Description: The GDE Atlas was released in 2012, and was produced by conducting a national-scale assessment. This involved a nationally consistent methodology using remote sensing and GIS rules-based analysis, which mapped the potential for groundwater/ecosystem interaction. Since then, various States have conducted regional and State-wide studies, generating new GDE mapping. A range of approaches were used for these studies, including field work, remote sensing and application of rules/conceptual models. In 2016–2017 most of these regional datasets were added to the GDE Atlas. As such, data is classified as being derived from either the national assessment or regional studies.There are three GDE layers in the GDE Atlas based on GDE type, as follows: Aquatic ecosystems that rely on the surface expression of groundwater–this includes surface water ecosystems which may have a groundwater component, such as rivers, wetlands and springs. Marine and estuarine ecosystems can also be groundwater dependent, but these are not mapped in the Atlas.Terrestrial ecosystems that rely on the subsurface presence of groundwater–this includes all vegetation ecosystems.Subterranean ecosystems–this includes cave and aquifer ecosystems.
Description: The GDE Atlas was released in 2012, and was produced by conducting a national-scale assessment. This involved a nationally consistent methodology using remote sensing and GIS rules-based analysis, which mapped the potential for groundwater/ecosystem interaction. Since then, various States have conducted regional and State-wide studies, generating new GDE mapping. A range of approaches were used for these studies, including field work, remote sensing and application of rules/conceptual models. In 2016–2017 most of these regional datasets were added to the GDE Atlas. As such, data is classified as being derived from either the national assessment or regional studies.There are three GDE layers in the GDE Atlas based on GDE type, as follows: Aquatic ecosystems that rely on the surface expression of groundwater–this includes surface water ecosystems which may have a groundwater component, such as rivers, wetlands and springs. Marine and estuarine ecosystems can also be groundwater dependent, but these are not mapped in the Atlas.Terrestrial ecosystems that rely on the subsurface presence of groundwater–this includes all vegetation ecosystems.Subterranean ecosystems–this includes cave and aquifer ecosystems.