About Ecological Vegetation Classes

What is an EVC?

An Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) is the standard unit for classifying vegetation types in Victoria. EVCs represent the original (pre-1750) vegetation communities that would have naturally occurred across the landscape.

Each EVC is defined by a combination of floristic characteristics, ecological processes, and environmental conditions. This classification system provides a framework for understanding Victoria's ecological heritage and guides conservation and restoration efforts.

How This Tool Works

This tool identifies the EVC classification for a given Victorian address by:

1. Converting the address to geographic coordinates using OpenStreetMap geocoding services

2. Querying Victorian Government spatial datasets via the WFS (Web Feature Service) API

3. Matching the coordinates against pre-1750 vegetation mapping data

4. Displaying the relevant EVC classification, bioregion, and conservation status

Data Sources and Methodology

EVC data is sourced from the Victorian Government's open data platform, specifically the NV2005_EVCBCS layer which represents Native Vegetation 2005 Ecological Vegetation Classes with Bioregional Conservation Status.

The tool uses point-in-polygon geographic analysis to determine which EVC boundary contains a given address. When coordinates fall between mapped boundaries—a common occurrence due to the transitional nature of ecological communities—the system identifies the nearest EVC polygon.

Understanding Limitations

This tool provides indicative, identity-level classifications based on modelled pre-1750 vegetation patterns. Results represent broad ecological patterns rather than site-specific assessments.

EVC boundaries represent transition zones between ecological communities. Spatial datasets contain simplified geometries and may include gaps where coordinates do not fall within any mapped polygon. Results may differ from authoritative tools such as Nature Kit, which may use enhanced data or proprietary matching algorithms.

For planning permits, compliance requirements, or detailed ecological assessments, verification with Nature Kit or consultation with qualified ecologists is recommended.

Conservation Status

Each EVC is assigned a Bioregional Conservation Status that indicates its level of depletion and vulnerability:

Endangered: Less than 10% of the pre-1750 extent remains

Vulnerable: 10-30% of the pre-1750 extent remains

Depleted: 30-70% of the pre-1750 extent remains

Rare: Naturally restricted distribution

Least Concern: More than 70% of the pre-1750 extent remains