Abstract
The dataset was derived by the Bioregional Assessment Programme. The parent dataset(s) is 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.
A raster of landform built using the Stein Index as described in the 'INTERIM CLASSIFICATION OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS IN THE MURRAY-DARLING BASIN' page 23-24.
This is used to classify streams according to whether it is upland or lowland relative to the surrounding terrain and high energy or low energy depending on landscape features.
Purpose
To provide a simple classification of streams for regions where there was limited information
Dataset History
The final definitions for landform, in terms of the Stein index are:
Lowland: mrVBF > 3;
Low Energy Upland: mrVBF <2.5 AND mrRTF >2.5;
High Energy Upland: mrVBF < 2.5 AND mrRTF <= 2.5;
Transitional: mrVBF >=2.5 AND mrVBF<=3.
The use of 2.5 and 3 as thresholds is based on the logic of expert opinion only applied to the scales represented in Table 9 with Lowland representing areas with a valley floor exceeding 90m wide. The resulting mapping was then examined and agreed upon by the Technical Advisory Group. Initial comparison with New South Wales River Styles mapping by New South Wales Office of Water for the Tenterfield Creek catchment in the north-eastern corner of New South Wales indicates the ANAE transitional category may be including a high number of streams the New South Wales River Styles program identified as 'upland'. This may indicate our thresholds need to be increased further (e.g. lowland >4, transitional 3.5 to 4). A visual inspection of other areas in New South Wales did not support changing thresholds at this time, but a more rigorous calibration and validation process has not yet been carried out. The New South Wales River Styles data set based on site observations is likely to be a valuable contributor to this process.
GIS application
The landform attribute was developed using the 3 sec mrVBF and mrRTF from CSIRO (Table 10)
Lowland: MrVBF_int > 3;
Low Energy Upland: MrVBF_int <= 2 AND MrRTF_int > 2;Lowland
High Energy Upland: MrVBF_int <= 2 AND MrRTF_int <= 2;
Transitional: MrVBF_int =3. (there are no values in MrVBF between 3 and 3.5, so this works)
Dataset Citation
Bioregional Assessment Programme (2015) Stein Index Classification for Streams National 20150513. Bioregional Assessment Derived Dataset. Viewed 27 November 2017, http://data.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/dataset/8915d14d-7c22-404a-ba11-07f0c25fd177.
Dataset Ancestors
