The Vegetation Monitoring & Assessment Program (VMAP) is Australia's premier collaborative program, led by The Australian National University and Haizea Analytics, that provides accessible, authoritative and timely information on forests and other woody vegetation across Australia. This comprehensive vegetation monitoring assessment program is guided by five overarching principles: Useful – VMAP datasets meet identified information needs related to native vegetation Robust – VMAP datasets are derived using robust methods Transparent – VMAP’s methods and processes are transparent Timely – VMAP data outputs are provided in a timely manner Accessible – VMAP methods and data are freely and easily accessible for non-commercial uses
In its first phase, VMAP is focused on providing three data products. Forest extent dataset. This dataset evaluates the extent forests across the continent and tracks gains and losses in forest extent over time. Woody cover dataset. This dataset evaluates and tracks the cover provided by woody vegetation across Australia, at 10m x 10m scale, including vegetation that does not meet the thresholds for forest cover. Land carbon model. The VMAP land carbon model provides estimates of carbon stocks in native forest and woodland ecosystems, and carbon emissions and removals from deforestation and reforestation events. These information products are being progressively launched over late 2025, early 2026 and will be updated thereafter.
Derived from 10-m resolution satellite imagery (Sentinel-2) that tracks forest extent and forest losses and gains. Available Now: National dataset with forest extent in 2020 and subsequent forest losses. Coming Soon: Data on forest gains since 2020.
Derived from 10m resolution satellite imagery (Sentinel-2) that estimates foliage projective cover from woody vegetation across the continent from 2017. Foliage projective cover is the proportion of ground area covered by the vertical projection of the foliage of tree crowns. It provides a measure of woody vegetation cover. Coming Late 2025: First version of the woody cover dataset.
Provides estimates of carbon stocks in native forest and woodland ecosystems, and carbon emissions and removals from deforestation and reforestation events. Coming Late 2025: First version of the land carbon model.
User-friendly platform Provides free and easy access to VMAP datasets, the land carbon model, and information related to “deforestation-free” assessments.
VMAP aims to serve a wide range of user needs related to the monitoring and assessment of forests and other woody vegetation. These include the provision of information to support environmental markets and certification schemes, environmental and greenhouse gas accounting at farm through to national scale, research on native vegetation and biodiversity, policy evaluation and development, and property-level monitoring for landholders. The intended users are businesses, governments, researchers and not-for-profit organisations. A focus of VMAP’s first phase is on providing landholders and others with tailored access to the forest extent dataset to help them undertake “deforestation-free” assessments against international standards. The forest extent dataset does not contain information on deforestation; only forest extent and forest losses (and gains). Forest loss is not the same as deforestation—all deforestation involves forest loss but not all forest loss constitutes deforestation. For example, forest loss can be caused by disturbances like fires and natural fluctuations in crown cover caused by seasonal conditions, while deforestation always involves human-induced conversion of forest to a non-forest state (often with additional qualifications and exemptions on when forest conversions constitute deforestation for relevant purposes). The distinction between forest loss and deforestation means VMAP cannot and should not be relied on to make claims about deforestation. Where VMAP detects forest loss, more information is needed to determine whether it constitutes deforestation against relevant standards. Notwithstanding this, VMAP’s estimates of forest extent in 2020, and of forest losses since 2020, can help landholders and others assess whether deforestation has occurred under relevant definitions and processes. To help users navigate the complexities associated with “deforestation-free” processes, VMAP also provides: ✓ Deforestation guidance aligned with the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) ✓ A preliminary self-assessment tool for deforestation ✓ Guidance on “make good” processes for remedying past deforestation VMAPs "deforestation-free" capabilities showcase how the program's data products can be tailored to meet particular needs and use cases. The VMAP team is keen to work with interested parties in the business, government, research and not-for-profit sectors to ensure its products meet user needs and explore opportunities to develop new tailored products.