Search FAQ

For further information or assistance email questions to: wetlands♲des.qld.gov.au

Wetland on-line education modules

How are wetlands defined?

Due to the way legislation and policy has developed over time, Queensland has several different wetland definitions. This in turn has led to the development and use of different mapping products.

The Queensland Wetlands Program wetland definition is based on the internationally accepted Ramsar definition.

For more information on wetland definitions go to wetland definition page.

What is the difference between an image, a map and mapping data?

Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, an image, a map and mapping data are not the same thing.

In a geographical information context:

• an image is a ‘picture’, generally taken from above, of an area at a given point in time. Examples of images include aerial photographs or satellite images.
• a map is a portrayal of an area that is drawn to a selected scale and generally shows one of a limited number of features (for example, wetlands or vegetation). Traditionally maps are produced by interpreting imagery and other information combined with limited ground truthing. Commonly, features are classified into discrete classes. While images can be interesting and useful, it is necessary to interpret imagery to provide the systematic and consistent information contained in a map that is required for natural resource planning and management.
• mapping data contains spatial information about the location and extent of mapped features, as well as descriptive attributes associated with those features (for example, wetland system or vegetation type). Mapping data is generally stored on a computer and manipulated using GIS software. GIS software can be used to view mapping data and query the information and attributes contained in the data. Mapping data can be used—either on its own or in combination with other data—to produce maps and statistics.

What kinds of wetland mapping exist for Queensland and how do they relate to each other?

Many different kinds of wetland mapping exist for Queensland. The following table provides information about some of the main wetland mapping products available at a state scale. Note that in addition to those listed there may be other wetland mapping products available for your local area.

Mapping data	Scale	Currency	Line work	Includes *	Extent	Limitations	Use	Contact
Queensland Wetland Data Version 6.0 - wetland areas	Statewide at 1:100,000 scale. Coastal areas may be mapped at 1:50,000 scale and Brisbane City may be mapped at 1:25,000 scale.	See metadata	Wetland habitats mapped and classified	S, I, R, P and L wetlands, whether natural, modified or artificial. See background and method	All of Qld	Wetlands smaller than 1ha not mapped, does not include groundwater mapping, very little classification in subtidal area	Base mapping, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Queensland Wetland Data Version 6.0 - wetland lines	1:50,000 to 1:100,000	See metadata	Wetland habitats mapped and classified	R wetlands, whether natural, modified or artificial See background and method	All of Qld	No attributes	Base mapping, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Queensland Wetland Data Version 6.0 - wetland points	N/A	See metadata	Wetland habitats mapped and classified	S, I, R, P and L wetlands, for some regions only See background and method	All of Qld, but not complete	Not complete	Base mapping, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Regional ecosystem mapping	1:100,000 min 5ha/ 75m (Inland), 1:50,000 min 1ha/ 35 m (Coastal)	See metadata	Regional ecosystems mapped	Regional ecosystems that contain E, R, P and L wetlands	All of Qld	Wetlands smaller than 1ha not mapped, does not include groundwater mapping, very little classification in subtidal area	Certified version under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), input to Queensland wetland mapping	DETSI
Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia	Variable 1:250,000 1:100,000	See metadata	Broad aggregations rather than individual wetlands mapped, may contain non-wetland areas	Nationally significant M, E, R, P and L wetlands whether natural, modified or artificial	All of Qld (approximately 180 sites)	Coverage for all of Queensland but does not represent all wetlands which would meet the criteria for nationally important wetlands	Contextual information and incorporated into aquatic conservation assessments	DETSI
Ramsar	Variable	See metadata	Ramsar sites rather than individual wetlands mapped, may contain non-wetland areas	Internationally significant M, E, R, P and L wetlands	5 sites in Qld	Limited coverage	Triggers application of Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)	DETSI
DPI coastal wetlands	1:100,000		Wetland habitats mapped	Super tidal E wetlands only	Entire Qld coastline	Dataset dated and not maintained	Natural resource management, input to Queensland wetland mapping	DPI
Wetland maps under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 consist of three data sets being: Map of GBR WPAs (trigger) Map of GBR WPAs (wetland- which is a subset of below map showing GBR HES wetlands only) Map of Qld Wetland Environmental Values (GBR HES, HES, GES)	1:100,000 min 5ha/ 75m (Inland), 1:50,000 min 1ha/ 35m (Coastal)	See metadata	Variable	See the programs, polices and legislation pages	Great Barrier Reef catchments	N/A	See the programs, polices and legislation pages	DETSI
High ecological/conservation value waters (HEV)	1:100,000 1:50,000		Overlay on Queensland wetland mapping	See the programs, polices and legislation pages	Douglas, Mary, Great Sandy and South East Queensland	'Waters in which the biological integrity of the water is effectively unmodified or highly valued.' (EPPW, schedule 2)	See the programs, polices and legislation pages	DETSI
Aquatic Conservation Assessments using AquaBAMM	1:50,000 to 1:100,000	See metadata	Variable	Riverine, uses the Queensland wetland mapping lines as base dataset, See background and method	Catchments of Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Murray-Darling Basin, Wide Bay-Burnett, Southern Gulf of Carpentaria and Southeast Queensland	All river segments in an assessment unit are assigned the same value	Used in many planning and prioritisation processes	DETSI
Aquatic Conservation Assessments using AquaBAMM	1:50,000 to 1:100,000	See metadata	Variable	Non-riverine, uses the Queensland wetland mapping areas as base dataset, See background and method	Catchments of Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Murray-Darling Basin, Wide Bay-Burnett catchments, Southern Gulf of Carpentaria and Southeast Queensland	All river segments in an assessment unit are assigned the same value	Used in many planning and prioritisation processes	DETSI
Queensland Springs Data	N/A	See metadata	Wetland habitats (point source spring ecosystems)	Active and Inactive Springs	All of Queensland	Not complete. See metadata for estimated completeness by spring supergroup.	Base mapping, may have multiple uses.	DETSI
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) Surface Expression Area Features	1:100,000 minimum	See metadata	Groundwater dependent ecosystems mapped and classified	Ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater. See background and method	Eastern Murray–Darling Basin, Wide Bay–Burnett, Pumicestone Passage Catchment, Mackay–Whitsunday, South East Queensland, and Lake Eyre Basin and surrounding drainage sub-basins	Incomplete attribution in some catchments	Base mapping only, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) Surface Expression Lines Features	1:100,000 minimum	See metadata	Groundwater dependent ecosystems mapped and classified	Ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater, See background and method	Eastern Murray–Darling Basin, Wide Bay–Burnett, Pumicestone Passage Catchment, Mackay–Whitsunday, South East Queensland, and Lake Eyre Basin and surrounding drainage sub-basins	Incomplete attribution in some catchments	Base mapping only, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) Surface Expression Point Features	Variable, see metadata	See metadata	Groundwater dependent ecosystems mapped and classified	Ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater, See background and method	All of Qld	Incomplete attribution in some catchments	Base mapping only, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) Terrestrial Area Features	1:100,000	See metadata	Groundwater dependent ecosystems mapped and classified	Ecosystems dependent on the subsurface presence of groundwater, See background and method	Eastern Murray–Darling Basin, Wide Bay–Burnett, Pumicestone Passage Catchment, Mackay–Whitsunday, South East Queensland, and Lake Eyre Basin and surrounding drainage sub-basins	Incomplete attribution in some catchments	Base mapping only, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) Subterranean Area Features	1:250,000 minimum	See metadata	Groundwater dependent ecosystems mapped and classified	Cave ecosystems dependent on the subterranean presence of groundwater, See background and method	All of Qld	Incomplete attribution	Base mapping only, may have multiple uses	DETSI
Queensland land use Mapping	1:50,000 to 1:100,000	See metadata	Contains wetlands	See background and method	Queensland	N/A	Land use	DETSI
Floodplain assessment overlay	Various	See metadata	Floodplain areas	See background	Queensland	Does not cover all areas of Queensland	Represents an estimate of areas potentially at threat of inundation by flooding	See metadata
Intertidal and subtidal mapping for Central Queensland		See metadata	Intertidal and subtidal areas	S and I wetlands, whether natural, modified or artificial. See background and method	Central Queensland	Does not cover all areas of Queensland	Provides an understanding of the nature and extent of ecosystems to enable effective management.	DETSI
Assessment of Common Conservation Values - Intertidal and Subtidal Environs of the Baffle to Fitzroy Coast		See metadata	Intertidal and subtidal areas	S and I wetlands, whether natural, modified or artificial. See background and method	Central Queensland - Baffle to Fitzroy	Does not cover all areas of Queensland	Conducted as a subcomponent of the larger Queensland Intertidal and Subtidal Ecosystem Classification Scheme (QISC) developed under the Queensland Wetlands Program.	DETSI

* wetland system abbreviations

M	: Marine
S	: Subtidal
E	: Estuarine
I	: Intertidal
R	: Riverine
P	: Palustrine
L	: Lacustrine

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

Relative importance/contribution of source datasets to mapping

The wetland mapping combines several information sources to make one map:

• topographic streams
• wetland water-bodies
• wetland regional ecosystems
• springs
• hydrographic features data

Wetland water-body mapping is better at identifying open water bodies with no vegetation and hydrologically modified wetlands. Regional ecosystem mapping is better for identifying vegetated and natural wetlands. Many wetlands were detected in both datasets however the overall extent of wetlands in Queensland required the use of both.

What statutory maps are required for wetlands?

Wetland related legislation

Wetland naming protocol

General Queensland wetland mapping FAQs

Why was the Queensland wetland mapping produced?

A sound understanding of different wetland types—their characteristics and where these are located—is fundamental to managing and making decisions about wetlands. Producing comprehensive wetland maps for the whole of Queensland was therefore a key part of the Queensland Wetlands Program.

The Queensland wetland mapping is base mapping. It has no legislative standing in and of itself, however it may be used as an input for other wetland mapping products which may have legislative standing.

For more information please see the wetland mapping background page.

How was the Queensland wetland mapping produced?

The Queensland wetland mapping was produced using existing information including wetland water body mapping derived from satellite imagery, regional ecosystem mapping, springs, topographic, and hydrographic features datasets. The result is a consistent wetland map for the whole of Queensland.

Ancillary data, such as satellite imagery analyses, geology and soil mapping was also used in attributing Queensland Wetlands Program wetland mapping products. For further information on ancillary data used, refer to the data dictionary.

The wetland mapping was undertaken in accordance with a detailed peer reviewed methodology which included quality assurance measures for all steps in the process. For more detailed information on how the Queensland Wetlands Program wetland mapping was produced, please see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

What information does the Queensland wetland mapping contain?

The Queensland wetland mapping contains several datasets. They are:

• wetland area data sets based on wetland extent as of a specific year. These wetland area data sets include swamps (palustrine wetlands), lakes (lacustrine wetlands), rivers (riverine wetlands), and vegetated intertidal wetlands above mean sea level. In addition these datasets also include areas that are classified containing 1-50% and 51-80% of wetland and non-wetland mosaics (refer to Methodology for Survey and Mapping of Regional Ecosystems and Vegetation Communities in Queensland—Section 3.8.2 for further discussion of mosaic polygons). Floodplains are not included in wetlands mapping however, wetlands located on floodplains are included.
• a streams dataset containing lines that represent the drainage network for Queensland
• a point dataset containing the location of water holes, springs and other wetlands too small to map in the area and lines datasets.

A wide range of information is available in these datasets including information on ecology, geology, hydrology, soils, etc. For further information on the full list of attributes available in the data, refer to the Queensland Wetland Classification Database (QWCD).

For further information on how the following attributes are derived please see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

The interactive map server WetlandMaps and the Queensland wetland mapping data shows wetland distribution and classification and contains information about a subset of available wetland attributes, which can be queried and displayed to suit the user.

Does the Queensland wetland mapping contain information about wetland condition?

The Queensland wetland mapping contains qualifiers on the naturalness of wetlands based on a set of defined activities that alter wetland hydrology. They do not define what hydrological change has occurred. These activities can apply at any scale and to any wetland system. They may cause a change in wetland system or the loss of the wetland. For example, partial draining of a lacustrine wetland may cause the wetland system to change to palustrine wetland, while complete draining would cause the loss of the wetland. For further information on these activities, refer to the wetland hydrological modification conceptual models.

Other wetland condition attributes are not included in the mapping. For example, though the Queensland wetland mapping may indicate that a wetland is a particular regional ecosystem which contains species specific to that ecosystem, there may in fact not be many of those species in the wetland due to clearing and/or other disturbances. For further information on wetland assessment methods see the Asessment Toolbox and the Wetland Condition Assessment Tool (WetCAT).

How can I get the Queensland wetland mapping?

Queensland wetland program mapping delivery

What is the currency, scale and accuracy of the Queensland wetland mapping data?

Currency, scale and accuracy

Where can I find the metadata for the Queensland wetland mapping data?

Metadata

Who do I contact for more information, assistance or to provide feedback using the Queensland wetland mapping?

Contact wetlands♲des.qld.gov.au

What do I do if I think a change should be made to the mapping?

Firstly you will need to check the Queensland Wetland Delineation and Mapping Guideline and the Queensland Wetland Definition Guideline which details the information that the Queensland Herbarium would require to review the mapping in an area. After you have collected the relevant information you can email the information to Queensland.Herbarium♲qld.gov.au  with attention ‘Wetlands Mapping’ in the subject line.

If the change is part of a development application it should go through the normal application process with the approving agency, who will refer you as the applicant to the delineation guideline. Once the assessing officer has received the information they will usually forward any relevant information on to the Queensland Herbarium.

Changes to wetland mapping are publically released as part of periodic map updates, which document ongoing changes to wetland extent, incorporate new data and correct errors identified in the map. The release of updated mapping occurs at approximately two year intervals (from 2022). Historically the release of updated mapping occurred on a four year interval.

Specific Queensland wetland mapping FAQs

Are floodplains included in the Queensland wetland mapping?

Many areas of floodplains do not remain wet long enough to generate wetland soils or support wetland species and therefore are not wetlands according to the Queensland Wetlands Program wetland definition. Parts of a floodplain may meet the definition of a wetland and these wetlands are assigned a wetland system (e.g. P, L, R, etc). They are sometimes called floodplain wetlands. Floodplains themselves, however, are not wetlands per se. Floodplain wetlands are included in the Queensland wetland mapping, however, floodplains are not.

The Interactive FloodCheck map interface shows floodline overlays, historical and detailed data relating to Queensland floods.

Are artificial wetlands included in the Queensland wetland mapping?

Yes. Artificial and modified natural wetlands such as farm dams, ring tanks and canals are included in the Queensland wetland mapping. Not all wetlands are totally natural or totally artificial, some are natural wetlands that have been modified. One of the attributes included in the Queensland wetland mapping is a qualifier of wetland naturalness which identifies whether a wetland is natural, modified, or artificial.

For more information on these hydrological modifiers go to What information does the Queensland wetland mapping contain?

Is riparian vegetation included in the riverine wetlands that are mapped?

Riverine systems are often associated with fringing wetland vegetation which by definition is classified as a palustrine wetland system separate to the channel which is classified as a riverine wetland system.

However, in many instances the Queensland wetland mapping scale is not fine enough to distinguish between the two wetland systems as the minimum width shown on the mapping is 35m on the coast and 75m for inland areas. Therefore areas mapped as a riverine wetland on the Queensland wetland mapping often include fringing palustrine wetlands. For more information see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

What does lacustrine and palustrine mean?

Wetland system definitions

What is an ‘Intertidal/Subtidal’ wetland system?

In Queensland Wetland Data there may be areas identified as having a wetland system of ‘Intertidal/Subtidal’. These areas contain intertidal wetlands, subtidal wetlands, or a combination of both. Currently, there is insufficient information available to classify which parts of the area are intertidal and which parts are subtidal wetlands.

How did you decide where a riverine wetland ends and an intertidal wetland begins?

The primary mechanism used to distinguish between systems influenced by tidal salinity (intertidal and subtidal) and those not influenced by tidal salinity (riverine, palustrine and lacustrine) is water sampling to determine where salinity drops below 5ppt. However, as the Queensland wetland mapping is compiled remotely using existing data, it is necessary to use mapping surrogates.

Where the cut-off between saline and fresh water is across a channel, the surrogates used to determine the mean high water springs (MHWS) were the presence of a barrier such as a barrage or weir, or the line between estuarine and non-estuarine vegetation. Where the cut-off is outside a channel, the surrogate used to determine the highest astronomical tide (HAT) was the boundary between estuarine and other types of vegetation or water. For more information go to the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

How did you decide where the marine/subtidal wetlands end?

According to the Queensland Wetlands Program wetland definition subtidal wetlands extend from the low tide limit to a depth of 6m below the Lowest Astronomical Tide. However, a map of the 6m bathymetric (ocean depth contour) does not currently exist for Queensland, therefore the 3 nautical mile limit has been used to draw the edge of the subtidal wetlands in Queensland waters on the Queensland wetland mapping. If the 6m bathymetric data becomes available in the future the Queensland wetland mapping will be updated.

Specific Queensland wetland mapping geographic information system FAQs

What formats is the Queensland wetland mapping data available in?

The Queensland wetland mapping is available as a file geodatabase, shapefile, KML, and Geopackage from QSpatial and the Queensland Government Open Data Portal.

I am not using an ESRI GIS program. How can I view the Queensland wetland mapping?

If you are not using an ESRI GIS program, you should access the inbuilt or online help file for your program to determine which format is the most suitable for your program. Some programs, such as QGIS and MapInfo, can use one or more provided formats directly. For others, such as AutoCAD, you may need to use a utility to import the file. There are also a number of free programs available on the internet (e.g. ArcExplorer which is available from ESRI) that will allow you to perform simple operations such as viewing, navigating and querying shape files.

You can also use online visualisation platforms to view Queensland wetland mapping including WetlandMaps and the Queensland Globe.

How is the digital wetland mapping projected?

The geodatabase coordinates are geographic. More specifically, they are geodetic longitude and latitude (EPSG: 4283). The data includes wetland area in hectares for analysis; however, if you would like to measure distances in square kilometres you will need to project the data to an appropriate coordinate system.

How can I extend my use of the Queensland wetland mapping data?

The Queensland wetland mapping can be imported into other GIS analyses as needed by the user. It must be noted that the disclaimers on the metadata should be maintained on all products produced. Data should be used appropriately and at the recommended scale.

---

Last updated: 11 October 2023