non-native woody vegetation using satellite imagery, non-native woody vegetation change is also included in SLATS change mapping. This may include exotic pine plantations, orchards or invasive exotic woody weeds.
Regrowth—landcover class 2021–22
The landcover class is determined as part of the SLATS mapping process. It provides an indication of the purpose for which the land is used where the regrowth occurs. Read more about SLATS methodology.
- Pasture is new regrowth in areas associated with grazing and related land management practices.
- Crop is new regrowth in woody crops and horticulture, including fodder crops and tree fruits and nuts.
- Forestry is new regrowth in state or privately owned native or exotic (e.g. pine) forests or plantations (where it can be reliably attributed using authoritative data or other ancillary data sources).
- Mine is new regrowth in mining areas (e.g. rehabilitation areas).
- Infrastructure is new regrowth associated with utilities such as roads, railways, water storage, pipelines and powerlines.
- Settlement is new regrowth in urban areas and can include gardens and parklands.
Density and age since disturbance
In 2021–22, about 91% (294,841ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in sparse and very sparse woody vegetation (i.e. vegetation with less than 50% crown cover). This is reflective of a large proportion of the state’s clearing activity occurring in rangeland ecosystems including the Brigalow Belt, Mulga Lands, Desert Uplands and Mitchell Grass Downs bioregions, which are characterised by scattered trees and shrubs, open woodlands and shrublands. A further 9% (27,622ha) of the clearing activity occurred in mid-dense woody vegetation (i.e. 50–80% crown cover). Less than 1% of the total clearing occurred in dense woody vegetation (1,198ha).
Clearing activity—density 2021–22
Area of clearing activity for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
- Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
- Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
- Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
- Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
- NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Based on estimates of woody vegetation age since disturbance (refer to note), about 58% (187,762ha) of the total clearing activity in 2021–22 occurred in vegetation greater than 15 years old, and about 87% (163,523ha) of this occurred in sparse or very sparse woody vegetation.
About 30% (97,090ha) of the total clearing activity occurred in vegetation with an age since disturbance of less than 15 years, and most of this (97% or 94,303ha) occurred in sparse or very sparse woody vegetation. About 12% (38,823ha) of the clearing activity occurred in woody vegetation where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined.
Clearing activity—age since disturbance 2021–22
Area of clearing activity for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Clearing activity—age since disturbance and density 2021–22
Area of clearing activity by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
- Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
- Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
- Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
- Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
- NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
About 88% (27,610ha) of the regrowth mapped was categorised as sparse or very sparse woody vegetation. A further 11% (3,467ha) of the regrowth mapped was categorised as mid-dense woody vegetation and less than 1% (19ha) was in dense woody vegetation.
Of the 31,097ha of new regrowth mapped, 72% (22,484ha) was estimated to be less than 15 years old. 19,750ha of this was categorised as sparse or very sparse woody vegetation.
A further 15% (4,578ha) of the new regrowth mapped was estimated to be greater than 15 years old and about 90% of this was categorised as sparse or very sparse woody vegetation. The remaining 13% (4,036ha) of new regrowth mapped was in areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined.
For ‘older’ areas of new regrowth, either the age since disturbance estimate is unreliable or they may be areas that were previously excluded from the 2018 woody extent baseline. It is possible that given most of these are in sparser vegetation types, the vegetation may not have been readily detectable in the satellite imagery used at the time the 2018 baseline was mapped, and it has now become more readily detectable due to additional data in the time series or availability of other new imagery.
Regrowth—density 2021–22
Area of new regrowth for density classes of woody vegetation.
Density classes are as follows:
- Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
- Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
- Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
- Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
- NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbance 2021–22
Area of new regrowth for age since disturbance classes (refer to note).
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Regrowth—age since disturbance and density 2021–22
Area of new regrowth by density and age since disturbance classes.
An age since disturbance of NASD (i.e. no age since disturbance) refers to those areas where a valid age since disturbance estimate could not be determined from SLATS clearing histories and/or time-series analysis of historical satellite imagery.
Density classes are as follows:
- Dense vegetation has a Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) of 70–100% (>80% crown cover)
- Mid-dense vegetation has a FPC of 30–70% (50–80% crown cover)
- Sparse vegetation has a FPC of 10–30% (20–50% crown cover)
- Very sparse/isolated vegetation has a FPC of <10% (0.25–20% crown cover)
- NDC (i.e. no density class) refers to small areas that have not been assigned a density class due to cloud or other contamination in the satellite imagery.
Note: Since the release of 2018–19 SLATS report, the methods for estimating the age since disturbance of woody vegetation have been revised and the spatial data has been updated for all years from 2018 onwards. It is important to note that the 2018 SLATS woody vegetation extent baseline report and the 2018–19 SLATS report remain as published at the time; age since disturbance figures in those reports are based on an earlier version of the age since disturbance data.
The SLATS age since disturbance estimates are based on time-since-cleared data derived from SLATS clearing histories, and time-series analysis of more than 30 years of Landsat satellite imagery aimed at detecting woody vegetation disturbance and regrowth. The age since disturbance estimates use the time-series information where sufficient evidence is available to assign a valid estimate of how long the woody vegetation has been regrowing following a disturbance event.
For more information on how the age since disturbance estimates are derived, refer to the SLATS methodology. It is important to note that woody vegetation that is greater than 15 years is not always considered to be remnant or high-value regrowth, as additional criteria such as species composition and vegetation height are used to determine remnant or high-value regrowth status. This is determined as part of the regional ecosystem mapping framework.
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