Appendix 3: Original definitions of the MfE Landcover2 data set classes

1. Built-up Area: Built-up areas including central business districts, suburban dwellings, commercial and industrial areas, and horticultural sites dominated by structures and sealed surfaces (e.g., glasshouses). The class includes associated hard surfaces and infrastructure such as roads, carparks and paved areas. Low density residential areas are included, as long as sealed surfaces and constructed materials account for X % of the surface area. Note: artificial surfaces associated with rural infrastructure will comprise a separate class, refer class 5 for details.
2. Urban Parkland : Open, typically mown grassed amenity reserves within or associated with urban areas. The class includes parks with scattered trees, playing fields, cemeteries, golf courses, and river berms. Areas of hard surface, buildings and trees or scrub within Urban Parklands, and larger than the MMU will be classified separately.
3. Surface Mine: Culturally derived bare surfaces such as gravel pits and other open quarries. These areas will only be mapped, if their horizontal extent makes them identifiable in the image.
4. Dump: Areas used for the surface disposal of solid waste material
5. Rural Infrastructure: Includes transport corridors, roads, railroads, forest skid sites and other features of artificial or constructed materials not classified as urban area. This is a new class and with the exception of forest skid sites, will be derived from the relevant layers of NZTopo data.

10. Coastal Sand and Gravel: The coastal strip of land that falls on the landward side of the "coastline" as defined in NZTopo data. This convention is necessary as the area of coastal sand or mudflat imaged at sensor overpass is tide dependent.
11. River and Lakeshore Gravel and Rock: Areas adjacent to rivers and lakes characterised by bare gravel and rock. These are generally recent surfaces and vegetation, if present, is not apparent in the imagery, although, e.g., lichen and moss cover may be extensive. The exact extent of areas adjacent to rivers is dependent on the water levels at the time of image acquisition. The extent of lakeshore gravel and rock is based on the maximum water levels documented in either NZ Topo data or the 2001/02 satellite imagery.
12. Landslide: Areas of subsoil and parent material exposed due to a localised erosion event. The class is generally associated with grassland land cover classes, but does occur on forested land as a consequence of torrential rainfall or earthquake.
13. Alpine Gravel and Rock: A class mainly represented in the Southern Alps above an altitude of approximately 1300m, but includes scree slopes and glacial debris, as well as rock tor areas, throughout the hill and high country of New Zealand . Dominant cover is solid or fractured rock, mostly greywacke and argillite. Surfaces are recent and vegetation, if present, is of very low biomass and not apparent in the imagery.
14. Permanent Snow and Ice: Areas characterised by a perennial cover of snow and/or ice. Extensive and permanent snowfields are restricted to areas above 1800m in the Southern Alps , the summit of Mt Ruapehu, and shaded southerly aspects of the Fiordland mountains south of latitude 45°. The class includes glaciers that drain the most significant alpine snowfields and extend to lower altitudes. The extent of Permanent Snow and Ice is based on the minimum area documented in either NZTopo data or the 2001/02 satellite imagery.

20. Lake and Pond: Areas of permanently or intermittently, standing open fresh water without emerging vegetation (lacustrine systems). The class includes natural water bodies, such as lakes and ponds, as well as artificial water bodies, such as oxidation ponds, fire control ponds, and reservoirs. The area of standing open freshwater reflects the maximum extent documented in either the 2001/2002 satellite imagery or NZTopo data.
21. River: Areas of flowing open freshwater without emerging vegetation (riverine systems). The class includes natural and modified rivers, creeks, canals, and channels. The area of flowing open freshwater reflects the water levels at time of image acquisition, and is limited to water bodies exceeding a width of 30 m (2 pixels). Rivers are bounded downstream by Estuarine Open Water, which has a saline influence.
22. Estuarine Open Water: Areas of standing or flowing open water without emerging vegetation, where occasionally or periodically saline waters are diluted by freshwater, or freshwater is made saline. The class includes the estuaries of rivers, lagoons, and dune swales, as identified in the NIWA Inventory of Estuarine Systems. The area of estuarine open water reflects the maximum extent documented in either the satellite imagery or NZTopo data..

30. Short-rotation Cropland: Land generally found within the developed farm landscape on plains, terraces and down-land having a spectral signature indicating that soil has been exposed by cultivation or indicating land uses that typically involve regular, at least annual cultivation. The class includes land used for growing cereal crops, root crops, annual seed crops, annual vegetable crops, strawberry fields, annual flower crops, and open ground nurseries. Land lying fallow at the time of imaging will also be included. Multi-temporal imagery will be used to exclude land cultivated for pasture renewal. A sample of land classified as short rotation cropland will be inspected to determine ratios of deep, shallow and chemical tillage.
31. Vineyard: Land occupied by rows of perennial vines supporting grape crops usually harvested for the production of wine.
32. Orchard and Other Perennial Crops: Orchards and areas cultivated less than annually, and used for producing tree crops, such as pip fruit, stone fruit, nuts, olives, and citrus fruit, as well as crops grown on shrubs or climbing plants, such as berries, hops, kiwifruit, and asparagus.

40. Improved Pasture: Intensively managed exotic grasslands generally rotationally grazed for wool, fat-lamb, beef, dairy, and deer production. A class typically found on land that can be cultivated and is subject to a ‘long-rotational' cycle with pasture renewal every 5-10 years. Improved Pasture is generally vigorous reflecting high levels of inherent soil fertility, typical of the plains and down-lands, and /or fertiliser application. Paddock size is smaller than for Unimproved Pasture. Dominant species are clovers and ryegrass. Non-pasture species are inconspicuous.
41. Unimproved Pasture: Extensively managed exotic grasslands grazed for wool, sheep-meat and beef production. A class typically found on steep hill and high country throughout New Zealand , often intermixed with areas of Improved Pasture in more accessible and fertile sites. Plant growth is usually less vigorous than in Improved Pasture reflecting lower levels of soil fertility, lower fertiliser application, seasonal drought or a shorter growing season, especially in the South Island . Dominant species are less productive exotic grasses, such as browntop and sweet vernal, usually mixed with indigenous short tussock species. Areas of Unimproved Pasture show a tendency to "brown off" during summer months. Paddock size is generally larger than in areas of Improved Pasture. In wetter areas, scrub reversion in sites less accessible to stock is evident.
42. Short Tussock Grassland: Areas of grassland characterised by the presence of hard tussock ( Festuca novae-zelandiae ), blue tussock ( Poa colensoi ), and/or silver tussock ( Poa cita ). Short Tussock Grassland is typically over-sown with exotic pasture species to improve pastoral production, or exotic grasses have invaded from neighbouring areas. Short Tussock Grasslands are often extensively managed for fine wool, sheep-meat, beef and deer production, but non-grazed areas also form part of the Conservation Estate. They are typically found in low rainfall valleys and montane basins eastward of the Southern Alps and in the North Island volcanic plateaux. Paddock size is typically larger than the Improved and Unimproved Pasture class.
43. Tall Tussock Grassland: Typically found at higher altitudes in the South Island high country with limited presence in the North Island main ranges. Chionochloa species dominate, usually accompanied by Short Tussock Grassland species and a number of herbs, in particular, Celmisia species. The presence of low-growing shrubs such as Hebe , Gaultheria , and Dracophyllum species is also characteristic. Exotic grasses are usually present, especially on pastoral runs that support summer grazing. Paddock size is large reflecting the extensive nature of pastoral activity. This class includes areas of red tussock ( Chionochloa rubra ), growing in damp hollows and on boggy ground on terraces and valley floors that are part of freshwater wetland systems.
44. Depleted Tussock Grassland : Areas of very low, herbal vegetation with a general grassland/herbfield character. Short Tussock Grassland species are usually present, but display less than 10% cover. Hieracium species, thyme and/or exotic grasses are conspicuous, as is the bare ground component. Plant vigour and biomass are significantly lower than in Short Tussock Grasslands, probably as result of soil nutrient loss through repeated burning and overgrazing. Areas of Depleted Tussock Grassland are restricted to the dryer parts of the South Island high country such as the McKenzie and Waitaki Basins and Central Otago .
45. Freshwater Sedgeland/Rushland: Areas dominated by herbaceous vegetation as part of freshwater wetlands, i.e. the plants emerge over freshwater or grow in freshwater saturated soils. The vegetation consists of herbaceous plants, such as sedges, rushes, toi toi ( Cortaderia ), and Typha as well as non-vascular plants (e.g. sphagnum moss). Areas of red tussock are excluded, as they are grouped under Tall Tussock Grassland. Sedgeland / Rushland area can be permanent or ephemeral. The mapped area reflects the maximum extent documented in either LCDB 1 or the 2001 / 2002 satellite imagery.
46. Saltmarsh: Areas dominated by herbaceous vegetation as part of estuarine or coastal wetlands, i.e. the plants emerge over saline water or grow in saltwater saturated soils. The class includes saltmarshes, seagrass meadows, and inter-dunal systems dominated by herbaceous plants, such as Leptocarpus , Juncus and Sacrocarpia . Most areas of Saltmarsh are subject to tidal changes in water level. Adjacent to Estuarine Open Water they are bound by the extent of this class, which is based on the maxima documented in either the satellite imagery or NZ 260 Topodata.
47. Flaxland : Areas dominated by flax ( Phormium tenax ). Sites are usually very moist and often represent parts of wetland systems. (Note: In LCDB 1, stands of flax outside wetland systems were mapped in the scrub class. Where flax mapped in LCDB 2 corresponds with scrub in LCDB 1, it will be removed from the LCDB 1 scrub class and reassigned to the most appropriate LCDB 1 wetland class, to ensure compatibility between LCDB 1 and 2.)

50. Bracken Fern: Areas of bracken fern ( Pteridium esculentum ) and less commonly ring fern ( Paesia scaberula ) are typically associated with Unimproved Pasture in hill country. Sites have low fertility and a history of recent burning. The ferns are often associated with manuka or kanuka, the community representing early successional stages in the reversion to scrub of previously forested land. Bracken fern reaches a height of 0.5 - 1m.
51. Gorse and/or Broom: Commonly associated with Unimproved Pasture on hill country throughout New Zealand , where low site fertility, extensive grazing and fire facilitate the plants' spread and establishment. Gorse and/or broom will reach heights of 1 - 2m and are typical of land subject to frequent physical disturbance such as aggrading river beds, road cuttings, and firebreaks. Either of these species can be dominant, but they also occur in mixtures. Left undisturbed the class is transitional towards indigenous broadleaved shrubland and eventually tall forest. The period this occurs over is strongly related to rainfall. Gorse and/or broom scrub have been grouped together in one land cover class.
52. Manuka and/or Kanuka: Indigenous shrublands found throughout New Zealand often associated with lightly grazed hill country. Typically found as early successional scrub type on previously forested land with a history of burning to control scrub reversion. Presence of mature stands signifies an advanced stage of reversion, also indicated by the presence of broadleaved forest species. Manuka ( Leptospermum scoparium ) or kanuka ( Kunzea ericoides ) can be dominant, but they also occur in mixtures, and both have been grouped together in one land cover class. Kanuka is more common in the North Island with a maximum height of 8-10m on moist sites. Manuka dominates South Island communities with a maximum height of 2-6m.
53. Matagouri: A divaricating, thorny shrub reaching a height of 1 - 2m found in open shrubland or thickets typically following moist areas. Matagouri ( Discaria toumatou ) is restricted to montane areas of the South Island and is associated with Short Tussock Grassland and Unimproved Pasture. Matagouri is commonly found on freely drained recent soils especially river terraces and outwash fans. Matagouri also benefits from farm management practices, in particular phosphate fertiliser, and therefore occurs often in extensively managed grazing country. The open growth habit and low plant biomass relative to height mean that areas are difficult to reliably detect in the satellite imagery. Therefore, areas mapped are generally thickets or older stands where the canopy is dense, and separable from adjacent grassland areas. The % cut-off point for detection will be defined based on field-experience.
54. Broadleaved Indigenous Hardwoods: Typically found in high rainfall areas associated with Unimproved Pasture in hill country throughout New Zealand . Communities present a mix of broad-leaved, generally seral hardwood species such as wineberry, mahoe, Pseudopanax, Pittosporum, fuchsia and Coprosma together with tutu and tree ferns. Shrubs represent the dominant growth form. The presence of this class indicates an advanced successional trend back to indigenous forest. Canopy height of this short forest and scrub class ranges from 3 - 7m.
55. Sub - Alpine Shrubland: A diverse range of shrubland communities usually occurring within an altitudinal range of 900 - 1200m, but also at lower altitudes where they represent secondary vegetation after forest clearance. This class is transitional between indigenous forest at the lower elevation and alpine tussock grassland and bare ground above 1200 - 1300m. Communities are more stable than lowland scrub types with composition and stature strongly influenced by rainfall and exposure. Typical species present include Hebe, Olearia, Dracophyllum and Cassinia with canopy height ranging from 0.5 - 2m.
56. Mixed Exotic Shrubland: Single-species or mixed stands of introduced shrubs and climbers, such as boxthorn, hawthorn, elderberry, briar rose, buddleja, blackberry, and old man's beard.
57. Grey Scrub: Areas of small-leaved divaricate indigenous shrubs with mainly divaricate growth form, i.e. the shrubs form dense masses of entangled, fine branches by branching at almost right angles. Small-leaved Coprosma are usually dominant. Characteristic is also the presence of native climbers such as Muehlenbeckia and Parsonsia . From a distance these areas have a grey appearance (hence ‘grey scrub'), as the woody component is the dominant feature, while leaves are small and inconspicuous. Areas of dominantly manuka / kanuka and matagouri are mapped separately (see classes 52 and 53).

60. Mangrove: Mangrove ( Avicenna officinalis ) communities found on estuarine mudflats and tidal creeks. Distribution is restricted to upper North Island northward of latitude 38°. Canopy height can reach 7m reducing to 1m in the southern range of the distribution.
61. Major Shelterbelts: Major Shelterbelts visible as linear features in the imagery. No distinction is made between evergreen or deciduous shelterbelts. Shelterbelts longer than 200 m will be mapped.
62. Afforestation (not imaged): Areas of new forest planting not visible in the satellite imagery, but identified during the field-checking phase, or because of contextual patterns associated with forest establishment, e.g. roading and firebreaks. Because this class is identified in a random fashion, the class will contain a larger error than classes identified on the images, i.e. the true area of new afforestation is likely to be larger than assessed. No distinction between species is made.
63. Afforestation (imaged and post-LCDB 1): Areas of Pinus radiata forest visible in the imagery and located on sites recorded as non-forested in LCDB 1. These areas represent young forests that were not visible in the imagery used for LCDB 1 or have been planted since. Young plantations are identifiable in satellite imagery 4-5 years after planting, depending on initial stocking.
64. Pine Forest - Harvested: Areas showing obvious signs of recent harvesting, e.g. skid tracking, new roading, landings. The classification assumes these sites to have been replanted, and this will be checked in the next iteration of the database. By this time, if the areas were replanted, the trees will be at least 5 years old and identifiable. The purpose of this class is to confirm the extent of harvested pine forest that is replanted.
65. Pine Forest - Open Canopy: Plantations of Pinus radiata showing significant reflectance of understorey land cover. The reflectance values for stand biomass and pine canopy indicate that trees are in an age class of approximately 6 - 15 years.
66. Pine Forest - Closed Canopy: Plantations of Pinus radiata where reflectance is dominated by the pine canopy. Reflectance values for stand biomass and shadow from canopy texture indicate that trees are likely to be older than 15 years. The purpose of this class is to highlight stands likely to be harvested within 10 - 15 years of the image date.
67. Other Exotic Forest : Exotic forest consisting of conifers other than Pinus radiata , such as Douglas fir, macrocarpa, and larch, or evergreen broad-leaved species, such as Acacia and Eucalyptus . This class also includes stands of wilding pines (i.e. usually Corsican, Contorta and Ponderosa Pine), as far as they are identifiable from the images, i.e. stands are dense/tall enough to show a distinct signature.
68. Deciduous Hardwoods: Typically willow and poplar species growing adjacent to inland water and rivers, this class also includes stands of planted exotic deciduous hardwoods, such as Oak ( Quercus spp), Ash ( Fraxinus spp) and Elm (Ulmus spp.), species.
69. Indigenous Forest : Classification of indigenous forest classes using satellite imagery has not been attempted for LCDB2. A national programme establishing permanent plots throughout all indigenous forest and scrub mapped in LCDB1 began in 2002. Ground data from this programme and other survey records will be used to update indigenous forest classes at a later date. Indigenous forest extent has been defined in LCDB1 and will be updated in LCDB2. Indigenous forest is defined as vegetation dominated by indigenous tall forest canopy trees. As an interim measure the forest class boundaries from the FSMS6 mapping series will be used. The rational for this is that forest classes described from the 1948-55 National Forest Survey are still relevant and that forest extent can be reliably updated using satellite imagery. 20% of indigenous forest mapped in LCDB1 was not mapped in FSMS6 and therefore will not have a FSMS6 forest class designated. The 18 FSMS6 forest classes that will be used are:

• Kauri
• Kauri - Softwoods - Hardwoods
• Kauri - Softwoods - Hardwoods - Beeches
• Softwoods
• Rimu - Matai - Hardwoods
• Rimu - Taraire - Tawa
• Rimu - Tawa
• Rimu - General Hardwoods
• Lowland Wetland Steepland and Highland Softwoods - Hardwoods
• Rimu - Tawa Beeches
• Rimu - General Hardwoods - Beeches
• Highland Softwoods - Beeches
• Taraire - Tawa
• Tawa
• General Hardwoods
• Tawa Beeches
• General Hardwoods - Beeches
• Beeches

70. Unclassified: Land area that cannot be allocated to any of the target land cover classes due to areas within imagery that are obscured by cloud and the area could not be "infilled" with another image source or field verified. Skid sites will be classified as Class 701 and will be merged into the "Rural Infrastructure" class on completion of the project.

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