CANRI APPLICATIONS BACKGROUNDER

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GENERAL INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

NSW Natural Resources Atlas (NRA)

www.canri.nsw.gov.au/atlas

The NRA is designed to help the discovery of, and access to, natural resources information about NSW. It acts as a library whereby a user can access natural resources data layers covering a wide range of environmental themes such as wildlife, vegetation, geology, land, water, pollution and more.

The NRA was the first application developed for the CANRI framework. It provides the user with the ability to search and view all the data layers available within the framework. By providing a seamless linkage to the NSW Natural Resources Data Directory (NRDD), the NRA enables users to select an area of interest on a map and search approximately 4000 data records within the NRDD (data register) on a particular theme. From the data records, the user can then access and view much other data.

Where appropriate, specific applications or interfaces have been developed to provide users with streamlined access to relevant data layers. These applications are accessible via the CANRI home page.

You might want to find and view what water quality information exists near Wollongong. Zoom in on the map to your area of interest, for example Wollongong. Then add data to the map such as Streamwatch, groundwater availability or Hawkesbury-Nepean monitoring sites.

Natural Resources Data Directory

www.canri.nsw.gov.au/nrdd

The Natural Resources Data Directory (NRDD) is a register of around 4,000 natural resource datasets held mainly by New South Wales State and local government agencies. Its purpose is to make natural resources data widely accessible by providing a friendly interface. The term data has been interpreted as broadly as possible and includes not only data in digital form (including satellite imagery) but also material in hardcopy formats such as printed maps, reports and photographs.

The NRDD covers a wealth of information for topics as diverse as vegetation and wildlife, inland and coastal waters, land use, soils, mineral resources, energy, urban planning, infrastructure, air pollution and many more. Much of the information listed in the NRDD is now priceless because it can never be collected again. Unlike other information, natural resources information remains extremely valuable regardless of its age.

It includes data collected over long periods of time, such as the heights and flows of rivers in NSW dating back to the late 1880's, as well as up to the minute information collected as part of specific projects of critical importance to the sustainability of the State's natural resources. For example, there are currently over 100 datasets listed in the NRDD relating to salinity in New South Wales and this number will increase over the next few years as the State government and community join forces to tackle this problem.

A student of architecture recently used the NRDD to find out how best to locate and access information about the town of Tamworth in north-western New South Wales for a major design project. She wanted historical and cultural information on town planning and development, soil surveys, maps indicating soil types, land contours and any other relevant information. This was all available through the NRDD.

SoEdirect

soedirect.nsw.gov.au

SoEdirect is an online internet database of environmental datasets and information held by the NSW EPA. SoEdirect was designed specifically to assist local councils produce their annual State of the Environment (SoE) reports. It provides an easily accessible one-stop-shop for EPA environmental data and reduces the amount of printed material sent out to local councils.

The NSW State of the Environment 2000 report, the latest assessment of the status of the environment in NSW, and the actions and programs underway in NSW to conserve natural ecosystems and minimise human impacts, is now accessible online.

SoEdirect currently covers 8 sets of environmental data and information but is likely to increase over time. Datasets currently available include: waste disposal and recycling; environmental grants; pollution control and waste licensing; public calls to pollution line; regional air pollution index; contamination of land; river health, assessed by macroinvertebrate assemblages; and beach and harbour water quality assessment for Sydney and Illawarra.

An Environmental Health Officer of a local Council may need to investigate air quality in the local area, following several recent complaints from ratepayers. Using the SoEdirect internet site, they can generate a map showing the location of EPA air quality monitoring stations. They are then able to download specific pollution index data based on a yearly collation, highlighting either a low, medium or high rating.

LAND NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

Soil Profile Attribute Data Environment (SPADE)

spade.dlwc.nsw.gov.au

Whether you are interested in knowing more about your local catchment, the most sustainable way to use the land, how the local landscape has developed over time, or even what will or won’t grow in your garden, chances are that somewhere along the line you’ll need information about the soil.

SPADE gives easy access to over 24,000 soil descriptions from across NSW. Using SPADE, you can zoom into the area of NSW you are interested in, click on one of the soil profile points displayed on the map, and retrieve an easy-to-read report that includes both the landform and the soil’s basic physical and chemical information (where collected) at that site.

If you are a primary producer from Dorrigo who wants to find out about the soils in the local area, you could start SPADE and begin by selecting either the catchment or the Local Government Area in which your property lies. These criteria provide a quick way of zooming into your area of interest. Once the more detailed area is displayed, you can use the information on the map to zoom further, until you’ve found your area of interest and can see what soil profiles have been described there. For example, many of the soils around Dorrigo are deep, red, acid, well structured soils developed on basalt, that are rich in clay and high in iron, phosphorus and aluminium. The information in SPADE, when interpreted, indicates that these soils can be used for both pasture and some crops, within limits, but are vulnerable to soil acidification, structural decline and soil erosion if over-used.

Landcare Information

clio.dlwc.nsw.gov.au

Information about NSW Landcare groups and the areas they cover is presented on a Statewide map. Hundreds of Landcare people across the State have contributed to this map. At present the information available extends to support staff contacts, issues (for example salinity or biodiversity) and activities the groups are working on. Statistics on work being undertaken and other detailed information will also be available in the future.

The map will enable Landcare groups to plan their work in the context of broader natural resource management issues and plans, and illustrate the potential of Landcare to Catchment Management Boards in delivery of management action and new targets.

WATER NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

River Information Internet System

waterinfo.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/riis

River information is provided for people who need to know how much water is in a river or dam, or how high a river is flowing and other details.

River communities can check on river and dam levels in times of drought or flood. Irrigators can check on river conditions and make an assessment of the likelihood of suitable flows for pumping. Swimmers can check on water conditions for their favourite swimming location. Anglers can check the level of dams and rivers prior to deciding on a fishing expedition.

Hunter integrated telemetry system (HITS)

hits.nsw.gov.au

HITS information is provided for people who need to know current river conditions in the Hunter catchment, for example how high a river is flowing or what is the salinity or temperature of the flow.

This information is key to the operation of the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme. It facilitates EPA-licensed dischargers to discharge saline water into the Hunter River at times of high flow when there will not be any environmentally adverse effects. It provides transparent access for the community, industry, irrigators, Local Government, EPA and anyone with an interest in the current river conditions, salinity and flow, in almost real time (at a resolution of up to ten minutes). Recreational users also use HITS for such pursuits as swimming, fishing and canoeing.

Waterwatch/Streamwatch

streamwatch.org.au/db

NSW Waterwatch is part of a national community-based water quality monitoring program that assists community groups to monitor the quality of water in their catchments and local waterways. Based on the information collected through monitoring, the groups can often identify environmental issues in their region and develop action strategies to help rectify any problems identified and improve the water quality of their waterway.

On the Waterwatch/Streamwatch online data base there is currently information collected from over 400 volunteer groups monitoring 400 sites across NSW and have generated over 10,000 sets of community water quality data. The multi-dimensional data base was designed so that at every stage you can access maps, graphs and tabulate data sources, from four levels: DLWC Regions, catchments, sub-catchments and sites.

FLORA AND FAUNA NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

Atlas of NSW Wildlife

wildlifeatlas.npws.nsw.gov.au

The Atlas of NSW Wildlife is the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's database of fauna and flora records. It contains nearly one million records, and covers all areas of the state.

It is possible for people to find out what species of animals and plants they expect to see in various areas of the State and see a map of where they have been recorded.

PlantNet

plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au

The PlantNET system provides access to data resulting from research work by staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. PlantNET can be searched for information on New South Wales plant names, their distribution and their conservation status.

Australian Museum Faunanet Website

www.austmus.gov.au (site not yet available)

FaunaNet is the Australia Museum's online biological database search facility. It provides a master list of the scientific and common names of the animals of New South Wales. Through FaunaNet you can access the collection-based records of these animals and see a map of their distribution in NSW.

Previously scientists and others had to scour old catalogues and literature sources. Through a simple query system they can now see the classification, the correct name and broad distributional details of over 10,000 species.

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